ZOOM

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After a few discussions with Bevan, Jeff took the control again of the ELO brand. I have to say that I was quite surprised with the output of ELO Part II. A real return to the roots (at least the poopy and commercial ones). Far from this disgusting disco/synth music ELO delivered for quite a long time. I was curious to discover this new Jeff project.

To officialize his filiation with the Fab Four (but it was so obvious thoughout his career that it was not necessary, although very strong sentimentally, Jeff is surrounded by Georges Harrison and Ringo Starr). I guess that they felt at home with songs like "Moment in Paradise", "Just For Love", and "Ordinary Dream" which are very melodious pop songs. "A Long Time Gone" is also a pop ballad but melody is not as catchy. "State Of Mind" is a rocking number vaguely reminiscent of "Ticket To Ride" and "Really Doesn't Matter" tries to combine some rock flavour with a nice melody. Not too bad either.

ELO's rock'n'roll side won't be forgotten either : "Easy Money" and "All She Wanted". It is funny to see that Jeff follows the same strategy as Bevan with ELO Part II. Some great melodies, some rock'n'roll ones. Just what ELO was doing so well. What a pity that both of them didn't agree on a collaboration !

There will also be some weak numbers like "Alright" the opener, the jazzy "Stranger On A Quiet Street" and the bluesy one "In My Own Time". Same story with "Melting In The Sun". "Lonesome Lullaby", the closing number is a bit heavier. An average rock song.

As one could have hoped, the atmosphere of this album is truely Beatlesque. But I won't blame Jeff for this. He brings us also back to the 1975-1977 ELO years. Not better, nor worse. Bizarrely, this album is IMO inferior to the last ELO Part II one "Moment of Truth" which from the cover artwork to the last song was really an ELO album.

Jeff has tried to regenerate the ELO sound and for most of it, he succeeded. Still, the songwriting and inspiration is a bit below my expectations. Three stars.

This was the last ELO studio album to date. I really want to thank Jeff for his incredible input to this band as well as Bev Bevan. I have been missing the wonderful cello / violin section of the early days of which I would like to name Roy of course, Mike Edwards and Mike Kaminski. Let's forget here about these useless and painful albums and remember only the great ones these people have produced.

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.

Phut phut

Following the 1986 ELO album "Balance of power", Jeff Lynne decided that the band had run its course, and embarked on a solo career. The rest of the band however felt that there was life in the old dog yet, and in what was clearly a legal compromise (Bev Bevan and Jeff Lynne owned the name jointly), continued as the unfortunately named Electric Light Orchestra Part 2.

In a surprise move some 14 year later, Lynne bought out Bevan's share of the original band name, and released what is effectively a solo album under the name Electric Light Orchestra. "Zoom" does feature the occasional guest, not least of whom are former Beatles Ringo and George, but Lynne plays pretty much everything you hear, writes all the songs, and produces the album. Most significantly, the only former band member to appear is Richard Tandy on one track, and the album does not (yet?) feature in the discography on the official website. On the other hand, the sleeve illustration has the giant "Wimpy" spaceship which formed the centrepiece of the band's stage show in the 1970s.

Musically, the album has more in common with the later releases by ELO, with less emphasis on the Orchestra and more on the guitar driven power pop which yielded a string of hit singles for the band. Pretty much all the tracks here would have been potential singles had they been recorded in the 1980's. We have an array of ballads, upbeat pop, straight rock and roll, and blues. There is nothing surprising about the set, and nothing remarkable either. While the songs are reasonably enjoyable, nothing jumps out as particularly inspired. From that point of view, this album has all the feel of the follow up to the rather ordinary "Balance of power".

Jeff Lynne is unquestionable a master of his craft. He has a flair for writing catchy songs, with pleasing melodies. Unfortunately, it seems he is quite happy to rest on his laurels. "Zoom" was the perfect opportunity for a fresh start, a new direction, or at least a venture into different waters. What we have though is a decidedly average ELO album. At time of writing, this remains the final ELO release.