Review | Moggs Motel – Moggs Motel

Steamhammer / SPV

He is in my top 5 of favourite rock singers and I can honestly say that his band UFO changed my life. We are talking about Phil Mogg. Some two years ago, while on the UFO-farewell tour ’Last Round At The Bar’, he suffered a heart attack, had to undergo surgery and was strictly forbidden by his doctors to resume his musical activities, at least for a while. It has taken some time but Phil is back fighting fit (which does not necessarily mean he will go on tour) and has worked with some trusted associates on a new album under. No, not under the UFO-banner as Phil has made crystal clear that UFO has landed for good. What a legacy that band with Phil at the helm has left us.

A NEW CHAPTER

It is time for a new chapter in the long-lasting musical career of Phil Mogg. From the last UFO line-up only Neil Carter (guitar/keyboards) has made the cut. The other musicians involved are all seasoned players with bass player Tony Newton heavily involved in putting the tracks together with Neil and Phil. The boys recorded this album in a studio in Essex, England, owned by Iron Maiden’s Steve Harris. Their guitarist Tommy Gentry and drummer Joe Lazarus hooked up with Phil, Neil, and Tony.

A NEW SITUATION

For Phil Mogg these recordings were somewhat like a new situation. No pressure from band members, record company or fans. The group recorded their album in all personal and musical freedom and it just shows. Yes, at times the record will remind you of UFO, but that is because of Phil’s voice and colour sound. You know that it is Phil as soon as you hear him start humming on opening track ,,Apple Pie’’, straight away a cracker of a composition. The man has such a recognisable voice and it is astonishing how incredibly good he still sounds after more than five quite turbulent decades in music. Where a lot of singers lose grip, momentum, and their reach as they grow in age, Phil Mogg is one of the few lads that still can sell the goods, looking good, sounding fabulous.

A FRESH WIND

Although ‘Moggs Motel’ is built around a classic rock sound it must be said that there is something like a fresh wind blowing while you listen to the music. Neil Carter profiles himself for the first time in his career as lead-guitarist sharing the solo parts with Tommy Gentry. With the exception of the very short instrumental ,,Harry’s Place’’ (which is more an intro for the track ,,Wrong House’’) the quality of the songs is quite amazing. Also because of putting the songs in the right order ‘Moggs Motel’ turns out to be a very pleasant, entertaining, and hard rocking affair that shall certainly please the die-hard fans of Phil and UFO.

No, it is in a musical way a different kettle of fish, as it is not about the acrobatics on guitar like it was in the early days with Michael Schenker and later Paul Chapman, Atomic Tommy M, Laurence Archer, and Vinnie Moore. It is about genuine rock songs with a head and a tail brought with the right intensity and expertise musicianship. It is about well-composed songs and there are plenty to be found on ‘Moggs Motel’.

MOGGS MOTEL – THE CONCLUSION

I can not express how happy I am that Phil Mogg is back in business and back with a bang. It is still there, the class, the cheeky lyrics, and the confidence. Phil Mogg has never been a singer that had to impress with power and high notes. Singing is for him something like a fine art. He knows what he can and cannot do, he has never over-estimated himself. On the contrary, he is most likely the most underrated rock singer in the last 50 years. Together with his current co-workers he has come up trumps. ‘Moggs Motel’ is a peach of a rock album, surely one of the highlights of 2024 so far. Buy it, steal it, borrow it but make sure you have heard it!

Release date: 6 September 2024