Customer Reviews

Lights Out

5 star:		(32)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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!

I really think that UFO finally made its mark on the Lights Out, this is a great album, I'm going to review this track by track.

Too Hot to Handle: A mid paced rocker written by vocalist Phil Mogg and bassist Pete Way and that song actually gets some classic rock airplay, this song is really catchy. 5/5

Just Another Suicide: This is another standout and it goes through some chord changes, this is one of the few songs that Phil Mogg wrote on his own, although not as catchy as the previous song, this song is a classic. 5/5

Try Me: A softer ballad with a long guitar solo which begins halfway through the song, beautiful vocals and excellent guitar playing. 5/5

Lights Out: The title track is easily the best song off of the album and perhaps one of UFO's best songs of all time, great chorus and excellent guitar playing by Michael Schenker. 5/5

Gettin' Ready: A mid paced rocker in the same vein of Too Hot to Handle, not as classic as the 1st 4 songs. 4/5

Alone Again Or: This song is actually a remake of a 60's folk/psychedelic band called Love and the boys in the band did a great job with this song, I only wish that this song was longer cause I can spend all day listening to this song. 5/5

Electric Phase: I never really cared for this song and while I don't consider it a filler track, it's a weak song compared to the other songs on this album. 3/5

Love to Love: This a great song and this song is actually over 7 minutes, but it never gets boring, the intro is a bit long but you'll get used to it quickly, beautiful vocals by Phil Mogg. 5/5

If you're new to UFO or classic metal, you'll definately want to check out Lights Out cause it's a pretty strong album, I wouls also recommend checking out Essential UFO.

Hands down the flagship of the UFO armada, this album has no weak spots and rocks start to finish. Putting this in the cd player is like putting a greatest hits disc in. Starting off with the classic "Too Hot To Handle", "Just Another Suicide" and "Try Me" act as buffers before the band kicks into their magnum opus, "Lights Out". It amazes me to this day that this song isn't into heavy, HEAVY rotation on the radio. Never was roun' these parts, but twenty five years later it is more vital and goes for the throat better than anything that comes directly to mind. Another nice surprise is the cover of "Alone Again Or" which sounded familiar the first few times I ran through this album, but I couldn't figure out why. It suddenly struck me that it was an old Love chestnut, (another critically underrated band.) Moreso than the rest of the catalog, most of which is also excellent, it is indeed a tragedy that this hasn't been reissued in the states. Don't hesitate. You won't be sorry.

A lot of people claim that "Lights out" from 1977 is UFO at their very best. Well, I don't know about that. This album has of course some great as well as classic numbers like the frantic title track "Lights out" and the album's opener: "Too hot to handle". But to say that this release is better than say "Phenomenon" (1974) or "Force it" (1975) might not be true. I think as long as Michael Schenker was/is a member, the band is great. And that means that the more recent albums like "Walk on water", "Covenant" and "Sharks" are indeed as fine as the stuff from the mid 1970's. "Lights out" is a very even album and the songs are of rather the same calibre right through. There's no real low point, but on the other hand I wouldn't say that the material is world class either. Anyway, this is a very fine example of great vintage hard rock.

It's amazing what a well seasoned producer can do for a band that is hungry for success.On this release,UFO do just that.The opening guitar crunch of "Too Hot To Handle" segues into a Phil Mogg lamentation of teenage angst on "Just Another Suicide".."Try Me" might start out as a sappy "power ballad",but Michael saves it..."Gettin'Ready"is a study of old UFO...powerful restraint with a sweet bass line from Pete Way..."Alone Again Or"is a curious cover tune,with Phil singing in a lower register,and a jumpy guitar break from Michael..."Electric Phase" is UFO in snotty barrowboy charm...Pete is all over this song,and bless him for that....This brings us to "Love To Love"...This is UFO at their peak...Listen to this song,and you will never feel the same about rock and roll...This I promise..."Swept up on the rolling waves of the night"...You will not be disappointed...

If you haven't heard anything from UFO, this is a great place to start. If you have, it is still a must have for even casual fans.

Michael Schenker is one of the best guitar players rock music has ever seen, he has great tone, and moves up and down the frets as fast as anyone. The title track is a great tune, and the album ends with "Love to Love", which starts out kind of slow, but ends with an incredible Schenker solo, great album from a great hard rock band!!!!!

I saw UFO perform every song on this album during their 1977 tour. They opened the show for Max Webster and Rush. The CD is a mix of upbeat rock and folk-rock ballads. Listen to it enough, and it'll grow on you. Guaranteed!

Just listen to Michael Schenker's guitar playing, Forget all the rest (which is very good, also). It's all you need to hear. Amazing.