BALANCE OF POWER

And so with "Balance of power", ELO went to the well one final time. What they found however was that this time it was all but dry. With the line up effectively reduced to a trio (Lynne, Bevan and Tandy) the "Orchestra" connotation was starting have the implication of an unfunny parody.

The songs are entirely predictable, with upbeat toe-tappers one after the other, each with its simple verse/chorus structure. Any of the songs here could have been a successful single release, had it not been for the fact that even the most committed of listeners could not help but feel that they had heard it all before.

The only notable exception is the wonderful ballad, "Getting to the point". If ever a song served as a fitting coda to a once magnificent band, this is it. The song is a supremely crafted ballad with sensitive lyrics, a great melody, and one of Lynne's finest vocal performances.

Straight after "Getting to the point" though, we are reminded why ELO had to call it a day, with possibly the worst song they have recorded. "Secret lives" has banal lyrics, and an electro-pop tune which sounds like a thousand others.

As a pop album in its own right, this is not entirely bad. Lynne's penchant for writing catchy songs with enjoyable melodies is largely undiminished. As an offering by a once innovative and distinguished band though, "Balance of power" is an inauspicious swan song. Very poor sleeve too.

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