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Product Description
2006 Remaster of their smash 1976 album includes 6 bonus tracks fts "Livin Thing"
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
26 of 26 people found the following review helpful
Format:MP3 Download
Together with its direct successor, Out of the Blue, this is probably the album that forever defines the sound of the Electric Light Orchestra in the minds of most people. From this point, the rough-edged rock 'n' roll of earlier works like Ma Ma Ma Belle or the rather more reined back strings and whimsy of songs like Mr Radio would make way for these bigger, lusher and more 'cinematic' arrangements. This seemed to be a nod to the softer string sound in US soul, as the album's title and even its cityscape artwork suggests. It's rather like the difference between watching a film on TV at home, them going to see the same thing on a big screen in surround sound in a cinema. Neither is bad (quite the contrary), they are just different types of experience.
It's also around this time that Jeff Lynne SERIOUSLY found his songwriting boots. There is not one (full length) song on here that couldn't have hit the UK singles chart top 10 if they'd been released. Indeed, several of them did. In amongst the well known hits like the operatic Rockaria! and the tender and melancholic Telephone Line, not to mention the now legendary Livin' Thing are other lesser konwn gems: Tightrope (possibly my favorite ELO song ever), that begins with a fanfare of dramatic swooping strings before romping off into a rollocking rock number; So Fine with its funky middle eight and congas; the heartfelt and beautiful ballads The Mission and Shangri-La. The other nice surprise is the inclusion of a storming cover of Do Ya (from The Move's rather wonderful Message from the Country). As good as the orignial version is, this version is actually a little bit better. Basically, in production terms, Lynne gives it the kitchen sink. And it could have sounded a dreadful mess, but doesn't: it's sublime.
It's perhaps strange to think now, at this remove that punk wasn't really the sound of 1976-77. Music like this and the Eagles' Hotel California was what many people were actually listening to and buying. The later revisionism of a certain type of music wonk would have you believe this music was reviled and irrelevant. It wasn't. And while lots of the prevailing commercial music of that part of the 1970's was becoming overblown and self-indulgent, this didn't: this is a perfect example of how to write and record fabulous, memorable pop songs. And by Lynne's own admission, it really didn't get much better than this for him.
Lucky for us that he got this good.
It's also around this time that Jeff Lynne SERIOUSLY found his songwriting boots. There is not one (full length) song on here that couldn't have hit the UK singles chart top 10 if they'd been released. Indeed, several of them did. In amongst the well known hits like the operatic Rockaria! and the tender and melancholic Telephone Line, not to mention the now legendary Livin' Thing are other lesser konwn gems: Tightrope (possibly my favorite ELO song ever), that begins with a fanfare of dramatic swooping strings before romping off into a rollocking rock number; So Fine with its funky middle eight and congas; the heartfelt and beautiful ballads The Mission and Shangri-La. The other nice surprise is the inclusion of a storming cover of Do Ya (from The Move's rather wonderful Message from the Country). As good as the orignial version is, this version is actually a little bit better. Basically, in production terms, Lynne gives it the kitchen sink. And it could have sounded a dreadful mess, but doesn't: it's sublime.
It's perhaps strange to think now, at this remove that punk wasn't really the sound of 1976-77. Music like this and the Eagles' Hotel California was what many people were actually listening to and buying. The later revisionism of a certain type of music wonk would have you believe this music was reviled and irrelevant. It wasn't. And while lots of the prevailing commercial music of that part of the 1970's was becoming overblown and self-indulgent, this didn't: this is a perfect example of how to write and record fabulous, memorable pop songs. And by Lynne's own admission, it really didn't get much better than this for him.
Lucky for us that he got this good.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Although ELO had reasonable success prior to this album, this is the one that made them huge. This is my third purchase of this album; LP, first issue CD and now the wonderfully remastered version. I recently played some of the first issue ELO CD's and found that they sounded a bit flat, in this day and age of remastering. So I thought I would cherry pick my favourites of which this is one and to convince me to part with further cash, they're all currently at good prices. I am not disappointed as the songs all sound fresh and bright. The bonus tracks are worth a listen if you're a keen ELO fan, as four of them are instumental versions, in other words the backing tracks without the lead vocals. They do give you a greater insight into Jeff Lynne's genius. There is also a slightly different version of Telephone Line, which makes for an interesting listen. There are many stunning songs on this album, but I think the first and last of the original nine tracks are my favourites, those being Tightrope and Shangri-La. Classic!
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:MP3 Download
The (admittedly) accomplished Out of the Blue may remain their most famous album, but ANWR is undoubtedly their finest moment on disc. A set of consistently excellent tracks, completely filler-free, it has Jeff Lynne at his Beatles-with-strings best. Telephone Line, Rockaria and Livin' Thing are widely familiar, and are supported by sweeping melodic songs culminating in the rocking Move cover Do Ya and the epic Shangri La. Songwriting, musicianship, vocals and production all gell seamlessly together, showcasing an underrated band (in the overall scheme of things) at the top of their game. All round outstanding, and a must buy album.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
A little shot of genius
This was the first ELO abum that I bought "back in the day" and it has that typically 70's finely crafted construction - all the tracks are good and they all hang together... Read more
Published 10 days ago by Fireblade
ELO AT THERE VERY BEST
I'm only 32 but my first ever 7" single was" hold on tight to your dreams". I imagine most people my age have never even heard of them but I've always had a fondness for ELO. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Asa4134
GREAT CD
IF YOU LIKE ELO YOU WILL LOVE THIS CD, FULL OF GREAT SONGS A MUST FOR ELO LOVERS
Published 19 months ago by Mrs. Gail Franklin
Superb Album
Originally bought this album back in the 70's,time to get it on CD.How many times have you got an album on the strength of one track? Read more
Published on 21 April 2010 by P. Mccann
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