Phil Mogg can easily be classified as an institution. The man who fronted UFO since 1968 until their demise in 2020. He is responsible for the enjoyment of 23 studio albums and 8 live albums with UFO, including one of the best ones ever made; “Strangers In The Night”. The one thing that quantified Phil Mogg most of all is his beautiful singing voice, which he has kept in good stead during all those years. And believe me, he has taken enough substances that might have damaged it throughout time. And now he felt it was time to let the audience know that the end of UFO doesn’t mean the end of the career of Phil Mogg. Therefore he presents us with MOGGS MOTEL. The debut album “Moggs Motel” was let loose on September 6th 2024.

A lot of the good old singers are doing great in releasing new material. Just think of GRAHAM BONNET, SAMMAY HAGAR, GLENN HUGHES and JOE LYNN TURNER. They are all still going strong, and you can easily add the 76 (!) years young Phil Mogg. “Moggs Motel” is 53 minutes of Blues orientated Hard Rock with of course very good musicians standing by the main man himself. What immediately becomes imminent is that Phil has lowered his voice an octave, as to make his voice fit the music even better. Or is it because it isn’t as powerful as it used to be? It doesn’t really matter, as what he does here is just right for the songs of MOGGS MOTEL.

What does surprise me is the amount of AC/DC orientated riffs that are spread across the record. Just listen to the opening of “Apple Pie”. That is one pure and unadulterated riff that could have come from the Young brothers. And when you listen to “The Princess Bride” you will have a feeling that somehow Zakk Wylde had some input. To me it doesn’t take away the fact that “Moggs Motel” is a very pleasant record to listen to. The songs are simple, straight forward, but also with enough body and variety to keep your mind active. But I can’t help but feel that MOGGS MOTEL is lacking something important. To be frank; even though the songs are okay, they never excite, they just don’t grab you by the scruff of the neck. Therefore you’re missing that last element in music, exhilaration. Like I said, “Moggs Motel” is good, but not exceptional. Somehow, I was expecting more.