Lights Out

UFO | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Capitol
• ASIN: B000008LUK
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (35 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #283,308 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Too Hot to Handle

2. Just Another Suicide

3. Try Me

4. Lights Out

5. Gettin' Ready

6. Alone Again Or

7. Electric Phase

8. Love to Love

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars UFO's Crowning Achievement., August 23, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Lights Out (Audio CD)

Lights Out is clearly UFO's crowning achievement. Complete with interwoven strings, each song is a meticulously arranged classic. The CD begins with Michael Schenker's fingers dancing up and down the fret board turning the relatively simple, straight-forward "Too Hot To Handle" into a rock anthem. Next, it's the Phil Moog composition "Just Another Suicide", complete with piano coda courtesy of, then recent addition, Paul Raymond. Then it's on to the ballad "Try Me." Arguably Schenker's finest solo. Rich and textured, moving from silky smooth to grinding distortion.

After "Try Me" lulls you into another state of consciousness, the driving rock of "Lights Out" runs you over like roadkill. "Gettin' Ready" puts you back on your feet and dusts you off. Though not a UFO original and poorly recorded, "Along Again Or" is one of their greatest efforts. Stings and horns are blended into this bittersweet classic, exemplifying the opulence and diversity of the music on this CD. Years later, a Fine Young Cannibals remake of this tune broke my heart; proving that even the greatest song can be butchered in the hands of pop hacks.

Shifting back into overdrive, "Electric Phase" gives Schenker a chance to showcase his talent on the slide, "With a rush and a strummin'". The lavish, epic "Love To Love" is a perfect crescendo (Complete with Chinese Gong) to complete this collage of songs. The arrangement, which switches tempo, blends acoustic and electric melodies with stings and ends with a searing Schenker solo, is a masterpiece. I even think the theme from the first "Halloween" movie owes a tip of the hat to this song.

This CD is a must. I first bought the LP when it first came out in 1977. I loved it then and it still holds up as a rock 'n roll icon today. It is truly an art milestone, mixing hard rock with orchestra arrangements. Though the recording is weak in spots (Particularly backing vocals on "Gettin' Ready" and acoustic guitar on Alone Again Or"), the strength of the songs and arrangements can't be denied. If you don't have this CD, do yourself a favor and buy it.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Start Your UFO Collection With "Lights Out", June 18, 2004

By 

R. Gorham "RCG2" - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Lights Out (Audio CD)

Easy choice to make if you are thinking about buying one UFO album. In my opinion, "Lights Out" (1977) was the band at their peak. Sure, "Phenomenon", "Force It" and "No Heavy Petting" were all great albums with some awesome (and now classic) songs. "Force It and "Obsession" each had stellar moments and either one could be UFO's 2nd best effort (tho I choose "Force It" as my 2nd favorite). "Strangers In The Night" is their best "live" release - and one of my favorite live rock albums of all time. But, "Lights Out" was head and shoulders above the rest featuring outstanding song writing, great vocals by singer Phil Mogg, and some incredible guitar work by Michael Schenker (the rest of UFO was in fine shape too). "Lights Out" features the blistering title track (my favorite UFO tune), "Too Hot To Handle", the near 7 minute "Love To Love", and a hidden gem "Just Another Suicide". Only bad thing about this album is that it's only 8 songs long - and too short of a listen. All UFO is good old fashioned rock & roll... but if you're looking for one to buy, get this one. A true classic from an underrated legendary rock band. 2nd best is "Force It" (1975)... look for all these UFO's classics soon to be remastered and re-released in 2006.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars MUST HAVE UFO!, March 5, 2002

By 

Michael Courtney "exiled01" (San Antonio, Texas United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Lights Out (Audio CD)

LIGHTS OUT was the album that won me over that UFO was for real. They teased me with FORCE IT & NO HEAVY PETTING, but didn't pull any punches with this release. "Electric Phase" and "Love to Love" are two of the hottest songs ever put out period! In addition to these two songs that segue together there are hot rockers "Too Hot to Handle", "Lights Out", and "Gettin' Ready". I can remember actually hearing every song played on the radio, which is remarkable for anyone.

This album featured the personnel that would keep UFO on the Rock map: Phil Mogg[vocals], Michael Schenker[guitars], Pete Way[bass/vocals], Andy Parker[drums], and Paul Raymond[keyboards/ guitars/vocals]. These guys had a magic aura surrounding them. What they did in the studio they could do live. The talent and chemistry was just amazing! This is one of my 100 all-time greatest CDs, so, make it one of yours. It will only take a listen; you'll want to hear it again!