Very experimental, the Electric Light Orchestra's first album doesn't offer many hints of their more conventional musical glories to come. What it offers instead are two excellent compositions, "10538 Overture" and "Whisper In The Night", as well as seven atonal, but truly fascinating attempts to twist one's ear into a pretzel: "Nellie Takes Her Bow", "Look At Me Now", "The Battle Of Marston Moor (July 2nd 1644)", "First Movement (Jumping Biz)", "Mr Radio", "Manhattan Rumble (49th Street Massacre)" and "Queen Of The Hours".
1973 ELO 2 (4)
Three very impressive compositions: "Momma", "Kuiama" and "From The Sun To The World (Boogie No 1)". One brave attempt to compose a challenging experimental piece, "In Old England Town (Boogie No 2)". And "Roll Over Beethoven", a Chuck Berry cover song with actual Beethoven music mixed in for good measure.
1973 On The Third Day (8)
1974 Eldorado (8)
Electric Light Orchestra's first great concept album. One timeless classic: "Can't Get It Out Of My Head". And seven good tracks: "Poor Boy (The Greenwood)", "Boy Blue", "Nobody's Child", "Illusions in G Major", "Laredo Tornado", "Mister Kingdom" and "Overture / Eldorado / Finale".
1975 Face The Music (8)
The first Electric Light Orchestra's album to go platinum. Two timeless classics: "Evil Woman" and "Strange Magic". Three fine songs: "Waterfall", "One Summer Dream" and "Down Home Town". And three disappointments: "Poker", "Nightrider" and "Fire On High".
1976 A New World Record (9)
One of Electric Light Orchestra's greatest albums. Three timeless masterpieces: "Telephone Line" (probably their best song ever), "Livin' Thing" and "Do Ya". And six fine songs: "Shangri-La", "Rockaria", "Tightrope", "Mission (A World Record)", "So Fine" and "Above The Clouds". An earlier, far inferior version of "Do Ya" was first released as a single in 1972 by Jeff Lynne's old band The Move.
1977 Out Of The Blue (17)
This fabulous double album is Electric Light Orchestra's crowning achievement. Six timeless classics: "Mr Blue Sky", "Turn To Stone", "Sweet Talkin' Woman", "Jungle", "Summer And Lightning" and "Sweet Is The Night". Eight good songs: "It's Over", "Night In The City", "Starlight", "Wild West Hero", "Across The Border", "Steppin' Out", "Big Wheels" and "Birmingham Blues". One weak song: "Standin' In The Rain". And two unimpressive instrumental tracks: "The Whale" and "Believe Me Now".
1979 Discovery (9)
Nicknamed "Disco Very". Two timeless classics: "Shine A Little Love" and "Don't Bring Me Down". Seven excellent songs: "Confusion", "Last Train To London", "Midnight Blue", "On The Run", "The Diary Of Horace Wimp", "Wishing" and "Need Her Love".
1980 Xanadu (5)
An uneven soundtrack album, divided evenly between Olivia Newton-John's five songs on Side One, and the Electric Light Orchestra's five compositions on Side Two. Except for "Magic", Olivia's songs are quite forgettable. Neither "Suddenly" nor "Dancin'" nor "Suspended In Time" or "Whenever You're Away From Me" have much to recommend them. But the Electric Light Orchestra's side of the album is better. One timeless classic: "Xanadu". Two very good songs: "I'M Alive" and "Don't Walk Away". And two fine tunes: "The Fall" and "All Over The World". It should be noted that although the film was a critical and commercial flop (only achieving a certain limited fame as a camp classic), the soundtrack album was a worldwide success and received positive reviews from music critics, earning double platinum certifications in the United States and Canada.
1981 Time (12)
Seven excellent songs: "Hold On Tight", "The Lights Go Down", "The Way Life's Meant To Be", "From The End Of The World", "Yours Truly 2095", "Twilight" and "21st Century Man". Three fine tunes: "Ticket To The Moon", "Here Is The News" and "Rain Is Falling". And two disappointments: "Another Heart Breaks" and "Prologue / Epilogue".
1983 Secret Messages (11)
Two excellent songs: "Rock 'n' Roll Is King" and "Bluebird". Seven good tunes: "Danger Ahead", "Train Of Gold", "Secret Messages", "Stranger", "Take Me On And On", "Time After Time" and "Four Little Diamonds". And two disappointments: "Loser Gone Wild" and "Letter From Spain".
1986 Balance Of Power (10)
Ten good songs: "Calling America", "Secret Lives", "Heaven Only Knows", "So Serious", "Getting To The Point", "Is It Alright", "Sorrow About To Fall", "Without Someone", "Endless Lies" and "Send It".
2001 Zoom (13)
Thirteen good songs: "Just For Love", "Easy Money", "It Really Doesn't Matter", "Alright", "Moment In Paradise", "State Of Mind", "Stranger On A Quiet Street", "In My Own Time", "Ordinary Dream", "A Long Time Gone", "Melting In The Sun", "All She Wanted" and "Lonesome Lullaby".
2015 Alone In The Universe (11)
Eleven good songs: "On My Mind", "One Step At A Time", "Love And Rain", "Dirty To The Bone", "When I Was A Boy", "When The Night Comes", "The Sun Will Shine On You", "Ain't It A Drag", "All My Life", "I'M Leaving You" and "Alone In The Universe".
2019 From Out Of Nowhere (10)
Ten good songs: "One More Time", "Sci-Fi Woman", "Time Of Our Life", "Goin' Out On Me", "From Out Of Nowhere", "Help Yourself", "All My Love", "Down Came The Rain", "Losing You" and "Songbird".
Other songs (6):
good "Surrender" (1976)
very good "The Quick And The Daft" (1977)
very good "Latitude 88 North" (1977)
fine "The Bouncer" (1981)
fine "When Time Stood Still" (1981)
very good "Julie Don't Live Here" (1981)
