ELO 2/LOST PLANET

ELO 2/Lost Planet was a 2-CD limited edition release marking the 30th anniversary of ELO's ELO II album. It features the entire ELO II album, newly remastered, plus a whole load of archival takes and unreleased stuff from the recordings for this album. If you thought ELO II was a masterpiece (like I do), then this one is an absolute must-have. The newly remastered recordings are unbelievably wonderful. The sound is crisp and refreshing, yet still maintaining the wonderful analogue sound of that time. This is miles better than the muddier American version released so many years ago.

The outtakes are surprisingly well produced and recorded. Typically one finds a mixed bag or just senseless noodling on these, but these in effect are practically finished pieces. Often there are humorous moments that can be picked up at the beginnings and endings of the recordings (and in some cases the middle sections). Leaving these intact in this archival set really gives the group personality that often seems to be missing from their studio recordings. In addition to the band at this time, guests included Carl Wayne (lead singer of the Move) and Marc Bolan. Musicians were also fully credited on this release as opposed to the original (e.g. Roy Wood).

A truly wonderful archival collection of ELO's sophomore release. The original is a masterpiece. This is a masterpiece with frosting and a side of ice cream. A must-have for ELO fans and highly recommended to all others. Five stars.