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**UFO - Force It**
★★★★☆

By 1975, UFO had already spent the better part of a decade bouncing around the British rock scene like a pinball, ricocheting between psychedelic space jams and harder-edged material without quite finding their sweet spot. Then German guitar wizard Michael Schenker arrived from the Scorpions in 1973, and suddenly everything clicked. If their previous album, "Phenomenon," had been the sound of a band discovering their identity, then "Force It" was UFO planting their flag firmly in hard rock territory and daring anyone to knock it down.

The album opens with the thunderous "Let It Roll," a statement of intent so bold it practically grabs you by the collar and demands attention. Phil Mogg's vocals soar over Schenker's serpentine guitar work while the rhythm section of bassist Pete Way and drummer Andy Parker locks into a groove so tight it could crack walnuts. It's the sound of a band that's found its confidence and isn't afraid to show off a little.

What makes "Force It" such a compelling listen isn't just the individual performances—though they're uniformly excellent—but the way UFO manages to balance power with melody, aggression with accessibility. Take "Shoot Shoot," which builds from a menacing crawl into a full-throttle rocker that showcases Schenker's ability to make his guitar both sing and snarl, sometimes within the same phrase. The man had an almost supernatural ability to find the perfect tone for every moment, whether he was delivering crushing riffs or soaring leads that seemed to defy gravity.

The album's crown jewel is undoubtedly "Mother Mary," a seven-minute epic that finds the band stretching out and exploring their more progressive instincts without losing sight of their hard rock roots. Mogg delivers one of his finest vocal performances, equal parts vulnerable and commanding, while Schenker unleashes a guitar solo that belongs in the pantheon of great rock moments. It's the kind of song that makes you understand why so many future metal gods cite UFO as a major influence.

"High Flyer" serves as the album's emotional centerpiece, a mid-tempo anthem that perfectly captures the band's knack for combining heavy guitars with genuinely memorable hooks. Way's bass work is particularly noteworthy here, providing a solid foundation while adding subtle melodic flourishes that elevate the entire arrangement. Meanwhile, "Love to Love" strips things down to their essence, proving that UFO could be just as effective when they pulled back the throttle as when they floored it.

The production, handled by Leo Lyons of Ten Years After, gives everything a warm, analog richness that modern digital recordings often struggle to match. The guitars have bite without being harsh, the drums punch without overwhelming, and Mogg's vocals sit perfectly in the mix, clear and present without dominating the proceedings. It's the kind of production that serves the songs rather than calling attention to itself.

"Force It" arrived at a crucial moment in rock history, just as the genre was beginning to splinter into various subgenres. UFO managed to create something that satisfied both the melody-minded and the heavy-seeking, influencing everyone from Iron Maiden to Def Leppard in the process. The album's impact can be heard in countless recordings that followed, from the twin-guitar harmonies that would become a metal staple to the way bands learned to balance power and accessibility.

Despite never achieving massive commercial success in their homeland, UFO's influence has only grown over the decades. "Force It" stands as perhaps their most cohesive statement, capturing a band at the peak of their powers and documenting a crucial chapter in the evolution of hard rock. The album's legacy is written in the DNA of heavy music itself—every time a guitarist crafts a melodic solo over a crushing riff, every time a band finds that perfect balance between heavy and hooky, UFO's fingerprints are there.

Nearly five decades later, "Force It" remains a masterclass in how to make heavy music that doesn't sacrifice melody or emotion for power. It's an album that rewards both casual listening and deep diving, revealing new layers with each encounter. In a genre often obsessed with extremes, UFO proved that sometimes the most powerful force is restraint wielded by masters of their craft.