UFO’s Strangers In The Night, an amazing live album from 1978, was one of those releases that almost never left my turntable. The heavy dynamics, with melodic density, really stood out, mostly given life by the guitar god Michael Schenker. More than 35 years later, and UFO is an entirely different breed of animal, matured by a musical awareness many acts have lacked in their longevity. Founder and lead vocalist Phil Moog has always been an expressive, passionate songwriter, but I never realized, until looking back at Strangers In The Night just how damned good of a songwriter he truly is. I assume I was so attracted to Schenker’s lead guitar work, in the past, that it all went over my head. A Conspiracy Of Stars is UFO’s 21st album, and it here where I truly realize the wide transition UFO has undertaken these past few decades. Yeah, it was that subtle.
Moog’s words of wisdom are more pronounced, with its customary-metal guitar attack more pushed to the background. UFO is more an intimate-style band, nowadays: less about tremendous guitar work and more so about the actual message. Moog reminds me of a wandering minstrel of days gone by, stopping by the pub for a pint (or three), and possessing many a tale to tell. He doesn’t care if he has an audience or not, just so long as he has a forum to decree his message, without being drowned out by razor sharp guitar pyrotechnics. UFO then is what it was, but more importantly, what it is now. As a result, Moog has truly come to the forefront, and demonstrates a song-writing style, that will make a true fan look at the back catalog in a whole new light.
Although most of their albums have impressively charted (on average, in the Top 50 or so on the Billboard charts), UFO has never focused on getting that big-hit single. Even during the 80’s when acts you would think would know better (Ozzy Osbourne and Y & T come to mind), were poofing up the hair, and dolling it up, UFO simply had no interest in that. It was, without question, always about their music. With an amusing album cover straight out of a Jules Verne novel, A Conspiracy Of Stars starts off with a bang. “The Killing Kind” does sound contrived, and that is not a knock. By that, I merely mean, you have to start off a rock and roll album with a nice uppercut, and this track does so. Very reminiscent of old-school UFO, it has a big, fat beefy guitar riff, courtesy of Vinnie Moore, to really get things rolling. Like a domino effect, it all falls into place, in a smooth, transitional style.
“Run Boy Run” with its bluesey AC/DC-style groove, has all but guaranteed itself a place in any upcoming live set-list. Moog’s vocals just sound so confidently arrogant, it’s infectious. “Ballad of the Left Hand Gun” is Delta-blues, with gritty steel guitar. While visualizing the foggy mist of a bayou, the track is a nice adventurous little surprise. “Sugar Cane” demonstrates guitarist Vinnie Moore’s talents, almost a showcase of sorts. Moore keeps it cool, and under control, but yet impressive, without being blatantly so.
“Precious Cargo” is a smooth, melancholic tune that Moog absolutely puts his heart and soul into. This the style of composition, that paints a picture of a trouper on a street corner, hat in front of him, crooning an outpouring of emotion. The rest of A Conspiracy Of Stars follows on a steady, consistent pattern, from here on out. Most of it good, and a lot of it exceptionally so. And all of it is material that the more one listens to, the more it grows on them. In all honesty with this one, I had a bit of trouble getting “into it” and finding myself disappointed. Remember, I am that big arena Strangers In The Night fan, but I felt drawn to give it repeated listens. Slowly but surely it kept pulling me back and with a little patience, it eventually paid off tremendously.
Producer Chris Tsangarides has successfully realized what Moog has to offer, and polished it up to a nice dynamic 80s-like-yet-current shine. This material needed to be a bit grittier, more raw. There is a bit of polish on the production, where perhaps it may have worked better being more raw. I am not attacking the production, because it gives that intimate bluesy vibe more of a big gladiatorial feel. I just find, based upon the writing, it would have worked better if a tad more abrasive.
Breaking down the band, Moore, if you are familiar with his solo work, tends to overstep his boundaries at times, but here, thanks to him or Tsangorides (or both), he reels it in, and keeps it nice and precise. He knows when to throw it out there, and when to stay put. Drummer Andy Parker has always been what a drummer should be, at least in an outfit like UFO: simple and to the point. Long-time stalwart Paul Chapman comes in on keyboards and guitar, and bassist Rob DeLuca holds down the fort. As for Moog? He is no Rob Halford, but UFO would suffer for that. He keeps it simple, and in his aging grittiness, brings out the heart and soul all the more in his vocal delivery.
I am trying to give this review a big triumphant finish, but I can’t. It is simply, a very impressive, well played, well fought out piece of work. UFO may no longer work their magic on a huge arena stage, but Moog was never about being a rock star. He just wants to sing, write, and entertain. And if you don’t like it, he doesn’t care. He is the mastermind of UFO and with A Conspiracy Of Stars, he sure as hell has a lot to be proud of.
~ Bruce Forrest
