Search - UFO :: Wild Willing & Innocent (Reis)

The Best of the Chapman era, nearly the best of them all

Quinn Miller | Columbus, OH United States | 05/13/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The Wild, The Willing and The Innocent marks the high water mark of the Paul Chapman era. Unlike many UFO fans, I am not partial to Schenker, and feel that the albums featuring Chapman have every bit as much to offer. The albums that make up 1980-83 era UFO are not as varied and textured as say Force It or Lights Out, rather they are focused on more straight ahead chugging riff rockers. That said, TWTWTI is the most textured of the Chapman releases.

None of the songs are filler here, and I rarely use the "skip" button when playing it. I can't say the same for most of the discs in my collection. Personal favorites would have to be "Long Gone" featuring a moody, cool string section at the end, the chugging forceful riff of the title track and "Makin' Moves" and the balladic non-ballad "Lonely Heart."

The main attribute that has always set UFO apart from the pack and continues to make them great here is the sense of atmosphere that is created in each song. They know how to paint a vivid story with words and music, and it's always a unique experience if not always successful. If you're interested in checking out any UFO albums outside of the Schenker era, the one to begin with is right here!"

The elusive "Perfect" album...........................

Cameron Traviss | vancouver, BC Canada | 12/08/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Wild, the Willing, and the Innocent was,for me, a landmark UFO album. My favorite album OF ALL TIME. Sort of a concept album, the flow from soft to brutally heavy is breathtaking in its scope and clarity. There is not a weak moment on this album,PERIOD. Paul Chapman rebounds from the tentative No Place to Run to provide punishing rhythm (he's a better rhythm player than Michael) and blistering leads on tracks like the title track, Lonely Heart, and Couldn't Get it Right. Phil is, well, Phil. And that's as good as it gets. Andy Parker controls the flow of the album with Zeppelin-esque bottom. Neil Carter is a welcome addition on this album,contributing sax and guitar.
The song order,production, and over all feel of this album are incredibly well thought out. It didn't chart that high over here, and it's too bad because this is UFO's finest hour. The absolute pinnacle of their career. This album creates a mood and atmosphere that transcends the music! I'd give it 50 stars if i could. Not just UFO's best album,but one of the greatest rock records ever made."

Jack of diamonds is a gambling man...

Mark H. | Hanson, MA USA | 08/07/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Another year and another vinyl triumph for UFO. One minor lineup change aside (Paul Raymond leaves and Neil Carter comes in to add a sax along with keys and rhythm guitar) and the Paul Chapman era cruises along with another platter full of tough and tender street sagas. Highlights are a plenty. Lead track "Chains Chains", title track, "Makin Moves", and "Long Gone" carry Mogg/Way and Co. full on into the 1980's. "Couldn't Get it Right", which is this albums equivalent to `No Place to Run's "Money, Money", is probably the closest the band would come to an actual hit single. Another contender could be "Lonely Heart" a showcase for Carter's piano and horn. Chapman gets to rip it up on "Profession of Violence", "Moves" and "Gone". Only eight songs, which is a shame in its brevity but then again no filler and no covers (kind of a hit or miss thing for UFO anyway). Phil Mogg's voice never sounded better and WWI continues the magical journey which would end soon enough two years later with Making Contact. Like `No Place to Run', this LP is very rare now but if you love early eighties hard rock with a melody you could do much worse."