TIME

Cheesy at times? Yes. Sometimes dated? Yes. A bit of (gulp) disco? Yes. Progressive? Barely...but yet, I can't help liking this ELO album from 1981. It has some of the catchiest lyrics and songs out there. After XANADU and ELDORADO I had all but given up on Jeff Lynne and company but this album restored my faith. It's not ELO II or FACE THE MUSIC, but it ain't bad. This "concept" album has some really good tunes and few very weak moments. From beginning to end it holds the attention and is a fun and guilty pleasure. While this is by no means progressive (prog-pop?), it has stood up over the years as one of ELO's finer moments. (Even if the synthesizer voice gets overused). Robots, the future, space news....what more could you ask from the masters of power symphonic pop. 3 stars.