Savage Distortion

NO PLACE TO RUN

UFO was one of those great english hard rock bands that just couldn't break america. Like their contemporaries, Thin Lizzy, UFO released quality records throughout the 70's and enjoyed success everywhere but here. In 1979 guitarist Michael Schenker letf the band for the umpteenth and final time. This left some very large shoes to fill. Mike Chapman, who had filled in for Schenker on countless tours when the 'difficult' artist would invariably fail to show up, was the natural choice as replacement. In 1980, armed with a slew of great songs and a new guitar player with alot to prove, UFO went into the studio with none other than Sir George Martin. I love this album. I always come back to it and am never disapointed. The production is the best they ever enjoyed (Thanks George). Songs like "Anyday" and "Take It Or Leave It" show remarkable depth in both the lyric, and the tune. On their cover of the Elvis classic "Mystery Train" Chapman simply 'heads out'. Though I'm a huge Schenker fan, I never miss him for a second on this record. Subsequent releases differ. The second side (Youngblood, No Place To Run, Take It Or Leave It, Money, and Anyday) is one of those perfect album sides. Phil Mogg (vocals) was certainly at his best on this album, both as a writer and as a performer. It's a shame this record never got it's due. As much as UFO rises to the occasion on No Place To Run, the public, it seems, wanted Schenker's leads and didn't much care about songs.