Of all the British Rock bands of the 70’s that went on to find glory overseas UFO was certainly one of the very finest yet one that seems to be less celebrated than the likes of Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Pink Floyd, The Who, Queen, and The Rolling Stones. But to me as a kid UFO to me as a kid was right at the top of the tree along with Humble Pie and Thin Lizzy.
1980’s ‘No Place to Run’ was part of a long run of successful albums that propelled the early 70’s band (that produced two rather different records on the Beacon label in the first two years of the decade.) to international success. The catalyst came with Schenker and ‘Phenomenon’, their third album in 1974 and continued at that level through to ‘Misdemeanor’ in 1985 (by which time Schenker was gone, leaving before the ‘Lights Out’ Tour in 1978).
‘No Place to Run’ sits beautifully between two classic studio records ‘Obsession’ and ‘The Wild the Willing an the Innocent’, but most importantly it came after their most recognized ‘Live’ album in 1979 – ‘Strangers in the Night’ their highest peaking album in the UK peaking at no. 7 and finally cracking the Top Ten.
‘No Place to Run’ is an album that despite a lack of ‘hits’ (and UFO were never a singles band) is right up there with the best.
UFO at the time were going through changes – after Schenker’s 1978 exit, UFO rehired guitarist Paul Chapman, who had briefly been in the band in 1974, and who had filled in for Michael Schenker in 1977 on tour with Rush in the United States during one of the German guitarist’s absences. He brought with him unused ideas from Lone Star’s drummer Dixie Lee.
‘No Place to Run’, released in January 1980, also saw the band secure the services of Beatles producer George Martin who had just finished up on Cheap Trick’s ‘All Shook Up’ and was booked to produce Little River Band’s ‘Time Exposure’ next. Despite not quite matching the international success of it’s predecessors it only fractionally missed the UK Top 10, peaking at no. 11.
It was an interesting choice of producer, on one hand it showed the stature of the band, but on the other there was concern from fans about the sound. Martin bought a smoother, more controlled aspect to the songs, which some found rather too clen cut for UFO’s working man’s hard rock edge. Recorded out at AIR Studios in Montserrat at the time it all seemed rather grand. It ended up being quite a step away from the grittier sound Ron Nevison had mastered on ‘Lights Out’ and ‘Obsession’ or Leo Lyons earlier work.
The result was a little too polished for the ‘blue collar’ following especially in the States (though not as Pop as the album that would follow) and it was that smoother sound with the guitars subdued in the mix and lacking the edge of previous records . Drums and bass too lacked a low end bite and Mogg’s vocals, though still front and centre felt a little dry. It was a mix that seemed to eschew the passion UFO always had for polish.
Reception at the time was mixed and mainly centered on the production – the songs were there but the feeling was that it lacked a little bite. 45 years on we have the 2025 remaster from the original production tapes by Brian Kehew (who also mixed the bonus live set) and he’s doe a great job without losing sight of Martn’s original. The guitars are more robust here especially on ‘Letting’ Go’ and sit better in the mix, whilst the bass and drums are more defined – Pete’s bass on ‘Mystery Train’ is much more like it! The vocals too seem more defined and have a vinyl-like warmth to them. The biggest difference though is the fixing of the compression issues on the early CD releases.
It’s always hard to know how much to re-review in a rerelease so I wont dwell on the songs just to say that UFO were still producing great work. I always loved that opening salvo of ‘Alpha Centauri’, ‘Lettin’ Go’ and ‘Mystery Train’, but there’s lots more to love. Paul Chapman’s first album brings his melodic lead work and songs like ‘Gone in the Night’ sound so much richer in this mix. And of course the single ‘Young Blood’ and the title track remain classics.
The real bonus for fans though is the extras. There’s a great booklet & liner notes by Michael Hann which includes new interviews with Phil Mogg and Andy Parker, revealing insightful studio anecdotes and reflections on recording in Montserrat “time for a G&T on the veranda!” Then there’s the bonus tracks: the single mix of ‘Young Blood’; an alternate take of ‘Gone in the Night’ and the previously unreleased alternate take of ‘No Place to Run’.
Then there’s the Live CD – “Live at the Marquee London 16th November 1980” which has also been remixed and remastered by Kehew. It’s been bootlegged for many years of course but here sounds crisper than ever. Featuring a setlist of classics it has time to add ‘Lettin’ Go’, ‘No Place to Run’, and ‘Mystery Train’ from the album. Sadly ‘Alpha Centauri’ and ‘Young Blood’ had disappeared from the live set by May.
If you’re a fan then you’ll love this mix, the interviews and the live set – it’s a ‘must purchase’. For me it’s a sunning example of how to do this well – it really ticks all the boxes: the remaster benefits from clarity and grunt, whilst the live set captures the band’s infectious energy – Mogg is the master, Chapman shines, and Parker’s drumming anchors the sound. This edition is the definitive.
9/10
TRACKLISTING
LP1 / CD1: No Place To Run – 2025 Remaster
Alpha Centuri
Lettin’ Go
Mystery Train
This Fire Burns Tonight
Gone In The Night
YoungBlood
No Place To Run
Take It Or Leave It
Money, Money
Anyday
LP2 & LP3 / CD2: Live at The Marquee, London, November 16th, 1980 – Newly Mixed / Previously Unreleased
Introduction
Chains Chains
Lettin’ Go
Long Gone
Cherry
Only You Can Rock Me
No Place To Run
Love To Love
Hot And Ready
Mystery Train
Too Hot To Handle
Lights Out
Rock Bottom
Doctor Doctor
UFO ‘No Place To Run’ (2025 Remaster – Deluxe Edition) was released on double CD and 3LP on August 15th, 2025 on Chrysalis Records.
Order link: https://UFO.lnk.to/NPT
‘Young Blood’ (Single Version) – 2025 Remaster will be released on DSPs as a single on May 29th, 2025
https://UFO.lnk.to/YBL
