The Album Review Club - Week #195 (page 1310) - A New World Record - ELO

Whenever I'm asked what my favourite song by the Beatles is I always answer Mr Blue Sky. If someone isn't confused by my answer then it's clear they aren't real Beatles fans and I get a vague sense of smug superiority that for a moment allows me to bury my deep insecurities in an octopuses garden. If they are in on the joke then we share a communal moment of knowledge and we both feel good. But if they don't get the joke and assume I'm an idiot then I have to explain it and the small frisson of tension that now exists between us is something I enjoy. It breaks the ice a little and gives a quick understanding of who I am as a person that lets the questioner understand if they want to have continued interaction with me or not. The moment of realisation in someones eyes that I am actually more of a muppet than I look is something I treasure. This is the extent of my pre-existing relationship I have with ELO - I'm not super familiar with their stuff. I know Mr Blue Sky and Enola Gay.

What started as a bad joke actually turned into an enjoyable experience as I listened to A New World Record. It's a sugar rush of an album but without the come down that is hinted at. Opener Tightrope lets us know what to expect with some excitement and doom synth and a brilliant cascading violin line that reveals a glam surprise. The violin returns to add a spice of tension as if Yoko has just turned up pulling a bed behind her but the mood here is McCartney and not McMisery. Someone does let down a line and saves him. A shame. At times I was reminded of Exit Music For A Film but it seems Jeff Lynne is legitimately happy and positive and rides around on rainbows rather than being wee'd on by the gods.

Telephone Line refuses to sit long enough in the misery and gives itself away for too quickly. We find out quickly that the telephone isn't being answered but this should happen as the denouement of the song for real emotional weight instead of the doo-wops that makes me feel this whole thing is fake. Lynne isn't really saying anything except letting you know about the music he loves. This is an album about songs rather than anything real. It is also great because the songs are good but ultimately feel very light.

Rockaria! should just do the Beatles whooooooooos instead of teasing us with them. The breakdowns with the operatic voice are amazing though and I need more of this but Lynne can't commit and we move on too quick. The lack of weight is felt really heavily ironically on Mission (A World Record) that totally lacks gravity. It's a sweet song and the sections of funk are ace but it makes me smile at the music rather than reflect on words.

So Fine has a great bass line and makes me want to drink Pepsi and go for a drive with Olivia Newton John. Love the half time breakdown into the mad latin section. Don't ask why just enjoy the madness of it.

Livin' Thing does the same trick as lots of the songs of having an interesting intro that resolves into a fun time. It's like standing on the edge of a pool filled with piranhas with Hitler charging at you. He hits you hard and you take a dive into the pool but the piranha's are revealed to be goldfish and Hitler was Chaplin. You are wet but you have cake and everyone is your friend and all the ladies are wearing bikini's and you're rich but you're also a good person. You're above the clouds now and nothing can hurt you ever again except the ending of that track kind of hints that maybe you can but we won't think about that because depression is a bummer. Actually think I've heard part of Livin' Thing on an advert or something decades ago.

Does Do Ya count as a cover version if it's a song you wrote and recorded before? Also why can't Lynne commit to anything except positivity. This is a great chance to be really surreal. I've seen lots of things but never a woman like you - so we get this demonstrated using the most absurd things that can be imagined such as babies dancing in the midnight sun. Could do better.

Shangri-La is a fitting end to the album as it's bunches of fun and confirms ELO have heard of the Beatles just incase there was any doubt. BUT i really wish it had turned up the insanity at the end instead of being so sweet. The last two minutes of this should have been mental but it doesn't quite get past 7 on the mental-o-meter. It's referenced in the song so it's their own fault but it should do the Hey Jude outro thing instead of being so restrained.

So in summary this album is a lot of fun and a great celebration of song. If it had been committed to the moments of tension or distress it occasionally hints at it would have been a lot less fun but perhaps a little more interesting. In the end it's a super classy version of Jive Bunny but with less rabbits and the smell of the Death Star hanging in the air. It made me smile a lot so it's an 8 but if it had made me a little sadder it might have scored higher.
 
mrbelfry said:
Whenever I'm asked what my favourite song by the Beatles is I always answer Mr Blue Sky. If someone isn't confused by my answer then it's clear they aren't real Beatles fans and I get a vague sense of smug superiority that for a moment allows me to bury my deep insecurities in an octopuses garden. If they are in on the joke then we share a communal moment of knowledge and we both feel good. But if they don't get the joke and assume I'm an idiot then I have to explain it and the small frisson of tension that now exists between us is something I enjoy. It breaks the ice a little and gives a quick understanding of who I am as a person that lets the questioner understand if they want to have continued interaction with me or not. The moment of realisation in someones eyes that I am actually more of a muppet than I look is something I treasure. This is the extent of my pre-existing relationship I have with ELO - I'm not super familiar with their stuff. I know Mr Blue Sky and Enola Gay.

What started as a bad joke actually turned into an enjoyable experience as I listened to A New World Record. It's a sugar rush of an album but without the come down that is hinted at. Opener Tightrope lets us know what to expect with some excitement and doom synth and a brilliant cascading violin line that reveals a glam surprise. The violin returns to add a spice of tension as if Yoko has just turned up pulling a bed behind her but the mood here is McCartney and not McMisery. Someone does let down a line and saves him. A shame. At times I was reminded of Exit Music For A Film but it seems Jeff Lynne is legitimately happy and positive and rides around on rainbows rather than being wee'd on by the gods.

Telephone Line refuses to sit long enough in the misery and gives itself away for too quickly. We find out quickly that the telephone isn't being answered but this should happen as the denouement of the song for real emotional weight instead of the doo-wops that makes me feel this whole thing is fake. Lynne isn't really saying anything except letting you know about the music he loves. This is an album about songs rather than anything real. It is also great because the songs are good but ultimately feel very light.

Rockaria! should just do the Beatles whooooooooos instead of teasing us with them. The breakdowns with the operatic voice are amazing though and I need more of this but Lynne can't commit and we move on too quick. The lack of weight is felt really heavily ironically on Mission (A World Record) that totally lacks gravity. It's a sweet song and the sections of funk are ace but it makes me smile at the music rather than reflect on words.

So Fine has a great bass line and makes me want to drink Pepsi and go for a drive with Olivia Newton John. Love the half time breakdown into the mad latin section. Don't ask why just enjoy the madness of it.

Livin' Thing does the same trick as lots of the songs of having an interesting intro that resolves into a fun time. It's like standing on the edge of a pool filled with piranhas with Hitler charging at you. He hits you hard and you take a dive into the pool but the piranha's are revealed to be goldfish and Hitler was Chaplin. You are wet but you have cake and everyone is your friend and all the ladies are wearing bikini's and you're rich but you're also a good person. You're above the clouds now and nothing can hurt you ever again except the ending of that track kind of hints that maybe you can but we won't think about that because depression is a bummer. Actually think I've heard part of Livin' Thing on an advert or something decades ago.

Does Do Ya count as a cover version if it's a song you wrote and recorded before? Also why can't Lynne commit to anything except positivity. This is a great chance to be really surreal. I've seen lots of things but never a woman like you - so we get this demonstrated using the most absurd things that can be imagined such as babies dancing in the midnight sun. Could do better.

Shangri-La is a fitting end to the album as it's bunches of fun and confirms ELO have heard of the Beatles just incase there was any doubt. BUT i really wish it had turned up the insanity at the end instead of being so sweet. The last two minutes of this should have been mental but it doesn't quite get past 7 on the mental-o-meter. It's referenced in the song so it's their own fault but it should do the Hey Jude outro thing instead of being so restrained.

So in summary this album is a lot of fun and a great celebration of song. If it had been committed to the moments of tension or distress it occasionally hints at it would have been a lot less fun but perhaps a little more interesting. In the end it's a super classy version of Jive Bunny but with less rabbits and the smell of the Death Star hanging in the air. It made me smile a lot so it's an 8 but if it had made me a little sadder it might have scored higher.
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Three little letters. OMD. Not...ELO.

Nice review though.
 
BimboBob said:
Three little letters. OMD. Not...ELO.

Nice review though.
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Ha ha. I was laughing at the tremendous punchline that @mrbelfry delivered in the final sentence of that opening paragraph. That was superb, a delivery that landed after a beautiful setup. Go and read the first paragraph again carefully and you’ll get the joke this time :)

Bravo mrbelfy, you are a comic genius.
 
RobMCFC said:
Ha ha. I was laughing at the tremendous punchline that @mrbelfry delivered in the final sentence of that opening paragraph. That was superb, a delivery that landed after a beautiful setup. Go and read the first paragraph again carefully and you’ll get the joke this time :)

Bravo mrbelfy, you are a comic genius.
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Thank you. I didn't want to have to explain it
 
An absolutely brilliant pick this - had a load of crap stuff to do at work this afternoon and put this on. I love ELO but hadn't listened to this album for some reason (Out Of The Blue is my go-to ELO album). I looked at the track listing and any album that has Telephone Line and Livin' Thing on is going to be difficult to dislike!

It's got to be said, ELO are just fucking brilliant - masters of pop music that's melodic, catchy and good fun! I totally get the Beatles references, and in my mind if you want to sound like and take inspiration from then do it from the best - The Beatles.

Jeff Lynne is a superb songwriter and this album is brilliant. Simple as that. I wish I was around when they played the Coop this year as 100% I'd have been there!

Anyway, a brilliant album, great pick and if you don't like ELO then maybe music isn't for you! :)

9/10 - one deducted because they aren't The Beatles! :)
 
RobMCFC said:
Ha ha. I was laughing at the tremendous punchline that @mrbelfry delivered in the final sentence of that opening paragraph. That was superb, a delivery that landed after a beautiful setup. Go and read the first paragraph again carefully and you’ll get the joke this time :)

Bravo mrbelfy, you are a comic genius.
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I probably wont. And haven't.
 
threespires said:
On the subject of father and son music, my 18 year old has just DM'd me to say that his Spotify wrap has estimated him to be 60 years old :-) Can't tell if he's outraged or quite chuffed.
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I am 60 but my Spotify age was 50, so seems right. Given that Neil Young, Wet Leg, LCD Soundsystem and Husker Du were my top four artists, makes sense.

Mrs. Fog is 59 years old.

Spotify said she was 17.
 
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mrbelfry said:
Probably every couple of hours or so. If I'm not asked I'll just let people know. It's awkward during funerals and stuff but most people are polite
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I read that first paragraph, and thought, man this guy sounds like hard work!

I have however now started asking everyone I encounter what their favourite Beatles song is.

The barman last night said it was Do You Want a Drink or Not, which when I googled A.I. told me was by a band called Sexgadget. So I assume he is in your wee in-joke club.
 
mrbelfry said:
Whenever I'm asked what my favourite song by the Beatles is I always answer Mr Blue Sky. If someone isn't confused by my answer then it's clear they aren't real Beatles fans and I get a vague sense of smug superiority that for a moment allows me to bury my deep insecurities in an octopuses garden. If they are in on the joke then we share a communal moment of knowledge and we both feel good. But if they don't get the joke and assume I'm an idiot then I have to explain it and the small frisson of tension that now exists between us is something I enjoy. It breaks the ice a little and gives a quick understanding of who I am as a person that lets the questioner understand if they want to have continued interaction with me or not. The moment of realisation in someones eyes that I am actually more of a muppet than I look is something I treasure. This is the extent of my pre-existing relationship I have with ELO - I'm not super familiar with their stuff. I know Mr Blue Sky and Enola Gay.

What started as a bad joke actually turned into an enjoyable experience as I listened to A New World Record. It's a sugar rush of an album but without the come down that is hinted at. Opener Tightrope lets us know what to expect with some excitement and doom synth and a brilliant cascading violin line that reveals a glam surprise. The violin returns to add a spice of tension as if Yoko has just turned up pulling a bed behind her but the mood here is McCartney and not McMisery. Someone does let down a line and saves him. A shame. At times I was reminded of Exit Music For A Film but it seems Jeff Lynne is legitimately happy and positive and rides around on rainbows rather than being wee'd on by the gods.

Telephone Line refuses to sit long enough in the misery and gives itself away for too quickly. We find out quickly that the telephone isn't being answered but this should happen as the denouement of the song for real emotional weight instead of the doo-wops that makes me feel this whole thing is fake. Lynne isn't really saying anything except letting you know about the music he loves. This is an album about songs rather than anything real. It is also great because the songs are good but ultimately feel very light.

Rockaria! should just do the Beatles whooooooooos instead of teasing us with them. The breakdowns with the operatic voice are amazing though and I need more of this but Lynne can't commit and we move on too quick. The lack of weight is felt really heavily ironically on Mission (A World Record) that totally lacks gravity. It's a sweet song and the sections of funk are ace but it makes me smile at the music rather than reflect on words.

So Fine has a great bass line and makes me want to drink Pepsi and go for a drive with Olivia Newton John. Love the half time breakdown into the mad latin section. Don't ask why just enjoy the madness of it.

Livin' Thing does the same trick as lots of the songs of having an interesting intro that resolves into a fun time. It's like standing on the edge of a pool filled with piranhas with Hitler charging at you. He hits you hard and you take a dive into the pool but the piranha's are revealed to be goldfish and Hitler was Chaplin. You are wet but you have cake and everyone is your friend and all the ladies are wearing bikini's and you're rich but you're also a good person. You're above the clouds now and nothing can hurt you ever again except the ending of that track kind of hints that maybe you can but we won't think about that because depression is a bummer. Actually think I've heard part of Livin' Thing on an advert or something decades ago.

Does Do Ya count as a cover version if it's a song you wrote and recorded before? Also why can't Lynne commit to anything except positivity. This is a great chance to be really surreal. I've seen lots of things but never a woman like you - so we get this demonstrated using the most absurd things that can be imagined such as babies dancing in the midnight sun. Could do better.

Shangri-La is a fitting end to the album as it's bunches of fun and confirms ELO have heard of the Beatles just incase there was any doubt. BUT i really wish it had turned up the insanity at the end instead of being so sweet. The last two minutes of this should have been mental but it doesn't quite get past 7 on the mental-o-meter. It's referenced in the song so it's their own fault but it should do the Hey Jude outro thing instead of being so restrained.

So in summary this album is a lot of fun and a great celebration of song. If it had been committed to the moments of tension or distress it occasionally hints at it would have been a lot less fun but perhaps a little more interesting. In the end it's a super classy version of Jive Bunny but with less rabbits and the smell of the Death Star hanging in the air. It made me smile a lot so it's an 8 but if it had made me a little sadder it might have scored higher.
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Wonderful review, I suspect the refusal to descend into misery is more a reaction to the first 3 albums than anything else
 
Coatigan said:
I read that first paragraph, and thought, man this guy sounds like hard work!

I have however now started asking everyone I encounter what their favourite Beatles song is.

The barman last night said it was Do You Want a Drink or Not, which when I googled A.I. told me was by a band called Sexgadget. So I assume he is in your wee in-joke club.
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You sound like my wife. She also finds me completely insufferable
 
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