richardh wrote: They are as prog as Queen

That, Richard, is a most astute observation!

SteveG wrote: Toaster Mantis wrote: I keep getting Electric Light Orchestra and Emerson, Lake & Palmer confused with each other. Probably because their abbrevations are just next to each other in the alphabet.

 

AZF wrote: It was reported when he was in the move with Roy Wood there would be pushing of who led the band on the stage by coming on last.

That's pretty funny, if that's true.   Egos can be amusing to watch in action.  They can be kind of sickening too.

The last thread on ELO featured negative comments/opinions about "No Answer". I was very thrown off about a hundred degree level across 5 football fields. I  don't get it!...(Tom Hanks' remark in "Big"). The Jeff Lynne songs are Beatles influenced of course, however.."Look At Me Now" is a song that could have fit nicely on Gentle Giant's In A Glass House. Listen to the backing sections of the strings and how reminiscent the lead vocal style is to Derek Shulman's. Then we have a track titled "Manhattan Rumble (49th street)" which is directly tied into the style of instrumental composition that can be heard on early Gentle Giant releases. It doesn't display the presence of counterpoint, but it contains the exact same approach in style. The piece also has an influence of King Crimson somewhere along the border and after being a Prog fanatic for decades...I can't possibly be dismissive of that easily conceived observation. "The Battle Of Marston (July 2nd, 1644)" is just bizzare and Prog related because of it's theatrical presence. So...there you have it!..3 songs from this album that are genuine Prog oriented constructed pieces. It confuses me as to why sooooooo many people dislike it. I believe ELO could have done a brilliant album on the subject of Edgar Allan Poe, just as Alan Parsons did in the 70's . I believe their commercial growth out did their thoughts to giving any further effort to be progressive.

Edited by TODDLER - October 23 2014 at 13:32

TODDLER wrote: The last thread on ELO featured negative comments/opinions about "No Answer". I was very thrown off about a hundred degree level across 5 football fields. I  don't get it!...(Tom Hanks' remark in "Big"). The Jeff Lynne songs are Beatles influenced of course, however.."Look At Me Now" is a song that could have fit nicely on Gentle Giant's In A Glass House. Listen to the backing sections of the strings and how reminiscent the lead vocal style is to Derek Shulman's. Then we have a track titled "Manhattan Rumble (49th street)" which is directly tied into the style of instrumental composition that can be heard on early Gentle Giant releases. It doesn't display the presence of counterpoint, but it contains the exact same approach in style. The piece also has an influence of King Crimson somewhere along the border and after being a Prog fanatic for decades...I can't possibly be dismissive of that easily conceived observation. "The Battle Of Marston (July 2nd, 1644)" is just bizzare and Prog related because of it's theatrical presence. So...there you have it!..3 songs from this album that are genuine Prog oriented constructed pieces. It confuses me as to why sooooooo many people dislike it. I believe ELO could have done a brilliant album on the subject of Edgar Allen Poe, just as Alan Parsons did in the 70's . I believe their commercial growth out did their thoughts to giving any further effort to be progressive.

So, so astute.  I’ve long considered it one of those albums that has a unique feel to it that’s never been duplicated, and in the best way.  It’s almost enough to make you wish they did another one like it, but then of course it wouldn’t be unique.