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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of my favorite CDs!, January 3, 2002
Walk on Water is, as other reviewers have noted, the "dream team" of Phil Mogg, Andy Parker, Michael Schenker, Pete Way and Paul Raymond -- the classic UFO line-up from the '70s that produced all the catchy FM radio staples.On this, a reunion album after many, many years apart, the UFO boys rock like never before, adding an updated, gritty yet crisp sound to their guitars. From the opening riff of "A Self Made Man" right through to the updated covers of their classic tunes "Doctor, Doctor" and "Lights Out," Walk on Water is a joy to behold. And, believe me, I behold it often while I'm working. Phil Mogg's vocals are still unique and very good. He still has the range and style he did two decades ago. That, in itself, is amazing. Schenker's playing is every bit as "guitar-god" as it used to be. Perhaps more flamboyant than on the classic old UFO albums (but, of course, his ego has swelled to dirigible proportions since then), yet it's still UFO-like and fits well with Mogg's vocal style. Although there isn't a song on this album I don't like, and some I like very, very much, there is one song that really pushes all my buttons: "Venus," track two. There's something about that bouncy, catchy song that makes it one of my favorite tracks EVER by any band. I can push "Repeat" and listen to that one track all day long at the office. Although most of the classic UFO line-up would return for Covenant (minus Andy Parker and Paul Raymond), released in 2000, this album is by far the more enjoyable of their two latest. Perhaps it's because on Walk on Water is the classic UFO line-up. That's a large part of it, for sure. But the songs are simply better on Water. And the guitar sound is more prominent and punchy. Covenant has a muddy sound by comparison. (I'm listening to Covenant while I'm writing the Walk on Water review and nothing on Covenant grips me like what's on Walk on Water.) If you're already a UFO fan, you probably already have Walk on Water. If you're not a UFO fan, but you're a fan of melodic hard rock played by a magical line-up of musicians, you should buy Walk on Water immediately. I guarantee you'll be hooked from the opening riff. And you'll thank me profusely for "Venus," one of the best songs I've ever heard in my life. Now, what would be REALLY nice is if the guys in UFO would stop fighting with each other long enough to tour the States. I'd love to see these guys live. (Hey, Schenker! You're good, but you're not THAT good. Try to get along with your band mates, eh?)
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