COUNTRY: UK
LABEL: Chrysalis
YEAR: 1983
ADDITIONAL NOTES: Typical 1980’s Hard Rock, heavy on the keyboard.
Their eleventh studio album ”Making Contact was released February 14, 1983, The band was in turmoil and the end of an era.
Founding bassist Pete Way had walked away right before the sessions. There wasn't any big bust-up. Pete (non-confrontationally) simply didn't show up for scheduled rehearsals/sessions.
It seems he was unhappy with the commercial direction the band was taking. Not to mention the increasing keyboards and sax.
So Paul Chapman and Neil Carter played all the bass parts on this release.
Yet, Pete left a "void" in the songwriting.
Chapman contributed less (only three co-writes) as he was going through a divorce. Leaving relative newcomer Carter to "take up the slack".
The resulting album was more commercial with a few rockers. Namely "Blinded By A Lie", "When It's Time To Rock" and "The Way The Wind Blows".
Yet, the band was also being coerced by their record label (Schenker's MSG was sharing the same dilemma).
The album peaked at #32 in the UK and #153 in the US.
After a disastrous European tour (with Talas bassist Billy Sheehan), UFO did a UK farewell tour with ex-Eddie & The Hot Rods/Damned bassist Paul Gray.
Good timing. Substance abuse (at this point) took precedence over recording and performing.
Immediately afterward, Chapman, Carter, and Parker attempted to form a new band (they demo'd four very good songs) before Carter joined Gary Moore.
In mid-1984 Parker joined Pete Way's Waysted. As did Chapman soon.
While Phil Mogg relaunched a new UFO (by reuniting with Paul Raymond and Gray) in 1984.
At the time, I loved this album. But in hindsight, something doesn't feel right. Perhaps it's the "over the top" bass playing by the two guitarists. Keyboards were also too high in the mix.
Mogg and Carter slagging Way (after his leaving) in the press left a "bad taste" as well.
(RIP Paul Chapman.)
Text written by Henry Howard
Track listing
Side 1
1. "Blinded by a Lie"
2. "Diesel in the Dust"
3. "A Fool for Love"
4. "You and Me"
5. "When It's Time to Rock"
Side 2
6. "The Way the Wild Wind Blows"
7. "Call My Name"
8. "All Over You"
9. "No Getaway”
10. "Push, It's Love"
