Classic Rock Bottom

 

This week we're going to take a week off from the 80's and toss out some viewer requests. Nice guy that I am, I listened to the people and this is what the people want. As The Kinks said, "Give the people what they want" and that's what I'm going to do!

Our first request is for UFO's 1998 release, "Walk On Water", featuring Michael Schenker back on geetar. Simply put, if you like Shcenker-era UFO, you'll like this. The beauty of this album is that I don't have to tell you who's in the band: look at ther album cover!

Great stuff here, folks. For some stupid reason this album is OOP, but you can still find yourself a copy if you look around the internet. 

 

Walk On Water 

1. Self-Made Man
2. Venus
3. Pushed To The Limit
4. Stopped By A Bullet (Of Love)
5. Darker Days
6. Running On Empty
7. Knock, Knock
8. Dreaming Of Summer
9. Doctor Doctor [New Version]
10. Lights Out [New Version]

 

 

 

For album #2 we have the 1997 self-titled album from Cheap Trick. Was this a request? Don't really know, but you now have no choice but to listen!

Awhile ago I posted "Woke Up With A Monster" which I consieder a very strong album and proved that Cheap Trick hadn't lost their mojo, even with the previous two (three?) crappy albums.

To me at least, this album proves that they were back on track. It starts off kicking some serious ass with the first track proving that Cheap Trick hadn't wimped out. They were here to rock.

Yes, there are pop elements, but Cheap Trick always had pop elements on their albums. However, it's not the pop crap of those two (three?) albums from the 80's/early 90's, and a majority of the album ROCKS.

This is also OOP, but look hard enough or even easy enough and you'll be able to find it for a few bucks.

 

Cheap Trick '97

1. Anytime
2. Hard To Tell
3. Carnival Game
4. Shelter
5. You Let A Lotta People Down
6. Baby No More
7. Yeah Yeah
8. Say Goodbye
9. Wrong All Along
10. Eight Miles Low
11. It All Comes Back To You

 

Views: 175

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Great choice, Jon! "Walk On Water" is a phenomenal album. For me, I have a real hard time deciding which UFO CD I love the most...either this one, or "Obsession".

But I'll be back to check out the CT next week.

Ya'll must have recently changed your posting. I always thought you posted over the weekend for Monday, but now it seems to be Friday posts. Great chance to listen, either way.

I think Friday just happened. There's really no set rule, sometimes it might be on the weekend but if we've got a few minutes on Friday to spare, might as well get it out of the way.

When these albums came out, both were in HEAVY rotation for me. They're both so good that I have never gotten tired of either of them. 

Walk On Water is a masterpiece. It might be the greatest reunion/comeback album ever.

 

Holy Crap!! This is freakin awesome!

Are you referring to UFO, CT or both?

UFO ... haven't ran into a track that's not awesome yet

Damn. And I thought he meant that I was awesome for posting both of these.

Okay, yeah, I'll agree with Scott and Gordon.  This is a really good album.  I'm still relatively new to UFO, but every time I hear something by them I like it.  Great soloing on the guitar, and I actually dig Mogg's vocals.  Best song here to me is Venus.  Great song and nice half a post Jon.  I'll check out CT later.

I think the Cheap Trick album is pretty good too.  I've had it for a while and I have listened to it before, but probably only once.  It's really your basic CT album, nothing overly fancy but some good ole power pop.  I'd venture to say that CT is probably the all-time greatest power pop band.  There are two songs on this album that could've, should've, would've been hits in the late 70's or early 80's.  Those are Say Goodbye and Carnival Game.  Both are great pop tunes.  I could see the Beatles doing Say Goodbye.  

Anyway, two very nice posts for the Jonster.  I'll give the overall edge to UFO, but just slightly.

Listening to the CT for a second time now. Liking it better than the last CT posted so far. Once again, for me, the vocal work is where CT can shine. In fact, this very first tune, you can just hear the emotion in the vocals.

"You Let A Lotta People Down" is a powerful track. I like the "frenzied" style of "Baby No More". And I do hear how Bun E. Carlos is really popping the snare drum. I believe RJHog mentioned that earlier, although it was a different CT record. "Wrong All Along" is a good, fast paced rocker.

Overall, not a bad album. But not enough to purchase for me. But I would say that this is one of the better CT albums I've heard (not better than "In Color", though).

Now, this UFO? All killer...not a single bad tune. One of Schenker's better guitar albums...and that's saying a lot!!

"A Self Made Man" - like the lyrics..."the choir singing all in tune, but such a small congregation...". I love the little lead in the middle of the song...not that fast, no "trick" playing, just well placed notes. And I like how it is double tracked, like a twin lead. The lead during the ending section is another one where Schenker does not show off his speed, but it's still a killer lead.

"Venus" - great intro section, from the organ, to the rhythm guitar being mixed with both electric and accoustic guitar. Love the slow, accoustic guitar when the vocals first begin. Phil Mogg and Paul Raymond sound great when they sing together. Love how the accoustic guitar stays stong in the mix, even during the electric lead section in the middle of the track. "Oh no, it's such a cold, cold feeling...". And listen to the last few seconds of this song...Schenker RIPS another fast lead in these last few seconds.

"Pushed To The Limit" - great up-tempo rocker with a killer, well sung chorus. Mogg and Raymond sounding excellent together again. "I still love women, sex, and fancy cars...". Smokin' hot lead in the middle section of the song...short, but blistering!! And damn if there ain't another short, but fast, smoking lead near the ending.

"Stopped By A Bullet" - perhaps my favorite song. I love this intro riff, and I love how it's accoustic...but still a rockin' intro!! And another great lead in the middle, with some cool wah-wah pedal use on this one. "She's a pinball rolling around my head...". And by golly, another killer lead during the outro section...smokin' fast on this one. Damn that Schenker can play. Whoever has Schenker as his favorite guitar player...well , they have great taste!!

"Darker Days" - even though it's not hard to play at all, I love the heavy power chords making up the main rhythm of this song. Also love all the little lead fills Schenker adds between vocal lines. "...the good Lord has baptized me...". Mogg's lyrics can be strange at times, but his writing on this album was outstanding! And once again, Schenker really shines on the outro lead. Just listen to when he switches from his treble pick up, to the bluesy, rhythm pick up during this lead. Sweet....really sweet!!

"Running On Empty" - ANOTHER fine accoustic intro. What other album has this much accoustic guitar, but while playing some really rocking riffs??? "...married life can bury you, it's like a disease...". And just check out the lead fills Schenker slams out between vocal lines again. And then, a little over half way through the track...an accoustic lead! A great idea to have an accoustic lead along with all the electric shreddage. And another...ANOTHER killer outro lead. Just plug the man in, and get out of his way!!

"Knock, Knock" - Mogg's vocal melody over this track is awesome. Awesome! "Hey, but, knock knock knock, put the chain on the door, she's back again, and now she wants more....shirt off my back, and even my last meal...". A divorce song for sure, where the woman gets everything..."she got the house and the car...the only thing left is my old guitar...". Killer lyrics that any divorced man could understand! The lead in this track's middle section slows down some, but it's still a fantastic choice of great note placement, and changing guitar tones. Then another killer lead for the outro. Damn, is this a mighty fine album or what??????

"Dreaming Of Summer" - just listen to the layers of guitar in the opening section of this track. You can hear some picking, some power chording, and some overlapping lead. Lyrically, this is somewhat of a "down on my luck" song, and a little sad, desperate sounding. But a strong track, none the less. "...are we gonna fade away, or stay forever?...".

And finally, if there is any disappointment at all...ANY AT ALL...on this slab of great rock n roll, it would be that the band chose to "re-do" two of their older classics. Great songs, but I would have much rather had a couple of more new, original songs. The band's chemistry, and the music, were just flowing unbelievably well for this effort.

One of the best rock albums of all time, especially for lead guitar. It's been in heavy rotation for me since I bought way back when, and it will always be played often.

 

By the way, I've changed my mind.  The CT album is a masterpiece!

RSS

Question Of The Week

CRB Features (Click photo to visit)

Birthdays

There are no birthdays today

CRB Staff Members

 

In Memory Of

Norma Jean Fox
(11/30/1945-9/7/2010)

Photos

  • Add Photos
  • View All

Videos

  • Add Videos
  • View All

Badge

Loading…

© 2024   Created by RJhog (Admin).   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service