SECRET MESSAGES

A most underrated album, this is a diverse, eclectic collection of Beatlesy Prog-Pop-Rock, with all of Jeff Lynne's trademarks: dense, detailed production - melodies that drip class - and that voice. This album was originally intended to be a double album but was scaled down by the record company, much to Lynne's chagrin, which is a shame as the tracks left off (since released as B'sides or in boxed compilations) would have really added to it. Even so, what remains is a triumph of creativity from a much-maligned band, that will be treasured by anyone who thinks it would have been cool if the Beatles had never broken up.