📡 Making Contact — Full Album Guide
📀 Tracklist
- When It All Falls Down
- Making Contact
- Fighter
- When the World Comes Down
- Night Run
- The Way the Wind Blows
- Burning
- Chains Chains (bonus track on some editions)
🎤 Credits & Line-up
-
UFO – Members:
- Phil Mogg – Vocals
- Paul Chapman – Guitar
- Pete Way – Bass
- Andy Parker – Drums
- Neil Carter – Keyboards, Guitar
Production:
- Produced by Mick Glossop
- Released on Chrysalis Records
- Recorded at Redan Studios, England
🎶 Musical Style & Sound
Making Contact continues UFO’s early 80s melodic hard rock direction, with a slightly darker and more polished tone.
Key characteristics:
- Emphasis on melody-driven hard rock, aiming for radio accessibility
- Paul Chapman’s guitar remains tight, structured, and riff-focused
- Strong rhythm section and subtle keyboard textures
- Songs often explore emotional and atmospheric themes
- Overall production is slick and polished, reflecting early 80s trends
The album demonstrates UFO’s ability to maintain their identity while adapting to a changing rock landscape.
🎧 Standout Tracks
- “Making Contact” – Title track with catchy riffs and melodic hooks
- “When It All Falls Down” – Energetic opener and live favorite
- “Fighter” – Hard-hitting track with driving rhythm
- “When the World Comes Down” – Atmospheric and melodic mid-tempo song
- “Burning” – Classic rock groove and expressive guitar
🤓 Fun Facts
- This was the final UFO studio album of the Paul Chapman era before a hiatus.
- The album maintains UFO’s signature melodic hard rock style, even as trends shifted toward 80s pop-rock.
- Some tracks feature subtle keyboard arrangements by Neil Carter, adding layers to the guitar-driven sound.
- The album title reflects the themes of connection, struggle, and perseverance.
🧠Trivia
- Making Contact did not achieve the commercial success of UFO’s late 70s albums but retained a loyal fanbase.
- The band toured extensively to promote the album, especially in Europe.
- Tracks like “Making Contact” and “Fighter” became fan favorites during live shows.
- The album reflects a period of transition and experimentation for UFO.
💡 Did You Know?
- The post-Schenker era saw UFO experimenting with more accessible rock structures to adapt to the early 80s music scene.
- Neil Carter’s dual role on keyboards and guitar allowed for greater flexibility in arrangements.
- UFO would later regroup with Michael Schenker in live performances, solidifying the contrast between classic and post-Schenker eras.