Obsession

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Customer reviews

review by: 109Rob date: 2007-06-10 rating:
Superb Guitar-Work, Superb Songs
This is one of the all-time classic hard rock albums. I agree with the other reviewer who says that Schenker and Mogg bring out the best in each other, and this album and the next studio album they did together 18 years later (Walk on Water) prove it. Having said this, it should be noted that Schenker frequently reaches this guitar-playing standard without Mogg - though Mogg is probably Schenker's best song-writing partner.

Anyway - to the record in hand. Only You Can Rock me is a superb opening track with a haunting melodic solo in the middle that has to be one of rock's timeless great moments. Pack it Up and Go is a great-song that simultaneously show-cases Schenker's talents. Arbory Hill slows things down nicely before the more ballad-like Ain't No Baby and Lookin' Out for No. 1. These two tracks have to number among the greatest rock melodies ever written - Schenker and Mogg prove they're the best on these. Hot 'n' Ready is a nother guitar-show-caser without losing any song quality, whilst Cherry is a superb song that brings Pete Way's bass more to the fore, but is also typical of the high standards Mogg was reaching at the time. You Don't Fool Me is a haunting number where the song-writing remains top-notch and Schenker adds some of his best guitar-work, creating atmosphere with some of his post WWII air-raid siren allusions (careful listening to Schenker's work often highlights post-war allusions). One More for the Rodeo is a great track that highlights just how well this classic UFO line-up work together as a team - it isn't just about the guitar-work with UFO, but about the song. Born to Lose is a superb ballad with absolutely incredible guitar work by Schenker to finish off the album.

Taken as a whole, Obsession is actually quite a melancholic album. Yet, somehow, by a kind of haunting dark osmosis, the listener is taken into their ownmost moments of longing, regret, or hope. Something deeper happens with Obsession than happens with Lights Out (the previous album). I must stress that you will not find guitar-work to match the standard Schenker achieves here at age 23 anywhere else (except on some of Schenker's other material). Yet, the album creates its own world and takes the listener into that world where it is this journey, rather than mere musicianship, that makes this album.

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review by: davethorn13 date: 2007-06-06 rating:
Keeping hard rock alive
Not exactly a trailblazing band, UFO. They followed, but if you've got the class they had when they made 'Obsession' and just get on with it, you can make a great album, which this is. 'Only You Can Rock Me' is the obvious choice to open the album, a statement of what they do best here, hard, driving rock. 'Pack It Up' is startling for the prominence of the Zep-like drum rhythms. UFO augment some of the music, notably 'Lookin' Out For No. 1', with orchestra, but this underlines rather than interferes. 'Hot 'n' Ready' and 'Cherry', performances of which have been added as bonuses to the 'Strangers In The Night' live album, are also among UFO's best recordings. There are two brief, gentle interludes which serve to give the listener breathing space in what is otherwise an unrelenting, belligerent album. Only the poignant 'Born To Lose' is softer and that is more 'power-ballad' (for want of a better term) than pop song. As usual, Michael Schenker has several breathtaking moments, but 'Obsession' is more about a great rock band flexing their muscles.

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review by: date: 2007-02-14 rating:
Their Final Masterpiece
In terms of studio output this album signified the end of the "classic line up" to the dismay of myself and many young rock fans back in the late seventies. But what a masterpiece they recorded to bow out with! The general consensus amongst reviewers seem to agree that these heights were not reached again until this line up reformed for "Walk on Water". The guitar work really soars especially on "Ain't No Baby" and "Lookin' Out for No. 1" without being over indulgent. "Hot 'n' Ready" really rocks and "Cherry" is yet another showpiece for Moggy's lyrics and vocals. Although not one of my personal favourites "Only You Can Rock Me" finally gave UFO credible chart success and a commercial rock anthem to rival "Doctor Doctor". All round fabulous must have UFO album.

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review by: date: 2006-01-21 rating:
A UFO classic
What this album shows is just how much Michael Schenker and UFO need each other. In the years following Schenker's departure UFO never quite matched these dizzy heights again and Schenker's playing never quite reached the same fluidity. Not to my ears anyway. Not until they rejoined to record Walk On Water in the mid 90's did it all come together again which sort of makes my point.
Back to Obsession though. This is a must have recording from one of the UK's most important rock bands during their golden years. The songs cleverly combine driving rock with surprising melody (Looking Out For No 1 is a wonderful example). The album in general, and Born To Lose in particular, is also another fabulous showcase for the stunning virtuosity of the most gifted rock guitarist on the planet. Go buy.


review by: date: 2004-03-19 rating:
The definitive UFO Album
This has to be the most played album of my teenage years. Everyone in my year at school played this album to death, (thanks Murph, RIP) it was the 1st record I ever did a home tape from & it still stands up today as one of the best rock albums ever made - one of my top 5 ever!

The entire album is awsome, the highlights of which have to be the sublime "Looking out for Number 1" (which has one of my favourite "less is more" guitar breaks in it) as well as the classic "Only You Cab Rock Me"

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