Flashback - Electric Light Orchestra > Reviews > Jeff Lynne goes for baroque

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Average
Lyrics	Standard
Quality and consistency of tracks	Flawless
How does it compare to the artist's other releases	Not applicable
Value for Money	Excellent

Advantages:	More than just another Greatest Hits collection
Disadvantages:	Fans will already own 80% of the material

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

I love rock music and was raised on the Beatles so it was inevitable that I would fall head-over-heels for the Electric Light Orchestra. 
Let's face it, any fan of ELO is likely to already own most of the tracks contained on this collection and is going to need some persuading before they part with their hard-earned money on yet another greatest hits set but, let me tell you, it would be money well spent.First of all the packaging is excellent - no plastic CD case here but a hard-backed book style cover containing 3 discs and a 44-page high-quality booklet detailing the bands career alongside historical photographs.   Jeff Lynne is quoted throughout and he even gives a 1-2 line quote for each song on the set. Most people, fans or not, would be able to name songs from the ELO cannon and all the singles are here, from the sublime 'Sweet Talkin' Woman' and 'Livin' Thing' (given a new lease of life during a sex scene in 'Boogie Nights') to the quirky 'Diary of Horace Wimp' but what makes the collection stand out from the rest are the songs which only ever appeared on LP and the previously unreleased tracks.  Some songs even appear with a new mix such as 'Do Ya' and 'Mission (A World Record)'.  Lynne has even gone back to his old catalogue of work and, as he did for the Beatles for their 'Anthology' collection, has put the final touches to a few unfinished songs, like 'Tears in Your Life' and 'Helpless', and even though they don't contain the orchestral majesty of his work on say 'Out of the Blue' or 'Eldorado' they are still definately ELO.  All in all there are 53 tracks on this 3 disc set and everyone deserves its place.The back of the packaging says that the collection was compiled under the supervision of Lynne himself and, as ELO was his baby, he has given it the love and care you would expect.