ELO has been another one of those bands that has been part of my life since I was first able to put a needle on a record. And one of those records was "A New World Record". Like "Machine Head" (see previous post), we had this on scratchy vinyl- and I loved it. Jeff Lynne, creator and driving force behind ELO, was a big fan of both The Beatles and the so-called "wall of sound" production technique made famous by Phil Spector in the 60's. Lynne is the focal point of everything ELO- he sings lead, plays guitar and many keyboards as well as writing and producing the songs. Behind him though is an amazing bunch of musos. Richard Tandy does more keyboard work, Bev Bevan played drums, Kelly Groucutt provided more guitars (Bass when in concert) whilst the strings of Mik Kaminski, Melvyn Gale and Hugh Macdowell added the "orchestra" required (along with about 30 session musos). All of them brilliant players and performers.
Lynnes lyrics are amazingly concise and sometimes the subjects are a little off center but there is amazing work musically that goes on and it hooks you in right from the get-go.
"Tightrope" (with it's suitably grand opening of strings and chorus before the drums kick in to bring in the rest of the band) kicks things off. It's all about that feeling that you are balancing (on a Tightrope, no less) your life and you need help- and in the end he gets it. "Telephone Line" is a haunting ballad about those long-distance loves we've all had- although these days distance never seems to be a factor in relationships what with cheaper phone rates, internet etc. "Rockaria!" (complete with operatic soprano) is a real rocker about a girl fancied by the singer who just adores singing opera. This is an absolute standout for me on this album- Lynne's voice sounds so powerful and gruff and the powerful backing of both band and orchestra really propel this ditty along. Side one finishes with "Mission (A New World Record)" about an alien sent to observe the inhabitants of Earth. Again a simple yet effective guitar solo and some beautiful orchestral writing make this a really haunting number. Side two begins with "So Fine" and "Living Thing"- two wonderful bouncy numbers about love- I really love the cello cadenzas that open "Living Thing". "Above The Clouds"- sung by Kelly Groucutt- serves as a little respite before launching into the rocker "Do Ya". This is out-and-out rock and Lynne and the boys give it a right royal kick with some aggressive playing across the board. Another instant classic. Finally the beautiful "My Shangri-La" finishes the album with one of the most descriptive lyrics about a relationship slowly gone stale- "My Shangri-La has gone away/ faded like the Beatles on Hey Jude". Sheer poetry.
This album is one of those albums I put in the top drawer. After nearly 30 years of listening to this one I still find things on this album I never heard before- and that, to me, is what makes a truly brilliant album.
Many ELO fans cite their follow-up album "Out Of The Blue" as ELO's finest moment but in my eyes it's "A New World Record" all the way.....
Lynnes lyrics are amazingly concise and sometimes the subjects are a little off center but there is amazing work musically that goes on and it hooks you in right from the get-go.
"Tightrope" (with it's suitably grand opening of strings and chorus before the drums kick in to bring in the rest of the band) kicks things off. It's all about that feeling that you are balancing (on a Tightrope, no less) your life and you need help- and in the end he gets it. "Telephone Line" is a haunting ballad about those long-distance loves we've all had- although these days distance never seems to be a factor in relationships what with cheaper phone rates, internet etc. "Rockaria!" (complete with operatic soprano) is a real rocker about a girl fancied by the singer who just adores singing opera. This is an absolute standout for me on this album- Lynne's voice sounds so powerful and gruff and the powerful backing of both band and orchestra really propel this ditty along. Side one finishes with "Mission (A New World Record)" about an alien sent to observe the inhabitants of Earth. Again a simple yet effective guitar solo and some beautiful orchestral writing make this a really haunting number. Side two begins with "So Fine" and "Living Thing"- two wonderful bouncy numbers about love- I really love the cello cadenzas that open "Living Thing". "Above The Clouds"- sung by Kelly Groucutt- serves as a little respite before launching into the rocker "Do Ya". This is out-and-out rock and Lynne and the boys give it a right royal kick with some aggressive playing across the board. Another instant classic. Finally the beautiful "My Shangri-La" finishes the album with one of the most descriptive lyrics about a relationship slowly gone stale- "My Shangri-La has gone away/ faded like the Beatles on Hey Jude". Sheer poetry.
This album is one of those albums I put in the top drawer. After nearly 30 years of listening to this one I still find things on this album I never heard before- and that, to me, is what makes a truly brilliant album.
Many ELO fans cite their follow-up album "Out Of The Blue" as ELO's finest moment but in my eyes it's "A New World Record" all the way.....
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