ELDORADO

ELO is a post-Beatles group whose founding members sought to pick up where the Beatles left off, and along with bands like the Moodies continue the integration of classical music into their rock and roll. They were somewhat successful making inroads into the progressive community but they were commercially very successful, and in my view their real strength was as a singles band. "Eldorado" was the first album where Lynne was able to surpass simple overdubbing and use an actual orchestra which was a huge deal for them. The songs are connected and concern a daydreamer's trip to his dream world Eldorado. The tracks are essentially good pop songs which are seriously dressed up by orchestration and sound effects, the results being highly palatable and lush, dreamy and otherwordly. They are not all that complex below the icing however, in fact I'm amazed Bev Bevan didn't fall asleep during some of these sessions...his drum parts are less challenging than Mick Fleetwood...I could play them as they plod along. Not that music needs to be complex to be good, just noting this for those who love intense drumming. The orchestration never felt all that interesting or unique to me, it's a fairly traditional use of strings. Swelling oohs and ahhs to narrarate the journey to Eldorado, with the feel of a classic film score. Nevertheless tracks like "Cant get it out of my head" and "Laredo Tornado" are ELO classics and wonderful art rock. As ELO gets tons of airplay, readers already know if they like this band. If you do, there is no risk in buying the lovely escapism that is Eldorado. It's a fine release, but for me this is a band which maxes out at three stars.

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