ELO 2 [AKA: ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA II‎]

As far as progressive music, or Art Rock, is concerned the interest in Electric Light Orchestra should largely be restricted to their first four albums. Of these first four albums, this one - their second release - is, in my opinion, the least interesting one. It is not that this is less arty or less progressive, not at all, it is rather that the quality of the material is simply lower here. Don't let the sheer presence of the Moog synthesizer and the greater average song-length fool you into thinking that this is the most progressive albums by Electric Light Orchestra. Rather, in sharp contrast to the debut album, we find here the first traces of the hit-making potential that Electric Light Orchestra was about to develop strongly with albums like A New World Record. But here this hit potential is without any of the high production values that characterised all ELO albums from Eldorado onwards.

Momma is despite its length not much more than a pretty straightforward pop ballad. Roll Over Beethoven is a quite embarrassing, rearranged version of the old Chuck Berry Boogie/Rock 'N' Roll number, not much helped by the new treatment it gets here. This type of classic Boogie Rock is not my cup of tea in any version, I'm afraid. The remaining songs are not awful but often meandering and do not hold much interest for me.

If you want to explore the arty and proggy beginnings of ELO, don't start with this album. Start instead with the better On The Third Day, the self-titled debut (aka No Answer) and Eldorado.

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