With music running through his veins, Phil Mogg has been one of the most enduring Rock-n-Roll figures of the last fifty years. Famously known as the leading voice of UFO, Mogg’s voice stood out on every one of their albums from 1970’s UFO through to their final, 2017’s The Salentino Cuts. The last of them being a collection of covers, UFO would continue through to 2019 when they celebrated a 50th anniversary. A landmark achievement, unfortunately, COVID-19 lockdowns staled further touring, and it would not resume as planned because Mogg was healing following a heart attack in August of 2022.
With UFO’s five decades run coming to a close following the successful 2019 UK tour, in the wake of this, Mogg has still sustained a passion for music. In fact, in 2024 he returns with his newly formed Moggs Hotel. The result of songs Mogg had stored within the attic of his psyche, he unpacked them, dusted the ideas off, and created this project.
A simple enough idea which some could call a Phil Mogg solo project, joining him is accomplished Bassist Tony Newton (known for his production of Iron Maiden, but a current member of former Judas Priest Guitarist K. K. Downing’s band KK’s Priest), Guitarist Neil Carter (who has played with UFO and Gary Moore), Drummer Joe Lazarus (who is currently touring with Twin Atlantic), and Guitarist Tommy Gentry (who plays with George Harris, son of Iron Maiden’s Steve Harris, in The Raven Age). A talented grouping of players, they come together to fill out Mogg’s new songs that dress the debut album also called Moggs Motel.
Released on September 6, 2024 through Cleopatra Records, the Moggs Motel album features thirteen potent Hard Rock songs matched with an extra layer of Blues and Soul. Quite interesting, each track has a personality perfect for driving down an open highway alongside natural, open landscapes untainted by human development. Filled with adrenaline, the style is deeply rooted in a more bluesy Hard Rock realm, all brought to life with dynamic production from Tony Newton. With this in mind, Moggs Motel has some great guitar riffs, while Mogg’s voice drapes smoothly over the top.
Acting as a storyteller, Moggs himself takes you along an exciting journey that kicks off with the lively “Apple Pie” and “Sunny Side of Heaven,” before really addictive cuts like “I Thought I Knew You” and “Shane.” However, the grooves of others like “Tinker Tailor” and “Wrong House” are also impossible to deny.
Overall, Moggs Motel is a great return from Phil Moggs upon UFO’s conclusion. It shows that the legendary vocalist still has plenty of great songs left in the bank and this new conjuring is another chapter in a storied career. Something that will certainly appeal to long-time UFO fans, Cryptic Rock gives Moggs Motel 4 out of 5 stars.
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