OK – after half a week with the new Uriah Heep Live at Koko in the DVD player, the new UFO arrived so I’ve spend the second half of this week with A Conspiracy of Stars on almost constant repeat in the car CD player. So great that two legendary rock bands release superb high quality stuff in the same week and still “doing it” after almost a century of combined years between them. ACOS certainly hits the spot. I’d say it’s the best UFO offering since Walk on Water. Oh yes. It’s that good.
Now I’ve read some reviews on Amazon which are “Vinnie bashing” because he’s not Michael Schenker and this isn’t Lights Out or Obsession. Stop living in the past peeps. Schenker came and went for the last time years ago. Time moves on and so has UFO. Don’t hark back to the past – consider what we have here on its merits and treasure that Uncle Phil and his cohorts are still very much a class act.
Overall: A delightful, muscular album with plenty of melodic/deft touches all over it. Vinnie shreds up a storm showing he is world class. The riffs and big chords are really driving and chunky to big it up. His solo work is deft, fast, fluid and shows a fine melodic touch with a bluesy overtone. The man’s speed and technique is remarkable – and not fast for the sake of fast to say “how many notes can I play in three seconds”. A rock guitar masterclass. Listen to The Killing Kind, Sugar Kane and Devil’s in the Detail to see, I mean hear, why.
Other highlights include Ballad of the Left Hand Gun and the closer Rollin’ Rollin’ which is a bit of an epic and an instant UFO classic. Indeed, no weak spots for me anywhere.
Phil’s lyrics are as only he can write and his pipes are in full working order. As I hope his random comedy routine is on the upcoming UK tour…..
Andy Parker and Paul Raymond do what they’ve been doing for years. Proper drumming and in Paul’s case that huge rhythm guitar and deft keyboard fills. Not forgetting Rob De Luca on the bass. Now here as a full recording member and also a writing credit or two including the monster opening track The Killing Kind. Welcome to the band Rob. You seem right at home and bring something new to the party.
Thus, in my opinion A Conspiracy of Stars is first class. Proper heavy/melodic/blues rock and unmistakably UFO. Fourty-odd years in and not missing a step. And still evolving even. Not resting on past glories which would be all too easy for them. Instead they produce top stuff like this album and remain very relevant despite the (ahem) “advancing years” of the more long-standing members if I can put it like that.
They don’t make bands like this any more so be thankful for the likes of UFO (and Uriah Heep) and enjoy them. ACOS is a fine release. Approach it with an open mind (by that I mean don’t think we’re back in 1978 playing air-guitar to Rock Bottom) and it shall reward your aural senses.
>> BAG YOURSELF A COPY OF A CONSPIRACY OF STARS FROM AMAZON <<
Oh – the new Tysondog CD arrived today. Metal case and all. So I have some more listening and reviewing to do. Next time a NWOBHM review then….!
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