Customer Reviews

No Place to Run

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Most of the reviews for this record, whether on Amazon or in other print, tend to point out the supposed mediocrity of the post- Michael Schenker years for UFO. I feel this is both inaccurate and irresponsible. Schenker is a legend no doubt, but he was one fifth (or fourth, before 1976)of the band when he left after 1978. The most important part of the band, the Mogg/Way song writing partnership, was still intact. Paul Chapman proved to be more than capable of continuing the honored UFO traditon of potent lead guitar. "No Place to Run" took up where "Obsession" and "Strangers in the Night" left off. Consistency was a UFO trademark from "Phenomenon" through "Making Contact" and "NPTR" was just one in a string of these classic lps. "Letting Go" kicks off the album just fine, a showcase for Chapman as well as Phil Mogg's melodic singing. Other key tracks include the title song (moody street anthem with its "Jungleland, jungleland" chorus), "Young Blood", "The Fire Burns Tonight" and "Anyday". Two of my alltime favorites include "Mystery Train" (along with Montrose's "Good Rockin' Tonight" the greatest Elvis cover ever) and "Money, Money" (why the heck wasn't this song played on the radio in the '80s.??) UFO plunged into their second decade moving from strength to strengh, Schenker's loss not withstanding. Next to Thin Lizzy, UFO were the greatest hard rock band ever not to get significant radio airplay or US album sales. Ripe for discovery in the 21st century!!!!!

Like many fans who had followed UFO prior to this release, I was curious and kind of skeptical of what was to come once Mr Schenker departed. Unfortunately, upon first listen, I think I was too sketical, as I was initially disappointed. However, once I gave this one a real listen I realized how good it actually was. I originally owned this on LP, and it has HONESTLY been one of my personal fave's ever since. In fact, like Mr. Der Kommissar before me, I too think that this and Obsession are two of UFO's best, although unlike my predecessor, I actually prefer this one to Obsession. I think UFO was peaking right at the point Schenker left, but they didn't skip a beat with this one. Sadly though, their quality would start to deteriorate over the next few releases, and although I like the next couple of albums that followed, especially selected tracks, I don't think any of them can stand up to this one as a whole. The tracks on this album range in style throughout and the pace changes throughout as well, just like the last track (Anyday). I can't really point out any standout or favorite tracks, because I truly like every track on this album, something that I can't say about too many albums, although "Take It Or Leave It" is one of my all time favorite UFO tracks. Just like with any album by any band, it's always a matter of preference for each listener, but if you like UFO (and not just because of Schenker) I don't think you can't like this one at least a little.

I bought this album with trepidation because of the landmark personnel change which had befallen UFO the year before.
I was wondering how ANYONE could replace Michael, the architect of so many of my musical memories. And, while a good album, I can't rate it in my UFO top five, even though there are 4 or 5 very good to great songs. Lettin' Go is one such great song, as is the title cut with its canny springsteen references.
Produced by the legendary George Martin, it just doesn't jump out and bludgeon you like the Nevison efforts do.
So, I was slightly concerned that UFO had peaked. My fears were put to rest when, in 1981, UFO released the awe-inspiring The Wild, the Willing and the Innocent. Chapman sounds much more comfortable on that album, and it's the guitar tour-de-force we were waiting for from him. No Place to Run is still worth buying, because a middling UFO album is still light years ahead of the competition.

The album "No Place to Run", as well as UFO's two follow-up albums "The Wild, The Willing, and the Innocent" and "Mechanix", have at the time of this writing been repeatedly selling to the point of "out-of-stock" for a least a couple of reasons.

First of all, they are finally affordable at $16.98/each, whereas before they were mainly available as expensive Japanese imports costing well over $30/each. A significant number of UFO fans still paid these kinds of prices anyway (including myself), both on Amazon and online auction sites, and I'm guessing someone at EMI France wisely took notice of this before they decided to reissue these albums. Secondly, the music is simply really great. UFO was somewhat written off in the press (and by many fans) when these albums first came out in the early '80's, largely because star guitarist Michael Schenker was gone and probably because UFO was not pursuing the "harder, faster" approach that many of their hard rock/metal peers were at the time. They took a more diverse approach, and in retrospect the quality of these songs is very good, and sometimes even excellent.

This diversity is particularly apparent on "No Place to Run". Opener "Alpha Centauri" has a spacey, ethereal feel to it, similar to what Tangerine Dream were doing at the time. It segue-ways nicely into the next track "Lettin' Go", an explosive number that was a minor hit at the time of release. "Mystery Train" is an incredible cover version of an older tune, opening with some really tasty acoustic guitar work by Schenker's replacement Paul Chapman before the song rips into high gear with Chapman now playing scorching electric leads while Phil Mogg sings his heart out. The next two tracks lay back somewhat with mid-tempo rock, yet are still creatively arranged. "Young Blood" is another cover, generally well interpreted, but it is the following title track where the album really hits its stride. Containing elements of powerful dynamics, creative arrangements, and great lyrics, this track shows what the new line-up of UFO was really capable of. "Take It or Leave It" is a nice ballad, while "Money, Money" sports a propulsive riff and displays some interesting flange effects. The album ends on a particularly strong note with "Anyday", a track which powerfully alternates between mysterious, quite sections featuring Pete Way's bass guitar and explosive heavy sections.

Ripe for rediscovery almost 30 years later, this is a highly recommended purchase for those who appreciate melodic hard rock which creatively employs hard/soft dynamics to great effect. Vocalist Phil Mogg is also one of the best in the genre.

No, not the music. It's pretty darn good, though.

It's unbeleivable that:

1. This CD is out of stock(at the time of writing)
(same thing happenned to "Force It", a vinyl
release from 1975, when demand outstripped production)

2. These guys are hardly played on radio'cept for "Lights Out"

3. The media constantly ignores them.

4. One of the best hard rock/metal bands of all-time is
number 84?, or somewhere like that,on VH1's list of
best hard rock bands.

5. Some reviewer on another website, where the "critics" review
the music we listen to, bashed this album completely,
comparing them to Bad Company. PLLLEASE!!! No disrespect
to Paul Rodgers who is one of rock's most treasured voices,
but UFO blows those guys away. (Rodgers is phenomenal with
Queen. Check them out).

So what's going on?!

HMMMMMM!

Is it an evil plot? An oversight? Bad management, perhaps?
Maybe the band themselves don't care if they are famous or not?

Don't really know.

I mean, even if the band themselves don't care, somebody in the
media must know a good thing when they see it. Try to push it
a little bit. Get the word out. WE HAVE UFO CDS. This is great
music that, ITSELF, merits listening, too. Why don't DJ's and
others get it?! Do they need MTV and VH1 to tell them who WE want
to listen to.

If you like 70's hard rock, please pick this up (some of the songs are
so hot they will melt your cd player) and any other seventies
recordings made by these guys. You will not be disappointed.

First off enough of the "oh Chapman is not Schenker stuff". Please get over it, nobody is asking you to buy this if you are such a Schenkerphile. Put on MSG 1 or 2 and have at it!

As it was pointed out by others Phil and Pete and Andy were still there. And, if you don't know, Chapman had filled in for Herr Schenker in 74 when he'd gone on earlier walkabout. If you can find the BBC live collection (someewhere) there are 3 or 4 tracks with both Schenker and Chapman playing, including "Rock Bottom" where they split the solo!

Herr Schenker, to be polite, is mercurial. He was not thrown out of the band, there was no bad blood, he split (again), plain and simple, for whatever his reasons were, and the band turned, once again, to the man who had bailed them out before. A logical decision.

Obviously this effected the band in terms of radio play and live shows, as following the 1-2 of "Obsession" and "Strangers", they were indeed poised for the breakthru.

I saw UFO on nearly every tour with Schenker and Chapman and I can tell you there was no let up in intensity or sheer live power. For my money the only other band in their class at that time as a live act was Thin Lizzy.

As others have mentioned, and I agree, UFO and Lizzy were the best of the era, period. I would take them live or in studio over anybody else in the style that you want to toss up there.

OK...on to the disc. This LP was dismissed a "light" at the time. It was produced by George Martin, so it had his feel. Ron Nevison ("Lights Out" thru "Strangers") was more of a hard rock hand. This is addressed in the liner notes as the band points out that it was also the island location, they were relaxed and partying a lot.

Lots of good songs on here tho'. No Place to Run and Money stand out to me. Letting Go is a good one too.

Overall, the package is excellent, continuing with what they started with the "Phenomenon" remaster. Great booklet, interviews with all involved, pix, etc., from the time period and some extra trax. Long overdue and worth the wait.

4 of 5 stars only because WWI is the best of the lot with Chapman on the six string.

I looked for this a couple of times but only came up with expensive Japanese imports and I couldn't stomach the price. I'm so glad I waited and that the album has been remastered and there are bonus tracks.

It's been 15 years or more since I listened to this and it was really nice to hear it again. Great songs, great rock and roll. I The first time I played it all the words and melodies came back to me (I impressed myself) but I thought that was a testament to the strength of the songs.

I'm very happy. Also enjoyed the liner notes about producer Sir George Martin, I never knew that history.

First bought this album when it came out in 1980. Didn't fully appreciate it back then. I was a big fan of the earlier UFO releases. When I saw a 2009 remasterd and expanded edition was to be released on CD, I decided to give it another spin. I am glad I did. This album has aged very well. Quite simply, this album is as good as any album in the band's catalog. If you like the sound of the band on its earlier releases, there is nothing not to like about this album. Good blend of power and melody, Phil Mogg's vocals sound great. From the extensive notes included with this edition of the CD, it appeares that the band had mixed feelings about this release. It shouldn't, this album is classic UFO and classic rock at its best.

Imagine my disappointment. My favourite band had just peaked with "Obsession" and produced the best live album ever. Then you hear that the guitar player has left. Yes I was one of the Schenker fanatics. He practiced for hours each day, his playing was fast and melodic, he reproduced the same licks as on the record or better and he never made any mistakes. Absolutely gutted!
I was therefore very disappointed when I saw the replacement Chapman on tour. Here was this chubby English guy with a stupid banana like guitar who didn't play the old tunes well and had a very different style. Not a good image, not impressed.
Paul Chapman got slated back in 1980 when UFO released "No Place To Run" yet it was still a good album. I remember first hearing "Mystery Train" playing in Sundown records in Wolverhampton and thinking "that sounds like UFO?" I immediately bought it (I originally owned the "green" album cover version on vinyl) but still had a fairly blinkered view back then that UFO were rubbish without the Kraut. I like it more now than back then obviously as I am now not so brain dead. Even if the Schenker stuff is better this is a trademark UFO sounding album and you can't say that Chapman doesn't do a good job. It has a heavier more basic rock `n' roll sound with the engine room of Way, Parker and Raymond still superb. Phil Mogg is Phil Mogg, a great rock singer and one of the most under rated in the world. His song writing in conjunction with Pete Way
makes up for the lack of Schenker but I can't help but always think how wonderful would it have been with Schenker's riffs on top. "Lettin' Go", "No Place To Run", "Money Money" and "Anyday" are classic Mogg/Way/UFO tracks and "Mystery Train" is possibly one of the best cover versions of any song I have ever heard. What a superb guitar intro! Well done fat boy!
"No Place To Run" and "TWTWATI" were in my opinion the best Chapman era releases. After these releases the band line up changed like the English weather and the quality of music started to deteriorate fast.

My advice is start with anything Schenker because then you hear the true UFO sound and have a benchmark to compare with. This is highly recommended but you might find it off putting because of the expense. It is not so easy to get a good copy these days without spending a fortune!

To me this the best of the post Schenker UFO releases, in fact it may be the best UFO studio release of all (Strangers in the Night is my personal favorite). It took me awhile to get used to it, & although Paul Chapmans guitar work was good, "He ain't no Schenker". The songwriting is very good though, & it soon became my favorite. It's highlighted by an awesome version of the 50's song Mystery Train. Some of the other highlights, include, Youngblood, Anyday, & Take It or Leave It. Get it, listen to it a few times, & see if you don't fall in love with it too.