UFO

Covenant

Disappointing

Review Score:

(4/10)
First, let me say that I am a huge fan of UFO's Phenomenon through Strangers in the Night releases (a.k.a., the Michael Schenker Years). I am also a huge Michael Schenker fan, especially of his latest release Adventures of the Imagination. Come to think of it, I have never heard any non-Schenker UFO material. Am I missing anything?

I must say that this release (Covenant) is a huge disappointment. I can't say that I enjoyed Walk on Water much either. I really think there is a lot of creativity that is missing in both recordings when compared to those released in the '70s. The biggest complaints I have are : 1) The lyrics are trite, 2) the writing and guitar sounds are one dimensional (with the exception of the solo work of course) and 3) The background vocals are just plain cheesy.

Among the many great aspects of Phenomenon through Strangers in the Night are the diversity in guitar work, musical styles and creative writing that went into those recordings. For instance, there are songs that range from hard rock (e.g., Rock Bottom from Phenomenon), to Blues (e.g., Built for Comfort from Phenomenon (I know they didn't write it) ), to folk (e.g., Crystal Light from Phenomenon or High Flyer from Force it ), to Psychedelic Rock (e.g., Electric Phase from Lights Out) and just about everything in between (e.g., Cherry from Obsession).

All I hear on Covenant is "par for the course" hard rock, which is OK for a few songs. However, I know UFO (in this lineup Mogg/Schenker/Way) is capable of so much more. If I were recommending a UFO recording to a newcomer then I must say Covenant and Walk on Water would not make the list.

Perhaps I need to listen to it a few more times. If it is true what they say about first impressions then I don't think my mind will change. I hope it will because I am still a fan.

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