On this page will be reviews (and links to reviews) of YOU ARE HERE. The page will be updated as fast as the reviews come in - so keep checking back, ok!


First off.... here's Batttttty's review....

I wasn't sure how to review this one - whether to climb inside it and review it as a UFO fan, or to stand outside it and review it as a sane, normal, rational person. Hmmm.. take a wild guess....

OK, I've been playing it virtually 24/7 since I got it - because I've wanted to! What is clear is that this incarnation of UFO is exactly what the UFO website says it is - a real band! With everyone pulling in the same direction. Jason's contribution to this album is so valuable that it's even made me want to talk about the drummer first - now there's a novelty! Absolute kick-arse drumming and vocals too. Well done mate!

Now.... one great thing about 'Classic UFO' in the past, was that Phil's lyrics and Schenker's music complemented each other to the point that you can't imagine those melodies without Phil's words, or imagine Phil's lyrics set to any other tunes. The Vinnie/Phil relationship hasn't lost any of this - which will be a relief to the die-hard Schenker fans who were worried that Vinnie's shredding technique might fight against Phil's lyrics rather than blend in with them. But Vinnie more than just 'blends in'! His playing-style leaves plenty of room for the lyrics, and his melodies put their own stamp on the new UFO. I love the Mind's Eye/Meltdown-esque bits that crept in. With Vinnie, I reckon they've stepped across the time/space continuum and moved forward without losing their stride. A simple movement, sideways and forwards, and we're forging ahead on a new course - to boldly go, and all that.

It's very much Phil and Vinnie's album - Phil's taken the blueprint he's been using since Jerusalem - and coloured it in. How about this for a lyric..... "all dressed up in the king's new clothes, climbing up the monkey's nose". See... I KNOW people who are just like that! He says exactly what he means, without any waste - and gives it rhythm and rhyme too! Blimey - we're in the presence of a genius, I tell ya! I bet he's great at competitions where you have to write a slogan about something in 8 words or less. Of course, true to form, some of his lyrics don't seem to make any damn sense at all.... they sound like what he'd sing when he errrr.... forgets the lyrics. You know what I mean? Unconnected ideas that make a sound that feels comfortable. But isn't that what poetry is all about? He uses words as if they're the ingredients to a recipe, and cooks us up a three course meal. And don't start me on his voice.... or I'll be here talking about testosterone all day... and you don't want that - do ya!

Vinnie, Paul, Phil, Jason and Pete - a real band, and it shows! The chemistry is here.
"Hey, Chemistry, you are here!"

My favourites keep changing at the moment - and that is a GOOD thing, cos it proves there's a song for every mood and for every emotion - which is what UFO has always been about. The first four tracks don't give you time to draw breath. You wouldn't think kick-arse rawwwkkkkk could vibrate your throat so poetically. And then the poetry kicks in and you wouldn't think poetry could rawwwk so kick-arsely. Yeh yeh yehhh, I knowwww, but it's the only way I can describe it. I'm not Phil - I can't do the 'eight-words-or-less' thannnng!

So... on to the individual songs...
Daylight Goes To Town. A great opening track, with Jason adding an extra and unexpected dimension to the vocals. And hey, it turns out Phil was born on a rollin train.... Who'd have thought it! And here's what I mean about Vinnie's playing 'enhancing' the lyrics. Vinnie's driving that train!
Black Cold Coffee, where Jason packs a wicked wallop, and Vinnie gets another chance to let rip - blimey, he really does get into it on this one.
The Wild One, which put me slightly in mind of Snowblind Friend as done by Steppenwolf - there's a feel of 'some ungodly bathroom in some unholy hall' in the chorus. Again, a very distinctive Vinnie solo. I like the way he isn't trying to 'do a Schenker'. It's all Vinnie - which should make the live stuff very interesting, cos I can't wait to hear how he sets his seal on Rock Bottom!
Give It Up is a jiggy in-car rawwwwker - you can imagine when you've stopped at the traffic lights and everyone within a 200 yards radius starts dancin - old ladies throwing their walkin sticks in the air and gettin-on-downnnnnnnnnnnnnnn instead of crossing the road . 'Give it up darlin, rattle them bones....' - oh yes indeed!
Call Me - not my favourite, mainly cos of the repetitive lyrics, but again, our boyyys show what they can do!
Slipping Away - this has a kind of mysterious haunting floaty choon. It gets to ya.
The Spark That Is Us - this was probably meant to be the 'showstopper', but I didn't really hit onto it at first listen, but I've woke up humming it every morning! I think this one is probably more technically-competent than I'm realising, cos I'm just a sweet gurlie who doesn't understand amps'n'valves and all that stuff... but I think musicians will find something in this one that makes them nod intelligently. Or maybe not - I dunno. But it's a grower.
Sympathy - has a bit of an arena-anthem get-yer-lighters-out kinda vibe to it. Except blazing torches would be more apt. If I had one, I'd hold it up, anyway - you know I would!
Mr. Freeze - This is the one that's gonna get into your brain and drive you barmy. Totally stupid lyrics ... but that's what makes it fun! And there's a nice dollop of Vinnie, yet again.
Jelloman - Is that Phil singing? Hmmm.... okay - if you say so.... This is the one with the 'king's new clothes' lyrics, and And Vinnie gives it some again - blistering stuff! On the surface it's a 'novelty' song, but it has a helluva lot of stuff going on in it.
Baby Blue..... now, this might not be Love To Love (because nothing ever can be or ever will be), but the poetry and melody warms your heart in the same kinda way .... "Is it wrapped up in boxes with the old-fashioned crazies, packed all away with life's scars and grazes". Beautiful....
and last but not least... Swallow - I was hoping this one was gonna be about Me - but it seems not. Still worth a mention though!

A review by Tristan Greatrex

CLASSIC ROCK REVISITED's review


And a review by Brian Coles of Electric Basement HERE

CROSSROCKS review


BRAVE WORDS & BLOODY KNUCKLES


and from

REVELATION Z

CUTTING EDGE REVIEW

TOMBSTONE REVIEW

ROCK AHEAD REVIEW

TEMPLE OF METAL

ROCK REVIEW

This review from SITN's Willyboy Billkins

I bought You Are Here last Friday and thought that overall it was great.
It's not a 10/10 but I'd definitely give it an easy 8/10, certainly UFO grade stuff IMO. One or two of the tracks weren't going anywhere for me, and I do find myself skipping over them to get to the faves, but there are more than enough throbbing standout tracks that will stick in the memory for good.
I've loved Vinnie Moore since I bought "The Maze", and I reckon his unmistakable style fits in well. I thought the soloing was fine, but I would
agree that a little more meat and volume would be a good thing, mainly with the solos.
If you checkout Vinnie on "The Maze", there's power in abundance and plenty of speed, but he always carries great tunes throughout. Here he's in a band which is a collective, rather than purely a showcase for Vinnie Moore. I reckon like any band, they will take some time to mature.
After a bit of touring, the second, third and fourth albums are usually the best any band makes, so if the guys stick together, this team could be special.
When I first put You Are Here on, I got the same vibe I had with WOW - it felt right. Even though there are clear influences from recent material from all the band members, it sounded strong and fresh and right. As Battttty said, they've taken a previous blueprint and coloured it in - and it came to life.
On this CD the whole band turn in top notch performances and the sound is great, expansive. Phil's now really mastered his new voice (well, old(er) if you know what I mean). There's more passion on this CD from Phil Mogg than I can ever remember on the early UFO stuff. The drums & bass section on many of the tracks (when played on a good sound system) are outstanding, particularly the opening track. I'd give Paul Raymond accolades too but I can't tell what he played versus Vinnie, unfortunately (the Barcelona show will correct that no doubt).
Interestingly, Vinnie has a previously recorded track called "Never Been To Barcelona" - well that's about to change and I'm hoping he'll be as inspired by the place as anybody I've ever met who's been there. Looking forward to the show.

Now here's a review from DAVE STONE

Everyone that visits this site (www.melodicrock.com) needs to seek this one out when it's released. I've obtained a copy and I will be purchasing it when available in March and hopefully the boys will do a US tour so we can show our support.
Schenker is not missed, Vinnie Moore and Jason Bonham have brought energy and unbelievable talent to the core group. I'm amazed at how much Jason has improved his drumming skills over the years, Bonzo would be proud. Vinnie does not try to sound like Schenker, he's brought his own style and it incorporates into the band flawlessly.
No doubt, this band is the best (active) classic rock band around today. The Rollling Stones, Aerosmith or Van Hagar couldn't top this even if they actually tried.
Too bad US corporate rock radio will never acknowledge that UFO exists.
Andrew, you need to go ahead and put this one on top of the best album list for 2004. Nothing could touch it.