Get This One If You Are New To UFO

This is the one to get if you are starting to look at UFO's career. Obviously if you were a fan back in the day then you know that this is top shelf stuff so you probably don't need anyone to remind you of how influential this was at the time. People were talking about how killer Michael Schencker was which was true but I was equally as knocked out at how well they sounded as a band as opposed to some showy guitarist fronting a band. The songs worked and they rocked. Obviously the highlight of the record is "Rock Bottom" and for my money this is the only version I want to hear as I've never been thrilled with the endless noodling I've heard in various live versions. I realize other UFO fans might disagree but in any case you cannot go wrong with buying this record. I would suggest this above all other UFO studio albums (not that they are bad) because this is so good and captures the classic lineup so well.

4.5 stars - A rock and roll "Phenomenon"

Phenomenon (1974.) UFO's third album.



Circa 1973, UFO was forced to complete some gigs they had booked using a guest guitarist, the Scorpions' Michel Schenker, in place of Mick Bolton. Despite a big time German-English language barrier, it was obvious that Schenker belonged with UFO. He joined the band full-time following those gigs (the Scorpions would replace his void with Ulrich Jon Roth.) Once joining the British space-rock band, Michel began spelling his name Michael in an effort to "fit in" with his British bandmates. The band's first album with Schenker on lead guitar, Phenomenon, came out in 1974. Read on for my review.



At its time of release, this was UFO's strongest LP. The first album was nothing too special, just bluesy rock with a lot of covers. The second album was the one that really showed their potential, and with Schenker's arrival, that potential was unleashed. Doctor Doctor, probably UFO's biggest hit, comes from this album. With that deceivingly-innocent introduction fading into pure, unadulterated hard rock, the song remains a favorite of many a UFO fan. Another big hit, the awesome rocker Rock Bottom, can also be found on this album. But these tracks aren't the album's only highlights. You've gotta love the hard-rocking first track, Oh My. It grabs hold of your attention tightly, the way any opening track on an album should do. Hybrid rocker/ballads Crystal Light and Space Child really must be heard to be appreciated. One of the strongest tracks of all on the album is the closer, Queen Of The Deep. This is a darker, more melodic track, but it's still a hard rocker. The stylings work very well, and close the album in a very good manner. In the end, this is a very strong album. Not UFO's best from the Schenker era, but damn good nonetheless.



Unfortunately, UFO's catalogue is unavailable in America (outside of a few new albums and compilations.) This sucks, because this is some damn good hard rock! And record companies wonder why people download music... Take my advice - if you're gonna import this album, get the import twofer that has this album and the follow-up, Force It, together on one CD.



With the arrival of Michael Schenker, UFO gained almost instantaneous recognition and success. Schenker would stick around for a few more albums, and his years with the band would become known as their finest years together of all. If you're a fan of classic hard rock, Phenomenon is a strongly recommended hard rock album.

AWESOME!!!

This was UFO at their best, this is their "total album" every song on here is excellent. Ya dont skip through or past ANYTHING on this CD. One of the best classic rock cd's i own , listened to regularly and the biggest reason this underated rated band is one of my top five favorite bands..and now they have jason bonham and vinnie moore in the band(with/ mogg/way/raymond) and are touring USA march/april 2004..i have my tickets to 3 shows.GO SUPPORT THEM, these guys deserve better from U.S.Fans..