Despite a few generic moments, Lights Out is probably the best studio document of what elevated UFO above the '70s hard rock fray.
Within a Euro-blues framework, the classic lineup that lasted from Phenomenon through Strangers in the Night incorporated challenging dynamics, epic balladry, and a more than occasional sensitivity.
On Lights Out, all three of these traits come together in powerful fashion, most notably on the space rocker-cum-ballad "Love to Love," where a ridiculously heavy intro gives way to flourishing poetics.
"Gettin' Ready" and an oddball Love cover, "Alone Again Or," also showcase the band's sensitive ambiguities, never compromising the group's overarching hard edge.
Not enough can be said either about UFO's stand-out individual performances, particularly Phil Mogg's street level vocals, which no doubt greatly influenced Joe Elliot and Paul Di'Anno.
Then, of course, there's the matter of Michael Schenker's deservedly lauded lead guitar.
Expressive and bluesy with a tone nearing perfection, even the more pedestrian tunes are made worthwhile due to a Schenker solo.
Lights Out holds up well; its subtleties are worth mentioning because the band always make it a point to rock hard, and the playing is always on.
Almost completely overlooked stateside, Lights Out is a lost gem.
| Title/Composers | Performer | Listen | Time | Size | Size | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Too Hot to HandlePhil Mogg, Pete Way | UFO | Play | 03:36 | 8 MB | 26 MB |
| 2 | Just Another SuicidePhil Mogg | UFO | Play | 04:57 | 11 MB | 35 MB |
| 3 | Try MePhil Mogg, Michael Schenker | UFO | Play | 04:48 | 11 MB | 26 MB |
| 4 | Lights OutPhil Mogg, Andy Parker, Michael Schenker, Pete Way | UFO | Play | 04:32 | 10 MB | 33 MB |
| 5 | Gettin' ReadyPhil Mogg, Michael Schenker | UFO | Play | 03:50 | 8 MB | 26 MB |
| 6 | Alone Again OrAlan MacLean | UFO | Play | 03:01 | 6 MB | 19 MB |
| 7 | Electric PhasePhil Mogg, Michael Schenker, Pete Way | UFO | Play | 04:52 | 11 MB | 33 MB |
| 8 | Love to LovePhil Mogg, Michael Schenker | UFO | Play | 07:04 | 16 MB | 47 MB |
| 36 mins | 84 MB | |||||
| 36 mins | 249 MB | |||||
| Artist | Job | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lucy Jordache | Producer |
| 2 | Dave Ling | Liner Notes |
| 3 | Alan MacLean | Composer |
| 4 | Alan McMillan | Horn Arrangements, String Arrangements |
| 5 | Phil Mogg | Composer, Vocals |
| 6 | Ron Nevison | Producer |
| 7 | Andy Parker | Composer, Drums |
| 8 | Paul Raymond | Guitar, Keyboards, Vocals |
| 9 | Michael Schenker | Composer, Guitar |
| 10 | UFO | Primary Artist |
| 11 | Pete Way | Bass, Composer, Guitar (Bass) |
| Quality | Format | Encoding | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | MP3 | 320kps 44.1kHz | MP3 is an audio coding format which uses a form of lossy data compression. The highest bitrate of this format is 320kbps (kbit/s). MP3 Digital audio takes less amount of space (up to 90% reduction in size) and the quality is not as good as the original one. |