I didn’t know you guys even did this listography, but I’m happy I found it after searching! ELO are quickly becoming a new favorite of mine, at least their classic stuff. You guys are also right about Jeff Lynne: an absolute production and arrangement/composition genius and auteur! 🤩
Joe’s reaction to Kramzer’s placing of both Out of the Blue and A New World Record made this video for me. A mixture of so many emotions in the space of a few minutes.
I’ve always loved the Time album, since I first bought it as a yewt back in 1981. To see you thirty-somethings placing it at three, four and five, vindicates my feelings for it forty years later! Keep up the great work. Cheers from Noo Yawk!
Much maligned but seriously great & atmospheric album. Clever/funny lyrics-especially on 2095. Another Heart Breaks is a beautiful near instrumental. Rain Keeps Falling is also exquisite. 21st Century Man is a great tribute to Lennon. Plenty of UK hits off the album-Hold On Tight, Twilight, Way Life's Meant To Be, Ticket To The Moon & Here Is The News. Their last quality album-Secret Messages had it's moments, but was overproduced. Secret Messages has that awful mid 1980's production-See Neil Young Landing On Water. Zoom & the two he has done under his own name are really just cash-ins on past glories, very little memorable on them, nothing bad, but it just sounds like he is throwing anything out there knowing the nostalgia the last 7-8 years-where they have gone from decades of being derided to feted. Extremely safe & zero adventure.
The first album with Roy Wood remains my absolute favorite. It took me a few years to get it as a kid, but once i did, it became my favorite and has remained my favorite for decades.
Jason is right on the money with this: "'So Fine' and 'Livin' Thing' are some of the most effervescent, joyful pop music ever made." A New World Record is my #1.
Symphonic Rock? Progressive Rock? Melody Rock? Pop Rock? Art Rock? Epic Rock? All of it applies to ELO's phenomenal: A New World Record. For me, not just their best work but one of my top 30 favourite albums of all time. No other album of theirs comes close to this masterpiece.
Once Jeff Lynne became obsessed with that chugging/robotic 80s roots rock style it was over. The strange magic was over. He used it over and over (Wilburys, Petty, Cloud 9, Ringo's Time Takes Time, etc) and then over again. It's alright on a couple songs but he made a producing career out of it. Before that though, he made real top of the line 70s pop. It was a terrible thing to lose.
Cool... This is good timing for me. I have been meaning to mention this for a while but the time never seemed right until now; I absolutely love your channel. I base a big part of my free time around it. Each week I link together your albums of the year content (which I have already been through once) and your songs of the year content and make that my excuse to springboard into all the classic albums from that year. Thankfully I have about 18 hours of commute time every week, so I fill it with the musical exploration inspired by you guys. This week is 1979 week for me, for example. Discovery is on my list and I have it scheduled for the day after tomorrow. As for ELO in general, I first came across them a couple weeks ago during my (your?) 1977 week. Out of the Blue blue my mind (sorry) and it won album of the year for 77. With all my Listography activity, it's hard to pencil in a full deep dive (especially as I'm still reeling from and digging Talk Talk), but this is definitely a band I'm really interested in. Discovery is on the docket this week as I mentioned and I will definitely try to squeeze in A New World Record, Eldorado & Face the Music too. Thanks Listography. You guys are making music time way more fun for me! ❤️
Really love your comment …and your experiences/ good feelings that you have towards this channel echo mine. I’m not sure if these guys realize how much of what they do means to people like you and I and many of the regular commenters on here, ( by the way , their regular direct interaction with commenters on here is just brilliant and whether they intend it or not really help make their fans feel like part of a community) ..so it felt great reading your post. I too devote a fair bit of my spare time to this channel , try to take part in the musical exploration of the band/ artist of the week as inspired by these guys ( as well Songs of the Year) and can’t tell you how much fun it’s been ( since I found this channel about a 8 months ago) and how it’s just reignited the passion in my love of music I’ve always had but I maybe let slide with my focus on work life etc over time . …If i have a worry it’s that these guys get bored of doing this ..and though they don’t seem the sentimental , sappy types, hopefully if we keep telling them we love them enough( and also share the Listography gospel to others so the channel grows 😉) , they’ll hang around as long as there’s discographies to review ....so thanks for your fantastic words , sharing your experience ..you’ve inspired me as well .. Catch you in the comments again .Take care 👊🏻😊
ELO is my fav band second to the Beatles and you guys made my week! Cool to see you 3 have such enthusiasm fir this great band and the genius at it's center, Jeff Lynne. (One note, FYI, I believe the pronunciation is Rock-Aria, as in an Aria from an Opera)
Thanks for the heads-up. Zoom is indeed an overlooked gem, very much like Lynne’s solo efforts but with enough ELO touches to allow these great songs to nicely fit into a live ELO concert.
Excellent ranking. You three guys give me different perspectives on ELO.!! I like to see more rankings of you. Thanks for the depth of your analysing this band.
14) From out of nowhere (2019) - 2 stars 13) Balance of Power (1986) - 2 stars 12) Time (1981) 2.5 stars 11) The Electric Light Orchestra/No Answer (1971) - 2.5 stars 10) Zoom (2001) - 2.5 stars 9) Secret Messages (1983) - 3 stars 8) ELO 2 (1973) 7.8 - 3 stars 7) Alone in the Universe (2015) - 3 stars 6) On the third day (1973) - 3 stars 5) Discovery (1979) 8.2 - 3 stars 4) El Dorado (1974) 8.5 - 3.5 stars 3) Out of the Blue (1977) - 3.5 stars 2) Face the Music (1975) - 4 stars 1) A New World Record (1976) - 4.5 stars
Re: Discovery by Kramzer: "The strings on 'Shine a Little Love' are a little too disco/cheery for me..." In 1979 I spent a month on Sanibel Island with my Dad, and the bar at our resort actually had a disco floor with the mirror ball and the whole bit. This song was not just a little disco, it WAS disco, booming from the speakers, and people were LOVING IT. The song was everywhere that summer, including in his van where we were playing the cassette. KISS and ELO, everywhere. Sometimes I wish I could transport you guys to the past so you could see the real time context for some of these albums and songs. They'd look so different.
@@ryankramzer1256 Absolutely. I listen to new music, and I can hear it, but I can't connect to it. It's not written to me, even if I like it, because I'm not tracking with all of the influences on it and from it.
First deep dive into a band I was always aware of growing up , loved the singles "Turn to Stone", " Showdown" etc , but ignored the albums. Not sure why but it was to my detriment . Time to make things right. Thank you Listography for inspiring me to put the effort in and re-evaluate the bands I underestimated from my classic rock past . Gave most of these 2 plus listens except maybe the bottom 4 , so I did give it a red hot go . ( I’ve included the Xanadu soundtrack so pre watching this video not sure if you’ll include it…I can use the editing button if I need to 😂) …this exercise made me admire the time you guys put in to giving us all this content . Respect ✊... here goes 1. Out of the Blue ( 5 stars) 2. Face the Music ( 4.5 stars) 3. A New World Record ( 4.5 stars) 4. El Dorado ( 4 stars) 5. Discovery ( 3.5 stars) 6. Time ( 3.5 stars) 7. On the Third Day ( 3.5 stars) 8. ELO 2 ( 3.5 stars) 9. Alone in the Universe ( 3.5 stars) 10.Secret Messages (3.5 stars) 11. Zoom ( 2.5 stars) 12.Electric Light Orchestra ( 2.5 stars) 13. From out of Nowhere ( 2 stars) 14. Balance of Power ( 1.5 stars)
For me, the band was much more interesting in their early days when their sound was less polished. I feel their albums just got slicker and glossier with each passing release, culminating in the contractual obligation release that was _Balance of Power._ I'm hoping you'll do a 'pre-ELO' album rankings episode at some point, ranking both The Idle Race's 3 albums and The Move's 4 albums.
I think if the trajectory of the band went from Discovery right to Balance of Power I'd agree, but Time and Secret Messages are exceptions to that rule in my opinion. Two of my favorite ELO albums, they're so unique in sound and the scope of their songwriting trumps the early days (with exception of Eldorado). As for the Move and the Idle Race, aside from Looking On and Message From the Country, I'm not sure there's enough of a quality variance that a tierlist is required. And while I do like the rougher sound of early ELO, the production is messier and overall, barring standout songs like Nellie Takes Her Bow, Whisper in the Night, From the Sun to the World, Momma, and others, there's not enough to write home about to make a compelling argument for their superiority. Skipping over their more popular foray, once again I think Time is the peak of Jeff's songwriting mixed with Richard's fantastic keyboards and enough strings to make me happy while embracing the synth pop aesthetic.
@@aceup1 OK, the slickness may have plateaued a bit on _Time_ and _Secret Messages,_ but, like _Balance of Power,_ they still have a very 'eighties' sound to them as well (which will always be inferior to a 'seventies' sound, IMO). And I never argued the early stuff was superior -- just more interesting to my ears.
@@ComeOnIsSuchAJoy Fair enough, we can each like whatever we want. It's pretty cool that one band has such a varied discography; they didn't just do one thing every single time. That's one of the reasons why I like Time and Secret Messages, they're such a departure from the old sound and they're definitely very experimental with new material. I like all of ELO's run, but I guess I'm just a sucker for synth pop. Also, is your username a reference to Everybody's Got Something to Hide Except Me and My Monkey? Because now it's stuck in my head 🤪
The first time I played A New World Record with my Audio Technica headphones on I felt like this was the most incredible joyous thing I have ever heard. I must have went thru dozens of needles on my Bang and Olufsen turntable. One of my favorite bands of all time. They were definitely "So Fine"!!❤❤
Really enjoyed this one, as I'm only familiar with the hits from ELO. Was inspired and had a crack at the first few album and really surprised by how great they are! Overture 10538 and Mamma are fantastic. A lot of the tracks are quite weird and not what I expected, but that's good. Having been into rock, prog and metal for some time, it's a breath of fresh air sometimes to delve into bands that are considered Pop, to find some interesting and refreshing music. Thanks guys, appreciate the content
I guess you came across 'In Old England Town'. That has been a favourite of mine since my teen years back in the very late 70's. That's one weird song. Not quite heavy metal, but nonetheless 'heavy' sounding.
@@greghansell5115 Absolutely, that one has a King Crimson-esque feel to it as the boys mentioned I believe. Really cool chord progressions, weird time signatures and even the odd dissonance, very English! I kind of feel some of it is a progression on something like Beatles - She's so Heavy. Shows you don't need distortion on a guitar to be heavy at all. Oh and I just realised the start of Momma reminds me of Midnight Cowboy theme (the movie) !
I’m so glad you guys made this video. ELO is probably my favorite band and this is how I would rate the albums 1. A New World Record (1976) 5/5 2. Out of the Blue (1977) 5/5 3. ELO II (1973) 5/5 4. Face the Music (1975) 5/5 5. Discovery (1979) 5/5 6. Eldorado (1974)4.5/5 7. Time (1981) 4.5/5 8. On the Third Day (1973) 4.5/5 9. Secret Messages (1983) 4/5 10. The Electric Light Orchestra (1971) 4/5 11. Zoom (2001) 3.5/5 12. Balance of Power (1986) 3.5/5 13. Alone in the Universe (2015) 3/5 14. From Out of Nowhere (2019) 3/5
You left out one of my favorite elo albums. They made a live album called " The night the light went on in Long Beach ". The did a Beatles song cover of Daytripper which was amazing.. also many other hits.
Can't rank all of these, as I'm not familiar with every album. But the ones I have heard: 1. Out Of The Blue 2. Discovery 3. A New World Record 4. Time 5. Secret Messages 6. Alone In The Universe 7. Balance Of Power 8. From Out Of Nowhere Have heard the odd track off the other six albums, particularly Fire On High, Showdown, Can't Get It Out Of My Head, 10538 Overture, Roll Over Beethoven, Moment In Paradise
ELO is the first band I ever loved, some of the first LPs I ever bought, is so connected to my adolescence that I can't be impartial. (Still kicking myself for not going to that concert in late Sept. of 1978) They're still definitely a top 5 band for me, probably No. 1. I think the secret to enjoying ELO, for me, is to enjoy everything they offer, they have a lot variety and if you just like one part of it, you're going to resent the rest. I love it all. *14. Alone In The Universe:* Haven't listened to this all that much and it doesn't stand out enough for me to move it higher. *13. Zoom:* Jeff Lynne cursing on a song? What? This definitely isn't ELO. It's different, there are a lot of songs, which makes it seem even longer than Out Of The Blue. *12. From Out Of Nowhere:* This was a Christmas gift last year. The first new vinyl in my possession in like 35 years. It's nice, I think Lynne has leaned on the rockabilly stuff a bit too much the latter part of his career. I like "Time Of Our Life," which is actually Lynne's recollection of a concert experience at Wembley during the 2017 tour. It's quite meta for an ELO song. *11. Secret Messages:* This was released on the same day I graduated from high school, kind of appropriate as I was moving on from ELO at the time. Props to Joe for mentioning "Letter From Spain," it's sweet and unusual. *10. Balance Of Power:* ELO's '80s synth album, but it fit right in with everything you heard on pop radio in 1986 and sounded better than 90 percent of it. *9. The Electric Light Orchestra/No Answer:* I bought almost all of ELO's LPs as a young teen except for a couple, this was one I missed. I see what Joe is saying, as the strings and the rock don't seem to mesh and it took me awhile to adjust. I've adjusted and, man is "10538 Overture" and "Nellie Takes Her Bow" cool. *8. On The Third Day:* This is the other LP I didn't buy back then. "Showdown" is one of their greatest songs. *7. Time:* "Remember the good old 1980s, when things were so uncomplicated. I wish I could go there again and everything would be the same." I enjoy the time-travel concept a lot. I don't think the songs individually are as strong as their others. Before "Hold On Tight" showed up in the Honda commercial, it appeared in a widely joked-about commercial for coffee sponsored by the National Coffee Association (the band Heart is in a commercial). *6. Discovery:* ELO was the butt of jokes around this time, "selling out" to disco, etc. I loved this album but kept it quiet in high school. It's dropped from my favorites but can't deny that it's catchy. *5. ELO II:* Love it. My favorite of the prog period. "Mama" rules. "From The Sun To The World" rules. Arriving to popular music post-prog, this was unlike anything I had heard before and can still picture myself in the basement rec room absorbing everything coming out of the speakers. *4. A New World Record:* "Tightrope" is one of the greatest openings ever. "Livin Thing" is amazing. "Do Ya" I loved as a kid. A bit disjointed as Jason said but I don't mind. *3. Face The Music:* The first side of this album is possibly their greatest song run. *2. Eldorado:* I think this album tells a better story than Time, ELO's other concept album. It takes you away, from opener to closer. "Laredo Tornado" is a top 10 song easily. *1. Out Of The Blue:* When it comes to ELO, I want more and this is the album that gives you all of it. Such variety, so many catchy songs, a whole side devoted to a weather suite. Goofy, child-like and genius all at once and it spawn a wonderful album cover, and the stadium spaceship. If people think it's too long, a suggested rearrangement using just 12 of the songs: Side 1: Turn To Stone, Sweet Talkin' Women, Jungle, Big Wheels, Sweet As The Night, Wild West Hero; Side 2: Birmingham Blues, Steppin' Out, Starlight, 4. Standing In The Rain, 5. Summer and Lightning, 6. Mr. Blue Sky.
I love how varied everyone’s lists are but doing the staggered count down did confuse me a bit. As a big 80s ELO fan the placement of balance of power ticked me off just a bit. Calling America is one of my favourite ELO songs ever done.
Off topic but, with kind of a similar sound and style over the same time period as ELO, would you guys consider doing the Alan Parsons Project? I've gone through the album and song of the year series and most of the artist of the week and side threes, but I don't think I've ever heard any of you mention the project a single time in relation to anything, and only heard you talk about Parsons, very briefly, from his engineering work on Abbey Road and Dark Side Of The Moon. They were pretty big back in the day and I think it would be fun for you guys to tackle the catalog.
My favorite list to date. It helps that ELO is my 5th favorite band of all time. Great and surprising love from Jason (maybe overall the closest to my list) but Joe got it right with #1 album...not even close
Since seeing them live last month, I have been listening to them pretty heavily. Out of the Blue seems to be the one that is sticking the most. I got Discovery on 8-track for my 10th birthday and still have it.
May I proffer the theory that what Joe is missing on On the Third Day and Eldorado is the engineering skills of Reinhold Mack at Musicland Studios in Munich, who enters the picture on 'Face the Music' when the band shift operations to Germany for the first time, I always thought it was interesting that Jeff Lynne credited Mack on one of the subsequent album sleeves (think it was actually FTM) for demonstrating 'the use of the better knob'.
@@TastesLikeMusic Jeff worked with the engineer Richard Dodd on Armchair Theatre, and he also helped him create a fantastic sound which I think is missing on his more recent records.
The comment in this video that best represents my feelings about ELO was Kramzer’s when he said he respects and appreciates Jeff Lynne and his music, but that it doesn’t quite connect with him personally. I appreciate the catchiness of the music and the fantastic production, but much of it sounds the same to me, and orchestral disco just isn’t my bag.
I feel ya. I skipped doing this one (and I'm glad to have some extra time with George Harrison). It's good music, but my scores would have been insultingly low and it's just not my thing.
I don't think I really had much of an opinion of ELO in the past. It's only been somewhat recently that I've started to appreciate them. I didn't listen along this week to the albums but I did check out a greatest hits album and it was great! I don't think I realized how many great songs they have and so many I already knew. I will be digging deeper, I think I will start with Face The Music as that sounds the most intriguing to me from your reviews (and I really love "Strange Magic").
Is "I'm with Joe though" Kramzer's catchphrase at this point? Let's get that on a mug. Listography merch! Listography merch! Listography merch! Listography merch! Listography merch!Listography merch! Listography merch! Listography merch! Listography merch!Listography merch! Listography merch!Listography merch! Listography merch!Listography merch! Listography merch!Listography merch!
I think it's just an age problem for Kramzer. It helps when a band is hot while one is in college. For some reason everything sounded better in college. Heck I even like Aerosmith but only because it was coming out of every dorm at full blast in 1975..along with Face The Music
For a newbie the Must Hear Studio Albums I would advise you to listen to would be: Out of the Blue, A New World Record and Face the Music then, for Next Steps: Eldorado, The Electric Light Orchestra, Discovery, On the Third Day, ELO 2 and Time. Deeper Digging: Alone in the Universe, From Out of Nowhere, and Secret Messages. Proceed with Caution: Balance of Power, and Zoom.
As usual, an enjoyable view for me. You guys were scattered about all over the place but the averaged list actually comes pretty close for me. A) Thanks for excluding Xanadu; and B) I'm curious your thoughts on the Jeff Lynne 1990 solo album "Armchair Theatre". For some reason that album speaks to me, but it is largely overlooked. I've always loved it and recently picked up a used copy on vinyl, which made me very happy.
I bought it on CD years ago. I think it's pretty good and especially love 'What Would It Take', 'Blown Away' and 'Save Me Now'. If you threw it in the mix, who knows...
I like Joes ranking the best. Mostly because of Zoom and the underrated Balance Of Power. I’m actually missing your guys weekly and even bi weekly album rankings so much I’m resorting to watching the old ones again
this is a band , that all my life i havnt been able to figure if i like or not!! [ strange] 1 on the third day 2 eldorado 3 face the music 4 out of the blue 5 time 6 elo 2 only albums i have at 3.5 stars or more!! sounds like kramnz has a similiar opinion as me! Have you guys done roxy music? if not any chance?
Great set of reviews. It’s interesting to see how different people’s opinions can be. I’m always flabbergasted by how high Discovery is rated by folks and this is no exception. I bought it on release and just have such strong memories of my disappointment. If anyone is interested, here is my list. 1. Eldorado 5/5 2. A New World Record 4.5/5 3. Zoom 4.5/5 4. On the 3rd Day 4/5 5. Time 4/5 6. No Answer 4/5 7. ELO II 3.5/5 8. Face the Music 3.5/5 9. Out of the Blue 3/5 10. Secret Messages 3/5 11. Alone in the Universe 3/5 12. From Out of Nowhere 3/5 13. Balance of Power 2.5/5 14. Discovery 2/5 I agree that Zoom is a revelation. Great songs, good lyrics, and easily Jeff Lynne’s best guitar work. BOP does have some great bonus tracks, which goes to show that it may have been much better, but I don’t think Lynne was trying too hard at that point.
Does your number ones tell a bit of your different preferences like Kram liking more weird/experimental, Joe more that rocks and Jason that flows (coherence) or am overthinking? xD
Kram for the more experimental (the Yes list tells all about that). Joe for music you can dance to (and for most appreciating the 70s), and Jason for music that nobody can make you feel embarrassed for liking even if they suck (except for Paul McCartney whom I can and who does..if you follow that)
@@GeneBolmarcichEsq of course it's just a generalisation with some truth to it like Jason said, like Kram loves 80's pop, Joe loves Kate Bush at her weirdest and Jason loves bands that rock like deep purple and even flamin groovies (that made my day) ... I haven't nor do i feel like delving into McCartney's discography at least for now, but RAM is one of my all time favourite albums!!
As a huge ELO fan starting from way back when I was an 11 year old and a 'A New World Record' was just released, I just want to say that I really enjoyed listening to your reviews and rankings. Great commentary on a band that was once considered 'uncool' back in the days, but is now considered very cool by the current generation of kids. Good luck ranking the songs...I would struggle after picking my definite no. 1.
I'll add to the chorus of folks asking for a ranking of Jethro Tull's catalogue someday. Like ELO, I suspect their will be great diversity in your rankings...when you get around to it
1: New World Record (a perfect album)! 2: Face the Music 3: Electric Light Orchestra 4: On the Third Day 5: Out of the Blue 6: ELO 2 7: Time Beyond that I don't care!
Cool video but not sure if Kramzer is a normal member of this channel...but why gave someone who doesn't really dig or even know that catalog? The Out of the Blue and New World Record rankings were ridiculous! Cheers though.
1. A New World Record 2. Face The Music 3. Discovery 4. Alone In The Universe 5. Armchair Theatre 6. Balance Of Power 7. Time 8. Secret Messages 9. Out Of The Blue 10. Zoom 11. Eldorado 12. On The Third Day 13. ELO 2 14. No Answer I don't have "From Out Of Nowhere"
I really loved this ELO show. Keep it up. Jason, thanks for bringing up Dylan's Street Legal on the 1978 show. Listened to it for the first time, great album. Thanks.
This kind of program about ELO relative albums. Idle Race, Move, Wizzard. Plus solo album by Roy Wood and Jeff Lynne. I could say all together something like 15 albums. Are you interested in this kind of project ?
I usually say that ELO has no bad songs, let alone average songs...until I reminded myself of 'Battle of Marston Moor'. I recall hearing that Bev Bevan refused to play percussion on that piece of music. I can understand that....
One of my favorite artists of all time! It was very interesting to see your guys' rankings. I applaud Kramzer for his #1 pick. While not my favorite ELO album, it is very underrated. Definitely 4.5/5 stars for me
01- Out Of The Blue 02- A New World Record 03- Discovery 04- Time 05- Face The Music 06- ELO 2 07- Secret Messages 08- Balance Of Power 09- Eldorado 10- On The Third Day 11- The Electric Light Orchestra 12- Alone In The Universe 13- From Out Of Nowhere 14- Zoom
I don’t know how Jason and Joe keep calm when Kramzer says crazy things like Out of the Blue at #10 and New World Record at #9. I’ve never heard anybody rate those albums so low. Those are by far my two favorite records by ELO.
Great rankings with some fun curveballs as always. Speaking of Beatles influenced power pop (and baseball idioms) here's some reasons you'd knock a Matthew Sweet album ranking out of the park: 1.) I think he's got a new one? I'm definitely curious about it, but not curious enough to buy it yet 2.) his discography's got some interesting experiments, great musicianship and hooks, and at least one unpronounceable album title 3.) a case could be made that his entire career is an extension of Todd Rundgren's "Couldn't I Just Tell You" (still don't know how that song is from 1972) Also can't wait for that five-hour Nick Cave extravaganza one day!
Kramzer I thought I was the only one. I love the debut album so much. I started with ELO Out of the Blue and worked my way back. Its so raw and different it's so good!
Great fun listening to your viewpoints on this incredible discography, but for my money, Jason nailed the list, and I myself am most aligned with his rankings. I too place Eldorado as tmy #1 ELO album, because it holds together the most and the best as a total album listen from start to finish. This is the ELO album I always want to listen to the entire album, no skips. It almost feels wrong to not listen to the entire album.
I’m glad my long time reverence of Time was shard. Very different album and even when I heard it on its release, I thought it was both amazing and a little too crazy. But I loved it, always.
I always had some ambivalent relation to ELO. I like some of Jeff Lynne's work, especially with Tom Petty or the Traveling Wilburys. I also liked the Move and Roy Wood - except for Roy Wood's work with ELO. I think that ELO were a great singles bands and Jeff Lynne puts much into a good song to make it work but tires in the long run (he stays a one-trick pony - you know he is at the helm at the first note of everything he is involved in). Their hits always were the best tracks on the albums. Throughout their career they have been an band with albums that contained their hits augmented with fillers. My ranking and rating of the albums has to be seen in that light. Again, I really love their hits to this day but the only albums I revisited for years are New World Record and "The Definitive Collection" from 1992. 14. Balance of Power 1,0 13. Eldorado 1,0 12. DISCO(very) 1,5 11. Secret Messages 2,0 10. Alone in the Universe 2,5 9. (No Answer) First 2,5 8. Zoom 2,5 7. From Out of Nowhere 2,5 6. Time 2,5 5. Face the Music 3,0 4. On the Third Day 3,0 3. Out of the Blue 3,0 2. ELO 2 3,0 1. A New World Record 4,0
@@NaughtyVampireGod Eldorado has one decent song and even that is 2 minutes too long. So you have 40 minutes of boring directionless pop that tries to emulate bands that were already outdated in 1968. If you get stuck in an elevator just pray that they have another tape running for you. A series of cliches badly performed. Joe is right on this one, just mind that Joe's 3 point ratings are other peoples 1 or 1,5. Just remember that this album came out in 1974 when at least 5 better albums were released every week of the year.
@@roxannewalsh Meaning Boy Blue? That's my favorite on Eldorado. I think this is the album where they FINALLY came into their sound. Other good songs are Poor Boy, Can't Get It Out of My Head, Mister Kingdom, and the title song.
@@NaughtyVampireGod That wedding march thing on which Lynne pulls out every trick in his bag? (Tiptoe out of the room in hope that the elevator does not get stuck...)
I haven’t heard past 1983 with ELO yet but so far my ranking of the first 10 would be: 1. A New World Record (4 stars - I’m the opposite of Jason in initially having Eldorado at #1 but this one grew on me slightly more, enough to just sneak into my top 10 of 1976) 2. Eldorado (4) 3. Face the Music (4) 4. Out of the Blue (4) 5. Time (3.5) 6. On the Third Day (3.5) 7. Discovery (3.5) 8. Electric Light Orchestra (3.5) 9. ELO 2 (3) 10. Secret Messages (3) I think the 6 to 8 spots right now I’m not super confident on and could be flipped around in any order. Interesting that I’m kinda most with Kramzer in feeling a bit of emotional distance towards Jeff Lynne’s approach, but as far as the actual albums I have at the top I’m much closer to a combination of Jason and Joe. 🤔 I’ll definitely have to get around to those last 4 at some point.
Still working my way through the backlog after recently subscribing. Great rankings and reviews guys. I became a big ELO fan during their classic run while I was in high school and college in the 70s albeit sort of sub rosa because it wasn't cool among my peer group as ELO didn't rock very hard like the Zeppelins, Sabbaths and Stones of the music scene, in addition to burgeoning Southern Rock, or were really prog and definitely went more disco when punk and new wave hit the scene. I had the pleasure of seeing ELO live twice back in the day. The first time was early in 1977 during their New World Record tour at Cleveland Public Hall. It was impressive both aurally and visually as the band used lasers to bounce off the cellos of the band creating a crazy light show from the string vibrations. The second was what was dubbed a World Series of Rock at Cleveland Stadium in July 1978 which drew an estimated 85,000 in the now long gone ballpark. ELO headlined a bill which included their regular tour opener, a nondescript band named Trickster, but also Foreigner and Journey. This was what was called a Class A Out of the Blue show with a flying saucer lifting to reveal the band playing Standin' In The Rain amidst much smoke and laser lights. Wow. One of the great show experiences of my life. Anyway, to the list, best first: 1. Eldorado 2. A New World Record 3. Face the Music 4. On the Third Day 5. Out of the Blue 6. Time 7. No Answer 8. Discovery 9. Zoom 10. ELO II 11. Alone in the Universe 12. From Out of Nowhere 13. Balance of Power 14. Secret Messages I can't say 9-14 offer much I'd care to hear more than a couple of times, 7 and 8 have more good tracks than bad, but 1-6 are gold from start to finish.
Thanks for another great session here guys, with a few real surprises. The debut album at #1 - wtf! 🙂 I've been an ELO fan since 1977, so the whole catalog is really familiar and hard to rank as I'd say there are three (and a half) distinct incarnations. May I put in a request for you to do rankings of another favorite artist with an incredibly multi-faceted career: Joe Jackson.
There is no reality where "Out of the Blue" is the 10th best album by ELO. It has 4 hit singles. The entirity of side 3 would be enough to elevate this album to top status, yet it has much more to offer than that! Even the non-single tracks are all worth hearing too. Tenth best? No way....
@@ryankramzer1256 Hahahaha. It's OK Kramzer. I have disagreed with each of you at one time or another. The lists are all about getting people involved with the music we love. Keep doing what you all do. And I will keep checking reality for you.
After hearing "Hold On Tight" on Casey Kasem's American Top 40 Mighty 690 AM radio show back around August 1981 while with family near Ventura, California, a U.S. Route 101 road trip to Santa Barbara's Mission when I was just 8 years old, Dad then bought me my very first Electric Light Orchestra album from Tower Records, an audio cassette of Time by ELO, thus started the fandom over 40 years ago! 8-) Top 12 are all very close... 14-From Out of Nowhere 13-Alone in the Universe 12-Zoom 11-Electric Light Orchestra II 10-No Answer 9-Balance of Power 8-Secret Messages (1 & 2 LP) 7-On the Third Day 6-Face the Music 5-Discovery 4-Eldorado, A Symphony 3-Time 2-A New World Record 1-Out of the Blue
Perhaps with a long album like Out of the Blue rather than hearing it in one go you could split it across two or three days. That would remedy any sameness and still highlight how consistent it is as an album, without any obvious weak tracks.
1. Face The Music (1975) 4/5 2. Eldorado (1974) 4/5 3. A New World Record (1976) 3.5/5 4. ELO 2 (1973) 3/5 5. Out Of The Blue (1977) 3/5 6. On The Third Day (1973) 3/5 7. Time (1981) 3/5 8. The Electric Light Orchestra (1971) 2.5/5 9. Discovery (1979) 2.5/5 10. Zoom (2001) 2.5/5 11. Alone In The Universe (2015) 2.5/5 12. Balance Of Power (1986) 2/5 13. From Out Of Nowhere (2019) 2/5 14. Secret Messages (1983) 2/5 CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER: 2.5 The Electric Light Orchestra (1971) 3.0 ELO 2 (1973) 3.0 On The Third Day (1973) 4.0 Eldorado (1974) 4.0 Face The Music (1975) 3.5 A New World Record (1976) 3.0 Out Of The Blue (1977) 2.5 Discovery (1979) 3.0 Time (1981) 2.0 Secret Messages (1983) 2.0 Balance Of Power (1986) 2.5 Zoom (2001) 2.5 Alone In The Universe (2015) 2.0 From Out Of Nowhere (2019) Coming into the week ELO were a singles band to me- and they're still a singles band, athough that's been tempered by the realization that a couple of their mid-'70s LPs are great. While I'm not that impressed with their discography as a whole I think anyone who loves '70s music needs to own a good ELO compilation. Jeff Lynn's ability to write a hook is undeniable. They're not a top 100 rock artist to me but I have a lot of respect for them. MY RATING SYSTEM: 5.0 = major classic 4.5 = minor classic 4.0 = great 3.5 = very good 3.0 = good 2.5 = fair 2.0 = poor 1.5 = awful 1.0 = historically awful I don't go below 1 star because once I'm in the realm of the truly terrible I don't care to differentiate anymore. Anything I rate 3.5 stars or higher is an album I'm enthusiastic about and would likely revisit at some point.
About the Discovery album is here my comment. I bought it as brand new in June 1979. I was going to buy something else, but suddenly I noticed that ELO had released a new album which i was not aware of. After A New World Record an Out of the Blue it was a disappointment to many ELO- fans. Discovery lacked the pomposity of the previous albums and the influence of the disco was not to the taste of everyone. But I think Discovery was a good and pleasent album, not really the best of ELO but a good album in itself.
Man a little late to this one, but really glad you guys did ELO, definitely a top 100 band for me probably in the 40-60 range, their classic run is incredible and nearly perfect. My ranking below: 1. A New World Record - 5/5 2. Out of the Blue - 5/5 3. Face the Music - 5/5 4. Eldorado - 5/5 5. Time - 5/5 6. On the Third Day - 5/5 7. Discovery - 4.5/5 8. ELO 2 - 4.5/5 9. The Electric Light Orchestra - 4.5/5 10. Secret Messages - 4/5 11. Alone in the Universe - 3.5/5 12. From out of Nowhere - 3.5/5 13. Zoom - 3.5/5 14. Balance of Power - 3.5/5 Not technically ELO studio albums, but here are there ratings (They would likely rank in the 15-17 spot if included, except I may rank Xanadu above Balance of Power) Xanadu - 3.5/5 The Electric Light Orchestra Part Two - 3/5 Moment of Truth - 3/5 Rating Scale: 5.0 - Excellent 4.5 - Great 4.0 - Very Good 3.5 - Good 3.0 - Decent 2.5 - Mediocre 2.0 - Bad 1.5 - Very Bad 1.0 - Awful 0.5 - Terrible
Im delighted you weirdos have the fine sensibilities to recognize that "Time" is Awesome. Very glad ya'll had it in your top 5, it's honestly my desert island Lp!
To me there's a pretty clear top six records, that being their releases from '74-'81. The Lynne-isms can be a lot when running through the entire discography in a short period of time, but what's great about ELO is just how immaculate everything sounds when at their best.
01- Time 02- Out of the Blue 03- Secret Messages 04- Balance Of Power 05- Face The Music 06- ELO 2 07- Xanadu 08- Alone in the Universe 09- Eldorado 10- On The Third Day 11- The Electric Light Orchestra 12- Zoom 13- Discovery
For me: 14. From Out Of Nowhere 13. Alone in the Universe 12. Secret Messages 11. Balance of Power 10. Electric Light Orchestra 9. ELO 2 8. Zoom 7. On the Third Day 6. Time 5. Discovery 4. Out of the Blue 3. Face the Music 2. Eldorado 1. A New World Record For me 'Zoom' is way better than the 2 most recent releases.
No, the highlight of this is Kramzer's selection of No Answer for number 1. I'm an old-timer here bought this album with his paper boy money and wasn't sure what to make of it. I loved the Roy Wood songs, especially 'Look At Me Now' and later heard The Move. I don't necessarily agree that it's their best album, but I also love the dirtiness of the sound. They would certainly clean that up later.
I was gonna listen through all of these...I got through 3. ELO is such a weird band for me, I like some of the songs. I find them very interesting for 70s rock. However, something about them just doesn't fully pull me in. However, I plan on listening to them all soon. 1. ELO 2 (Decent 8) 2. Out Of The Blue (Strong 7) 3. ELO 1 (Strong 7) 4. On The Third Day (Decent 6)
Love love love this episode. Well done dudes. Any chance you'll be doing a Listography on Sparks? I'm jonzing off their new documentary, directed by Edgar Wright. If you haven't seen it, its essential watching, especially for you guys. Its on Netflix. Get on it! Thanks again!
This was the #1 pick that convinced me the Jason's tastes are very much aligned with mine. I love all ELO lps, but Eldorado does everything right. The intro and segue into Can't Get It Out Of My Head is incredible; Beatles-topping, sonically.
Nice to see Kramzer choosing ELO's first album as his number one pick. "No Answer" has always sounded so unique to me. I didn't like it when I heard it first as a kid after first hearing "Out of the Blue" and various ELO hits. It sure has grown on me tremendously over the years. "No Answer" perhaps sounds like what rock would have sounded like in England 250 years ago.
1.) Out of the Blue 2.) Time 3.) A New World Record 4.) Discovery 5.) Face the Music 6.) Eldorado 7.) On the Third Day 8.) From Out of Nowhere 9.) Balance of Power 10.) Alone in the Universe 11.) ELO 2 12.) Zoom 13.) Secret Messages 13.) No Answer (The Electric Light Orchestra)
1. New World Record 2. Time 3. Face the Music 4. On the Third Day 5. Discovery 6. Electric Light Orchestra First Album 7. Out of the Blue 8. Electric Light Orchestra 2nd album though Mama is a great song
1. A New World Record 2. Time 3. Eldorado 4. Out of the Blue 5. Face the Music 6. Discovery 7. On the Third Day 8. Secret Messages 9. The Electric Light Orchestra 10. ELO 2 11. Balance of Power 12. Alone in the Universe 13. Zoom 14. From Out of Nowhere
I had only listened to one album before doing these. I find Jeff Lynne to often be a chronic overproducer/overorchestrator but he did have a short period of putting it all together.
Still have to see the whole video. Kudos to Kramz for defending the first two albums. Especially the debut I think is amazing! Leaving out the last three (unfamiliar) and Xanadu, here’s my list. Mind, I think all of those are great. 11. DiscoVery 10. Balance Of Power 9. Secret Messages 8. ELO II 7. On The Third Day 6. Out Of The Blue 5. ELO/No Answer 4. Face The Music 3. A New World Record 2. Time 1. Eldorado
I loved how Jason changed his original ranking, that's honest and keeping open ears, and because I was hoping Eldorado would be number 1 xD I'm a sucker for concept albums and using a whole orchestra which we works perfectly here unlike many other records, and the concept reminds me of time bandits but it's more daydreaming, and you'd never guess the ending from how the record sounds (no spoilers, if what I read is true, unless open to interpretation) ... I only managed to listen up to Time and for the most part I think I have the same ranking as Jason but with his second and third swapped and ELO 1 and especially 2 much higher.
I liked how all three had different favourites...and how kramzer and Joe both had wow this album is good moments in the catalogue (and different records to boot)
@@TastesLikeMusic Awesome, I've been diving into his album for the 1st time (wayyy late to the party) and I'm curious how you all would discuss and analyze
10538 Overture from the first album, first track is amazing; also check out this song from the 1974 live album THE LIGHT WENT ON IN LONG BEACH. Some of the cuts from the 1st album are almost experimental and baroque at the same time due to the influence of ROY WOOD perhaps; not sure about that. I came in on ELO along with the rest of the world with FACE THE MUSIC and EVIL WOMAN which I loved. Albums 3 and 4 are great as well (SHOWDOWN, MAMABELLE, ELDORAO and the funkyness of the ELDORADO arrangements. Cool Stuff.
Great and interesting countdown. Have any of you listened to The Beatles' "Glass Onion" and thought that John Lennon basically discovered the sound of ELO long before Jeff Lynne?
14. From Out Of Nowhere 13. Alone In The Universe 12. Zoom 11. Balance Of Power 10. ELO 2 9. Secret Messages 8. Eldorado 7. On The Third Day 6. ELO 1 Lightbulb Album 5. Discovery 4. Face The Music 3. Time 2. Out Of The Blue 1. A New World Record
1 El Dorado 2 Face The Music 3 A New World Record 4 Out Of The Blue 5 Time 6 On The Third Day 7 Secret Messages 8 Discovery 9 ELO II 10 ELO 11 Zoom 12 Alone In The Universe 13 From Out Of Nowhere 14 Balance Of Power
Ah nice dude, One of My Favorite Progressive Rock Bands. 10 - Time (The Prog Era has come to an End on a Good Concept Album, Twilight is a Great Song) 9 - Zoom (I know people's least Favorite, but I always liked this Album, especially for a 2000's Album, I love the song "Alright") 8 - Eldorado (Not a Bad Album, but Overatted, Mister Kingdom is a Great Song) 7 - Discovery (The Prog Era is almost coming to an End, but pretty cool Pop/Prog Album, Last Train to London is a Great Song) 6 - On the Third Day (Finding the Prog here, New World Rising really got me into this Album) 5 - Face the Music (Fire on High is just an Amazing start to this Album, this is probably the Real start to the Prog Era.) 4 - Out of the Blue (Outstanding Album, Awesome Album Cover, I don't need to explain about this Album, and Turn to Stone) 3 - No Answer (ELO) (I know it's during their Classical days, but an Amazing Album, 10538 Overture is just an Awesome Song!) 2 - A New World Record (Love this Album so much, the Album that got me into this Band, still Love Telephone Line) 1 - ELO II (Yes this Album is My Favorite, I know there're people that Love this Album as well, Kiuama is My Favorite ELO song of all Time) R.I.P. Louis Clark, Hugh McDowell, Kelly Groucutt, Wilfred Gibson, Mike Edward's, and Steve Woolam.
My ranking 14. Balance Of Power 13. Alone In The Universe 12. From Out Of Nowhere 11. The Electric Light Orchestra 10. Time 9. ELO 2 8. Zoom 7. Eldorado 6. On The Third Day 5. Out Of The Blue 4. Secret Messages 3. Face The Music 2. Discovery 1. A New World Record
I've only listened to three ELO albums: Out of the Blue, New World Record and Discovery. Out of the Blue I absolutely loved. New World Record and Discovery I really liked, but Out of the Blue was just awesome from start to finish. ELO has such a unique and interesting sound. Really need to delve more into them.
I didn’t know you guys even did this listography, but I’m happy I found it after searching! ELO are quickly becoming a new favorite of mine, at least their classic stuff. You guys are also right about Jeff Lynne: an absolute production and arrangement/composition genius and auteur! 🤩
DISCOVERY will always be no. 1 to me - reminds me of driving into London with my parents when I was a teenager! happy times
Same here
Thank you Joe for pointing out how fire on high sounds a lot like FUNERAL FOR A FRIEND ! I recognized that the first time I heard it
Joe’s reaction to Kramzer’s placing of both Out of the Blue and A New World Record made this video for me. A mixture of so many emotions in the space of a few minutes.
An honest reaction to an incorrect placing! :-)
classic reactions for sure
I felt exactly the same way
I’ve always loved the Time album, since I first bought it as a yewt back in 1981. To see you thirty-somethings placing it at three, four and five, vindicates my feelings for it forty years later! Keep up the great work. Cheers from Noo Yawk!
Much maligned but seriously great & atmospheric album. Clever/funny lyrics-especially on 2095. Another Heart Breaks is a beautiful near instrumental. Rain Keeps Falling is also exquisite. 21st Century Man is a great tribute to Lennon. Plenty of UK hits off the album-Hold On Tight, Twilight, Way Life's Meant To Be, Ticket To The Moon & Here Is The News. Their last quality album-Secret Messages had it's moments, but was overproduced. Secret Messages has that awful mid 1980's production-See Neil Young Landing On Water. Zoom & the two he has done under his own name are really just cash-ins on past glories, very little memorable on them, nothing bad, but it just sounds like he is throwing anything out there knowing the nostalgia the last 7-8 years-where they have gone from decades of being derided to feted. Extremely safe & zero adventure.
Im 20 sir and i can assure you time is forsure the best elo album
I just bought it on cassette for my truck
The first album with Roy Wood remains my absolute favorite. It took me a few years to get it as a kid, but once i did, it became my favorite and has remained my favorite for decades.
Jason is right on the money with this: "'So Fine' and 'Livin' Thing' are some of the most effervescent, joyful pop music ever made." A New World Record is my #1.
Living Thing has always been my favourite.
I should say Livin' Thing
I agree. I think Telephone Lines deserves the award for best track simply based on those harmonies.
OOTB and New World Record are obviously the best, IMO.
Symphonic Rock? Progressive Rock? Melody Rock? Pop Rock? Art Rock? Epic Rock? All of it applies to ELO's phenomenal: A New World Record. For me, not just their best work but one of my top 30 favourite albums of all time. No other album of theirs comes close to this masterpiece.
Once Jeff Lynne became obsessed with that chugging/robotic 80s roots rock style it was over. The strange magic was over. He used it over and over (Wilburys, Petty, Cloud 9, Ringo's Time Takes Time, etc) and then over again. It's alright on a couple songs but he made a producing career out of it. Before that though, he made real top of the line 70s pop. It was a terrible thing to lose.
Cool... This is good timing for me. I have been meaning to mention this for a while but the time never seemed right until now; I absolutely love your channel. I base a big part of my free time around it. Each week I link together your albums of the year content (which I have already been through once) and your songs of the year content and make that my excuse to springboard into all the classic albums from that year. Thankfully I have about 18 hours of commute time every week, so I fill it with the musical exploration inspired by you guys. This week is 1979 week for me, for example. Discovery is on my list and I have it scheduled for the day after tomorrow. As for ELO in general, I first came across them a couple weeks ago during my (your?) 1977 week. Out of the Blue blue my mind (sorry) and it won album of the year for 77. With all my Listography activity, it's hard to pencil in a full deep dive (especially as I'm still reeling from and digging Talk Talk), but this is definitely a band I'm really interested in. Discovery is on the docket this week as I mentioned and I will definitely try to squeeze in A New World Record, Eldorado & Face the Music too. Thanks Listography. You guys are making music time way more fun for me! ❤️
Really love your comment …and your experiences/ good feelings that you have towards this channel echo mine. I’m not sure if these guys realize how much of what they do means to people like you and I and many of the regular commenters on here, ( by the way , their regular direct interaction with commenters on here is just brilliant and whether they intend it or not really help make their fans feel like part of a community) ..so it felt great reading your post. I too devote a fair bit of my spare time to this channel , try to take part in the musical exploration of the band/ artist of the week as inspired by these guys ( as well Songs of the Year) and can’t tell you how much fun it’s been ( since I found this channel about a 8 months ago) and how it’s just reignited the passion in my love of music I’ve always had but I maybe let slide with my focus on work life etc over time . …If i have a worry it’s that these guys get bored of doing this ..and though they don’t seem the sentimental , sappy types, hopefully if we keep telling them we love them enough( and also share the Listography gospel to others so the channel grows 😉) , they’ll hang around as long as there’s discographies to review ....so thanks for your fantastic words , sharing your experience ..you’ve inspired me as well .. Catch you in the comments again .Take care 👊🏻😊
Well done mates! Excellent job as always. That was fun.
ELO is my fav band second to the Beatles and you guys made my week! Cool to see you 3 have such enthusiasm fir this great band and the genius at it's center, Jeff Lynne. (One note, FYI, I believe the pronunciation is Rock-Aria, as in an Aria from an Opera)
They sure missed that one. There's even a lady doing an aria in the song, for goodness sake!
1. Out of the Blue, 2. Face the Music, 3. A New World Record.
Thanks for the heads-up. Zoom is indeed an overlooked gem, very much like Lynne’s solo efforts but with enough ELO touches to allow these great songs to nicely fit into a live ELO concert.
Excellent ranking. You three guys give me different perspectives on ELO.!! I like to see more rankings of you. Thanks for the depth of your analysing this band.
14) From out of nowhere (2019) - 2 stars
13) Balance of Power (1986) - 2 stars
12) Time (1981) 2.5 stars
11) The Electric Light Orchestra/No Answer (1971) - 2.5 stars
10) Zoom (2001) - 2.5 stars
9) Secret Messages (1983) - 3 stars
8) ELO 2 (1973) 7.8 - 3 stars
7) Alone in the Universe (2015) - 3 stars
6) On the third day (1973) - 3 stars
5) Discovery (1979) 8.2 - 3 stars
4) El Dorado (1974) 8.5 - 3.5 stars
3) Out of the Blue (1977) - 3.5 stars
2) Face the Music (1975) - 4 stars
1) A New World Record (1976) - 4.5 stars
Surprised that Time is so low and Zoom so high - otherwise in general agreement.
@@NaughtyVampireGod Yeah I'm not sure why I have time low but all three of them, and you, loved it.
Top 3 is on point
@@arroberson8796 ah thanks
Time that low! you don't seem like a true fan to me
Re: Discovery by Kramzer: "The strings on 'Shine a Little Love' are a little too disco/cheery for me..."
In 1979 I spent a month on Sanibel Island with my Dad, and the bar at our resort actually had a disco floor with the mirror ball and the whole bit. This song was not just a little disco, it WAS disco, booming from the speakers, and people were LOVING IT. The song was everywhere that summer, including in his van where we were playing the cassette. KISS and ELO, everywhere.
Sometimes I wish I could transport you guys to the past so you could see the real time context for some of these albums and songs. They'd look so different.
Couldn't we the same thing about your generation and new music?
@@ryankramzer1256 Absolutely. I listen to new music, and I can hear it, but I can't connect to it. It's not written to me, even if I like it, because I'm not tracking with all of the influences on it and from it.
Turn to Stone is ok, but Shine a Little Love definitely outstrips it. So does Last Train to London. And of course Xanadu has great disco too.
First deep dive into a band I was always aware of growing up , loved the singles "Turn to Stone", " Showdown" etc , but ignored the albums. Not sure why but it was to my detriment . Time to make things right. Thank you Listography for inspiring me to put the effort in and re-evaluate the bands I underestimated from my classic rock past . Gave most of these 2 plus listens except maybe the bottom 4 , so I did give it a red hot go . ( I’ve included the Xanadu soundtrack so pre watching this video not sure if you’ll include it…I can use the editing button if I need to 😂) …this exercise made me admire the time you guys put in to giving us all this content . Respect ✊... here goes
1. Out of the Blue ( 5 stars)
2. Face the Music ( 4.5 stars)
3. A New World Record ( 4.5 stars)
4. El Dorado ( 4 stars)
5. Discovery ( 3.5 stars)
6. Time ( 3.5 stars)
7. On the Third Day ( 3.5 stars)
8. ELO 2 ( 3.5 stars)
9. Alone in the Universe ( 3.5 stars)
10.Secret Messages (3.5 stars)
11. Zoom ( 2.5 stars)
12.Electric Light Orchestra ( 2.5 stars)
13. From out of Nowhere ( 2 stars)
14. Balance of Power ( 1.5 stars)
Ok so not including “Xanadu “ which I should have guessed . Editing done
TRIVIA : John Lennon LOVED "Showdown" and told Jeff Lynne so (Lynne was FLOORED - yes even with his HUGE ego- he was floored) .
John Fogerty probably didn’t!
For me, the band was much more interesting in their early days when their sound was less polished. I feel their albums just got slicker and glossier with each passing release, culminating in the contractual obligation release that was _Balance of Power._ I'm hoping you'll do a 'pre-ELO' album rankings episode at some point, ranking both The Idle Race's 3 albums and The Move's 4 albums.
I think if the trajectory of the band went from Discovery right to Balance of Power I'd agree, but Time and Secret Messages are exceptions to that rule in my opinion. Two of my favorite ELO albums, they're so unique in sound and the scope of their songwriting trumps the early days (with exception of Eldorado). As for the Move and the Idle Race, aside from Looking On and Message From the Country, I'm not sure there's enough of a quality variance that a tierlist is required. And while I do like the rougher sound of early ELO, the production is messier and overall, barring standout songs like Nellie Takes Her Bow, Whisper in the Night, From the Sun to the World, Momma, and others, there's not enough to write home about to make a compelling argument for their superiority. Skipping over their more popular foray, once again I think Time is the peak of Jeff's songwriting mixed with Richard's fantastic keyboards and enough strings to make me happy while embracing the synth pop aesthetic.
@@aceup1 OK, the slickness may have plateaued a bit on _Time_ and _Secret Messages,_ but, like _Balance of Power,_ they still have a very 'eighties' sound to them as well (which will always be inferior to a 'seventies' sound, IMO). And I never argued the early stuff was superior -- just more interesting to my ears.
@@ComeOnIsSuchAJoy Fair enough, we can each like whatever we want. It's pretty cool that one band has such a varied discography; they didn't just do one thing every single time. That's one of the reasons why I like Time and Secret Messages, they're such a departure from the old sound and they're definitely very experimental with new material. I like all of ELO's run, but I guess I'm just a sucker for synth pop.
Also, is your username a reference to Everybody's Got Something to Hide Except Me and My Monkey? Because now it's stuck in my head 🤪
The first time I played A New World Record with my Audio Technica headphones on I felt like this was the most incredible joyous thing I have ever heard. I must have went thru dozens of needles on my Bang and Olufsen turntable. One of my favorite bands of all time. They were definitely "So Fine"!!❤❤
Really enjoyed this one, as I'm only familiar with the hits from ELO.
Was inspired and had a crack at the first few album and really surprised by how great they are! Overture 10538 and Mamma are fantastic. A lot of the tracks are quite weird and not what I expected, but that's good.
Having been into rock, prog and metal for some time, it's a breath of fresh air sometimes to delve into bands that are considered Pop, to find some interesting and refreshing music.
Thanks guys, appreciate the content
I guess you came across 'In Old England Town'. That has been a favourite of mine since my teen years back in the very late 70's. That's one weird song. Not quite heavy metal, but nonetheless 'heavy' sounding.
@@greghansell5115 Absolutely, that one has a King Crimson-esque feel to it as the boys mentioned I believe. Really cool chord progressions, weird time signatures and even the odd dissonance, very English! I kind of feel some of it is a progression on something like Beatles - She's so Heavy.
Shows you don't need distortion on a guitar to be heavy at all.
Oh and I just realised the start of Momma reminds me of Midnight Cowboy theme (the movie) !
I’m so glad you guys made this video. ELO is probably my favorite band and this is how I would rate the albums
1. A New World Record (1976) 5/5
2. Out of the Blue (1977) 5/5
3. ELO II (1973) 5/5
4. Face the Music (1975) 5/5
5. Discovery (1979) 5/5
6. Eldorado (1974)4.5/5
7. Time (1981) 4.5/5
8. On the Third Day (1973) 4.5/5
9. Secret Messages (1983) 4/5
10. The Electric Light Orchestra (1971) 4/5
11. Zoom (2001) 3.5/5
12. Balance of Power (1986) 3.5/5
13. Alone in the Universe (2015) 3/5
14. From Out of Nowhere (2019) 3/5
I downthumbed your list because you put Time at 7th when really that should be at 1.
You left out one of my favorite elo albums. They made a live album called " The night the light went on in Long Beach ".
The did a Beatles song cover of Daytripper which was amazing.. also many other hits.
We never include live albums in our rankings
Can't rank all of these, as I'm not familiar with every album. But the ones I have heard:
1. Out Of The Blue
2. Discovery
3. A New World Record
4. Time
5. Secret Messages
6. Alone In The Universe
7. Balance Of Power
8. From Out Of Nowhere
Have heard the odd track off the other six albums, particularly Fire On High, Showdown, Can't Get It Out Of My Head, 10538 Overture, Roll Over Beethoven, Moment In Paradise
ELO is the first band I ever loved, some of the first LPs I ever bought, is so connected to my adolescence that I can't be impartial. (Still kicking myself for not going to that concert in late Sept. of 1978) They're still definitely a top 5 band for me, probably No. 1. I think the secret to enjoying ELO, for me, is to enjoy everything they offer, they have a lot variety and if you just like one part of it, you're going to resent the rest. I love it all.
*14. Alone In The Universe:* Haven't listened to this all that much and it doesn't stand out enough for me to move it higher.
*13. Zoom:* Jeff Lynne cursing on a song? What? This definitely isn't ELO. It's different, there are a lot of songs, which makes it seem even longer than Out Of The Blue.
*12. From Out Of Nowhere:* This was a Christmas gift last year. The first new vinyl in my possession in like 35 years. It's nice, I think Lynne has leaned on the rockabilly stuff a bit too much the latter part of his career. I like "Time Of Our Life," which is actually Lynne's recollection of a concert experience at Wembley during the 2017 tour. It's quite meta for an ELO song.
*11. Secret Messages:* This was released on the same day I graduated from high school, kind of appropriate as I was moving on from ELO at the time. Props to Joe for mentioning "Letter From Spain," it's sweet and unusual.
*10. Balance Of Power:* ELO's '80s synth album, but it fit right in with everything you heard on pop radio in 1986 and sounded better than 90 percent of it.
*9. The Electric Light Orchestra/No Answer:* I bought almost all of ELO's LPs as a young teen except for a couple, this was one I missed. I see what Joe is saying, as the strings and the rock don't seem to mesh and it took me awhile to adjust. I've adjusted and, man is "10538 Overture" and "Nellie Takes Her Bow" cool.
*8. On The Third Day:* This is the other LP I didn't buy back then. "Showdown" is one of their greatest songs.
*7. Time:* "Remember the good old 1980s, when things were so uncomplicated. I wish I could go there again and everything would be the same." I enjoy the time-travel concept a lot. I don't think the songs individually are as strong as their others. Before "Hold On Tight" showed up in the Honda commercial, it appeared in a widely joked-about commercial for coffee sponsored by the National Coffee Association (the band Heart is in a commercial).
*6. Discovery:* ELO was the butt of jokes around this time, "selling out" to disco, etc. I loved this album but kept it quiet in high school. It's dropped from my favorites but can't deny that it's catchy.
*5. ELO II:* Love it. My favorite of the prog period. "Mama" rules. "From The Sun To The World" rules. Arriving to popular music post-prog, this was unlike anything I had heard before and can still picture myself in the basement rec room absorbing everything coming out of the speakers.
*4. A New World Record:* "Tightrope" is one of the greatest openings ever. "Livin Thing" is amazing. "Do Ya" I loved as a kid. A bit disjointed as Jason said but I don't mind.
*3. Face The Music:* The first side of this album is possibly their greatest song run.
*2. Eldorado:* I think this album tells a better story than Time, ELO's other concept album. It takes you away, from opener to closer. "Laredo Tornado" is a top 10 song easily.
*1. Out Of The Blue:* When it comes to ELO, I want more and this is the album that gives you all of it. Such variety, so many catchy songs, a whole side devoted to a weather suite. Goofy, child-like and genius all at once and it spawn a wonderful album cover, and the stadium spaceship. If people think it's too long, a suggested rearrangement using just 12 of the songs: Side 1: Turn To Stone, Sweet Talkin' Women, Jungle, Big Wheels, Sweet As The Night, Wild West Hero; Side 2: Birmingham Blues, Steppin' Out, Starlight, 4. Standing In The Rain, 5. Summer and Lightning, 6. Mr. Blue Sky.
Also thanks for dedicating a discography to this group. It's thanks to channels like this that bands like these continue to live on.
I love how varied everyone’s lists are but doing the staggered count down did confuse me a bit. As a big 80s ELO fan the placement of balance of power ticked me off just a bit. Calling America is one of my favourite ELO songs ever done.
Off topic but, with kind of a similar sound and style over the same time period as ELO, would you guys consider doing the Alan Parsons Project? I've gone through the album and song of the year series and most of the artist of the week and side threes, but I don't think I've ever heard any of you mention the project a single time in relation to anything, and only heard you talk about Parsons, very briefly, from his engineering work on Abbey Road and Dark Side Of The Moon. They were pretty big back in the day and I think it would be fun for you guys to tackle the catalog.
My favorite list to date. It helps that ELO is my 5th favorite band of all time. Great and surprising love from Jason (maybe overall the closest to my list) but Joe got it right with #1 album...not even close
Since seeing them live last month, I have been listening to them pretty heavily. Out of the Blue seems to be the one that is sticking the most. I got Discovery on 8-track for my 10th birthday and still have it.
May I proffer the theory that what Joe is missing on On the Third Day and Eldorado is the engineering skills of Reinhold Mack at Musicland Studios in Munich, who enters the picture on 'Face the Music' when the band shift operations to Germany for the first time, I always thought it was interesting that Jeff Lynne credited Mack on one of the subsequent album sleeves (think it was actually FTM) for demonstrating 'the use of the better knob'.
Excellent point. Too often (and I'm guilty of it too) production and engineering are talked about as if they're the same thing. -Jason
@@TastesLikeMusic Jeff worked with the engineer Richard Dodd on Armchair Theatre, and he also helped him create a fantastic sound which I think is missing on his more recent records.
The comment in this video that best represents my feelings about ELO was Kramzer’s when he said he respects and appreciates Jeff Lynne and his music, but that it doesn’t quite connect with him personally. I appreciate the catchiness of the music and the fantastic production, but much of it sounds the same to me, and orchestral disco just isn’t my bag.
I feel ya. I skipped doing this one (and I'm glad to have some extra time with George Harrison). It's good music, but my scores would have been insultingly low and it's just not my thing.
That said, I DO love myself some Don’t Bring Me Down!
@@179rich Nah. You insult no one Rich!
No mention of the Xanadu album huh? Love the ELO side of that album. Great Listography as always guys!
I don't think I really had much of an opinion of ELO in the past. It's only been somewhat recently that I've started to appreciate them. I didn't listen along this week to the albums but I did check out a greatest hits album and it was great! I don't think I realized how many great songs they have and so many I already knew. I will be digging deeper, I think I will start with Face The Music as that sounds the most intriguing to me from your reviews (and I really love "Strange Magic").
Is "I'm with Joe though" Kramzer's catchphrase at this point? Let's get that on a mug. Listography merch! Listography merch! Listography merch! Listography merch! Listography merch!Listography merch! Listography merch! Listography merch! Listography merch!Listography merch! Listography merch!Listography merch! Listography merch!Listography merch! Listography merch!Listography merch!
I think it's just an age problem for Kramzer. It helps when a band is hot while one is in college. For some reason everything sounded better in college. Heck I even like Aerosmith but only because it was coming out of every dorm at full blast in 1975..along with Face The Music
I would love to hear your reactions to both of Jeff Lynne's solo albums. I think they are both equal to ELO.
For a newbie the Must Hear Studio Albums I would advise you to listen to would be: Out of the Blue, A New World Record and Face the Music then, for Next Steps: Eldorado, The Electric Light Orchestra, Discovery, On the Third Day, ELO 2 and Time. Deeper Digging: Alone in the Universe, From Out of Nowhere, and Secret Messages. Proceed with Caution: Balance of Power, and Zoom.
Every week you guys make a listography and I add the discog to the playlist of bands to check out more!
As usual, an enjoyable view for me. You guys were scattered about all over the place but the averaged list actually comes pretty close for me. A) Thanks for excluding Xanadu; and B) I'm curious your thoughts on the Jeff Lynne 1990 solo album "Armchair Theatre". For some reason that album speaks to me, but it is largely overlooked. I've always loved it and recently picked up a used copy on vinyl, which made me very happy.
I bought it on CD years ago. I think it's pretty good and especially love 'What Would It Take', 'Blown Away' and 'Save Me Now'. If you threw it in the mix, who knows...
Not familiar with that one. - Joe
I like Joes ranking the best. Mostly because of Zoom and the underrated Balance Of Power. I’m actually missing your guys weekly and even bi weekly album rankings so much I’m resorting to watching the old ones again
this is a band , that all my life i havnt been able to figure if i like or not!! [ strange]
1 on the third day
2 eldorado
3 face the music
4 out of the blue
5 time
6 elo 2
only albums i have at 3.5 stars or more!!
sounds like kramnz has a similiar opinion as me!
Have you guys done roxy music? if not any chance?
Although I reverse your Top Two spots, I can appreciate this list.
Great set of reviews. It’s interesting to see how different people’s opinions can be. I’m always flabbergasted by how high Discovery is rated by folks and this is no exception. I bought it on release and just have such strong memories of my disappointment. If anyone is interested, here is my list.
1. Eldorado 5/5
2. A New World Record 4.5/5
3. Zoom 4.5/5
4. On the 3rd Day 4/5
5. Time 4/5
6. No Answer 4/5
7. ELO II 3.5/5
8. Face the Music 3.5/5
9. Out of the Blue 3/5
10. Secret Messages 3/5
11. Alone in the Universe 3/5
12. From Out of Nowhere 3/5
13. Balance of Power 2.5/5
14. Discovery 2/5
I agree that Zoom is a revelation. Great songs, good lyrics, and easily Jeff Lynne’s best guitar work.
BOP does have some great bonus tracks, which goes to show that it may have been much better, but I don’t think Lynne was trying too hard at that point.
Does your number ones tell a bit of your different preferences like Kram liking more weird/experimental, Joe more that rocks and Jason that flows (coherence) or am overthinking? xD
Some truth in that. -Jason
Kram for the more experimental (the Yes list tells all about that). Joe for music you can dance to (and for most appreciating the 70s), and Jason for music that nobody can make you feel embarrassed for liking even if they suck (except for Paul McCartney whom I can and who does..if you follow that)
@@GeneBolmarcichEsq of course it's just a generalisation with some truth to it like Jason said, like Kram loves 80's pop, Joe loves Kate Bush at her weirdest and Jason loves bands that rock like deep purple and even flamin groovies (that made my day) ... I haven't nor do i feel like delving into McCartney's discography at least for now, but RAM is one of my all time favourite albums!!
As a huge ELO fan starting from way back when I was an 11 year old and a 'A New World Record' was just released, I just want to say that I really enjoyed listening to your reviews and rankings. Great commentary on a band that was once considered 'uncool' back in the days, but is now considered very cool by the current generation of kids. Good luck ranking the songs...I would struggle after picking my definite no. 1.
I'll add to the chorus of folks asking for a ranking of Jethro Tull's catalogue someday. Like ELO, I suspect their will be great diversity in your rankings...when you get around to it
1: New World Record (a perfect album)!
2: Face the Music
3: Electric Light Orchestra
4: On the Third Day
5: Out of the Blue
6: ELO 2
7: Time
Beyond that I don't care!
Great list but no Eldorado??
Cool video but not sure if Kramzer is a normal member of this channel...but why gave someone who doesn't really dig or even know that catalog? The Out of the Blue and New World Record rankings were ridiculous! Cheers though.
That’s the way this channel works. We dove an entire discography every week. Sometimes we like them, sometimes not. Part of the fun.
1. A New World Record
2. Face The Music
3. Discovery
4. Alone In The Universe
5. Armchair Theatre
6. Balance Of Power
7. Time
8. Secret Messages
9. Out Of The Blue
10. Zoom
11. Eldorado
12. On The Third Day
13. ELO 2
14. No Answer
I don't have "From Out Of Nowhere"
Best ranking I’ve seen on here other than Alone In The Universe which I wouldn’t rank anywhere near that high
I really loved this ELO show. Keep it up. Jason, thanks for bringing up Dylan's Street Legal on the 1978 show. Listened to it for the first time, great album. Thanks.
The remastered version of Street Legal sounds so much better than original release. Much underrated album.
On behalf of 20 year olds Time is the best album
This kind of program about ELO relative albums. Idle Race, Move, Wizzard. Plus solo album by Roy Wood and Jeff Lynne. I could say all together something like 15 albums. Are you interested in this kind of project ?
Yeah we could do something like that one day.
I usually say that ELO has no bad songs, let alone average songs...until I reminded myself of 'Battle of Marston Moor'. I recall hearing that Bev Bevan refused to play percussion on that piece of music. I can understand that....
One of my favorite artists of all time! It was very interesting to see your guys' rankings.
I applaud Kramzer for his #1 pick. While not my favorite ELO album, it is very underrated. Definitely 4.5/5 stars for me
01- Out Of The Blue
02- A New World Record
03- Discovery
04- Time
05- Face The Music
06- ELO 2
07- Secret Messages
08- Balance Of Power
09- Eldorado
10- On The Third Day
11- The Electric Light Orchestra
12- Alone In The Universe
13- From Out Of Nowhere
14- Zoom
I don’t know how Jason and Joe keep calm when Kramzer says crazy things like Out of the Blue at #10 and New World Record at #9. I’ve never heard anybody rate those albums so low. Those are by far my two favorite records by ELO.
Great rankings with some fun curveballs as always. Speaking of Beatles influenced power pop (and baseball idioms) here's some reasons you'd knock a Matthew Sweet album ranking out of the park:
1.) I think he's got a new one? I'm definitely curious about it, but not curious enough to buy it yet 2.) his discography's got some interesting experiments, great musicianship and hooks, and at least one unpronounceable album title 3.) a case could be made that his entire career is an extension of Todd Rundgren's "Couldn't I Just Tell You" (still don't know how that song is from 1972)
Also can't wait for that five-hour Nick Cave extravaganza one day!
Great vid guys, do you think your do jethro tull at some point?
Oh yes
Kramzer I thought I was the only one.
I love the debut album so much. I started with ELO Out of the Blue and worked my way back. Its so raw and different it's so good!
Great fun listening to your viewpoints on this incredible discography, but for my money, Jason nailed the list, and I myself am most aligned with his rankings. I too place Eldorado as tmy #1 ELO album, because it holds together the most and the best as a total album listen from start to finish. This is the ELO album I always want to listen to the entire album, no skips. It almost feels wrong to not listen to the entire album.
I’m glad my long time reverence of Time was shard. Very different album and even when I heard it on its release, I thought it was both amazing and a little too crazy. But I loved it, always.
I always had some ambivalent relation to ELO. I like some of Jeff Lynne's work, especially with Tom Petty or the Traveling Wilburys. I also liked the Move and Roy Wood - except for Roy Wood's work with ELO. I think that ELO were a great singles bands and Jeff Lynne puts much into a good song to make it work but tires in the long run (he stays a one-trick pony - you know he is at the helm at the first note of everything he is involved in).
Their hits always were the best tracks on the albums. Throughout their career they have been an band with albums that contained their hits augmented with fillers. My ranking and rating of the albums has to be seen in that light.
Again, I really love their hits to this day but the only albums I revisited for years are New World Record and "The Definitive Collection" from 1992.
14. Balance of Power 1,0
13. Eldorado 1,0
12. DISCO(very) 1,5
11. Secret Messages 2,0
10. Alone in the Universe 2,5
9. (No Answer) First 2,5
8. Zoom 2,5
7. From Out of Nowhere 2,5
6. Time 2,5
5. Face the Music 3,0
4. On the Third Day 3,0
3. Out of the Blue 3,0
2. ELO 2 3,0
1. A New World Record 4,0
Even the good albums have a fair amount of completely inconsequential songs. Why is Eldorado so low?
@@NaughtyVampireGod Eldorado has one decent song and even that is 2 minutes too long. So you have 40 minutes of boring directionless pop that tries to emulate bands that were already outdated in 1968. If you get stuck in an elevator just pray that they have another tape running for you. A series of cliches badly performed. Joe is right on this one, just mind that Joe's 3 point ratings are other peoples 1 or 1,5. Just remember that this album came out in 1974 when at least 5 better albums were released every week of the year.
a deep cut from eldorado will be my #1 wed!
@@roxannewalsh Meaning Boy Blue? That's my favorite on Eldorado. I think this is the album where they FINALLY came into their sound. Other good songs are Poor Boy, Can't Get It Out of My Head, Mister Kingdom, and the title song.
@@NaughtyVampireGod That wedding march thing on which Lynne pulls out every trick in his bag? (Tiptoe out of the room in hope that the elevator does not get stuck...)
I haven’t heard past 1983 with ELO yet but so far my ranking of the first 10 would be:
1. A New World Record (4 stars - I’m the opposite of Jason in initially having Eldorado at #1 but this one grew on me slightly more, enough to just sneak into my top 10 of 1976)
2. Eldorado (4)
3. Face the Music (4)
4. Out of the Blue (4)
5. Time (3.5)
6. On the Third Day (3.5)
7. Discovery (3.5)
8. Electric Light Orchestra (3.5)
9. ELO 2 (3)
10. Secret Messages (3)
I think the 6 to 8 spots right now I’m not super confident on and could be flipped around in any order. Interesting that I’m kinda most with Kramzer in feeling a bit of emotional distance towards Jeff Lynne’s approach, but as far as the actual albums I have at the top I’m much closer to a combination of Jason and Joe. 🤔 I’ll definitely have to get around to those last 4 at some point.
Still working my way through the backlog after recently subscribing. Great rankings and reviews guys. I became a big ELO fan during their classic run while I was in high school and college in the 70s albeit sort of sub rosa because it wasn't cool among my peer group as ELO didn't rock very hard like the Zeppelins, Sabbaths and Stones of the music scene, in addition to burgeoning Southern Rock, or were really prog and definitely went more disco when punk and new wave hit the scene. I had the pleasure of seeing ELO live twice back in the day. The first time was early in 1977 during their New World Record tour at Cleveland Public Hall. It was impressive both aurally and visually as the band used lasers to bounce off the cellos of the band creating a crazy light show from the string vibrations. The second was what was dubbed a World Series of Rock at Cleveland Stadium in July 1978 which drew an estimated 85,000 in the now long gone ballpark. ELO headlined a bill which included their regular tour opener, a nondescript band named Trickster, but also Foreigner and Journey. This was what was called a Class A Out of the Blue show with a flying saucer lifting to reveal the band playing Standin' In The Rain amidst much smoke and laser lights. Wow. One of the great show experiences of my life.
Anyway, to the list, best first:
1. Eldorado
2. A New World Record
3. Face the Music
4. On the Third Day
5. Out of the Blue
6. Time
7. No Answer
8. Discovery
9. Zoom
10. ELO II
11. Alone in the Universe
12. From Out of Nowhere
13. Balance of Power
14. Secret Messages
I can't say 9-14 offer much I'd care to hear more than a couple of times, 7 and 8 have more good tracks than bad, but 1-6 are gold from start to finish.
Thanks for another great session here guys, with a few real surprises. The debut album at #1 - wtf! 🙂
I've been an ELO fan since 1977, so the whole catalog is really familiar and hard to rank as I'd say there are three (and a half) distinct incarnations.
May I put in a request for you to do rankings of another favorite artist with an incredibly multi-faceted career: Joe Jackson.
There is no reality where "Out of the Blue" is the 10th best album by ELO. It has 4 hit singles. The entirity of side 3 would be enough to elevate this album to top status, yet it has much more to offer than that! Even the non-single tracks are all worth hearing too. Tenth best? No way....
Agreed. - Joe
This is the reality. Living it
@@ryankramzer1256 Hahahaha. It's OK Kramzer. I have disagreed with each of you at one time or another. The lists are all about getting people involved with the music we love. Keep doing what you all do. And I will keep checking reality for you.
After hearing "Hold On Tight" on Casey Kasem's American Top 40 Mighty 690 AM radio show back around August 1981 while with family near Ventura, California, a U.S. Route 101 road trip to Santa Barbara's Mission when I was just 8 years old, Dad then bought me my very first Electric Light Orchestra album from Tower Records, an audio cassette of Time by ELO, thus started the fandom over 40 years ago! 8-)
Top 12 are all very close...
14-From Out of Nowhere
13-Alone in the Universe
12-Zoom
11-Electric Light Orchestra II
10-No Answer
9-Balance of Power
8-Secret Messages (1 & 2 LP)
7-On the Third Day
6-Face the Music
5-Discovery
4-Eldorado, A Symphony
3-Time
2-A New World Record
1-Out of the Blue
Perhaps with a long album like Out of the Blue rather than hearing it in one go you could split it across two or three days. That would remedy any sameness and still highlight how consistent it is as an album, without any obvious weak tracks.
I wish you guys would remark - as a final note- on the ALBUM COVERS .
1. Face The Music (1975) 4/5
2. Eldorado (1974) 4/5
3. A New World Record (1976) 3.5/5
4. ELO 2 (1973) 3/5
5. Out Of The Blue (1977) 3/5
6. On The Third Day (1973) 3/5
7. Time (1981) 3/5
8. The Electric Light Orchestra (1971) 2.5/5
9. Discovery (1979) 2.5/5
10. Zoom (2001) 2.5/5
11. Alone In The Universe (2015) 2.5/5
12. Balance Of Power (1986) 2/5
13. From Out Of Nowhere (2019) 2/5
14. Secret Messages (1983) 2/5
CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER:
2.5 The Electric Light Orchestra (1971)
3.0 ELO 2 (1973)
3.0 On The Third Day (1973)
4.0 Eldorado (1974)
4.0 Face The Music (1975)
3.5 A New World Record (1976)
3.0 Out Of The Blue (1977)
2.5 Discovery (1979)
3.0 Time (1981)
2.0 Secret Messages (1983)
2.0 Balance Of Power (1986)
2.5 Zoom (2001)
2.5 Alone In The Universe (2015)
2.0 From Out Of Nowhere (2019)
Coming into the week ELO were a singles band to me- and they're still a singles band, athough that's been tempered by the realization that a couple of their mid-'70s LPs are great. While I'm not that impressed with their discography as a whole I think anyone who loves '70s music needs to own a good ELO compilation. Jeff Lynn's ability to write a hook is undeniable. They're not a top 100 rock artist to me but I have a lot of respect for them.
MY RATING SYSTEM:
5.0 = major classic
4.5 = minor classic
4.0 = great
3.5 = very good
3.0 = good
2.5 = fair
2.0 = poor
1.5 = awful
1.0 = historically awful
I don't go below 1 star because once I'm in the realm of the truly terrible I don't care to differentiate anymore. Anything I rate 3.5 stars or higher is an album I'm enthusiastic about and would likely revisit at some point.
Well done!
Tough to beat livin thing, do you, so fine, and rockaria (is it "Rocca' ria" or "rok Ar' ia", as in "Aria"?).
Certainly the latter. How could it be otherwise?
About the Discovery album is here my comment. I bought it as brand new in June 1979. I was going to buy something else, but suddenly I noticed that ELO had released a new album which i was not aware of. After A New World Record an Out of the Blue it was a disappointment to many ELO- fans. Discovery lacked the pomposity of the previous albums and the influence of the disco was not to the taste of everyone. But I think Discovery was a good and pleasent album, not really the best of ELO but a good album in itself.
Man a little late to this one, but really glad you guys did ELO, definitely a top 100 band for me probably in the 40-60 range, their classic run is incredible and nearly perfect. My ranking below:
1. A New World Record - 5/5
2. Out of the Blue - 5/5
3. Face the Music - 5/5
4. Eldorado - 5/5
5. Time - 5/5
6. On the Third Day - 5/5
7. Discovery - 4.5/5
8. ELO 2 - 4.5/5
9. The Electric Light Orchestra - 4.5/5
10. Secret Messages - 4/5
11. Alone in the Universe - 3.5/5
12. From out of Nowhere - 3.5/5
13. Zoom - 3.5/5
14. Balance of Power - 3.5/5
Not technically ELO studio albums, but here are there ratings (They would likely rank in the 15-17 spot if included, except I may rank Xanadu above Balance of Power)
Xanadu - 3.5/5
The Electric Light Orchestra Part Two - 3/5
Moment of Truth - 3/5
Rating Scale:
5.0 - Excellent
4.5 - Great
4.0 - Very Good
3.5 - Good
3.0 - Decent
2.5 - Mediocre
2.0 - Bad
1.5 - Very Bad
1.0 - Awful
0.5 - Terrible
Im delighted you weirdos have the fine sensibilities to recognize that "Time" is Awesome. Very glad ya'll had it in your top 5, it's honestly my desert island Lp!
To me there's a pretty clear top six records, that being their releases from '74-'81. The Lynne-isms can be a lot when running through the entire discography in a short period of time, but what's great about ELO is just how immaculate everything sounds when at their best.
01- Time
02- Out of the Blue
03- Secret Messages
04- Balance Of Power
05- Face The Music
06- ELO 2
07- Xanadu
08- Alone in the Universe
09- Eldorado
10- On The Third Day
11- The Electric Light Orchestra
12- Zoom
13- Discovery
For any strange reason you forgot a new world record🙃!!
Discovery last? You’re nuts
For me:
14. From Out Of Nowhere
13. Alone in the Universe
12. Secret Messages
11. Balance of Power
10. Electric Light Orchestra
9. ELO 2
8. Zoom
7. On the Third Day
6. Time
5. Discovery
4. Out of the Blue
3. Face the Music
2. Eldorado
1. A New World Record
For me 'Zoom' is way better than the 2 most recent releases.
No, the highlight of this is Kramzer's selection of No Answer for number 1. I'm an old-timer here bought this album with his paper boy money and wasn't sure what to make of it. I loved the Roy Wood songs, especially 'Look At Me Now' and later heard The Move. I don't necessarily agree that it's their best album, but I also love the dirtiness of the sound. They would certainly clean that up later.
5. Face The Music
4. Discovery
3. Out Of The Blue
2. A New World Record
1. Eldorado
I was gonna listen through all of these...I got through 3. ELO is such a weird band for me, I like some of the songs. I find them very interesting for 70s rock. However, something about them just doesn't fully pull me in. However, I plan on listening to them all soon.
1. ELO 2 (Decent 8)
2. Out Of The Blue (Strong 7)
3. ELO 1 (Strong 7)
4. On The Third Day (Decent 6)
I'd listened to Out Of The Blue before
Love love love this episode. Well done dudes. Any chance you'll be doing a Listography on Sparks? I'm jonzing off their new documentary, directed by Edgar Wright. If you haven't seen it, its essential watching, especially for you guys. Its on Netflix. Get on it! Thanks again!
For me its 1) Eldorado 2) New World Record 3) Time Boy Blue is my fav followed by Do ya and Cant get it out of my head. The strings do it for me.
This was the #1 pick that convinced me the Jason's tastes are very much aligned with mine. I love all ELO lps, but Eldorado does everything right. The intro and segue into Can't Get It Out Of My Head is incredible; Beatles-topping, sonically.
Nice to see Kramzer choosing ELO's first album as his number one pick. "No Answer" has always sounded so unique to me. I didn't like it when I heard it first as a kid after first hearing "Out of the Blue" and various ELO hits. It sure has grown on me tremendously over the years. "No Answer" perhaps sounds like what rock would have sounded like in England 250 years ago.
1.) Out of the Blue
2.) Time
3.) A New World Record
4.) Discovery
5.) Face the Music
6.) Eldorado
7.) On the Third Day
8.) From Out of Nowhere
9.) Balance of Power
10.) Alone in the Universe
11.) ELO 2
12.) Zoom
13.) Secret Messages
13.) No Answer (The Electric Light Orchestra)
1. New World Record
2. Time
3. Face the Music
4. On the Third Day
5. Discovery
6. Electric Light Orchestra First Album
7. Out of the Blue
8. Electric Light Orchestra 2nd album though Mama is a great song
1. A New World Record
2. Time
3. Eldorado
4. Out of the Blue
5. Face the Music
6. Discovery
7. On the Third Day
8. Secret Messages
9. The Electric Light Orchestra
10. ELO 2
11. Balance of Power
12. Alone in the Universe
13. Zoom
14. From Out of Nowhere
I had only listened to one album before doing these. I find Jeff Lynne to often be a chronic overproducer/overorchestrator but he did have a short period of putting it all together.
Still have to see the whole video.
Kudos to Kramz for defending the first two albums. Especially the debut I think is amazing!
Leaving out the last three (unfamiliar) and Xanadu, here’s my list. Mind, I think all of those are great.
11. DiscoVery
10. Balance Of Power
9. Secret Messages
8. ELO II
7. On The Third Day
6. Out Of The Blue
5. ELO/No Answer
4. Face The Music
3. A New World Record
2. Time
1. Eldorado
I loved how Jason changed his original ranking, that's honest and keeping open ears, and because I was hoping Eldorado would be number 1 xD I'm a sucker for concept albums and using a whole orchestra which we works perfectly here unlike many other records, and the concept reminds me of time bandits but it's more daydreaming, and you'd never guess the ending from how the record sounds (no spoilers, if what I read is true, unless open to interpretation) ... I only managed to listen up to Time and for the most part I think I have the same ranking as Jason but with his second and third swapped and ELO 1 and especially 2 much higher.
I liked how all three had different favourites...and how kramzer and Joe both had wow this album is good moments in the catalogue (and different records to boot)
Random, but would you all ever consider doing Prince's discography? Large task, but it'd be interesting
For sure, someday. -Jason
@@TastesLikeMusic Awesome, I've been diving into his album for the 1st time (wayyy late to the party) and I'm curious how you all would discuss and analyze
.....his *albums
Great band, difficult to rank. I probably agree mostly with Jason.
10538 Overture from the first album, first track is amazing; also check out this song from the 1974 live album THE LIGHT WENT ON IN LONG BEACH. Some of the cuts from the 1st album are almost experimental and baroque at the same time due to the influence of ROY WOOD perhaps; not sure about that. I came in on ELO along with the rest of the world with FACE THE MUSIC and EVIL WOMAN which I loved. Albums 3 and 4 are great as well (SHOWDOWN, MAMABELLE, ELDORAO and the funkyness of the ELDORADO arrangements. Cool Stuff.
Great and interesting countdown. Have any of you listened to The Beatles' "Glass Onion" and thought that John Lennon basically discovered the sound of ELO long before Jeff Lynne?
14. From Out Of Nowhere
13. Alone In The Universe
12. Zoom
11. Balance Of Power
10. ELO 2
9. Secret Messages
8. Eldorado
7. On The Third Day
6. ELO 1 Lightbulb Album
5. Discovery
4. Face The Music
3. Time
2. Out Of The Blue
1. A New World Record
Oh and anyone know who's next for discographies?
It’s always in the video description.
1 El Dorado
2 Face The Music
3 A New World Record
4 Out Of The Blue
5 Time
6 On The Third Day
7 Secret Messages
8 Discovery
9 ELO II
10 ELO
11 Zoom
12 Alone In The Universe
13 From Out Of Nowhere
14 Balance Of Power
Ah nice dude, One of My Favorite Progressive Rock Bands.
10 - Time (The Prog Era has come to an End on a Good Concept Album, Twilight is a Great Song)
9 - Zoom (I know people's least Favorite, but I always liked this Album, especially for a 2000's Album, I love the song "Alright")
8 - Eldorado (Not a Bad Album, but Overatted, Mister Kingdom is a Great Song)
7 - Discovery (The Prog Era is almost coming to an End, but pretty cool Pop/Prog Album, Last Train to London is a Great Song)
6 - On the Third Day (Finding the Prog here, New World Rising really got me into this Album)
5 - Face the Music (Fire on High is just an Amazing start to this Album, this is probably the Real start to the Prog Era.)
4 - Out of the Blue (Outstanding Album, Awesome Album Cover, I don't need to explain about this Album, and Turn to Stone)
3 - No Answer (ELO) (I know it's during their Classical days, but an Amazing Album, 10538 Overture is just an Awesome Song!)
2 - A New World Record (Love this Album so much, the Album that got me into this Band, still Love Telephone Line)
1 - ELO II (Yes this Album is My Favorite, I know there're people that Love this Album as well, Kiuama is My Favorite ELO song of all Time)
R.I.P. Louis Clark, Hugh McDowell, Kelly Groucutt, Wilfred Gibson, Mike Edward's, and Steve Woolam.
My ranking
14. Balance Of Power
13. Alone In The Universe
12. From Out Of Nowhere
11. The Electric Light Orchestra
10. Time
9. ELO 2
8. Zoom
7. Eldorado
6. On The Third Day
5. Out Of The Blue
4. Secret Messages
3. Face The Music
2. Discovery
1. A New World Record
I've only listened to three ELO albums: Out of the Blue, New World Record and Discovery. Out of the Blue I absolutely loved. New World Record and Discovery I really liked, but Out of the Blue was just awesome from start to finish. ELO has such a unique and interesting sound. Really need to delve more into them.
May i recommend "Time" from 1981 & "Secret Messages" from 1983.
Absolute top banana.💯🔥🔥
Do yourself a favour and listen to "Time" including the 3 bonus tracks which adds/embellishes to the protagonists story.