ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA [AKA: NO ANSWER]

I remember reading an interview Jeff Lynne gave to american Circus magazine in the late 70´s when he stated that ELO´s first two albums were "useless crap". A few years before I had the opportunity to hear their debut album when I was only 15 and had no clue what this band was all about. It only sounded weird and I dismissed it right away. More than 30 years on I decided to give this CD another shot: I was curious of how that would appeal to me after all that time. The remastered version has a very good sound where my vinyl obviously did not (the production at the time was quite poor, as far as I know). There is also additional tracks included, all of which are different mixes of some of the original tunes.

I can´t say my opinion changed a lot. Ok, this is surely ELO´s most progressive and experimental work, but being progressive and experimental don´t exactly translate itself into good. I can´t hardly listen to much of what it is here. In retrospect one can see this record as a blueprint for things to come. It was also clear that this band would not hold together two such big talented songwriters for too long (Roy Wood would soon leave to form his own Wizzards). But the music was still in its embryonic stage (listen to Mr Radio for instance) and it shows: not real pop, not really prog either. The heavy Beatles psychedelic phase is the main influence here, with lots of real orchestrations used. Echoes of Eleanor Rigby and I Am The Walrus-like string arrangements.

Of all the songs I really enjoyed their first hit 10538 Overture and the closer Whisper in the Night (the best, a real fine tune). The remaining tracks are of interest but little more than that. ELO was trying to find its way, for good or for bad. I wouldn´t go as far as mr. Lynne on my opinion about the band´s debut, but it is not one of their best and I see it more like a curio then anything else. Different from all other records they released, ok. Yet, not really good. This one is for (hardcore) fans, collectors and completionists.