TIME...has to got to be not only my favorite ELO album, but my all time favorite album. I've narrowed down what this album is about to 3 possibilities. 1.) Face value. About a man who stands in a beam of light in 1981 and is then transported to the year 2095. 2.) It's a metaphor for growing up. You find out you don't mean to people what they mean to you. One day you're a hero, next day you're a clown. There's nothing in between, now that you're an adult. 3.) A man going for a walk at dusk sees these bright lights coming at him and gets struck by a car. As he flys through the air and skids across the concrete, his life and loved ones flashes before his eyes. He awakes a few months later and might as well be a hundred years in the future. He gazes out the hospital window during a storm and dreams of a world where he could go back. None of his previous friends know what happened to him, and have moved on with their lives. As he walks the hospital, in a town he knew so well but now seems so strange, he realizes the only strange one is himself. He gets back to his bed to eat dinner at 5 o'clock. The news starts on the TV. I've thought about this one the most. It could also be him slowly dying on the asphalt as the album progresses. Still, they don't make music like this anymore. And it's a Goddamn shame.
@@mr.blue7357 Time is underrated, in my opinion. Many people, including ELO fans think its too overblown,too synthesised but some, including myself, ranks the album as ELOs finest ever album. Great melodies, a most interesting topic (Soace and time, futuristic visions) and expertly played by the guys.
@@thomasmarthinussen8978 I agree it is a Beautiful Album, but to say it is the best is a bit beyond me. I do however think that Time 2LP is the 4th Best ELO Album
@@thomasmarthinussen8978 in my opinion the two Masterpiece albums by ELO are A New World Record and Eldorado then we have the minor masterpieces (Nearly Perfect Albums) which are Out of the Blue, Discovery, Face the Music and Time. Then the really good album, On the Third Day the Great albums of Secret Messages and ELO 2 then just the Good albums of Balance of Power and No Answer. That is why even of something by ELO I think is Overrated, is still better than almost anything else anyone could release. IMO ELO is the third best band ever.
@@glennsmusicchannel Imho, Time is a neat and worthy recovery from Discovery, which I'm controversially not overly fond of even in comparison to some of the '80s stuff. Like Sea of Tranquility, I lean to some of the early-middle years albums, but Time really does sparkle among the later albums.
My father bought Out Of The Blue in 77 or so on cassette when I was a baby. Years later, when I was a preteen and getting into 60s and 70s rock, he gave me the tape. That was the first time that I had ever heard of ELO and I loved the album. My father passed away several years ago so Out Of The Blue will always hold a special place in my heart as well as being my favorite ELO album.
Time has something special that we, ELO fans, grow to appreciate more and more as time goes bye... don't know what it is, but I know many people went through the same process
Blown away. Good analogy. I felt transported. It's 40 minutes of some out of this world experience from Prologue to Epilogue. My No.1 ELO offering for sure. Discovery & New World Record are excellent, Face the Music, On the Third Day are my current projects, bit early to comment yet.
I've just heard it for the first time 1 hour ago and came here to knew what Pete was thinking about it lol...no jokes ! That first listening was a real blast for me !!
Underated at least until A New World Record here in the UK. They lost me following that album, and yep, for the most part...Out Of The Blue wasn't my cup of tea either.
I couldn’t possibly rank these guys, although my top 3 will always be: ‘Time’, ‘Face The Music’ and ‘A New World Record’. Time honestly blew my mind on my first listen; the unique production, remarkable instrumentals, Sci-Fi lyrics and more all combined in each track created a mesmerising experience: so mesmerising that I didn’t realise it was a concept album until my fourth listen. I don’t typically have a favourite song from an artist, but ‘The Way Life’s Meant To Be’ is my dearest and personal favourite from ELO.
At 60 years old, whenever I think back to the first record album that I totally wore out playing...the answer is easy. ELO...New World Record. However, side 3 of Out of the Blue, the Concerto for a Rainy Day, is just incredible and possibly my all time favorite album side. Tough to pick between these two
Standin in the rain and Big Wheel are two of my favourite ELO tracks, as good as or better than m9st singles released at the time, at of course Mr Blue Sky. One of the best sides to an album ever made. Such a a good time for music especially in England where i live, Pink Floyds Animals was out at a similar time, another if my favourites. Best times
@@tonytye8963 just the way those song bleed into each other is pure magic, pop music melded with symphonic touches working to ma ke a truly extraordinary album side.
Wood/Lynne: The Electric Light Orchestra Early Era: Eldorado Success: All and each one (Face The Music, A New World Record, Out Of The Blue and Discovery). 80´s: Time Lynnelown: Alone in the Universe
"Out of the Blue" is my all time favorite album period. I must have listened to it hundreds possibly thousands of times. I listen to "Concerto for a Rainy Day" nearly every day.
I get yah, but like imo it’s the worst of their best, it’s too disco, and too samey throughout, the reason early elo was great was because of the unpredictability of the songs
My favorite ELO record is "Discovery", I remember my dad always heard that album when I was a kid (in 90s), so always bring great memories... my second favorite is "A new world record" and in Third place "Out of the Blue. Dont forget the music that ELO composed for the movie "Xanadu", songs like All over the world, I'm alive or Xanadu are classics. Great Ranking Pete.
My favourite ELO album has always been “On the Third Day”, because of their killer version of “Hall of the Mountain King”, followed by the majestic “Eldorado” and then their debut, “No Answer”, because it has co-founder, Roy Wood on it, and I’ve always been a fan of The Move.
I just don't their records that well but my favorite songs are 1 Strange Magic
2 10538 Overture 3. Showdown 4 Mr Blue Sky 5 Can't Get it out of my head 6 When i was a boy 7 Telephone Line 8 Evil Woman Forgot Do Ya which was better by the Move. Like you I like "The Move" with Roy Wood and Jeff . The Move did great songs like The Last thing on my Mind, Hello Suzie, Beautiful Daughter, Blackberry Way, Chinatown, I'll be over tonight if you think you might" th-cam.com/video/SE9-pJmE9t0/w-d-xo.html (beautiful Daughter) They took a meek Tom Paxton song and make it scary and cool .. th-cam.com/video/fcKULRzUTEU/w-d-xo.html these songs are for others i know you know them.
1 On the Third Day- perfect album 2 No Answer- genius 3 ELO 2- perfect 4 Face the Music- perfect 5 Eldorado- almost perfect 6 New World Record 7 Out of the Blue- good, but too commercial for me 8 Time- good concept album, a few duds but great overall 9 Discovery- great songs but way too commercial 10 Secret Messages- alright album, worth a listen 11 Jeff Lynns ELO stuff- it’s ok, but way too commercial and pop 12 Zoom- it’s ok 13 Balance of Power- some good songs but overall kinda terrible
1 Out Of The Blue. 2 A New World Record. 3 Face The Music 4 Discovery. 5 Alone In The Universe. 6 Eldorado. 7 Time. 8 On The Third Day. 9 ELO 2. 10 ELO. Pete’s description of Out Of The Blue as “Every song is like an old friend” is absolutely spot on.
ELO has always been the forefront of my favorite music. ELO Part II was my first concert, I was 6-7 years old when they came nearby so we took a family trip. They did two sets and in between my dad struck up the confidence to approach the band. They took us in, posed for pictures with us, gave us a tour of their stage setup and bus, signed autographs and just talked about the past and present. My mom, who played violin in a couple different orchestras in the late 70's and 80's got to play Mik's violin. My dad being the biggest fan I know was in complete awe, hanging out with Kelly Groucutt, Mik Kaminski, Bev Bevan and Louis Clark, the guys that still stuck around to try to carry the music onward with Phil Bates and Eric Troyer filling in their own parts. It may not be the same thing, didn't have the same magic of the golden days but when you're that young it was the biggest thing to me and kicked off a lifetime fan. I have the first two albums under the ELO Part II name, their self titled debut and Moment of Truth. Some hit or miss writing but the instrumental work is still pretty good, especially with Louis Clark's orchestral work in the second album. After Bev left and sold his part in ELO they recorded No Rewind under the name The Orchestra, which again hit or miss but still sentimental. Afterwards Kelly died, and that hit pretty hard. He was very inviting and great to us, even recognizing us during a second concert to come and hang out again. Skip quite a few years later I now play music, and ELO is always playing. My dad and I have now been able to see Jeff Lynne a couple times during his last outing, and hopefully he'll come back around again.
Por fin otro genio q elige El Dorado como su top entre tanta mediocridad q eligii discos de menor nivel musical pero q se acercan mucho a Ver Gees y Beatles, como asi también el ranking de este señor del vídeo otro desacierto
This was a tough one for me with lots of re-shuffling: 14) Secret Messages 13) Alone in the Universe 12) Balance of Power 11) Time 10) Zoom 9) From Out of Nowhere 8) ELO 2 7) Discovery 6) The Electric Light Orchestra 5) On the Third Day 4) Eldorado 3) Face the Music 2) Out of the Blue 1) A New World Record Zoom started out near the bottom, but upon re-listening to it I found I enjoy it more than I remembered. Thanks, Mr. Pardo!
My favorite ELO album has always been, and will always be, "Time". As you say, some albums hit you at a certain time in your life. When I was 13, "Time" got me through some big changes and challenges. Any track from that album--but especially "The Rain is Falling"--makes me wax nostalgic. The rest of your rankings...yeah, I pretty much agree. 🙂
One of my favorite bands of all-time, ranking these is quite easy for me because it's something I've thought of plenty. 1) Time - It's like you said, album rankings are about when it hits you, and this one hit me when I really started to delve into their catalog. I already love concept albums and this one fits the band perfect. Jeff's production here hits new peaks and was very influential on alot of other artists I love. Also of note are the bonus tracks present on the CD version, just wish I could have those on the LP. As you say, gotta listen to this one from start to finish. 2) Out of the Blue - OF COURSE. Essential ELO right here, no description needed. 3) A New World Record - Some great tracks, one after another. Great sweeping strings, epic dreamlike soundscapes, powerful and sad lyrics. Was at one point my favorite. 4) Discovery - This one gets alot of flack and I understand why, but I have no issue with disco musically. And there's some nice ballads and rocking tracks hidden below those disco/poppy hits too. 5) Face the Music 6) ELO 2 - This one is so epic and it was really hard to rank vs. Face the Music for me, I always go back and forth between the two. 7) Eldorado 8) Secret Messages - My friend likes to call this one Time part 2. Very similar production, but I personally see it as very different. Great tracks and I wish it got more love. 9) On the Third Day 10) No Answer 11) Balance of Power - Gotta say, the opening tracks on this one are great, but it really peters out from there. If it kept the same quality as the singles, this would be much higher. 12) From Out of Nowhere - Just like you said, it's good and definitely their best since splitting, but not anywhere near as good as any of those. 13) Alone in the Universe 14) Zoom - Probably the only album of theirs I'd say is not good, not bad either mind you, but I have just never had the drive to listen to this one since I first discovered it. If I had to put Xanadu in there, it'd probably fall around 10/11 range. Obviously I'd only be ranking the Jeff written/produced songs off that and I don't want to cherry pick. Also, you said only studio albums by the band. Still, around the world is such a great track. And the ELO version of Xanadu is also great.
One of my first concerts was Elf, ELO, and Deep Purple at the Jacksonville FL coliseum. I still get chills remembering hearing the Eldorado overture as the stage filled with smoke, purple and yellow lights, Jeff Lynne emerges from the smoke, steps up to the mic and begins singing "Midnight....on the water....I saw.....the ocean's daughter....". Man, what a moment. Eldorado for me all the way.
Yes, Porcupine Tree, YES!!! Can't wait for that video, Pete! Exciting stuff! =D As far as ELO goes, I only have four albums by the band but I do like them all and two of them I outright love: 1. Time 2. Out Of The Blue 3. A New World Record 4. Eldorado OOTB ( also my introduction to ELO ) was my favorite for the longest time, but over the years I've come to love Time even more. All the songs flow into each other seamlessly and they are ALL good/great/mindblowing! An absolute gem of a record.
Love this group so much. What an outstanding discography zmy Favourites are 1 - Out of the blue 2 - A new world record. 3 - Eldorado 4 - Face the music 5 - ELO 2 6 - Discovery Jeff Lynne is s modern day genius who wrote some of the catchiest and memorable songs of all time. Thanks Pete for your ranking
You had to save up for weeks to finally get that ELO album. And when you did it was finally YOURS. That kind of experience makes the music feel closer to your heart and soul. Nowadays, when people simply click on an album on their Spotify account, it just isn’t the same. It’s not even close. On a side not, though, I'd like to add that I have NEVER been able to get into ELO. I've tried for decades...it just isn't happening. And I am shocked that they are able to sell out arenas in this day and age. That has nothing to do with my feelings towards the band...I'm just surprised that their popularity rose with younger people almost "Out of the Blue."
10538 Overture was a big song on American Hustle which probably got a few younger listeners into them but I would guess the vast majority of people going to see ELO shows are 40+ these days. There are still enough people born in the 60's who love the music they grew up with to keep these bands going as a touring entity.
Jamie Laszlo Oh so true that buying an album when I was I young teenager and even later how I felt upon listening to A New World Record, especially singing along to Telephone Line and feeling that emotion!
My first love was the 'Time' album (1981).. but with time and after listening to every track and every album by ELO, I kind of agree with Pete about the top three.. expect that 'A New World Record' would be number 1. Much younger I noticed one thing.. Whenever I just casually walked into a room, and I heard a new ELO song, on the radio I just stopped and listened. Jeff Lynne had that magic ability. Much like Mozart in 'Amadeus'...
ELO was my first ever concert @MSGarden in '78. Out of the Blue in a 53' (?) Laser-blasting spaceship. Incredible. I remember walking about 4 miles round trip one night in a blizzard to my local Jamesway dept store to buy "Out of the Blue". School was closed the next day and I spent entire day singing along to the lyrics printed on the album sleeves.
Itsno1/. Tremendous story/ did similar in snowstorms. Lol. Also. My first concert ever 12-16-77 @ Madison Square Garden. PIPER opened for KISS. Awesome times !!!
Great show Pete. I have a soft spot for ELO; they were the first “big” band that I saw live, back in, I think, 1977, and they blew me away. To this day, Jeff Lynne live is still a fantastic show. Fav albums are Eldorado, Face the Music, A New World Record and Out of the Blue.
Loved this show, Pete! I agree with so much on this list. Your top 3 and my top 3 would contain the same albums. But, they may change from day to day. My first exposure to ELO was the "Face the Music" album that my older sister had on 8-track and would play in her car. I was about 8 years old when it was released. Since there really wasn't any seatbelt laws in those days, I would lay in the back of her AMC Hornet hatchback by the speakers and listen to the album. Eventually, I would inherit the "Face the Music" and "New World Record" 8-tracks from my sisters and I would play them continually on my hand-me-down stereo. As I grew older, one of my childhood friends starting to become a huge ELO fan. On one of his family vacations, he bought all the early albums. So, we would listen to them into our growing teen years. He had the "Out of the Blue" album and I remember once (at a sleepover) we would play air guitar, drums and keyboards to "Turn to Stone". We were entering our teen years when the 80's hit. So, 1979's "Discovery" was big to us at the time and then (of course) "Time" in 81. After that, I started to lose interest. But, those 5 albums are very special to me because of the friendships of that time. I would say around 1981 or so that my 3 favorite bands were Styx, ELO and REO Speedwagon. Thanks for the rankings. It really sparks some great memories and yes it is like revisiting with old friends. Keep it up, Pete!
My ELO list: 1. On The Third Day 2. New World Record 3. Face The Music 4. ELO II 5. Eldorado 6. Out Of The Blue 7. No Answer 8. Time I started seriously listening to ELO after the release of Face The Music album and fell in love with them.
OSD the best song ; Fire on High the best overall track. OSD should have been released as a single. The female singer from the German group Propaganda did a great version of it.
Btw, “Time” has become my favorite even though I came of age during “Discovery” and “Out of the Blue”. I think it is ELO’s most fully realized concept album. I particularly like the lyrics which really presaged the interaction with technology that would come to dominate our lives.
William: 'Time' is my personal favorite as well. Maybe it's because I saw them on that tour in 1981. The band had dropped the cellos and violin - Kaminski was brought back for the tour, needed him for the old songs - but the band was leaner and taking advantage of the improvements in synthesizer technology. I imbedded the three outtakes from the CD into the rest of the songs and it makes for a better experience then being whacked with three random songs after the big finale.
Check out Earthrise by Tandy Morgan Band which in a way a compliment to Time. Features Richsrd Tandy and is written by Dave Morgan who was in band in later years
Another great video Pete! The main reason why I love these videos is because I discover or re-discover some bands I don't know enough. That's the case with ELO, Budgie, Steely Dan or Gentle Giant. After seeing your videos I go to TH-cam and hear those bands, some of them are not much popular in Europe as in América. Of course I love the rankings of some of my well-known bands like Whitesnake, Pink Floyd, Deep Purple, Black Sabbath... So please, keep doing these vídeos. I can't wait to see a ranking of Maiden, Priest, Dio, Ozzy, Magnum, Saxon, Kiss, Aerosmith, Stones, Alice Cooper... Great job man!
Great ranking Pete. ELO such an epic band. Discovery was the first ELO album I ever bought so it always has a special place in my heart. I know some fans think it's a disco album but I've always loved it. Ironically I never owned Out of the Blue till about 15 years ago but I agree it's in the top 5 for sure. Face the Music and New World are their best albums IMO but I also really love Eldorado. Would love to hear your ranking of your top 10 ELO songs!!
"Out Of The Blue" is a Masterpiece!! Including ""Jungle" and every other track on it!!! I couldn't agree with you more, Pete. I feel exactly the same about it as you do. We would have been big time friends, back in the day!!
Good Show Pete....Once again being an old timer, I was fortunate to see ELO a few times in the late 70's....Was even at the "INFAMOUS" Cleveland Show ..World Series of Rock where they were accused of using TAPE....Which is the NORM in many genre's today. Uuuugghhh....You were born in the wrong decade my Friend! You missed quite a bit...I know that you know this! Rock On!
@@goonsquad2.023 Indeed....I'm from the Detroit area but traveled quite a bit to see a great show....Went to many in Toledo Cleveland Columbus and Cinci...Trying to think here Blossom and Gund Arena??
@@robertkiger8602 I was born in Royal Oak and moved to Sandusky (Cedar Point??) when I was 10. I went to shows at the Toledo Sports Arena and Cleveland Coliseum in Richfield....Did you ever go to the Pontiac Silverdome to see concerts??
@@goonsquad2.023 ...Yes...Saw many shows at the Silverdome...Led Zeppelin 1977, The Rolling Stones (3X), The Who (3X), Aerosmith, Bob Seger, Monsters of Rock, Ted. GnR, Metallica off the top of my head. Was born and raised in Trenton....Got out of the D a few years back...I live in Toledo now...LOL...The place went to Hell in a hand basket...Ahhh yes, Richfield Col....I think I saw Ozzy and Crue there in 83/84?
@@robertkiger8602 Very cool. I only saw the Rolling Stones with Iggy Pop at the SilverDome in '81. I was home on break from Ohio U. Had crappy upper section seats and snuck down to the floor, good times!
ELO my first favorite band when I was a kid in the 70s before I discovered Hard Rock, still in my top 5 favorite bands though. In the 70s my parents saw them a couple of times and didn't take me and I'm still a little pissed about it, lol
ELO were my first favorite rock band along with KISS just a little bit later. 5 - Balance Of Power 4 - A New World Record 3 - Face The Music 2 - Discovery 1 - Out Of The Blue 🔮
Out of the Blue and Eldorado are their best two IMO, they work and flow better as albums than Face the Music and A New World Record which are also packed with great tunes (I’m not sure where the filler is on Out of The Blue that some refer to). The only album I have after Time Is Zoom and I think it’s much better than I feared. For some bizarre reason I havn’t got their third album so I will have to remedy that. So of the ones I have it’s: 1Out of the Blue 2 Eldorado 3 Face the Music 4 A New World Record 5 Time 6 Elo2 7 Elo 8 Discovery 9 Zoom I have got Geoff’s Armchair Theatre solo album from 1990(?) which is also great and recommended to any ELO fans that missed it.
Hey Pete, your explanation (during the ELO II segment) is spot on. When we heard them, where we were, who we were with ... all plays into what any given album means to us and/or how we feel about them and have kept them in a special place in our hearts down the years. This is what makes music so amazing, and why I cannot relate to people that tell me "uh, I don't really listen to music". For me, ELO II was the first ELO album I ever bought, but ironically, I never liked it. I bought it for their radio cover of "Roll Over Beethoven", but have since tossed the album aside for good and would much rather listen to the latter day ELO than that one. Like you, I didn't buy the first one for many years, but was stunned to hear that "10538 Overture" was on there. I had heard this track somewhere, loved it, but never knew what it was called or who performed it. Imagine my surprise to hear it burst out; I almost fell out of my chair. Other than that track and Mr. Radio, that album never did much for me. Perhaps I need to circle back and give it a listen with 'New Ears'. I'm finding it far more rewarding to circle back and find early material I may have missed, or incorrectly poo-poo'd, than to bother or waste time with all the bilge being produced today. Great show, by the way!!! One small note: I did rate "Secret Messages" much higher. I thought it was their very best of the latter day material. I thought "they're back".
Don’t know why Discovery is derided by many. It’s one of their best and packed full of hits. Five top 10 singles in the U.K. in 1979 including a double A side. And the album tracks were great too x
1. A New World Record, 2.. Out of The Blue Then it becomes harder.My mother bought A New World as a birthday gift for my uncle and I asked her why she had bought an album with classical music....Some hours later I was totally blown away listening to ANWR at my uncle's place. This was in March 1977 so I was a bit late. 11 years old and knew almost nothing about music at the time. Later that year I asked my mother to buy Out of The Blue as soon as it came out and she did. Thanks Mom!
Perhaps controversially to some I'd rate Discovery as my absolute favourite!! So many good tracks on that album for me, the production is top notch too
another of the best bands of all time...you have the best taste of anyone on the YT! Haven't had a chance to see this yet, as I'm at work, but El Dorado has to be #1!
One of my favorite bands, I think Time is my favorite album, it's the first one I heard. I don't have the newer stuff, but I'd like to get the rest of their albums at some point. Jeff Lynne is amazing, he plays every instrument on the new albums I think.
Jeff increasingly playing more and more instruments on later albums is a big weakness for me. I can't honestly say for sure if he is as good his bandmates when playing their instruments, though I always thought probably not. What I am sure of is that he loses the random element of someone else collaborating. And I really hate that he took to singing his own backing vocals too.
Time will always be my number one and will always have a very special meaning to me. Out of the Blue is my number two. Great chanel btw. I just found it and I love it. Keep up the great work!!
The first dozen albums you buy stick with you forever I feel. Except for the 1 or 2 duds maybe. Pete at his best here-- ELO has a ton of depth, alot of range and alot to offer and PP conveyed as much. This is one of those bands where I could go on all night - heaping praise and all of that. So yeah, if he has not done it I would like to know what Pete's first 10 were also. Bet I'm right on a few :->
As big a prog/art rock as I was, especially in the early 70's, I just couldn't get into ELO. I liked a couple of their songs but they were just too 'Beatlesque' for my tastes (not a fan of the Beatles) , too Pop. They were playing the Universal Amphitheater, '75-ish, and all my friends wanted to go. I wasn't interested especially because I wanted to save my money for Bowie but then I found out Aerial Bender's new band 'Widowmaker' was the opening act so I had to go. Gotta say that ELO put on what is still one of the best shows I have ever seen, and I have been to about thousand concerts since seeing Janis Joplin in '68. The musicianship was tight and concise and had me enthralled the entire time. I still only own 'Eldorado' and I have heard all their albums, thanks to friends, but no desire to own another album by them... even if I have seen them live five times
E.L.O. - what a great band! My favorites are 1. Out Of The Blue 2. A New World Record 3. Discovery. The album "A New World Record" was in the top40 album chart here in Australia for over a year - what an amazing achievement! The title of "Discovery" was chosen because "Discovery" contains the words "Disco" and "Very" - which it was. Thanks for your video!
I went and saw them twice on consecutive nights in 1978. Laser show was amazing in those days. I got the whole bands autographs on Out Of The Blue....still have it. Time would have been higher on my list.
Your description of saving your allowance and going to the record store rings so true to me. I had a paper route so I would save my money then go to National Record Mart at our local mall and select my next record. Vividly remember the different days I bought "Book of Dreams" and "Grand Illusion" and "Double Vision" and "Destroyer "etc etc. It was a big investment so would choose wisely and then come home to savor the cover art, liner notes, inserts, etc. Getting a poster was a huge deal. And of course following along with lyrics. Digital music these days has lost ALL of that. Feel bad for kids nowadays.
Yep clearly we are showing our age here, but buying new albums was almost a religious experience for me back i the 70s. Although that disappeared for the most part when cassettes and CDs took over in the late 80s, thankfully its seems to be coming back in a decidedly more limited fashion with the resurgence in vinyl. My 22 year old daughter loves buying new (and old) vinyl for all the reasons you listed and she got her love of music in that fashion from me so that makes me feel great !
@@GMHG777 Yes, I think the resurgence of vinyl has a lot to do with those tangible things like touching an album and pulling out the sleeve and LP and pouring over the lyrics. When I listen to Spotify in my car or on my tablet, I still have to have the album cover art up on my device while I listen.
The tactile experience of buying and “experiencing” vinyl was a special deal for a lot of people from our era that we’re especially connected too music like I assume most of us on here are. Have to admit, I fell prey to the industries phasing out of vinyl as much as the next guy as I got older though, because the portability of music became increasingly more important to me in my late teens and into adulthood. As a result my connection to the other aesthetics of buying music became less important (lyrics, album art, credits etc) but that always bothered me deep down inside that I had lost a little bit of that excitement those things had brought to me as a kid and teenager buying albums. As a result, I started recently buying albums again, mainly just for really special releases and by bands I love, but I immediately felt that “reconnection” to the experience, I just wish I had the time to sit and listen to albums like I had as a kid 😂. I will say that I’ve never bought digital releases in any capacity as I always wanted a physical product in my hand, as a result I’ve got probably 30k in plastic stacked on the shelves in my listening room that’s probably worthless to anyone but me, but it makes me happy so ...
1) Out of the Blue 2) Time 3) A New World Record 4) Face the Music 5) Secret Messages 6) Zoom 7) From Out of Nowhere 8) Balance of Power 9) Alone in the Universe 10) Discovery Loved for the guitar work and contributions by Richard, George and Ringo! 😊
Probably song for song my fave band. I used to play my mom's "New World Record" album on my "kiddie" record player when I was knee high. 1. Face the Music 2. A New World Record 3. On the Third Day 4. Out of the Blue 5. Eldorado
Great fun listening to your ranks Pete. I first heard ELO`s ROB on a jukebox in a cafe.I was 11 and my older brother gave me a dime and told me to play Roll Over Beethoven.There were 3 choices, one by Chuck Berry, one by The Beatles, and the other of course ELO. So guess which one I played? lol I was immediately hooked,and been a fan ever since.(That killer Wilf Gibson electric violin solo), so made that song.Sad that the new concert version of that song their encore song doesn`t include that anymore.I think their finest album, and still my favorite album of all time is ANWR, It still floors me today.So my rankings are first to last (my top 7). ANWR, OOTB, FTM, Eldorado,ELO2,No Answer,On the third day and Time.
One of Jeff Lynne's biggest fans, so i'm kind of nut for his stuff. 1. Face The Music (1975). Just a great album, Kelly Groucutt's backing vocals and lead vocals on "Poker", is tremendous. "Fire On High", was from CBS Sports Spectacular. "Waterfall", is a top notch ballad and "Down Home Town", is classic, but I know most people do not enjoy this song. 2. Electric Light Orchestra (1971-72), I play this the most , it's just different, has charm, Jeff, Roy, Bev, Bill Hunt and the late Steve Woolam at that there best! Love, "10538 Overture", "Queen of the Hours", "Mr. Radio", the smoldering "Nellie Takes Her Bow", with the "God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman", refrain in the middle of the song. And Jeff's "Manhattan Rumble", which reminds me of a 40's gangster flick. Roy gave us the classic "Look at me Know". "Jumpin' Biz", which sounded like Mason Willams' "Classical Gas", and "Whisper in the Night". 3. Time (1981). Excellent concept album. Sound changed again from the disco-pop rock of "Xanadu", to a new wave electric synth-rock sound. "Twilight", was an underrated hit, "Here is the News", "Rain is Falling", "The Way Life's Meant to Be", shold of been huge! "From the End of the World", Your's Truly 2095" and "Ticket to the Moon". One track that should of been on the album, but was a b-side "Julie Don't Live Here", Richard Tandy doing his best Victor Borge! 4.On The Third Day (1973). Classic Jeff Lynne and company album. Nice suite in "Ocean Breakup, King of the Universe", "Blue Bird is Dead", "Oh Not Susan", with Jeff sneaking in the f word. "New World Rising", "Dreaming of 4000", which got played on christian rock radio in 1973. The great "Showdown" and "Ma Ma Ma Belle", and 2 strong instrumental's "Daybreaker" and "In the Hall of the Mountain King". 5. A New World Record" (1976). Can't go wrong with any of these tracks, Lynne was hot and not really missing here from 75-77. "Tightrope", "Telephone Line", "Rockaria", "So Fine", The Move remake "Do Ya" and 2 stunner's "Shangri-La", and "Mission (A New World Record)". 6.Out of the Blue (1977). Lynne's classic double album. The hits "Turn to Stone", "Sweet Talking Woman", "It's Over", a underrated single should of gotten more attention and "Mr. Blue Sky". The great "Night in the City", "Steppin' Out", "Jungle", Birmingham Blues" about the soccer team in England, "Wild West Hero", should of been a single "Sweet is the Night", and "Across The Border", Then you get the Concerto For A Rainy Day Suite, "Standin' in the Rain, Big Wheels" and "Summer and Lightning". 7. Eldorado (1974). Concept album about a dreamer. Their first big hit in "Can't Get It Out of my Head", the rockers ""Boy Blue", Illusions in G Major", "Mr. Kingdom", and "Larado Tornado". The Dylan-ish "Poor Boy the Greenwood", and "Nobody's Child". 8. Secret Messages (1983). Radio was shutting them down, but Lynne was still writing good material. The great title track, the rockin' "Four Little Diamonds", "Danger Ahead", "Bluebird", the Abba-ish "Take Me On and On", the bluesy "Train Of Gold", and the nuclear "Time After Time". Bevan would join Black Sabbath for the "Born Again tour in late '83. 9. Discovery (1979). Disco-very. Some excellent material here in "Shine A Little Love", "Confusion", "Last train To London" with some great bass by Kelly Groucutt, "Don't Bring Me Down", "Midnight Blue", "Wishing", "Need Her Love" and "On The Run". "Diary of Horace Wimp" was a tune that America forgot to play! Jeff was just getting married here and had more love songs. 10.Zoom (2001). Back to his guitar sound here. Good sounds in "Alright", "Moment In Paradise", "Lonesome Lullaby", "All She Wanted", a strong rocker, "Easy Money", a dig at Bev Bevan who started ELO part Two. And 2 great numbers "Melting In The Sun" and "State of Mind". George Harrison and Ringo Starr guested on the album. nLast sessions for George. 11. Balance of Power (1986). Stripped back, but still fun. "Heaven Only Knows", "So Serious", "Is it Alright", "Endless Lies", "Calling America", and two tunes that hinted at the break up of ELO "Getting to the Point" and "Sorrow About to Fall". 12. From Out Of Nowhere (2019). Latest from Jeff, strong sound abound Played this one a bunch since it's release, only 33 minutes long, but strong numbers in, the title track, "Time of Our Life", Sci-Fi Woman", "One More Time", "Down Came the Rain" and "Help Yourself". 13. ELO 2 (1973). Some great work here in, "In Old England Town", "Roll Over Beethoven", "Kuiama", "From the Sun to the World", great keyboard work by Richard Tandy and the mellow "Mama". 14. Alone In The Universe (2015). Everything here is excellent. "When i was A Boy", "Love and Rain", title track, "One step at a Time", "Ain't it a Drag", and Dirty to the Bone".
Thanks again for doing ELO. One of the best bands ever. I would suggest listening to the new version of Secret Messages that has finally been released as a double album on vinyl. Very good stuff and kind of continues the concept album theme. Pete I really love these reviews and I thank you for keeping em going
My head says Out of the Blue because it's longer but my heart says A New World Record as #1. A terrific album. This is a band that takes me straight back to my last 3 or 4 years at school.
My list is almost the same. A New World Record was the first one that I ever owned from ELO. Out of the Blue was the second. So they are #1& #2, respectively. The rest would be the same. Love ELO TO DEATH. I feel that Jeff Lynne is one of the greatest masterminds of music(along with Alan Parsons). Have a blessed day Pete!
GREAT Trivia! never would have connected those dots. Cannot believe it took me so long to warm up to MaMa Belle - might be my fav ELO song now -- tough competition with 20 others though. THey are like the Chocolate-Decadence cake of Rock & Roll>>>
A quick ranking. not easy but a fun challenge. Like Pete, my leanings overall go to early-middle albums: 14. Secret Messages 13. Discovery 12. Balance of Power 11. Alone in the Universe 10. From out of Nowhere 9. No Answer 8. On the Third Day 7. Zoom 6. Face the Music 5. Time 4. ELO II 3. Out of the Blue 2. A New World Record 1. Eldorado OOTB and ANWR are really neck-and-neck, a tough choice which one to give the edge. ANWR wins it narrowly for being a tighter album overall, and because if it comes to Tightrope vs. Turn to Stone, I'd take the former with very little question. Same goes for Livin' Thing vs. Sweet Talking Woman, to take two examples. ELO II and Eldorado are my two favorite underdogs. Eldorado is imaginative, majestic, and seminal to my love of ELO, while ELO II is a surprisingly tight, well-produced album, regardless of the fact that it consists of five seven-minute+ tracks. Far from being boring, the longer, "prog" arrangements benefit from Wilf Gibson's violin workouts and some unusually crunchy cello lines. I can see how some would find the album's style meandering or overstretched, but given that I'm also a fan of Peter Gabriel-era Genesis, it's safe to say I have a relatively high tolerance for those qualities.
Secret Messages is in my top 5 along with Out of the Blue, Face the Music, A New World Record and Time. Special mention goes to the Xanadu soundtrack which is half ELO with the amazing All Over the World.
Pete I love the way you describe why the music is so powerful and important to you. The experiences from the purchase to first listen and the timing. It is so true!
@@joedecker3900 I said "for me". So why are you restating it. Most things in life ARE "subjective" including, say, some sports competitions judged by humans.
LOVE the nostalgia with "Out of the Blue"---so descriptive of experiences with music back in "our day"...just totally loved the connection with the music of the record and vinyl albums. Hard to experience that with the "streaming" music nowadays. Sad to say...it's completely lost now.
I know it’s not a studio album, but the songs they did for the Xanadu soundtrack are some of my favorite ELO songs, I actually got into ELO after hearing those songs watching the movie as a kid, then I went back into their catalog. So like you said, certain songs hit you and remind you of a special time in your youth, and for me it was those songs at that time. Great job with the album rankings, I enjoy watching them and getting your thoughts and feedback on them.
I have the Xanadu cd and all ELO songs are superb esp the title track and All Over The World. The latter should be the unofficial anthem track post Covid19.
"This album is like an old friend..." thats absolutely true. When I play "Out of the blue" its like coming home. The music of ELO is the soundtrack to some of the best moments of my life
Hey Pete - as always, a great ranking show. Yes, indeed - some of us old timers into prog latched onto those first 2 LP's immediately. I was 15 when ELO II came out in 1973. I saw them live for the first time in 1974 with Deep Purple in Los Angeles and again in 1978 at the Angels Stadium in Anaheim with Journey who had just released Infinity with this unknown singer none of us had ever heard of, being fans of the first 3 albums. It's hard to go wrong with any of the 70's ELO output. Love them all.
Jeff Lynn doesn't get enough credit for his vocals--he's top notch and still sounds great after so many years
If you like "falsetto".....
@@dinopappous6639 He doesn't sing every song falsetto. Guess you haven't hear much ELO.
“Doesn’t get enough credit” *misspells his last name*
Just saw ELO tonight in Philly 9/22/24. First time seeing them. Jeff and crew sounded phenomenal.
TIME...has to got to be not only my favorite ELO album, but my all time favorite album. I've narrowed down what this album is about to 3 possibilities. 1.) Face value. About a man who stands in a beam of light in 1981 and is then transported to the year 2095. 2.) It's a metaphor for growing up. You find out you don't mean to people what they mean to you. One day you're a hero, next day you're a clown. There's nothing in between, now that you're an adult. 3.) A man going for a walk at dusk sees these bright lights coming at him and gets struck by a car. As he flys through the air and skids across the concrete, his life and loved ones flashes before his eyes. He awakes a few months later and might as well be a hundred years in the future. He gazes out the hospital window during a storm and dreams of a world where he could go back. None of his previous friends know what happened to him, and have moved on with their lives. As he walks the hospital, in a town he knew so well but now seems so strange, he realizes the only strange one is himself. He gets back to his bed to eat dinner at 5 o'clock. The news starts on the TV. I've thought about this one the most. It could also be him slowly dying on the asphalt as the album progresses. Still, they don't make music like this anymore. And it's a Goddamn shame.
Can you imagine if John Lennon had recorded 21st Century Man? It would have been a mega hit. Time is incredible!
Yeah, Time is one of my favourite albums too. Brilliant! 👍
“Time” is my number one. it’s a concept album that predicted most of the future.
I like their albums from On The Third Day to Discovery. But in first two records i got a few songs i like.
Time is Overrated
@@mr.blue7357 Time is underrated, in my opinion. Many people, including ELO fans think its too overblown,too synthesised but some, including myself, ranks the album as ELOs finest ever album. Great melodies, a most interesting topic (Soace and time, futuristic visions) and expertly played by the guys.
@@thomasmarthinussen8978 I agree it is a Beautiful Album, but to say it is the best is a bit beyond me. I do however think that Time 2LP is the 4th Best ELO Album
@@thomasmarthinussen8978 in my opinion the two Masterpiece albums by ELO are A New World Record and Eldorado then we have the minor masterpieces (Nearly Perfect Albums) which are Out of the Blue, Discovery, Face the Music and Time. Then the really good album, On the Third Day the Great albums of Secret Messages and ELO 2 then just the Good albums of Balance of Power and No Answer. That is why even of something by ELO I think is Overrated, is still better than almost anything else anyone could release. IMO ELO is the third best band ever.
I grew up on ELO here in England. Love them. Great list Pete. With you all the way. 🙏
"Time" is my favorite ELO record. It is so captivating.
It's one of my favourite albums of all time. It's so underrated!
@@leonbellingan103 Same here! It's criminally overlooked!
It was the first album I ever bought. Here is the News.
Yup - same. Some critics don't seem to like it, but I always have. Still have the vinyl
@@glennsmusicchannel Imho, Time is a neat and worthy recovery from Discovery, which I'm controversially not overly fond of even in comparison to some of the '80s stuff. Like Sea of Tranquility, I lean to some of the early-middle years albums, but Time really does sparkle among the later albums.
My father bought Out Of The Blue in 77 or so on cassette when I was a baby. Years later, when I was a preteen and getting into 60s and 70s rock, he gave me the tape. That was the first time that I had ever heard of ELO and I loved the album. My father passed away several years ago so Out Of The Blue will always hold a special place in my heart as well as being my favorite ELO album.
He had great taste and what a legacy and what great memories he's given you.
Just heard Time the other day. Was blown away
Time has something special that we, ELO fans, grow to appreciate more and more as time goes bye... don't know what it is, but I know many people went through the same process
Blown away. Good analogy. I felt transported. It's 40 minutes of some out of this world experience from Prologue to Epilogue. My No.1 ELO offering for sure. Discovery & New World Record are excellent, Face the Music, On the Third Day are my current projects, bit early to comment yet.
I've just heard it for the first time 1 hour ago and came here to knew what Pete was thinking about it lol...no jokes ! That first listening was a real blast for me !!
I like this series. ELO is the most underrated rock band of all time.
Agreed!
I'd have to argue that Blue Oyster Cult could also be considered in that category.
Underrated? By whom? You must be joking!
@@Hanika-original exactly. We are talking about one of the most successful AND praised bands ever.
Underated at least until A New World Record here in the UK. They lost me following that album, and yep, for the most part...Out Of The Blue wasn't my cup of tea either.
I couldn’t possibly rank these guys, although my top 3 will always be: ‘Time’, ‘Face The Music’ and ‘A New World Record’. Time honestly blew my mind on my first listen; the unique production, remarkable instrumentals, Sci-Fi lyrics and more all combined in each track created a mesmerising experience: so mesmerising that I didn’t realise it was a concept album until my fourth listen. I don’t typically have a favourite song from an artist, but ‘The Way Life’s Meant To Be’ is my dearest and personal favourite from ELO.
Time still blows me away today although I wish I was back in 1981.
"I couldn’t possibly rank these guys," Proceeds to list a top 3.😕🤣
At 60 years old, whenever I think back to the first record album that I totally wore out playing...the answer is easy. ELO...New World Record. However, side 3 of Out of the Blue, the Concerto for a Rainy Day, is just incredible and possibly my all time favorite album side. Tough to pick between these two
same here a new worlds record
Marty Kott I agree with you about out of the Blue!
Standin in the rain and Big Wheel are two of my favourite ELO tracks, as good as or better than m9st singles released at the time, at of course Mr Blue Sky. One of the best sides to an album ever made. Such a a good time for music especially in England where i live, Pink Floyds Animals was out at a similar time, another if my favourites. Best times
@@tonytye8963 just the way those song bleed into each other is pure magic, pop music melded with symphonic touches working to ma ke a truly extraordinary album side.
Totally agree. You've nailed it.
10538 Overture is one of the greatest songs ever.
Paul Weller certainly thought so, amazed Jeff didn't sue his ass off.
@@Hi-kq1vi Bloody right there.......Changing Man is a total clone...
Def Leppard does a pretty good cover.
@@billwellington4339 Yep - right there Bill. Weller ripped off 'Tax Man' too!
Very progressive music
Wood/Lynne: The Electric Light Orchestra
Early Era: Eldorado
Success: All and each one (Face The Music, A New World Record, Out Of The Blue and Discovery).
80´s: Time
Lynnelown: Alone in the Universe
"Out of the Blue" is my all time favorite album period. I must have listened to it hundreds possibly thousands of times. I listen to "Concerto for a Rainy Day" nearly every day.
I get yah, but like imo it’s the worst of their best, it’s too disco, and too samey throughout, the reason early elo was great was because of the unpredictability of the songs
@@quinnnosbod3673 You’re right about early ELO. But the disco part? I mean, have you heard Discovery? DISCOvery
Laredo tornado still kills me , as does the entire El Dorado masterpiece, mister kingdom , incredible
Por fin alguien con buen oído, felicitaciones!
My favorite ELO record is "Discovery", I remember my dad always heard that album when I was a kid (in 90s), so always bring great memories... my second favorite is "A new world record" and in Third place "Out of the Blue. Dont forget the music that ELO composed for the movie "Xanadu", songs like All over the world, I'm alive or Xanadu are classics. Great Ranking Pete.
One of the best shows you've done!! Especially the epilogue and why we like what we like and reasons for sharing. Thanks Pete. Outstanding program!!!
My favourite ELO album has always been “On the Third Day”, because of their killer version of “Hall of the Mountain King”, followed by the majestic “Eldorado” and then their debut, “No Answer”, because it has co-founder, Roy Wood on it, and I’ve always been a fan of The Move.
I just don't their records that well but my favorite songs are
1 Strange Magic
2 10538 Overture
3. Showdown
4 Mr Blue Sky
5 Can't Get it out of my head
6 When i was a boy
7 Telephone Line
8 Evil Woman
Forgot Do Ya which was better by the Move.
Like you I like "The Move" with Roy Wood and Jeff . The Move did great songs like The Last thing on my Mind, Hello Suzie, Beautiful Daughter, Blackberry Way, Chinatown, I'll be over tonight if you think you might" th-cam.com/video/SE9-pJmE9t0/w-d-xo.html (beautiful Daughter) They took a meek Tom Paxton song and make it scary and cool .. th-cam.com/video/fcKULRzUTEU/w-d-xo.html these songs are for others i know you know them.
1 On the Third Day- perfect album
2 No Answer- genius
3 ELO 2- perfect
4 Face the Music- perfect
5 Eldorado- almost perfect
6 New World Record
7 Out of the Blue- good, but too commercial for me
8 Time- good concept album, a few duds but great overall
9 Discovery- great songs but way too commercial
10 Secret Messages- alright album, worth a listen
11 Jeff Lynns ELO stuff- it’s ok, but way too commercial and pop
12 Zoom- it’s ok
13 Balance of Power- some good songs but overall kinda terrible
Eldorado is one of the best albums of all time IMO.
Kirk Patrick I agree
Absolutely! "Mister Kingdom/Nobody's child" is an absolute masterpiece
Yes I 100 agree
They're all amazing - incredibly underrated music.
Facts. Both Eldorado and Out Of The Blue deserve to be consider one of the best albums of all time.
My first rock concert was in 1978. I was 14 years old. It was ELO's Out of the Blue tour. I will never forget it.
1 Out Of The Blue.
2 A New World Record.
3 Face The Music
4 Discovery.
5 Alone In The Universe.
6 Eldorado.
7 Time.
8 On The Third Day.
9 ELO 2.
10 ELO.
Pete’s description of Out Of The Blue as “Every song is like an old friend” is absolutely spot on.
ELO has always been the forefront of my favorite music. ELO Part II was my first concert, I was 6-7 years old when they came nearby so we took a family trip. They did two sets and in between my dad struck up the confidence to approach the band. They took us in, posed for pictures with us, gave us a tour of their stage setup and bus, signed autographs and just talked about the past and present. My mom, who played violin in a couple different orchestras in the late 70's and 80's got to play Mik's violin. My dad being the biggest fan I know was in complete awe, hanging out with Kelly Groucutt, Mik Kaminski, Bev Bevan and Louis Clark, the guys that still stuck around to try to carry the music onward with Phil Bates and Eric Troyer filling in their own parts. It may not be the same thing, didn't have the same magic of the golden days but when you're that young it was the biggest thing to me and kicked off a lifetime fan. I have the first two albums under the ELO Part II name, their self titled debut and Moment of Truth. Some hit or miss writing but the instrumental work is still pretty good, especially with Louis Clark's orchestral work in the second album. After Bev left and sold his part in ELO they recorded No Rewind under the name The Orchestra, which again hit or miss but still sentimental. Afterwards Kelly died, and that hit pretty hard. He was very inviting and great to us, even recognizing us during a second concert to come and hang out again. Skip quite a few years later I now play music, and ELO is always playing. My dad and I have now been able to see Jeff Lynne a couple times during his last outing, and hopefully he'll come back around again.
Eldorado the greatest album of all time! We use to call it the psychedelic Wizard of Oz in college smoking the cheeb in our dorm room...
ELO on drugs is like the best musical experience
Por fin otro genio q elige El Dorado como su top entre tanta mediocridad q eligii discos de menor nivel musical pero q se acercan mucho a Ver Gees y Beatles, como asi también el ranking de este señor del vídeo otro desacierto
This was a tough one for me with lots of re-shuffling:
14) Secret Messages
13) Alone in the Universe
12) Balance of Power
11) Time
10) Zoom
9) From Out of Nowhere
8) ELO 2
7) Discovery
6) The Electric Light Orchestra
5) On the Third Day
4) Eldorado
3) Face the Music
2) Out of the Blue
1) A New World Record
Zoom started out near the bottom, but upon re-listening to it I found I enjoy it more than I remembered.
Thanks, Mr. Pardo!
What’s wrong with secret messages?
@@snsnshhhs663 its got a lot of filler, if you dig through it you can find good moments though
My favorite ELO album has always been, and will always be, "Time". As you say, some albums hit you at a certain time in your life. When I was 13, "Time" got me through some big changes and challenges. Any track from that album--but especially "The Rain is Falling"--makes me wax nostalgic. The rest of your rankings...yeah, I pretty much agree. 🙂
Hey Pete! Finally a ranking from my favorite band! Saludos desde Santiago de Chile
One of my favorite bands of all-time, ranking these is quite easy for me because it's something I've thought of plenty.
1) Time - It's like you said, album rankings are about when it hits you, and this one hit me when I really started to delve into their catalog. I already love concept albums and this one fits the band perfect. Jeff's production here hits new peaks and was very influential on alot of other artists I love. Also of note are the bonus tracks present on the CD version, just wish I could have those on the LP. As you say, gotta listen to this one from start to finish.
2) Out of the Blue - OF COURSE. Essential ELO right here, no description needed.
3) A New World Record - Some great tracks, one after another. Great sweeping strings, epic dreamlike soundscapes, powerful and sad lyrics. Was at one point my favorite.
4) Discovery - This one gets alot of flack and I understand why, but I have no issue with disco musically. And there's some nice ballads and rocking tracks hidden below those disco/poppy hits too.
5) Face the Music
6) ELO 2 - This one is so epic and it was really hard to rank vs. Face the Music for me, I always go back and forth between the two.
7) Eldorado
8) Secret Messages - My friend likes to call this one Time part 2. Very similar production, but I personally see it as very different. Great tracks and I wish it got more love.
9) On the Third Day
10) No Answer
11) Balance of Power - Gotta say, the opening tracks on this one are great, but it really peters out from there. If it kept the same quality as the singles, this would be much higher.
12) From Out of Nowhere - Just like you said, it's good and definitely their best since splitting, but not anywhere near as good as any of those.
13) Alone in the Universe
14) Zoom - Probably the only album of theirs I'd say is not good, not bad either mind you, but I have just never had the drive to listen to this one since I first discovered it.
If I had to put Xanadu in there, it'd probably fall around 10/11 range. Obviously I'd only be ranking the Jeff written/produced songs off that and I don't want to cherry pick. Also, you said only studio albums by the band. Still, around the world is such a great track. And the ELO version of Xanadu is also great.
One of my first concerts was Elf, ELO, and Deep Purple at the Jacksonville FL coliseum. I still get chills remembering hearing the Eldorado overture as the stage filled with smoke, purple and yellow lights, Jeff Lynne emerges from the smoke, steps up to the mic and begins singing "Midnight....on the water....I saw.....the ocean's daughter....". Man, what a moment. Eldorado for me all the way.
Just seen these guy's in concert a few month's back!! Love this band!
I'll go as far as a top five for me:
1 Eldorado
2 Face the Music
3 ELO
4 New World Record
5 Out the Blue
Eldorado for sure!
Yes, Porcupine Tree, YES!!! Can't wait for that video, Pete! Exciting stuff! =D
As far as ELO goes, I only have four albums by the band but I do like them all and two of them I outright love:
1. Time
2. Out Of The Blue
3. A New World Record
4. Eldorado
OOTB ( also my introduction to ELO ) was my favorite for the longest time, but over the years I've come to love Time even more. All the songs flow into each other seamlessly and they are ALL good/great/mindblowing! An absolute gem of a record.
Love this group so much. What an outstanding discography zmy Favourites are 1 - Out of the blue
2 - A new world record.
3 - Eldorado
4 - Face the music
5 - ELO 2
6 - Discovery
Jeff Lynne is s modern day genius who wrote some of the catchiest and memorable songs of all time. Thanks Pete for your ranking
“The Music is reversible, but time? turn back turn back turn back! FIRE ON HIGH.
Time is not
Thanks for reminding me how great ELO was and how much I enjoy those early albums. Long live Rock and Roll!
Exactly, the taste for music has a lot from each life experiences... Excelent work. Greatest bands are here!
You had to save up for weeks to finally get that ELO album. And when you did it was finally YOURS. That kind of experience makes the music feel closer to your heart and soul. Nowadays, when people simply click on an album on their Spotify account, it just isn’t the same. It’s not even close.
On a side not, though, I'd like to add that I have NEVER been able to get into ELO. I've tried for decades...it just isn't happening. And I am shocked that they are able to sell out arenas in this day and age. That has nothing to do with my feelings towards the band...I'm just surprised that their popularity rose with younger people almost "Out of the Blue."
10538 Overture was a big song on American Hustle which probably got a few younger listeners into them but I would guess the vast majority of people going to see ELO shows are 40+ these days. There are still enough people born in the 60's who love the music they grew up with to keep these bands going as a touring entity.
People also use to love getting the album for the artwork. The cd format is too small to accommodate anything but the most basic design or head shot.
Jamie Laszlo Oh so true that buying an album when I was I young teenager and even later how I felt upon listening to A New World Record, especially singing along to Telephone Line and feeling that emotion!
My first love was the 'Time' album (1981).. but with time and after listening to every track and every album by ELO, I kind of agree with Pete about the top three.. expect that 'A New World Record' would be number 1. Much younger I noticed one thing.. Whenever I just casually walked into a room, and I heard a new ELO song, on the radio I just stopped and listened. Jeff Lynne had that magic ability. Much like Mozart in 'Amadeus'...
Kids today have no idea what it's like to immerse yourself in an album and the artwork.
ELO was my first ever concert @MSGarden in '78. Out of the Blue in a 53' (?) Laser-blasting spaceship. Incredible.
I remember walking about 4 miles round trip one night in a blizzard to my local Jamesway dept store to buy "Out of the Blue". School was closed the next day and I spent entire day singing along to the lyrics printed on the album sleeves.
Itsno1/. Tremendous story/ did similar in snowstorms. Lol. Also. My first concert ever 12-16-77 @ Madison Square Garden. PIPER opened for KISS. Awesome times !!!
@Itsno1 "Walked 4 miles in a blizzard"... That sounds like my parents describing how they used to walk to school. 😊😉
Great show Pete. I have a soft spot for ELO; they were the first “big” band that I saw live, back in, I think, 1977, and they blew me away. To this day, Jeff Lynne live is still a fantastic show. Fav albums are Eldorado, Face the Music, A New World Record and Out of the Blue.
Loved this show, Pete! I agree with so much on this list. Your top 3 and my top 3 would contain the same albums. But, they may change from day to day. My first exposure to ELO was the "Face the Music" album that my older sister had on 8-track and would play in her car. I was about 8 years old when it was released. Since there really wasn't any seatbelt laws in those days, I would lay in the back of her AMC Hornet hatchback by the speakers and listen to the album. Eventually, I would inherit the "Face the Music" and "New World Record" 8-tracks from my sisters and I would play them continually on my hand-me-down stereo. As I grew older, one of my childhood friends starting to become a huge ELO fan. On one of his family vacations, he bought all the early albums. So, we would listen to them into our growing teen years. He had the "Out of the Blue" album and I remember once (at a sleepover) we would play air guitar, drums and keyboards to "Turn to Stone". We were entering our teen years when the 80's hit. So, 1979's "Discovery" was big to us at the time and then (of course) "Time" in 81. After that, I started to lose interest. But, those 5 albums are very special to me because of the friendships of that time. I would say around 1981 or so that my 3 favorite bands were Styx, ELO and REO Speedwagon. Thanks for the rankings. It really sparks some great memories and yes it is like revisiting with old friends. Keep it up, Pete!
"Fire On High" was in "CBS Sports Spectacular".
Wasn't Bowie's "Stay " used in Wide World of Sports?
My ELO list: 1. On The Third Day 2. New World Record 3. Face The Music 4. ELO II 5. Eldorado 6. Out Of The Blue 7. No Answer 8. Time
I started seriously listening to ELO after the release of Face The Music album and fell in love with them.
One Summer Dream. Best song they ever did.
👍👍My favourite E.L.O. track....an amazing piece of music...
Definitely one of my favorites on Face the music I could hear it over and over again.
OSD the best song ; Fire on High the best overall track. OSD should have been released as a single. The female singer from the German group Propaganda did a great version of it.
Great show Pete.
ELO brings back a lot of memories.
8 tracks and albums....
Great band with some excellent tunes.
Btw, “Time” has become my favorite even though I came of age during “Discovery” and “Out of the Blue”. I think it is ELO’s most fully realized concept album. I particularly like the lyrics which really presaged the interaction with technology that would come to dominate our lives.
William: 'Time' is my personal favorite as well. Maybe it's because I saw them on that tour in 1981. The band had dropped the cellos and violin - Kaminski was brought back for the tour, needed him for the old songs - but the band was leaner and taking advantage of the improvements in synthesizer technology. I imbedded the three outtakes from the CD into the rest of the songs and it makes for a better experience then being whacked with three random songs after the big finale.
Check out Earthrise by Tandy Morgan Band which in a way a compliment to Time. Features Richsrd Tandy and is written by Dave Morgan who was in band in later years
Another great video Pete! The main reason why I love these videos is because I discover or re-discover some bands I don't know enough. That's the case with ELO, Budgie, Steely Dan or Gentle Giant. After seeing your videos I go to TH-cam and hear those bands, some of them are not much popular in Europe as in América. Of course I love the rankings of some of my well-known bands like Whitesnake, Pink Floyd, Deep Purple, Black Sabbath... So please, keep doing these vídeos. I can't wait to see a ranking of Maiden, Priest, Dio, Ozzy, Magnum, Saxon, Kiss, Aerosmith, Stones, Alice Cooper... Great job man!
"Moment In Paradise" from Zoom is classic ELO and in a different era would have been a hit.
Great ranking Pete. ELO such an epic band. Discovery was the first ELO album I ever bought so it always has a special place in my heart. I know some fans think it's a disco album but I've always loved it. Ironically I never owned Out of the Blue till about 15 years ago but I agree it's in the top 5 for sure. Face the Music and New World are their best albums IMO but I also really love Eldorado. Would love to hear your ranking of your top 10 ELO songs!!
I got to see ELO open for BTO right after Face The Music came out in Kansas City. Man Im old...
I would have loved to have been at that show - must have been awesome. I didn't even know they toured together.
@@painkllrrr ya it would have been great to be there ! two of my favorite 70's era bands !
"Out Of The Blue" is a Masterpiece!! Including ""Jungle" and every other track on it!!! I couldn't agree with you more, Pete. I feel exactly the same about it as you do. We would have been big time friends, back in the day!!
Good Show Pete....Once again being an old timer, I was fortunate to see ELO a few times in the late 70's....Was even at the "INFAMOUS" Cleveland Show ..World Series of Rock where they were accused of using TAPE....Which is the NORM in many genre's today. Uuuugghhh....You were born in the wrong decade my Friend! You missed quite a bit...I know that you know this! Rock On!
I was at that show too! Cleveland Stadium with Foreigner and Journey?? World Series of Rock ....man those were awesome events!!
@@goonsquad2.023 Indeed....I'm from the Detroit area but traveled quite a bit to see a great show....Went to many in Toledo Cleveland Columbus and Cinci...Trying to think here Blossom and Gund Arena??
@@robertkiger8602 I was born in Royal Oak and moved to Sandusky (Cedar Point??) when I was 10. I went to shows at the Toledo Sports Arena and Cleveland Coliseum in Richfield....Did you ever go to the Pontiac Silverdome to see concerts??
@@goonsquad2.023 ...Yes...Saw many shows at the Silverdome...Led Zeppelin 1977, The Rolling Stones (3X), The Who (3X), Aerosmith, Bob Seger, Monsters of Rock, Ted. GnR, Metallica off the top of my head. Was born and raised in Trenton....Got out of the D a few years back...I live in Toledo now...LOL...The place went to Hell in a hand basket...Ahhh yes, Richfield Col....I think I saw Ozzy and Crue there in 83/84?
@@robertkiger8602 Very cool. I only saw the Rolling Stones with Iggy Pop at the SilverDome in '81. I was home on break from Ohio U. Had crappy upper section seats and snuck down to the floor, good times!
Agree with your best like!ELO ROCKS FOREVER .
ELO my first favorite band when I was a kid in the 70s before I discovered Hard Rock, still in my top 5 favorite bands though. In the 70s my parents saw them a couple of times and didn't take me and I'm still a little pissed about it, lol
Ounce upon a time I was passed away with my friend Christopher Hill in Portsmouth England 1982 .......
Hopefully you took the opportunity on his recent tours! I did!
I'd like to see Jeff Lynne, but he never comes to Salt Lake City. I'd probably have to travel to California in order to see him.
ELO were my first favorite rock band along with KISS just a little bit later.
5 - Balance Of Power
4 - A New World Record
3 - Face The Music
2 - Discovery
1 - Out Of The Blue 🔮
Out of the Blue and Eldorado are their best two IMO, they work and flow better as albums than Face the Music and A New World Record which are also packed with great tunes (I’m not sure where the filler is on Out of The Blue that some refer to). The only album I have after Time Is Zoom and I think it’s much better than I feared. For some bizarre reason I havn’t got their third album so I will have to remedy that. So of the ones I have it’s:
1Out of the Blue
2 Eldorado
3 Face the Music
4 A New World Record
5 Time
6 Elo2
7 Elo
8 Discovery
9 Zoom
I have got Geoff’s Armchair Theatre solo album from 1990(?) which is also great and recommended to any ELO fans that missed it.
Hey Pete, your explanation (during the ELO II segment) is spot on. When we heard them, where we were, who we were with ... all plays into what any given album means to us and/or how we feel about them and have kept them in a special place in our hearts down the years. This is what makes music so amazing, and why I cannot relate to people that tell me "uh, I don't really listen to music". For me, ELO II was the first ELO album I ever bought, but ironically, I never liked it. I bought it for their radio cover of "Roll Over Beethoven", but have since tossed the album aside for good and would much rather listen to the latter day ELO than that one. Like you, I didn't buy the first one for many years, but was stunned to hear that "10538 Overture" was on there. I had heard this track somewhere, loved it, but never knew what it was called or who performed it. Imagine my surprise to hear it burst out; I almost fell out of my chair. Other than that track and Mr. Radio, that album never did much for me. Perhaps I need to circle back and give it a listen with 'New Ears'. I'm finding it far more rewarding to circle back and find early material I may have missed, or incorrectly poo-poo'd, than to bother or waste time with all the bilge being produced today. Great show, by the way!!! One small note: I did rate "Secret Messages" much higher. I thought it was their very best of the latter day material. I thought "they're back".
Thank you for ranking the ELO studio albums/CD'S! 🎤🎸🎵🥁
As a kid I had the diorama from Out Of The Blue on one of my speakers for years.Learned drumming so much from this album.Great video!
Don’t know why Discovery is derided by many. It’s one of their best and packed full of hits. Five top 10 singles in the U.K. in 1979 including a double A side. And the album tracks were great too x
1. A New World Record, 2.. Out of The Blue Then it becomes harder.My mother bought A New World as a birthday gift for my uncle and I asked her why she had bought an album with classical music....Some hours later I was totally blown away listening to ANWR at my uncle's place. This was in March 1977 so I was a bit late. 11 years old and knew almost nothing about music at the time. Later that year I asked my mother to buy Out of The Blue as soon as it came out and she did. Thanks Mom!
Perhaps controversially to some I'd rate Discovery as my absolute favourite!! So many good tracks on that album for me, the production is top notch too
Just superb listing and your call here, Pete! Loved Discovery and Out of the Blue!!!! We are about age!!!
All right! I'm a big ELO fan; glad to see them here.
another of the best bands of all time...you have the best taste of anyone on the YT! Haven't had a chance to see this yet, as I'm at work, but El Dorado has to be #1!
Well, it wasn't, but OOTB would be my #2, so!!!
One of my favorite bands, I think Time is my favorite album, it's the first one I heard. I don't have the newer stuff, but I'd like to get the rest of their albums at some point. Jeff Lynne is amazing, he plays every instrument on the new albums I think.
"Time" is my favorite as well.
Jeff increasingly playing more and more instruments on later albums is a big weakness for me. I can't honestly say for sure if he is as good his bandmates when playing their instruments, though I always thought probably not. What I am sure of is that he loses the random element of someone else collaborating. And I really hate that he took to singing his own backing vocals too.
Time will always be my number one and will always have a very special meaning to me. Out of the Blue is my number two. Great chanel btw. I just found it and I love it. Keep up the great work!!
Always ❤️ Pete’s shows. Would love for him to do a top 25 or 10 shows he has seen. Or even the first 10 albums he ever bought.
The first dozen albums you buy stick with you forever I feel. Except for the 1 or 2 duds maybe. Pete at his best here-- ELO has a ton of depth, alot of range and alot to offer and PP conveyed as much. This is one of those bands where I could go on all night - heaping praise and all of that. So yeah, if he has not done it I would like to know what Pete's first 10 were also. Bet I'm right on a few :->
Man how are you putting all these videos out there I fucking love it Reignited my love for all these different bands
Hands down, A New World Record is my #1 pick. Like a lot of my other favorites, it was my first ELO record purchased and so it’s my sentimental #1
Yessir
Your heart is so in this one! That’s cool lol! Thank you for collecting these albums and doing these reviews! Music is the best man
As big a prog/art rock as I was, especially in the early 70's, I just couldn't get into ELO. I liked a couple of their songs but they were just too 'Beatlesque' for my tastes (not a fan of the Beatles) , too Pop. They were playing the Universal Amphitheater, '75-ish, and all my friends wanted to go. I wasn't interested especially because I wanted to save my money for Bowie but then I found out Aerial Bender's new band 'Widowmaker' was the opening act so I had to go.
Gotta say that ELO put on what is still one of the best shows I have ever seen, and I have been to about thousand concerts since seeing Janis Joplin in '68. The musicianship was tight and concise and had me enthralled the entire time. I still only own 'Eldorado' and I have heard all their albums, thanks to friends, but no desire to own another album by them... even if I have seen them live five times
E.L.O. - what a great band! My favorites are 1. Out Of The Blue 2. A New World Record 3. Discovery. The album "A New World Record" was in the top40 album chart here in Australia for over a year - what an amazing achievement! The title of "Discovery" was chosen because "Discovery" contains the words "Disco" and "Very" - which it was. Thanks for your video!
Love ELO, It's hard to pick a favorite. And for what it's worth, I always really liked Zoom.
Me too!
Agree.
I went and saw them twice on consecutive nights in 1978. Laser show was amazing in those days. I got the whole bands autographs on Out Of The Blue....still have it. Time would have been higher on my list.
Your description of saving your allowance and going to the record store rings so true to me. I had a paper route so I would save my money then go to National Record Mart at our local mall and select my next record. Vividly remember the different days I bought "Book of Dreams" and "Grand Illusion" and "Double Vision" and "Destroyer "etc etc. It was a big investment so would choose wisely and then come home to savor the cover art, liner notes, inserts, etc. Getting a poster was a huge deal. And of course following along with lyrics. Digital music these days has lost ALL of that. Feel bad for kids nowadays.
Well said!!! I also remember bringing home Book of Dreams that first day...LOVED IT!
Yep clearly we are showing our age here, but buying new albums was almost a religious experience for me back i the 70s. Although that disappeared for the most part when cassettes and CDs took over in the late 80s, thankfully its seems to be coming back in a decidedly more limited fashion with the resurgence in vinyl. My 22 year old daughter loves buying new (and old) vinyl for all the reasons you listed and she got her love of music in that fashion from me so that makes me feel great !
@@GMHG777 Yes, I think the resurgence of vinyl has a lot to do with those tangible things like touching an album and pulling out the sleeve and LP and pouring over the lyrics. When I listen to Spotify in my car or on my tablet, I still have to have the album cover art up on my device while I listen.
The tactile experience of buying and “experiencing” vinyl was a special deal for a lot of people from our era that we’re especially connected too music like I assume most of us on here are. Have to admit, I fell prey to the industries phasing out of vinyl as much as the next guy as I got older though, because the portability of music became increasingly more important to me in my late teens and into adulthood. As a result my connection to the other aesthetics of buying music became less important (lyrics, album art, credits etc) but that always bothered me deep down inside that I had lost a little bit of that excitement those things had brought to me as a kid and teenager buying albums. As a result, I started recently buying albums again, mainly just for really special releases and by bands I love, but I immediately felt that “reconnection” to the experience, I just wish I had the time to sit and listen to albums like I had as a kid 😂. I will say that I’ve never bought digital releases in any capacity as I always wanted a physical product in my hand, as a result I’ve got probably 30k in plastic stacked on the shelves in my listening room that’s probably worthless to anyone but me, but it makes me happy so ...
@@GMHG777 My 17 year old son just gave me Animals (favorite Floyd album for both of us) on vinyl for Christmas - I'm still smiling 2 months later.
Out of the Blue!! Yes!! Love it! My favorite too! I hung the ELO spaceship cut out from the ceiling.
1) Out of the Blue
2) Time
3) A New World Record
4) Face the Music
5) Secret Messages
6) Zoom
7) From Out of Nowhere
8) Balance of Power
9) Alone in the Universe
10) Discovery
Loved for the guitar work and contributions by Richard, George and Ringo! 😊
was lucky enough to grow up in the 70s with all that great music. thought it would last forever. how mistaken I was
Probably song for song my fave band. I used to play my mom's "New World Record" album on my "kiddie" record player when I was knee high.
1. Face the Music
2. A New World Record
3. On the Third Day
4. Out of the Blue
5. Eldorado
Those are the five albums I have. I'd switch A New World Record and Face The Music around.
Great fun listening to your ranks Pete. I first heard ELO`s ROB on a jukebox in a cafe.I was 11 and my older brother gave me a dime and told me to play Roll Over Beethoven.There were 3 choices, one by Chuck Berry, one by The Beatles, and the other of course ELO. So guess which one I played? lol I was immediately hooked,and been a fan ever since.(That killer Wilf Gibson electric violin solo), so made that song.Sad that the new concert version of that song their encore song doesn`t include that anymore.I think their finest album, and still my favorite album of all time is ANWR, It still floors me today.So my rankings are first to last (my top 7). ANWR, OOTB, FTM, Eldorado,ELO2,No Answer,On the third day and Time.
One of Jeff Lynne's biggest fans, so i'm kind of nut for his stuff.
1. Face The Music (1975). Just a great album, Kelly Groucutt's backing vocals and lead vocals on "Poker", is tremendous. "Fire On High", was from CBS Sports Spectacular. "Waterfall", is a top notch ballad and "Down Home Town", is classic, but I know most people do not enjoy this song.
2. Electric Light Orchestra (1971-72), I play this the most , it's just different, has charm, Jeff, Roy, Bev, Bill Hunt and the late Steve Woolam at that there best! Love, "10538 Overture", "Queen of the Hours", "Mr. Radio", the smoldering "Nellie Takes Her Bow", with the "God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman", refrain in the middle of the song. And Jeff's "Manhattan Rumble", which reminds me of a 40's gangster flick. Roy gave us the classic "Look at me Know". "Jumpin' Biz", which sounded like Mason Willams' "Classical Gas", and "Whisper in the Night".
3. Time (1981). Excellent concept album. Sound changed again from the disco-pop rock of "Xanadu", to a new wave electric synth-rock sound. "Twilight", was an underrated hit, "Here is the News", "Rain is Falling", "The Way Life's Meant to Be", shold of been huge! "From the End of the World", Your's Truly 2095" and "Ticket to the Moon". One track that should of been on the album, but was a b-side "Julie Don't Live Here", Richard Tandy doing his best Victor Borge!
4.On The Third Day (1973). Classic Jeff Lynne and company album. Nice suite in "Ocean Breakup, King of the Universe", "Blue Bird is Dead", "Oh Not Susan", with Jeff sneaking in the f word. "New World Rising", "Dreaming of 4000", which got played on christian rock radio in 1973. The great "Showdown" and "Ma Ma Ma Belle", and 2 strong instrumental's "Daybreaker" and "In the Hall of the Mountain King".
5. A New World Record" (1976). Can't go wrong with any of these tracks, Lynne was hot and not really missing here from 75-77. "Tightrope", "Telephone Line", "Rockaria", "So Fine", The Move remake "Do Ya" and 2 stunner's "Shangri-La", and "Mission (A New World Record)".
6.Out of the Blue (1977). Lynne's classic double album. The hits "Turn to Stone", "Sweet Talking Woman", "It's Over", a underrated single should of gotten more attention and "Mr. Blue Sky". The great "Night in the City", "Steppin' Out", "Jungle", Birmingham Blues" about the soccer team in England, "Wild West Hero", should of been a single "Sweet is the Night", and "Across The Border", Then you get the Concerto For A Rainy Day Suite, "Standin' in the Rain, Big Wheels" and "Summer and Lightning".
7. Eldorado (1974). Concept album about a dreamer. Their first big hit in "Can't Get It Out of my Head", the rockers ""Boy Blue", Illusions in G Major", "Mr. Kingdom", and "Larado Tornado". The Dylan-ish "Poor Boy the Greenwood", and "Nobody's Child".
8. Secret Messages (1983). Radio was shutting them down, but Lynne was still writing good material. The great title track, the rockin' "Four Little Diamonds", "Danger Ahead", "Bluebird", the Abba-ish "Take Me On and On", the bluesy "Train Of Gold", and the nuclear "Time After Time". Bevan would join Black Sabbath for the "Born Again tour in late '83.
9. Discovery (1979). Disco-very. Some excellent material here in "Shine A Little Love", "Confusion", "Last train To London" with some great bass by Kelly Groucutt, "Don't Bring Me Down", "Midnight Blue", "Wishing", "Need Her Love" and "On The Run". "Diary of Horace Wimp" was a tune that America forgot to play! Jeff was just getting married here and had more love songs.
10.Zoom (2001). Back to his guitar sound here. Good sounds in "Alright", "Moment In Paradise", "Lonesome Lullaby", "All She Wanted", a strong rocker, "Easy Money", a dig at Bev Bevan who started ELO part Two. And 2 great numbers "Melting In The Sun" and "State of Mind". George Harrison and Ringo Starr guested on the album. nLast sessions for George.
11. Balance of Power (1986). Stripped back, but still fun. "Heaven Only Knows", "So Serious", "Is it Alright", "Endless Lies", "Calling America", and two tunes that hinted at the break up of ELO "Getting to the Point" and "Sorrow About to Fall".
12. From Out Of Nowhere (2019). Latest from Jeff, strong sound abound Played this one a bunch since it's release, only 33 minutes long, but strong numbers in, the title track, "Time of Our Life", Sci-Fi Woman", "One More Time", "Down Came the Rain" and "Help Yourself".
13. ELO 2 (1973). Some great work here in, "In Old England Town", "Roll Over Beethoven", "Kuiama", "From the Sun to the World", great keyboard work by Richard Tandy and the mellow "Mama".
14. Alone In The Universe (2015). Everything here is excellent. "When i was A Boy", "Love and Rain", title track, "One step at a Time", "Ain't it a Drag", and Dirty to the Bone".
Thanks again for doing ELO. One of the best bands ever. I would suggest listening to the new version of Secret Messages that has finally been released as a double album on vinyl. Very good stuff and kind of continues the concept album theme. Pete I really love these reviews and I thank you for keeping em going
Time
Out of the Blue
A New World Record
'From Out of Nowhere' and 'Alone in the Universe' are growing on me.
My head says Out of the Blue because it's longer but my heart says A New World Record as #1. A terrific album. This is a band that takes me straight back to my last 3 or 4 years at school.
My list is almost the same. A New World Record was the first one that I ever owned from ELO. Out of the Blue was the second. So they are #1& #2, respectively. The rest would be the same. Love ELO TO DEATH. I feel that Jeff Lynne is one of the greatest masterminds of music(along with Alan Parsons). Have a blessed day Pete!
Went to the concert last July. Best concert of my life I Had the Time of My Life. If you get my drift.
Agree. Saw the July/Chicago show. So happy to have finally seen Jeff, after being a fan for over 40 years!
A bit of trivia: Marc Bolan plays twin guitar with Jeff Lynne on “Ma-Ma-Ma Belle”, however it was uncredited.
GREAT Trivia! never would have connected those dots. Cannot believe it took me so long to warm up to MaMa Belle - might be my fav ELO song now -- tough competition with 20 others though. THey are like the Chocolate-Decadence cake of Rock & Roll>>>
Check out the bonus track "Everyone's Born to Die" - also with Marc, I Guess the same Session.
A quick ranking. not easy but a fun challenge. Like Pete, my leanings overall go to early-middle albums:
14. Secret Messages
13. Discovery
12. Balance of Power
11. Alone in the Universe
10. From out of Nowhere
9. No Answer
8. On the Third Day
7. Zoom
6. Face the Music
5. Time
4. ELO II
3. Out of the Blue
2. A New World Record
1. Eldorado
OOTB and ANWR are really neck-and-neck, a tough choice which one to give the edge. ANWR wins it narrowly for being a tighter album overall, and because if it comes to Tightrope vs. Turn to Stone, I'd take the former with very little question. Same goes for Livin' Thing vs. Sweet Talking Woman, to take two examples. ELO II and Eldorado are my two favorite underdogs. Eldorado is imaginative, majestic, and seminal to my love of ELO, while ELO II is a surprisingly tight, well-produced album, regardless of the fact that it consists of five seven-minute+ tracks. Far from being boring, the longer, "prog" arrangements benefit from Wilf Gibson's violin workouts and some unusually crunchy cello lines. I can see how some would find the album's style meandering or overstretched, but given that I'm also a fan of Peter Gabriel-era Genesis, it's safe to say I have a relatively high tolerance for those qualities.
Secret Messages is in my top 5 along with Out of the Blue, Face the Music, A New World Record and Time. Special mention goes to the Xanadu soundtrack which is half ELO with the amazing All Over the World.
Secret Meesages is very underrated. "Bluebird" is an instant classic!
I got into ELO in about 78 not long before leaving school and listening to more Rock, Love Time, Out of the Blue and Discovery.
Pete I love the way you describe why the music is so powerful and important to you. The experiences from the purchase to first listen and the timing. It is so true!
Really enjoying these ranking vids Pete! Keep em coming! BTW you and I are almost always identical to the lists
“A New World Record” is by far the best ELO LP for me.
@@joedecker3900 I said "for me". So why are you restating it. Most things in life ARE "subjective" including, say, some sports competitions judged by humans.
LOVE the nostalgia with "Out of the Blue"---so descriptive of experiences with music back in "our day"...just totally loved the connection with the music of the record and vinyl albums. Hard to experience that with the "streaming" music nowadays. Sad to say...it's completely lost now.
I know it’s not a studio album, but the songs they did for the Xanadu soundtrack are some of my favorite ELO songs, I actually got into ELO after hearing those songs watching the movie as a kid, then I went back into their catalog. So like you said, certain songs hit you and remind you of a special time in your youth, and for me it was those songs at that time.
Great job with the album rankings, I enjoy watching them and getting your thoughts and feedback on them.
Totally agree, the ELO side of the Xanadu album was amazing! That was my introduction to ELO as well when I was around 10 or 11.
I have the Xanadu cd and all ELO songs are superb esp the title track and All Over The World. The latter should be the unofficial anthem track post Covid19.
If I close my eyes during "One Summer Dream" I am transported back to laying in my bed listening to it on a summer night.
Eldorado by far ...was at a ELO/Meatloaf concert in Toronto but I can't remember who opened and who headlined.
Wow, that must have been a mind blowing show!
"This album is like an old friend..."
thats absolutely true.
When I play "Out of the blue" its like coming home.
The music of ELO is the soundtrack to some of the best moments of my life
Porcupine tree looking forward to that list. Excellent channel Pete.
Hey Pete - as always, a great ranking show. Yes, indeed - some of us old timers into prog latched onto those first 2 LP's immediately. I was 15 when ELO II came out in 1973. I saw them live for the first time in 1974 with Deep Purple in Los Angeles and again in 1978 at the Angels Stadium in Anaheim with Journey who had just released Infinity with this unknown singer none of us had ever heard of, being fans of the first 3 albums. It's hard to go wrong with any of the 70's ELO output. Love them all.
New World Record - my #1 !! Yeah , I grew up on it.
ELO - Great band. Mr. Radio is a favorite from their first album. I have the vinyl and love playing it.