Customer Reviews

Obsession

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

UFO at the top of their game. I have recently been listening to my collection of UFO classics. The entire collection is excellent,however, I feel this and "lights Out" are the most consistent. Every song is notable. If you like powerful, catchy, hard driving rock with the perfect mix of melody and power, then this CD is for you. This CD rewards multiple listens. Indeed, I appreciate it more now than I did twenty-eight years ago, when I first purchased it and the sound of this remastered version is a vast improvement over the earlier CD reissue.

UFO should have been primed for major US success after the release of 1977's 'Lights Out' and the June 1978 release of its immediate followup 'Obession'. However band chemistry (both literally and figuratively) was always teetered on self-implosion and the tour to support 'Obsession' proved to be the final straw that broke UFO's legendary lineup and any momentum that was needed to reach superstar status. The present record, again produced by Ron Nevison, featured a more bombastic sound and top gloss production job. Andy Parker sounds immense and Michael's guitar sound was never surpassed. Songs include "Only You Can Rock Me", which is probably my least favorite of their classics. I don't know why, maybe cuz of the chourus - kinda monotonous. I prefer the one-two punch of "Hot 'N' Ready" and "Cherry"; the former an amazing riff rocker with classic Phil Mogg vocals and lyrics and the latter, an amazing power ballad about "obsession" with a dancer (who hasn't been there?). Amazing! Others standouts include "You Don't Move Me", "Pack it Up" and "One More for the Rodeo". Two more power ballads (God I hate that term) close both sides of the original LP and I'm not crazy about either (especially "No. 1", kinda "Love to Love" lite). The guitar in "Born to Lose" makes this song slightly better but again, why another sappy tune to close the record? 'Obsession' would prove to be the end of an era for UFO though they would continue to make great records, the flirtation with superstardom ended with the departure of one Michael Schenker.

In terms of studio output this album signified the end of the "classic line up" to the dismay of myself and many young rock fans back in the late seventies. But what a masterpiece they recorded to bow out with! The general consensus amongst reviewers seem to agree that these heights were not reached again until this line up reformed for "Walk on Water". The guitar work really soars especially on "Ain't No Baby" and "Lookin' Out for No. 1" without being over indulgent. "Hot 'n' Ready" really rocks and "Cherry" is yet another showpiece for Moggy's lyrics and vocals. Although not one of my personal favourites "Only You Can Rock Me" finally gave UFO credible chart success and a commercial rock anthem to rival "Doctor Doctor". All round fabulous must have UFO album.

It's all been said before. This is their best studio recording. If you like UFO;don't go without this one.

This is UFO at their best. Hard rocking metal songs with smooth sweet interludes. A must for a hard rock collection.

Although a great CD from a great band, this remaster does not stand up from a sound quality aspect compared to the others I have recently listened to. Example, Force it, Phenomenon, and Lights Out sound great - this one does not have anywhere near the punch and clarity. I'd buy the others and avoid this one until a better version is available.

Quite possibly the best of ALL time ... of any rock recording. I have most of their albums and still over the years I would break them out and listen to them (timeless). It only takes listening to it a few times, and your hooked. In my opinion, the three best in order are: Obsession, Lights Out, and Phenomenon ... the other are still good (some great) but they (UFO) would never top these three.

I feel like saluting when Schenker rips his guitar on "Only You Can Rock Me" how majestic! The entire album is clear and crisp! By the time they laid this album down they were studio savvy and very polished. Obsession was over-looked on most of their live stuff but maybe that was for a reason. A hidden masterpiece to be found by the lucky few. Unlike most of today's music, the songs on this album never get old. Original and dynamic are only a couple ways to describe UFOs music. Obsession is a classic and a must-have in any respectible collection. I can assure you that when I'm old and grey I will still be losing myself in the fantastic music of UFO! ONLY YOU CAN ROCK ME!

Without the triangle of vocalist Phill Mogg, bassplayer Pete Way and kraut ace-guitarist Michael Schenker U.F.O. was really nothing out of the ordinary. Together, however, the three of them created great music. And this one is the best of them all. Strange as it might seem the band themselves seems to disagree since they never chose to include the songs from Obsession on their different live-releases (apart from "Only you can rock me" which seems to me to be the weakest song on the album). Well, to my mind this is their best ever - and certainly worth the money even at this day and age.
While always a great guitarist the playing of Schenker on this release is about the best he ever did ... truly outstanding without overplaying. His guitarfilling on "Pack it Up" and "One more for the Rodeo" is sheer and utter worldclass. You have to listen for several times to truly grasp and appreciate it.
The composing is strong as well and the songs - safe from a few - are all among the best of UFO. This goes for the two wellknown tracks - "CHERRY" and "Looking out for no. 1". But certainly for a number of other tracks too. By the way, note that the instrumental "Arbory Hill" was later included on Schenkers first solo-release in a longer version with lyrics.
UFO along with a few other bands (Judas Priest and Motorhead) helped bridge the gap between the rock-eras of the early seventies and NWOBHM and while not exactly essential rockhistory they did play an important role in maintaining the edges of rock through a difficult period with less commercial interest. And they did it with style, strong musicianship and above all an abillity to write melodic rocktunes.
Obsession is the UFO-record not to be missed. Next purchase you might consider would have to be one of the live-releases ... "Strangers in the Night" would be the classic choice. Other good releases are "Lights Out" and "No Heavy Pettin'". This is classic seventies rock ... don't you hessitate to buy this one.

This is one of UFO's best cd's, but the remastering on this is very poor. The other cd's that are remastered sound great!