Ufo

Walk on Water finds the classic mid-'70s UFO lineup – featuring Michael Schenker – reuniting for another go-round. Much has changed in rock & roll since Schenker last played in UFO, but in UFO's world, things remain the same. The group continues to pound out heavy rockers without changing its formula much at all. To the disinterested observer or critic, this means Walk on Water is boring, but UFO diehards may be pleasantly surprised by the record, since it finds the band playing with energy and conviction, even if the music is predictable.

Recorded on a shoestring budget, UFO has several challenging sonic moments. The uneven mixes and amateur performances that some listeners might find quaint or innocent could be distracting to others. In their pre-Michael Schenker days, the British band made a much more experimental noise that reflected psychedelic as well as R&B influences pitched with a dark resonance. This swirling mish-mosh barely suggests the early British metal of the group's commercial pinnacle that was still years off when they released their eponymous debut. Blue Cheer, early Black Sabbath, and maybe a little bit of the Who (mostly derived via bassist Pete Way's meandering, over-saturated basslines) all come to mind on standouts like "Boogie," "C'mon Everybody," and "Follow You Home."