OUT OF THE BLUE

This is not prog, but it is the highlight of ELO's post-transformation career. Very well-crafted sophisticated pop/rock songs like Turn to Stone, Starlight, Sweet is the Night, Steppin' Out, and Jungle are hard not to enjoy. If you're in the mood for some less complex, but still artistic music, this is ideal!

The Concerto for a Rainy Day is the biggest treat. This is really just four songs on the actual album, however, and it is not a traditional prog epic, but they all have to do with weather. They are all heavily enjoyable and crafted meticulously to art-pop/rock perfection. Other standout songs include the depressing It's Over, the quasi-prog instrumental the Whale, and the closing anthem Wild West Hero.

I hesitate to say this is an excellent addition to a prog collection, but it certainly is a good album! If you want to hear the best of straightforward sophisticated 70s pop/rock, this should be the 1st album on your list.