Sometimes everything just aligns perfectly for a magic musical moment, and for ELO, this was it. Yes, they had some hits before this, but this was pure gold for them and it sold by the squillion. Jeff Lynne was now the only songwriter by this point and it was basically a solo album for him. The album before this (A New World Record) had spawned 3 hit singles with Lovin’ Thing, Rockaria and Telephone Line – and you wondered how the hell would they top that? Well, this is the answer – the best album they ever did.
This is a superb pop rock record from the opening smash Turn To Stone, to the equally massive Wild West Hero and everything in between. It’s such an enjoyable record that it takes you back instantly to where you were at the time. The perfect pop/rock record? I think so!
10/10 from The Grooveman.
