I am just glad that there's folk like and me that are into UFO. Loved UFO since I was about 12 in 1980. It was they're heavier stuff. But love almost all thier tunes
You Are Here! doesn't have stand out tracks but for some reason something draws me to it.. UFO does not have a bad album... LOL leven oved the pre schenker UFO
The Wild The Willing & The Innocent = #1 UFO album of all time. Brilliantly written and performed ... a deep, deep album with tons of charm and diversity. One of the best hard rock albums ever produced IMO.
I have to agree with you . An outstanding album, every song is great. Not one weak track on the LP. Amazing guitar riffs and leads that stand up to any that Schenker did on any UFO studio LP.
The Mighty Decibel - Heavy Metal yes! The Wild The Willing and The Innocent is my #1 as well. Solid from top to bottom. Not one filler track. High Stakes and Dangerous Men is my second favorite. Lights out, No Place to Run and Making Contact round out my top 5. The first 2 albums, Misdemeanor, Sharks and Ain’t Misbehaving are my 5 worst.
Nothing compares to the Schenker era . Just my opinion . when others say they prefer the tonka and other eras it's almost every time that they started listening to them during that era. If you take the fan base that has listened to them from the beginning to the end they almost always say schenker era is the best. Again, just my opinion
These "ranking" videos have inspired me to go back and revisit a lot of long-unlistened albums as well as checking out more recent work from classic bands like Uriah Heep and UFO. Thanks, Pete.
For me it was Lights Out, then Osession and Force it. They were untouchable during this period with Moggs great vocals (he still sounds good) and Schenkers stunning gtr work. This was pre van Halen and he was on fire with that hard electric tone and his technique. UFO just had it then. Saw them on Force It tour and it was £1 ($2) a ticket. They stormed that show. Even met Schenker coming out after the gig.!Other gtr players have done a great job but this was the period I saw them numerous times and was so into them. They still sound good today. Production really ramped up when Ron Nevison was hired for Lights Out. Thanks for reminding me all these albums
My first two UFO albums I bought were 'Obsession' & 'Lights Out' through the old Columbia House Record Club back in the 1970's. I'd never heard of them before, but, the club's monthly mini-catalog's description of those LPs sounded cool and when I listened to them, I was hooked. Amazing records. Loved your list and mine is fairly similar.
The schenker era is great, especially Phenomenon, but I personally think that their first 3 albums, UFO 1, UFO flying and UFO live are just pure gold. Hardcore hard rock, psychedelic space rock, and just pure musicianship. Mick Bolton absolutely killed it on guitar! To me, I feel like that’s the true UFO
Don't know why it took me so long to buy more UFO after getting a double CD cheap of the pre Schenker basically UFO 1 and Flying repackage together I believe.
Great list Pete, my wife and I loved Misdemeanor. It was just one of those moments in our life. I saw UFO live when Schenker rejoined and the anticipation to hear and see him was palpable. The guy really is a guitar god. The gig was pretty good too. UFO are a great band that don't get the recognition they deserve. With my tongue firmly in my cheek, could you imagine if they released a double live album in there heyday... Haha! Thanks for this Pete, it is good to see UFO getting some well deserved love.
Although this ranking is for studio albums, UFO’s Stangers in the Night is so far above, that any studio cut pales in comparison. When I hear the solo in “I’m a Loser” or that last lick in “Love to Love,” followed by an instantaneous burst of crowd applause, I get an adrenaline rush.
UHF EXACTLY RIGHT. For me its the solo notes on Lights Out and Rock Bottom and Natural Thing is such a beast 💪 of a tune at high decibels. Lights Out Chicago!
@@nonrevnosnibormetalbeerrev6251 Sorry man. Strangers in the Night is just on a higher level stratosphere but I proudly own Obsession on vinyl and love it completely. Bad ass.
Look guys. This is silly. We are all such huge fans on UFO it doesn't matter. If it wasn't for the studio albums I wouldn't have heard Hot 'n Ready and Highway Lady. Nonrev I agree with you too. Obsession is such a great album I cranked it all throughout school. Schenker freakin' shreds. It's all good. I bought 'em all! We should all have a UFO Michael Schenker party!
Agree. as much as im a huge Schenker fan. NO DENYING the Chapman era with the wild and willing.... damn great LP with awesome riffs and songs. In my top 5 of UFO for sure. I remember buying it at the cut out bin!
Strangers in the Night was the first UFO album I got, but by that time Schenker had left. The first time I saw them live was on the Mechanix tour with Chapman & all the UFO studio albums I have are the Chapman ones (No Place to Run, The Wild, the Willing....& Mechanix). I'm sure the Schenker studio albums are great, but I already had the best stuff from them on Strangers. Saw them again with Atomic Tommy & It didn't seem as good, so I sort of lost track of them after that. Not dissin' any of their later albums, I just haven't heard them. I just moved on to other things.
Despite having seen Schenker before, yesterday was my first time seeing UFO in Waukegan, IL. I missed the shows in St. Charles, so I figured that was it. This one popped up, so I bought tickets and went with my brother. After seeing hundreds of concerts, it was easily one of the best. Great band, Phil can still sing (and joke with the audience), and he'll be 72 this April. Andy still rocking on drums, Vinnie is an amazing guitarist. Rest of band great. I wasn't bored for one second of the show. All of the oldies stood for the whole show (I'm not old, of course....) and were singing loudly. Great, great band over many eras. I will be sad to see them go, but if you have a chance to see them still, go, by all means!
Was there as well, my first U.F.O. show too!! Seen Micheal a couple of times. My impression is that Phil has still got it, Andy didn't miss a beat, the bass player kinda reminds my of a young Pete Way, the rhythm guitar/ keyboard player held his own and Vinnie Moore is a master of his craft. Glad I went, made me wish though that I could have seen the classic line up live in person. At least we have Strangers In The Night to put us there in our mind.
@@tttarms1970 What don't you like about the Genesee Theatre? It was my first time there, so I am just curious. I seemed pretty nice to me, an old movie theater, I am guessing, and then slightly more modern amenities and such.
@@tttarms1970 I am 6'5, so no stranger to cramped quarters. With everyone standing, as I prayed to God they would, it was better than sitting tightly between people.
Absolutely! I think every release from Y&T is a good record, some obviously stronger than others, but I can listen to any of their records and enjoy it, I can’t say that about very many bands.
For me Lights Out was their best, many great memories of them rocking The Mayfair Ballroom on a Friday night at Newcastle Upon Tyne then getting the mail train home at 2am often drunk as a skunk. Happy days.
Just saw UFO last night. Great concert! Only ranking the 70’s Schenker albums. Wasn’t a Chapman fan. I do like Vinnie Moore but haven’t heard a lot of his stuff. 1) Force It 2) No Heavy Petting 3) Phenomenon 4) Lights Out 5) Obsession Absolutely love Strangers in the Night.
'phenomenon' was my first ufo album when it came out...i got it 'cause i liked the cover...then i loved the music and it became my number one...'force it' fell into my second favorite slot' with 'lights out' third and 'obsession' a close fourth...fifth however, i would put 'no place to run'...and i do agree it lacks the balls of other albums, but it has such a great studio feel to it, i can overlook it's testicular absence....great vid pete...peace....
Hey Pete ! I really enjoy your album reviews and i'm so glad you did one on UFO. Your story of buying albums across from your dad's work and the old turntable at your parents place really hit home,been there,very cool. Keep 'em coming coming Pete,enjoy your site very much. Rock on !
Fantastic, fantastic, fantastic review! One of my most favorite bands of all time!! Agree with the top few for sure, especially the top three order. Great job Pete.
My Top 10: 1) The Wild, The Willing and The Innocent 2) Mechanix 3) Force It 4) Phenomenon 5) No Heavy Petting 6) Lights Out 7) Making Contact 8) Obsession 9) Misdemeanor 10) High Stakes & Dangerous Men I think that Neil Carter`s contribution to UFO in the early 80´s is really underestimated. His songwriting was simply great at this time.
One of my all time favourite bands. So many classic albums and so difficult to rank. For me Lights Out just narrowly comes out in front. What about a list of your favourite NWOBHM albums Pete?
Love your videos. I saw UFO in the 70's in Chicago supporting the Lights Out album and also recording for the Strangers in the Night live album, my absolute favorite UFO. Lights out will always hold a special place for me.
Hey Mike, what do you think here. Would "The Writer" have sounded better or much different had Michael Schenker recorded it? Tough one, but where would you go with that? -Bill
Definitely one of the most consistently brilliant UK rock bands of all time, and a massive inspiration to me growing up in the 00s - I got that 'Essential' CD from a second-hand shop after hearing Doctor Doctor and started collecting all their records soon afterwards. Right to the end they were a class act, and Phil's voice stayed in tact all the way through!
You just about nailed it Pete, and personal context with UFO is everything. My top 3 (in no order) are Phenomenon, Lights Out, and The Wild, The Willing...Played in a band a hundred years ago and Doctor Doctor was a staple. It is a loved song in the UK because it is a 'native English' Southern Rock track at heart. Rooted in London with a cheeky nod to Muscle Shoals etc. UFO are the King Lear of heavy rock. A majestically tragic triumph. Thanks for the countdown.
The best rock/metal band that ever existed, been listening to them since 1974, the worst thing they ever did has easily been ain't misbehaving, total shit. 👌🇬🇧
Almost the same order as you. 1. Obsession 2. Lights Out 3. Force It 4. No Heavy Petting 5. Phenomenon 6 The Wild The Willing & The Innocent. Amazing band.
Great band. i cant argue with your list too much, with the exception of Wild, Willing ,and the Innocent. To me, that album will always be #1 or #2. I also think that more needs to be said about the visual art direction of their album covers, especially from the 70's. Such strange and wonderful imagery, i love it.
Great picks Pete! Those are also my top 2 favorite UFO albums I first discovered UFO in 1977 through Columbia House record and tape club. Lights Out still my number 1
One of the best bands ever. One of the best discographies ever. The band still making pretty good stuff to this day as opposed to many of their contemporary hard rock and metal bands. The Schenker albums are rightfully the top 5: 5. Obsessions (could be replacing Phenomenon any time though) 4. Phenomenon 3. No Heavy Petting 2. Force It 1. Lights Out All upper echelon and could be sorted around a bit. Especially loved the tale about how you got hooked on Lights Out, Pete.
Pete, here's how i rate them: 1. Obsession 2.Lights Out 3.Force It 4.phenomona. 5.No Heavy Petting. 6. Walk on Water. 7.Wild Willing Innocent 8.A Conspiracy of Stars. 9.You are Here. 10.Seven Deadly.
A very down to earth UFO review, no pun intended.I like the fact that his videos are back to back without cuts and editings. In some other channels there is a cut in every few minutes or so....In my opinion it kind of breaks the flow. Cheers!
Interesting review pete..for me the one i keep going back to is No Heavy Pettin....btw my first gig seeing them was Roundhouse 77 lights out tour..some of which is on youtube..would love to see you review The Babys/John Waite..
Obsession was my first UFO album. I remember picking it up at Sam Goody's at the mall in the cut out section for a few bucks. Probably around 1981. Took it home and I was hooked! Went right out and picked up Strangers In the Night. WOW!! Totally blown away! Became a fan after that! Great band.
Hi Pete just bought the UFO ten album boxed set of the studio albums 1974-- 1986 featuring all the albums in your review , amazing run - through & very timely for me , can't wait to hear them all , cheers Pete keep up the reviews
My personal UFO top3: 1. Obsession, 2. Walk on water, 3. The wild the willing and the innocent. I'm OK with your ranking, it is decent, honest! No nonsense stuff! Keep on rockin' man!
Thanks for doing this. You also bring back a lot of memories for me talking about the old Audio and record stores. I remember The Music Den and Sam Goody's. Let's not forget " Crazy Eddie's". Lol.
So nice to hear this way you speak of UFO. Would welcome to hear you delve further into anything else about the catalog or particular album. You are spot on or pretty damn close in what you say. Say more see if it holds up here. Thanks take care
Great list! UFO are a band I know nothing about, but have wanted to venture into for a while - will take this list to the record store this week and see what I find.
Out of the ones I've heard: 01) Force It 02) Phenomenon 03) Obsession 04) The Wild, The Willing And The Innocent 05) UFO 06) UFO II 07) Lights Out 08) No Heavy Petting 09) No Place To Run
I'm also glad you did this, they are my all time favourite band. I got into them in 78-79 when I started work & they brought out Strangers,. I remember hearing side 3 of that album being played on a radio show compilation called 'The Greatest Concert Ever' which played cuts from loads of the live albums in circulation at the time. I had never heard anything to compare with those versions of Lights Out which remains my all time favourite to this day & Rock Bottom. The first studio album by them I bought was No Place To Run & I saw them at the Hammersmith Odeon on that tour & then on almost every tour thereafter apart from those that took place between 94 & 99 which passed me by as I was working in Asia at the time. TWTW&TI is by a small margin my favourite of their studio albums followed by Obsessions & then it starts to get really difficult because every single album seems to have at least 4 tracks I really like & nothing I dislike at all. You Are Here is probably my favourite Vinnie Moore UFO album & Phil is just such an under-rated poet & wordsmith as well as a singer.
Thank you for this list, Pete. On my list, Strangers in the Night is number one but as you exclude live albums from your lists, here's my list: 1. Lights Out 2. The Wild, The Willing and the Innocent 3. Force It 4. Mechanix 5. Making Contact 6. Obsession 7. No Heavy Petting 8. No Place to Run 9. Walk on Water 10. Phenomenon 11. Covenant 12. The Salentino Cuts 13. Sharks 14. The Visitor 15. High Stakes & Dangerous Men 16. The Monkey Puzzle 17. You are Here 18. Seven Deadly 19. Misdemeanour 20. A Conspiracy of Stars 21. Flying 22. UFO 1
thanks, Pete! My favorite all time band! I been saving this up to view on my day off. I first became aware of UFO, when a friends older brother had Phenomenon and Strangers in the Night. About a year later , i went to see Molly Hatchet in concert Dec. 80, and MSG was opening. I had no idea at the time, Schenker was the guy from UFO, I was 15, 16, and didnt connect. But, I bought that first MSG 1980 debut and was blown away! Still a favorite. Then, I dug back and found the UFO catalog. THis was early 80, 81, 82. The Paul Chapmann era, which i LOVE also...great songs, riffs on No Place To Run, Wild WIlling, etc. Want to hear my one cool UFO story.? I was stationed in Germany, 1993 and i saw a poster around town , near Frankfurt advertising UFO REUNION TOUR ..with Quiet RIot and Doc Holliday. Rocking around Christmas Tour. First date was the one i got tix for Babenhausen, near Frankfurt, The UFO band names were displayed on the poster (which i still have) Mog, way, parker, raymond and Chapmann!!?? Paul was to be the guitar player ?! A couple of weeks prior to the show, those same posters has his name taped over with SCHENKER! Hahaha! Well, I wasnt mad!! I saw the show. They played the whole Strangers in the Night LP. I actually brought my copy to the gig to see if i would get lucky to get an autograph. Usually easy at German shows. Schenker had a table set up , in the entrance , selling his Thank You cd. He chatted and autographed my LP cover . After the gig I saw the UFO bus, I met Andy Parker, he took my LP and got it singed by the rest of guys in the bus Probably wore out after the first gig, having a drink. I asked Andy Parker, WHAT IS THE DEAL with Chapmann on the poster? Was he gonna be in the band again? HE just smiled and laughed it off. Great band. I never saw them again in concert. Too bad they couldnt keep it together with Schenker. Glad to see both still out rocking in 2019/2020!
Another great ranking, I enjoy watching your videos because you're not stucked in the past and listen new releases by old and new bands. Could you review new releases coming up by H.e.a.t, The night flight orchestra, as well by old bands like Harem scarem and Gotthard, cheers from England. PS: a ranking by Europe could be next.
The title track to 'Lights Out', one of the greatest rock songs EVER! Michael and Phil just kill on that. That song alone brings the album to #1 in my book.
Great vid pete! Fell in love with this band with strangers in the night, my absolute favorite live album. Any chance for an Eloy, or barclay james harvest rank?
I still love UFO and listen to them regularly. I saw them live in the late 70s and early 80s but sadly never got to see Schenker with them. I think Force it is their best studio album but their live album Strangers in the night is magnificent. Its a pity Pete didnt include it in the ranking list as it would probably be number 1. UFO are probably the most underrated band of all time.....they deserved to be so much bigger. ps love these ranking videos and band histories that Pete does. Thank you Pete....keep the videos coming.
Love UFO! Thanks for the review. Got a few more albums to check out. Love the Vinnie Moore albums. Great talent. Of course the Schenker era is incredible. Need to listen to more of the Chapman stuff!
Very good ranking job here very close to my picks! I think you said it all its where you were introduced to the band for me it was finding "Force it" on cassette underneath a car seat while detailing at the family car dealership it changed my life music wise forever. I can remember the first time hearing the opening riff on "Let it Roll" that sustaining feedback dam!! Whats amazing is it still gives me chills to this day that is what I love about UFO you never tire of listening to the greatness of all these albums like you said they all have their merits on every release what a unbelievable & amazing catalog this band has left. I always wondered what those early Schenker albums like Force it and No Heavy Petting before Lights out would have sounded like with Nevison or Mutt Lange as producer. I think Leo did ok with the budget he was afforded which was hardly anything but just saying. For each Era of the band my favorite picks are obviously Schenker Force it with Obsession right there love the production on Obsession the best sounding of the Schenker albums besides Walk on Water which is amazing! For the Chapman era its by far WWATI loved all the Chapman era stuff not one bad release there.:(( RIP Paul Chapman what a incredible musician and human being he was huge loss taken way to early.... For the Vinnie Moore stuff its definitely Conspiracy of Stars sadly there last studio album but a dam good one then it would be You Are Here with Jason Bonham. This band will forever go down in history as one of the best ever despite never hitting commercial gold. To us true fans they have been sonically life changing. Something notable for all the fans out there read LIGHTS OUT surviving the 70's with UFO by Martin Popoff also Lettin GO for the Chapman era great reads!!
J&R...wow, that mention brought back some memories. Had a couple of stores here in the Milwaukee area, always had a great time looking for records there.
Congratulations on the always excellent editions of "Ranking the Studio Albums". Here in Brazil there is nobody doing something so interesting with this theme. Some suggestions for the next editions, NAZARETH, SLADE, SWEET, SAXON, RORY GALLAGHER, STATUS QUO, FOGHAT AND GOV'T MULE. Thanks for the great videos.
Love when Pete ranks his favorite albums .he has the passion for rock and u gotta love this guy .a true rock and roll guy .I love all the bands he listens to .ufo/ AcDc tower 6.15.79 strangers tour was my first concert I was 15 ..so u know how much ufo ! Meant to me ! Thx Pete u ranked them about the same as I would of except I thought monkey puzzle was better than the visitor. So switch those ..around and that would be a wrap ! Great job Pete love yr passion bro !
@@user-sh3vz3ol3j Me too. I was disappointed with the two that followed, especially Sharks. I think that the Vinnie Moore era rocks. I hope that they will put out one more. The Salentino Cuts is awful. It would be a shame that it would be their final album. But the rest are good.
@@johnwales4214 Totally agree, unfortunate the magic disappeared with each following album. Really wish Schenker could do something again with UFO but maybe he's happy with his MSF which is great, too.
ufo rocks hard thank you pete for a awesome show sir on ufo I love your show I got into music thanks to you I got into the the genres thank you man I have all the genres of music the ranking studio albums on lp I am a record junkie I have record player that's how I listen to my music and I have some of live albums on cd or lp I have some of the genres of music on cd
Get Obsession and Lights Out-the earlier albums lack good production, but have been remastered, but I have yet to hear them.....they are essential! Force It, being the cream of the crop.
UFO have long been my favourite rock band. My favourite line up was the Strangers in the Night version of the band. Your ranking of the studio albums is about right me thinks with the sound they got on Obsession being a great sound from a period of outstanding recordings. Its wonderful to hear a UFO aficionado speaking appreciatively of a band that served as a vehicle for some Schenker and Mogg magic, which was augmented by Way, Raymond, and Parker.
