Ufo Best of U.F.O.: Ten Best Series

Countless UFO compilations have been issued over the years on a variety of labels -- including 2003's budget priced Best Of: Ten Best Series. Weighing in at a meager ten tracks, the set can certainly not be considered a true best of -- but as a sampler for a new UFO fan, it does the job. Wisely focusing on the group's '70s output (when Michael Schenker was still supplying the guitar heroics), quite a few gems reside here. Although the group has issued countless albums over their multi-decade career (with a variety of different bandmembers), the Schenker era is largely considered to have been UFO's best. And as evidenced by such standouts as "Lights Out," "Rock Bottom," "Too Hot to Handle," and "Doctor Doctor," it's no wonder why the group is often listed as a major influence on such subsequent metallic chart toppers as Def Leppard, Iron Maiden, and Metallica. An adequate first purchase, but if you're looking for a thorough career retrospective, you'll have to look elsewhere. ~ Greg Prato

• Format: CD
• Genre: Rock and Pop