A NEW WORLD RECORD

Even though the prog-rock aspect of the Electric Light Orchestra was fading, this album showcases Jeff Lynne at his peak. Seven of these nine tracks (So Fine and Above the Clouds excluded) are gorgeously written and performed, including ELO's best track ever with "Livin' Thing." But the other songs are no slouch either! Tightrope reminds us of ELO's prog-rock origins with its beautifully orchestrated introduction, interludes, and finish, and seamlessly segues into Telephone Line, which I think everyone agrees is just a grand song. It functions very well as both a movement in the album and an FM Radio staple single. It's just a great song. Rockaria! picks up where Roll Over Beethoven left off and may leave some people annoyed at the apparent cheapness of it, but I maintain that it really is well written (music-wise). Mission ends side one on a poignant note; very romantic, very starry-eyed, and a very nostalgic hook, flawlessly performed. So Fine and Above the Clouds are the only fillery bits on the album, but I think that even they work well as segues between tracks and help maintain the record's flow (even though this isn't really a concept album). I said before Livin' Thing is the best song Jeff Lynne ever composed or performed (IMHO). The rendition of The Move's Do Ya is not just inoffensive, I find it quite superior to the original track. The style it is performed in I think is much more appropriate given the song's content, even without noting that the performance is just plain stronger. Shangri-La is just a pretty tune, well structured and memorable, but where it really shines is the album's outro where it repeats that haunting melody with Jeff's desperate crying. An excellent ending for a truly outstanding album. This has been my favorite album ever since I first listened to it about a year ago, even higher than any Beatles material (pretty damn good).