'Humanity - Hour 1' marks the first studio album in five years for the Scorpions and after the dreadful 'Eye II Eye' and inconsistent 'Unbreakable' this is a solid return to form with plenty of their trademark classic sounds. The fact that the band have come up with an album this good in 2007 would suggest that even in the twilight of their careers they are far from a spent force. Across the thirteen tracks there are plenty of driving riffs and solos courtesy of Messrs Schenker and Jabs and huge ballads that blend power and melody to great effect, as well as providing clear evidence that Klaus Meine has lost none of his vocal ability.

Enlisting the services of songwriter/producer Desmond Child has proven to be a masterstroke and the quality of both is right out of the top drawer, bringing tight arrangements and a consistency that has been lacking from Scorpions releases of the past 15 years or so. Opener 'Hour 1' is a brooding modern rocker that sets the scene for the loose concept that hangs over the album and seems tailor made to open the live show. 'The Game Of Life' is high on melody with a catchy chorus and is just one of a number of songs here that deserves to reach a wider audience and provide them with some airplay. Whilst there are plenty of contemporary touches (such as the riff heavy ’321’ and the brooding ’The Cross’ with guest vocalist Billy Corgan) it is ‘We Were Born To Fly’ that is the stand out track, recalling the bands classic 80’s sound complete with Meine’s soaring voice.

Ever since 'Wind of Change' you know that any Scorpions album will come complete with a ballad or three and here we get 'Future Never Dies', 'Love Will Keep Us Alive' and 'Your Last Song', all of which manage to avoid descending down the slippery slope into cheesiness and mediocrity, although the latter is one of the lesser moments here. Across the thirteen tracks there is a good balance between rockers and ballads and no doubt Child played a large part in the end result. As a collaborator he has proven to be an inspired choice.

As with many of the 'classic rock' bands whatever the Scorpions come up with will always be compared with critical and commercial favourites from their past but make no mistake about it 'Humanity - Hour 1' is right up there as one of the best albums of their career. If you gave up on them in the past then now is very much the time to rediscover this great band.