ZOOM

Well, perhaps it's not exactly the Electric Light Orchestra, since this is more like a Jeff Lynne solo project with about a gazillion guests (notably George Harrison and Ringo Star). This album is equal parts genius and pathetic. It is recommended for fans of Jeff Lynne and simpler compositions; the name of the first track pretty much sums up my feelings about this record.

"Alright" Lynne beings with a straight-ahead blues-rock song, complete with his trademark vocals and gritty guitar work between lines.

"Moment in Paradise" Gentle and straightforward, I love the vocal melodies over the simplistic motifs.

"State of Mind" Lynne gets back into the raunchy rock swing, but this song has a cheesy chorus and an even cheesier main riff that sounds a bit like "Pretty Woman" by Roy Orbison.

"Just for Love" This one song to me makes me glad I bought the album. Sure there are some gems here, but this is just a great song, with satisfying acoustic guitar, synthesizer, and Lynne's soothing vocals.

"Stranger on a Quiet Street" This is a fairly unremarkable number, with some good guitar bits; otherwise it's bland.

"In My Own Time" This slower, bluesy song begins awkwardly, but it's okay in the course of hearing this album; I certainly don't go out of my way to hear it alone.

"Easy Money" Yet another blues rocker, this is just boring, and the apparent call to himself ("Take it Jeff") before the guitar solo sounds a little pathetic.

"It Really Doesn't Matter" This is closer to the quality of "Moment in Paradise" and "Just for Love," as it is a mellower song with a strong melody.

"Ordinary Dream" The same comments about the previous track are equally true about this one. Everything about this song is pleasant, except perhaps for one part of the chorus when the title is sung. For a couple of seconds, there's an orchestral hearkening back to the old sound of ELO.

"Long Time Gone" For better or for worse, this calm song makes me think of John Mayer's R&B moments. The harmonies, however, are closer to Queen- again, for better or for worse.

"Melting in the Sun" Maybe by this point in the album, Lynne just sounds derivative through no fault of his own; here, he's channeling his old friend from The Traveling Wilburys, Tom Petty.

"All She Wanted" Back to the jangling uncomplicated rock and roll, Lynne delivers some decent slide guitar work (and good guitar work in general), but like most of the songs of this style, it falls short.

"Lonesome Lullaby" Interspersed with tremolo guitar and layers of vocals, this is a fair song, but not a strong closer.