⚡ Misdemeanor — Full Album Guide
📀 Tracklist
- This Time
- One Heart
- Night Run
- Meanstreets
- Name of Love
- Blue
- Dream the Dream
- Heavens Gate
- Wreckless
🎤 Credits & Line-up
-
UFO – Members:
- Phil Mogg – Vocals
- Atomik Tommy M – Guitar
- Paul Gray – Bass
- Robbie France – Drums
- Danny Peyronel – Keyboards
Production:
- Produced by Nick Tauber
- Released on Chrysalis Records
- Recorded in London, 1985
🎶 Musical Style & Sound
Misdemeanor represents a dramatic stylistic shift for UFO, fully embracing the mid-80s AOR (Album-Oriented Rock) and synth-driven sound.
Key characteristics:
- Heavy use of keyboards and synthesizers
- More polished, radio-friendly production
- Reduced emphasis on traditional hard rock riffing
- Melodic, anthem-style choruses
- Clear influence from the MTV-era rock scene
Compared to earlier albums, this release moves away from classic UFO hard rock into a more commercial, pop-oriented direction.
🎧 Standout Tracks
- “This Time” – Strong melodic opener with polished production
- “One Heart” – Catchy, radio-friendly anthem
- “Name of Love” – AOR-style track with emotional vocals
- “Meanstreets” – One of the more energetic songs on the album
- “Heavens Gate” – Atmospheric and synth-driven
🤓 Fun Facts
- This album features an almost entirely new lineup, with Phil Mogg as the only classic-era member.
- Guitarist Atomik Tommy M brought a more modern 80s guitar style to the band.
- The album reflects UFO’s attempt to adapt to the commercial trends of the mid-80s.
- The band’s image and sound were updated to fit the MTV generation.
🧠 Trivia
- Misdemeanor divided fans due to its departure from UFO’s traditional hard rock sound.
- The album had moderate success in Europe, but less impact compared to earlier releases.
- The heavy use of keyboards made it one of the most stylistically different albums in UFO’s catalog.
- Despite mixed reception, it helped UFO remain visible during a changing musical era.
💡 Did You Know?
- The album’s sound aligns with bands like Foreigner and Journey, reflecting the era’s trends.
- Phil Mogg later returned to a more classic UFO sound in subsequent projects.
- Misdemeanor is often revisited by fans as a curiosity within UFO’s discography due to its unique style.
