Music review: Jeff Lynne’s ELO – ‘Alone in the Universe’
Inspired by last year无毛视频檚 electrifying performance with ELO at Hyde Park, Jeff Lynne releases an engaging set of new material under the ELO name since 2001无毛视频檚 无毛视频淶oom.无毛视频�
Despite featuring the famed band无毛视频檚 name, this latest release is truly a Lynne solo effort.
For 无毛视频淎lone in the Universe,无毛视频� the ELO frontman wrote, arranged and produced all 10 tracks as well as performed nearly all the vocal parts and instrumental duties. The last time we heard the sweet sounds from Lynne无毛视频檚 musical mind, he was recording an album of covers that served as a touching tribute to his days growing up listening to the family radio.
The album无毛视频檚 lead single, 无毛视频淲hen I Was a Boy,无毛视频� is a nostalgic charmer that once again harkens back to Lynne无毛视频檚 childhood, detailing how music changed his life. 无毛视频淟ove and Rain无毛视频� channels the melodic flow of 无毛视频淪howdown无毛视频� from ELO无毛视频檚 1973 album 无毛视频淥n the Third Day.无毛视频�
Both arrangements feature the symbolism of rain as a powerful force. 无毛视频淪howdown无毛视频� uses it to illustrate the heartache of a love coming to an end, while the new selection emphasizes that both love and rain are needed to help a relationship grow strong.
无毛视频淒irty to the Bone无毛视频� comes across as a lighter, modern-day version of ELO无毛视频檚 1975 hit 无毛视频淓vil Woman.无毛视频� 无毛视频淲hen the Night Comes无毛视频� is my favorite selection with its infectious flavoring of yearning and hope earlier displayed on songs such as 无毛视频淭elephone Line无毛视频� and 无毛视频淎bove the Clouds.无毛视频�
With 无毛视频淎lone in the Universe,无毛视频� the 67-year-old singer, songwriter and producer seamlessly recaptures the lush musical spirit he crafted on 1976无毛视频檚 无毛视频淎 New World Record无毛视频� and 1977无毛视频檚 无毛视频淥ut of the Blue.无毛视频�
Released at the very height of ELO无毛视频檚 creative period, both albums played a huge role in contributing to the soundtrack of my early teenage years and solidified my fondness for the English band.
With every ELO album now a treasured addition to my music catalog, I am pleased to write that Lynne无毛视频檚 new material convincingly stands up alongside other classic ELO tunes like 无毛视频淒o Ya,无毛视频� 无毛视频淪trange Magic无毛视频� and 无毛视频淢r. Blue Sky.无毛视频�
Pick up Lynne无毛视频檚 latest creation and prepare to savor some timeless pop arrangements that evoke memories from a glorious time when life was simpler and music fueled dreams and grand ambitions.
Clint Rhodes is the 无毛视频-Standard music reviewer. He can be reached at crhodes@heraldstandard.com.