When various Christian Fundamentalist sects in the US accused ELO of being devil-worshippers and inserting satanic 'secret messages' in their songs, Jeff Lynne was inspired to write, record and produce a double album sending the fools up. Although their previous two albums had topped the UK ... Read review
Advantages: Some reasonable songs Disadvantages: A predictable retread of the old formula
When various Christian Fundamentalist sects in the US accused ELO of being devil-worshippers and inserting satanic 'secret messages' in their songs, Jeff Lynne was inspired to write, record and produce a double album sending the fools up. Although their previous two albums had topped the UK chart, the record company refused to endorse a double album at that time on the grounds of expense. Some of the songs were left in the can, a few reappearing ... ...pruned single album was what was left. At its best, it represents the ELO we knew and loved most of the time. "Rock'n'Roll Is King" might be an over-formularised rewrite of "Hold On Tight" and similar hits, but it still sounded good on the radio and on stage, and "Four Little Diamonds" is a reasonable song in similar vein. On the other hand the title track sounds like a poor man's Supertramp, and "Train Of Gold" ... more
When various Christian Fundamentalist sects in the US accused ELO of being devil-worshippers and inserting satanic 'secret messages' in their songs, Jeff Lynne was inspired to write, record and produce a double album sending the fools up. Although their previous two albums had topped the UK chart, the record company refused to endorse a double album at that time on the grounds of expense. Some of the songs were left in the can, a few reappearing several years later on the compilation "Afterglow", and this severely pruned single album was what was left. At its best, it represents the ELO we knew and loved most of the time. "Rock'n'Roll Is King" might be an over-formularised rewrite of "Hold On Tight" and similar hits, but it still sounded good on the radio and on stage, and "Four Little Diamonds" is a reasonable song in similar vein. On the other hand the title track sounds like a poor man's Supertramp, and "Train Of Gold" as if Jeff was still trying to rewrite "Evil Woman". By now it was evident that basic ideas were being spread too thinly and that the group were past their best. Was it any coincidence that founder member and drummer Bev Bevan, having publicly voiced his frustration at lack of musical freedom, went and temporarily joined Black Sabbath of all bands a few weeks after release?
Advantages: Superb songs..especially if you liked Strawberry Fields Disadvantages: Dated Production
When Jeff Lynne of the Idle Race was persuaded by Roy Wood to join the Move in the late 60s , it was because of Wood's idea for the ELO. Together they concieved a band who were going to take over where the Beatles left off with Strawberry Fields and I am the Walrus, to make rock fused with orchestral music and opposed to just being accompanied by it.
Their first single was a fine example of this premise (10538 Overture from their first album and shamelessly lifted by Paul Weller for "The Changing Man").
This album is the culmination of that vison, brought to fruition by Lynne after Wood had left the band to form Wizzard. The concept of the album is described in JOHNVs fine opinion on the album.
It consists of tight, Beatle's influenced songs linked by short orchestral interludes and bookended by the Eldorado Overture and Finale ...
Advantages: Inventive ideas, strong songs, and a great mix of pop'n'progressive Disadvantages: None
"Eldorado", with its remarkable "Wizard of Oz" cover, was the album which broke ELO in the USA. Ironically it was the only one which never gave them a hit single in the UK, unless you include a reissue of the US hit "Can't Get It Out Of My Head" on a Top 40-charting EP nearly four years later, and is probably their most overlooked. It's also one of their best. The thematically-linked songs and concept theme are based on a character who escapes into his own world of dreams as he can't come to terms with reality (we can all think of a few), and each track segues into the next. There's even an "Eldorado" overture complete with spoken narrative, and a short finale. But it avoids the pretentiousness of other concept albums from the prog-rock era, because Jeff Lynne kept the songs relatively short and varied, and the occasional bursts ...
Advantages: Very easy to listen to, very emotive messages between the lines, an all-time classic! Disadvantages: It could be seen as rather dated by certain age groups
a life that was tinged with very definite shades of grey, mood-wise....simply because the music in itself is so very powerful and oozes atmosphere, plus it just reminds me of those rather dark days of being wedged inside an unfulfilling marriage.
It wasn't until much later (early 1990s) that a very good and dear friend re-introduced me to ELO, recommending that I listen to their work with my up to date ears and life perceptions - so, I did, and I was very surprised. Their work, which I had always previously considered so dull and plodding - even painful to listen to - suddenly began to fascinate me. I began to see a kind of a story emerge from a series of ELO's albums, from their 1976 release, "Out Of The Blue" through to their 1983 release, "SecretMessages" (which was the album that followed "Time"). The whole story throughout this set ...
CelticSoulSister 19.12.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Time - ELO
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