Music review: Jeff Lynne’s ELO – ‘Alone in the Universe’
Inspired by last year鈥檚 electrifying performance with ELO at Hyde Park, Jeff Lynne releases an engaging set of new material under the ELO name since 2001鈥檚 鈥淶oom.鈥�
Despite featuring the famed band鈥檚 name, this latest release is truly a Lynne solo effort.
For 鈥淎lone in the Universe,鈥� 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鈥檚 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鈥檚 lead single, 鈥淲hen I Was a Boy,鈥� is a nostalgic charmer that once again harkens back to Lynne鈥檚 childhood, detailing how music changed his life. 鈥淟ove and Rain鈥� channels the melodic flow of 鈥淪howdown鈥� from ELO鈥檚 1973 album 鈥淥n the Third Day.鈥�
Both arrangements feature the symbolism of rain as a powerful force. 鈥淪howdown鈥� 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.
鈥淒irty to the Bone鈥� comes across as a lighter, modern-day version of ELO鈥檚 1975 hit 鈥淓vil Woman.鈥� 鈥淲hen the Night Comes鈥� is my favorite selection with its infectious flavoring of yearning and hope earlier displayed on songs such as 鈥淭elephone Line鈥� and 鈥淎bove the Clouds.鈥�
With 鈥淎lone in the Universe,鈥� the 67-year-old singer, songwriter and producer seamlessly recaptures the lush musical spirit he crafted on 1976鈥檚 鈥淎 New World Record鈥� and 1977鈥檚 鈥淥ut of the Blue.鈥�
Released at the very height of ELO鈥檚 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鈥檚 new material convincingly stands up alongside other classic ELO tunes like 鈥淒o Ya,鈥� 鈥淪trange Magic鈥� and 鈥淢r. Blue Sky.鈥�
Pick up Lynne鈥檚 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 缅北禁地 music reviewer. He can be reached at crhodes@heraldstandard.com.