Ufo

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."

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.

Survival sans Michael Schenker will forever be the plight of English hard rock heavyweights UFO. Indeed, for many ardent fans, the validity of the group's existence appears to hinge on the presence of the irascible German within its ranks. But with all due respect to the incomparable mad axeman, even his formidable talents have done little to elevate UFO's performance during its reunions of the '90s and 2000s, so it's only fair that the enduring "classic" trio of vocalist Phil Mogg, bassist Pete Way, and rhythm guitarist/keyboardist Paul Raymond should be free to carry on with or without him. They do the latter on 2004's You Are Here, a steady but very workmanlike album (recorded, ironically enough, in Germany) on which the lineup is rounded out by drummer Jason Bonham and American guitarist Vinnie Moore…