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UFO - Sharks Audio CD

A fair review of the UFO "Sharks" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all UFO reviews here, or go back to the UFO tabs.

UFO Band: UFO
Title: Sharks
Rating:
Release Date: 2002-09-03
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: Outlaw Man 2: Quicksilver Rider 3: Serenity 4: Deadman Walking 5: Shadow Dancer 6: Someone's Gonna Have To Pay 7: Sea Of Faith 8: Fighting Man 9: Perfect View 10: Crossing Over 11: Hawaii

This is good UFO...
This is the last UFO record to feature Michael Schenker. . it was recorded in 2000, and like the previous two reunion records, "Walk on Water" and "Covenant" it has very bright moments and some rather dim ones as well. . . while not quite as memorable as "Lights Out" it has some great songs ("Sea of Faith", "Perfect View" and "Serenity" are examples) and some passable ones ("Outlaw Man" just doesn't hit me like others). However, this is UFO and Phil Mogg, even on his worst day, remains one of the great rock singers on the planet and Michael Schenker is just amazing as always. Although Schenker's tone and feel has changed quite a bit over the years, to my ears he is smoother and more seasoned as a player. "Sharks" has that classic UFO spirit and vibe, just a little rough around the edges. . . (i. e. , I think of the reunion records as more raw, as "No Heavy Petting" is raw compared to the more dynamic "Lights Out" or "Obsession"). . . That is not a criticism, just an observation. . . Honestly, I think all of the members of UFO have aged very well. I'll mention that I love the first three Chapman-era records, but that I really cannot listen to any of the music they made after "Mechanix" and before "Walk on Water" though. Also, I am quite fond of the current Vinnie Moore line-up as well. "Sharks" is as good as any of the current line-up's albums, so if you like classic UFO, it should definitely be enjoyable.


"Sharks" Keeps the Reunion Momentum Rolling
" Heresy, yes, I know, but these are two fantastic albums. I came to the UFO party late, somewhere around 1995, way after their heyday, but I must say I've had fun catching up with their back catalogue! So while I've had the opportunity to dip into such gems as "Lights Out," "Obsession," "Phenomenon," and the live "Strangers in the Night," I find myself coming back to "Walk on Water" and "Sharks.

"Sharks" has taken a few lumps in critical circles, coming after the great "comeback" album "Walk on Water," but I have to say this one's a notch below "Walk on Water" -- and that's a good thing! "Outlaw Man" to me is the only subpar song. After that, things just take off and never let up.

If you like guitar driven rock or lost track of what UFO has done over the years, make it a point to check out "Walk on Water" and "Sharks. " Two excellent albums that got lost in the boy band era of the late 90's and early 2000's. Rediscover them and enjoy!.


Sharks doesn't have the teeth ...
If you are a fan of the band you will like it because it does have its moments, they are just too few to rate much more than average. Sharks was the third of the Schenker "reunion" albums and it just isn't as strong of an album as Walk On Water or Covenant. Who knows why, but maybe Schenker had gotten bored by the time they did this one. The songs themselves are standard UFO, the problem is there are only a couple that truly jump out at you.

Song Highlights include: Outlaw Man, Deadman Walking, Shadow Dancer and Sea Of Faith.

If you are a fan of UFO, Sharks does deserve a place in your collection, just not at the top. Newer fans will want to start with many other albums from the group's huge catalog.

.


Hidden Gems
In truth this is probably the worst of the "Schenker" offerings and is musically and lyrically poorer than the other seven studio albums he appeared on. As a UFO fan I like this album like all the rest. On the plus side it has freshness, good production and a greater variety of guitar sounds. As usual it opens well with a good rocker "Outlaw Man" featuring a bit of slide guitar. The ballad like "Serenity" also has its moments. Schenker obviously found some new toys and plays with more effects, sounding in part like a poor mans version of Billy Gibbons on "Someone's Gonna Have to Pay". There just isn't for me that usual flow in the song writing and soloing that you come to expect. I am also wondering if Phil Mogg had a bet with the other boys to see how many famous names he could drop in one album full of songs! Most of the other tracks are usual UFO formula and not particularly memorable or as good as previous efforts. The high point for me is two hidden gems "Sea of Faith" and "Fighting Man" which are worth the asking price alone. Fighting Man is a typical anthem like rocker currently in their live set and "Sea of Faith" is just quality. In summary buy this after all the other Schenker and Vinnie Moore featured albums. "No Place to Run" and "TWTWATI" are also better albums than this.


Better Than The Crap They Call "New Music"
If you are looking
for something to bang your head, buy this album. This albums rocks! It simply rocks.
Alot of the newer groups out there really suck.
I've been waiting for another "Nirvana" to come
out and shake things up. Until that happens albums
like this will do nicely. Great lyrics, great singing,
great rhythm, EXCELLENT guitar work by Michael Schenker.
And NO lyrics about "bling bling", being a player pimp,
or degrading women. Just straight-ahead rock and roll.
Eddie Van Halen needs to listen to albums like this
when preparing for the new album (whenever that will be).


You can see a complete list of all UFO discography, or go back to the UFO tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.

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