UFO Album: “Covenant”

Everyone seems to want to compare this to "Walk on Water," which is indeed a better album. That being said, we can now discuss "Covenant" intelligently.

Gone is drummer Andy Parker, replaced by veteran journeyman Aynsley Dunbar. Paul Raymond (keys, guitars) is also gone, which is a shame -- but remember, he wasn't an original member of the group. UFO started as a four-man outfit. So frankly, for me, these changes are negligable.

"Covenent" is somewhat inconsistant in my mind. It contains a few of UFO's best songs -- it also contains some of their worst. And while the production values here aren't as strong as "Walk on Water," they are not nearly as bad as some here are making them out to be.

Consider "Fool's Gold." This is UFO at its finest and reminds me a little bit of "Love to Love." It starts out as a gentle ballad with some of singer Phil Mogg's most touching lyrics. Soon, however, as is UFO's want, the song changes tempo and becomes a balls-to-the-wall rocker -- led by some of guitarist Michael Schenker's most incindiary work.

I also like "Serenade," which features a great riff -- catchy, yet original. Phil sings the hell out of this and I noticed he sounds as good as he did back in the "Force It" days. Check out Schenker's solo here -- sonically stunning.

The opening track is awesome as well -- "Love is Forever." This one is classic-sounding UFO and I could imagine them opening their show with this bone crusher.

There are plenty of missteps -- as other critics have pointed out. "Cowboy Joe" is pointless and forgettable, and "The World and His Dog" is a real head scratcher and a disappointing way to close out the CD.

Of course, there is the second CD -- a live collection of songs from their last tour. This is terrific... sonicly crisp and well mixed. While the older songs ("Mother Mary," "Let It Roll," etc.) are not quite up to "Strangers in the Night" standards (hey, what is?) -- the disc does contain several live versions of tunes from "Walk on Water" and that alone makes this a "must have" for all UFO fans. Specifically, it has scorching renditions of "Venus" and "Pushed to the Limit."

This is a very fine 2-CD set, and if you're a big UFO fan, or fan of 70s-style hard rock 'n' roll, it's a must for your collection. But because it is a 2-CD set, the price is a little higher than it normally would be and that may be what is really ticking off some of the critics here.

Ignore those hang-wringing naysayers and give this one a chance. Play it on a high-end system and play it loud. You'll be happy that you bought it and annoy your neighbors all at the same time. Now, that's rock 'n' roll!

One of the greatest hard rock bands of the '70s and '80s is back with its classic lineup (Michael Schenker-guitar, Phil Mogg-vocals, Pete Way-bass). And UFO is back with a vengence. Covenant is a two CD set. The first being 11 new studio tracks. Schenker's guitar is flawless and soars on tracks like "Unraveled" and "Fool's Gold". The sound is a bit rawer than most UFO albums, but still manages to capture both the power and melody that is UFO. The second CD has 7 live tracks from their '95 US tour. 5 classic UFO tracks plus two from their underated Walk on Water album. Covenant isn't Strangers in the Night or Lights Out but it is a good buy.

A lot of complaining going on by people who want Schenker and Mogg back together and when they do, well, let the complaining continue, because no one is ever happy or satisfied until they get what they can't have. Phil Mogg probably has lyrics to this effect, as I find his lyrics to be quite thought provoking, intelligent and, yes, mature. That is to say, that I am not going to hold his age against him. No way. If he is living longer and playing harder than you, then perhaps you should take note. He may have said it louder and clearer on "Walk on Water" (messy divorce-time album if ever), but there is still that ATTITUDE (with some clever flourishes of humor) and there is STILL Schenker (who still manages to astonish with just his pinky finger). "Covenant" is by no means disappointing (and here is the point I want to make), but a perfect companion to "Walk on Water" and "Sharks". I have had the great fortune of re-discovering UFO thru these three discs in, like, a span of one month. So I am in UFO-heaven and finding it hard to resist. It's nice to hear thoughtful, provocative and, here is that word again, intelligent, rock n roll. So my advice, if you have made it this far, is listen to "Covenant" in the context of UFO's Mogg/Schenker realignment of the late 90's/early 00's. Its quite a rock-out/kick a** affair. PS: "Love Is Forever" and "Cowboy Joe" are some of UFO's finer tunes in my book.

I have had this cd since it was released and have been spinning it on a regular basis. IT ROCKS! How can you be a fan of rock&roll and not think that this is a must have? I dont think that it is a classic/masterpiece, it needs Shane Gaalaas pounding the skins, and Mr Raymond on the keys. I also would have enjoyed more accoustic sounds mixed into Schenkers rythyms, but the cd does what I want a UFO cd to do, ROCK! The sound is very similar to the Unforgiven cd, only with much better solo guitar from Schenker. Few can shred the axe and still sound as beautifull as he can. Moggs vocals are still quite excellent. I think that Phil needs to get some help with the ladys in his life because his exs are starting to dominate his lyrics! I also do not understand his fixation with having "two clean shirts" this is the second cd with that phrase in one of his songs! He was not slamming religion on "love is forever" however as some have felt in other reviews, He was showing his distaste that most of us have for our bosses when he sings " a slave for a fool". Religous people are way too sensitive, give us all a break please! Way is still a "way" cool bass player! His riffs are how the bottom end is meant to sound in Rock. This cd did not have great production, that is true. I felt that some of the sound was mixed up. The accoustic solo on "Serenade" was brilliant but muffled and overwhelmed by a not so brilliant wacka-wacka electric rhythym sound. That is only one example, the background vocals are another. This cd needed Nevisons & Raymonds touch to be 5 stars. Bottom line is this. If you are a UFO/Schenker fan and dont buy this cd because its not the best cd ever, you are making a big mistake! The pans here are from some people who expected way to much or who just havent listend to what else is passing for rock music these days. Maybe THEY only have two clean shirts or something! I dont know. Buy it. Spin it. ROCKOUT!

I just got Covenant yesterday(7-28) and have listened to it all the way through 3 times now.I guess because I was so blown away by 'Walk on Water' that this disc is somewhat of a let down.The first song(Love is Forever)and the third track(Miss the Lights) are my favorite songs on the disc.Like another reviewer said,if THIS disc was their reunion disc and not W.O.W..I would be more impressed,as it is it's a very enjoyable 48 minutes of hard rock but it leaves one wondering where is the fire and passion from W.O.W.? I'm a big fan of UFO since their 1st lps 'Flying' and 'One' and and I would rate this release as somewhere between 'Force It'and Mechanix' as my fav. UFO albums.(top 5 being..Lights Out,Obsession,W.O.W.,No Heavy Petting and Phenomenon.It's still worth the money tho because of the bonus live disc which has 'Love to Love' on it which happens to be my all-time favorite song by ANY band.