Despite all the difficulties during their last world tour, vocalist Phil Mogg, guitarist Michael Schenker, bassist Pete Way and drummer Aynsley Dunbar made up again in the spring of this year to add another chapter to the long-standing career of UFO. Once again under the guidance of producer Mike Varney (and Steve Fontana), they recorded a successor to the album “Covenant” and called it … “Sharks”, a title which implies an ironic dig at the laws of the market. “In a way, musicians are always surrounded by sharks who are just waiting to eat us alive,” Mogg grins mischievously. “We’re not really serious about the title, but consider it a humorous term, given the context. After all, we’re very happy with the way things have been going, which is why the numbers on “Sharks” sound so optimistic and pleasant.”
“How renewing can a dinosaur like UFO sound in the year 2002?” I hear you ask. Well, UFO is UFO (nobody can/will change that) and anything you would expect from them is presented here again, plus some greasy bluesy tracks like the opener “Outlaw Man” and “Someone’s Gotta Have To Pay”. So, if you’re still a fan of Mogg’s typical vocals and/or Schenker’s sharp axework - I gave up on them a long time ago! - you won’t be disappointed. But in my humble opinion, they were so much better in their glory days at the end of the seventies, when classy albums like “Lights Out” and the live album “Strangers In The Night” were released.
Believe it or not, but it seems likely that UFO will embark on another tour with this new album. To avoid new difficulties, Mogg has thought up an adapted tour scheme this time around. “We definitely toured too much in the wake of “Covenant”, which caused unnecessary problems that wouldn’t have occurred with more prudent planning. So, this time we will go about things more carefully and make sure that the Sharks tour doesn’t turn out as long and exhausting,” he adds. Let’s see how long it will take these sharks before they rip up each other… (CL)
 

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monkey (on 4/09/06) It's just a shame, Chris... ONE star for UFO album while you very often give 4 or even 5 star to purest sh**? "Sharks" is one of the best UFO's album after their "second coming".   Dogman (on 10/03/06) This is pretty damn good UFO. Perhaps not classic Schenker. Perhaps not classic Tonka. But it is very good all the same. On evidence of this snortin' platter, there are plenty of miles left in the UFO tank. Go on... let it roll!   slug (on 31/08/05) Oh my god. I'm agreeing with AORPOMPY!.... spot on mate. No way is this better that Covenant but it is worth buying. Essential for UFO fans. Tip: try iPodding the tracks and listening to 'em in isolation.   H13H (on 5/04/05) Maybe this way would make it easier: Walk on Water - excellent Covenant - very good Sharks - good YOU ARE HERE - the weakest of the four! Playing is excellent on the last one, as usual, but the songs just did not cut it for me except two-three exceptions. Plain mediocre album.   vanluyk (on 15/02/04) you're obviously no ufo fans!!!sharks is a great album,but the new album is again the classic ufo!!!Vinnie is a great gitarplayer!!!!   melodic rocks (on 1/09/03) Feeling sad about the situation, after having found each other again and then comin'up with ....this album. With all respect, Phil Mogg is my favourite singer, a sharp, typical vocalist with evocative lyrics, Pete Way ,my number one stageman and Michael Schenker, well he left his unique trademark on many UFO and MSG albums in the past. But 'Sharks ' hasn't that much to offer.....melodies are going nowhere, solos and riffs that have no 'kick or in the face -feeling ', the songs leave the listener with nothing.... . I was very fond of the bluesy edged ' Sing of 4 -project' of Phil Mogg, Jeff Kollman and the Cosmosquad rhythm section,containing melodies, songs, with a backbone, a stucture, but I'm afraid 'Sharks' is not a good follow-up. The very dry production of Mike Varney and Steve Fontane doesn't help much either, the drum sound ( Ashley Dunbar ) is a bit weak and good old Pete Way's bass guitar doesn't have this punchy sound. No i'm sad, as this is not the album I hope UFO would come up with.   AORPOMPY (on 15/10/02) Indeed, the new Ufo is better than most reviews would let us believe. I have the impression that many reviewers and journalist are trying to destroy classic AOR or melodic hard/pomp rock in favour of that so called nu-breed crap !!!!! But Chris has certainly also a point : this is not Ufo's best work ! The production is not too hot and Mogg is more speaking than singing. But the songs are not that bad and it's still classic hardrock and much better than most new bands have to offer. Certainly far from their best, but still an album that you can enjoy. Schenker is a great talent and will always be one of the hottest guitarists !   RD (on 14/09/02) I don't agree with RR´s Rewiew. After listening to the new UFO album "Sharks" several times I think it's brilliant.   E (on 12/09/02) It isn't true. The new UFO album is a good album. You have to listen a few times but after that you will say: Yeah sounds very good, even better than Covenant. It's a mix between their early years with a modern sound. It swings.

 

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