To say I was skeptical of this release is an understatement. As a lifelong UFO fan (Lights Out is one of my musical epiphany moments) nothing in my mind can ever replace classic era UFO. I’ve been along with Phil for his entire ride, even the Mogg/Way albums and for the most part I’ve always been onboard. But Phil’s covers album Salentino Cuts (ostensibly a UFO record) lost me. The songs didn’t do his voice justice and it all just came off as flat, like a last gasp. After his well publicized heart attack, I really assumed it was his farewell Then, holy crap, this comes out. Teaming up with a killer band and some guys with good songwriting chops Moggs Motel sounds fresh and invigorated. I’ve always been a fan of Neil Carter from his Wild Horses days and of course into his tenure with UFO, and here he simply shines. Check out the songs he co-wrote like Sunny Side of Heaven and you'll see the youthful energy that infiltrates that riff. Good stuff.
I'm not familiar with bass player/songwriter Tony Newton (who splits songwriting duties with Neil) or his band Voodoo Six, but he's an inspired choice, and infuses some more grit and a modern touch to his songs.
All in all, the band is top notch. The songs rock harder than most of the later-day UFO stuff. Phil sounds great and I'm a happy guys. If you're a UFO fan and have been holding off on this, don't. It more than holds it's own.
-Racer
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