Scorpions - Taken by Force

The year is 1990: the Berlin Wall has just fallen, Germany has become football world champion and the radio is playing “Wind of Change“ on a continuous loop – THE anthem of reunification. As a child, I adored this song – and Crazy World was the first hard rock album to find its way into my then very small collection.

What I didn't know at the time was that the Scorpions had a lot more to offer. Unfortunately, it took me a long time to get to know the 70s works of Rudolf Schenker, Klaus Meine and co. That was definitely a big mistake, because the “Pride of Hanover“ was unquestionably one of the best hard rock bands in the world for over a decade and a half.

One piece of evidence for this is their fifth studio album, Taken by Force, released in 1977. One reason why I love this album so much is, of course, the phenomenal, unique guitar playing of Uli Jon Roth. With him, Michael Schenker and Matthias Jabs, the Scorpions had three world-class lead guitarists in their ranks during their career – and it's not easy for me to pick a favourite, but if you force me, I'm rooting for team Roth.

The fact that the guitarist from Düsseldorf, with the divine, mesmerising “The Sails of Charon“, also wrote one of the three best Scorpions tunes of all time, speaks for itself. But Taken by Force is a collection of irresistible hits: whether it's the breathtaking “We'll Burn the Sky“ with its gigantic riff, the crunchy, extremely varied “The Riot of Your Time“ or the final, moving “Born to Touch Your Feelings“, in which Klaus in particular excels, - other bands would be happy if, after decades, they had a best of that even came close to the quality of Taken by Force.

I really hope that in July, when the Scorpions celebrate their 60th birthday with Judas Priest and Alice Cooper at the Niedersachsenstadion in their hometown of Hanover, they will play one or two Taken by Force tracks, although I am sceptical about this. Anyway, I would be over the moon if Uli made a guest appearance...

Note: As part of this special, I am posting my 100 favorite records. Full-length albums, compilations and EPs are all included. Live albums will be considered in another special. The first 75 records will be posted in no particular order. The top 25 will be ranked.