Monday, November 4, 2019

Jeff Lynne: Handle With Care



"People tend to underestimate Jeff Lynne. Mention ELO and they think of spaceships, OTT arrangements, cheesy vocoder FX and silly lyrics  like 'Whama-lama-bama-lama rock and roll is king.' They mistake his modesty for modest abilities, take for granted the skills required to make such dense music seem so simple. Publicly, at least, Lynne too makes light of himself and 'my little songs'- a phrase he often applies to his work, even when he's playing the songs with a 13 piece band to 60,000 fans at Wembley Stadium."

That is the opening paragraph to Quinton Winter's Mojo review of Lynne's new ELO release "From Out of Nowhere," and it saved me the trouble of having to come up with an opening paragraph for my review.

I've been reading some negative comments regarding Jeff Lynne's new collection of songs that once again point out the canned drum sound, the layered harmonies and even a few nitpicks like, "oh look, another song about rain." And these comments were from fans!

Once again, I ask, what do we want from our rock and roll heroes who are now in their seventies and have been making music for over 50 years? I won't reopen the banal discussion about "music being better before." But I will say, few artists, if any, could create ten perfect pop songs as consistently as Lynne has since "Telephone Line" became a monster hit over forty years ago. If you've been a fan, would you have preferred a hip-hop collaboration from Lynne and Ke$ha? Or, an EDM record? How about Jeff Lynne tackling nu-soul with D'Angelo? To trash an ELO record for sounding like an ELO record in 2019 seems like a wind-up for the sake of a wind-up. I think you are missing the point.

If you're not a fan, then there is nothing to hear here. But if you've loved the Wilburys, or Petty's brilliant "Full Moon Fever" and "Highway Companion," or if you were one of the handful like myself who thought Lynne's first ELO comeback "Zoom," might have been his career masterpiece---not hyperbole---there is plenty to love on "From Out Of Nowhere," his second release in just four years.

You will find songs inspired by Lynne's heroes, Del Shannon, Roy Orbison, Lennon & McCartney, of course & Chuck Berry, songs with hooks and choruses to die for, and yes, canned drums. But this should not be a surprise to anyone who claims to love the man anymore than Bob Dylan's last 10 records having the same fuzzy "Jack Frost" production, or any one of T- Bone Burnett's projects sounding like they were recorded in mud and murk. Paul McCartney gets trashed for using autotune, for working with Kanye West, for singing standards AND for getting sentimental and writing songs about John. Come on people! You're not playing fair! What is it you want?

I'll tell you what I want: another two or three Jeff Lynne records with ten great pop tunes that sound just like Jeff Lynne. I'm a fan.

Jeff Lynne is riding high and arguably more popular than ever and "From Out Of Nowhere" is short, solid and just what an ELO record should be.




13 comments:

Troy said...

I think the new album is terrific, and probably even like it a bit more than the last one. I'm glad he is still making records as good as this one and was thrilled that I got to see them perform live last year. The only'complaint' I would have really applies to ELO albums going back to Discovery, and that is the canned orchestra sound. My favorite ELO album is A New World Record, and nothing he/they have done since sounds as warm as that. The songs are great and I love almost all of them, but I've always wished for a bit more warmth in the production. Small potatoes I know...

Slidewell said...

There's the unrealistic expectation that our favorite artists can make new music that gives us exactly what we want, but also some level of surprise. Yes, indeed this new one sounds just like an ELO record, and that's certainly ok with with me, but I have to say that the last one, (and even more so 'Zoom') delivered what I wanted but did somehow seemed fresher than 'From Out of Nowhere'. Subjective? Certainly. Maybe this was one came out too soon after 'Alone In the Universe'. Our favorite meals lose their specialness when we eat them too frequently. Does that imply ELO is gourmet or fast food? I dunno.

Sal Nunziato said...

I've listened to the new one exactly two times and I really dig it, but I agree, Slidewell, "Alone In The Universe" hit me hard, no doubt to the long absence of new Jeff Lynne music. I imagine the new one will get better with each spin.

And Troy, I agree re: canned orchestra, and also, as a drummer, would really prefer a different drum sound. But my point is, it is NO surprise. I'll take Jeff's songwriting and harmonies over live drums and crappy tunes any time.

Chris Collins said...

I'm 4 minutes in and I love it

neal t said...

Got to see him 2! summers ago in Chicago. Been a fan since first album. his solo disc Armchair Theatre pretty dam good and it's single Lift Me Up would be one of his best known tunes if it was released back in ELO hey day.

Whattawino said...

Bravo, Mr. Lynne! I remain a fan. And why the hell not, I ask you?

Rocket said...

This IS Jeff Lynne - Love him or Leave him...
The problem with living up to previous works like A New World Record, Etc. IS:
* How old were You back then?
* What memories do you have that go along with that record?
SO, there's Not Only the Music itself, But it's perception upon the Listener...
Which, we all know is subjective!
And, That's a Good Thing!
SR

Moe said...

I love the new album!!

M_Sharp said...

Same old Jeff Lynne's ELO- ten fine pop/rock tunes, easily several hit singles, what's not to like?

ken49 said...

Zoom and the new one are outstanding. Never was a huge ELO fan in their heyday but these two sound fantastic

buzzbabyjesus said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
buzzbabyjesus said...

"Once again, I ask, what do we want from our rock and roll heroes who are now in their seventies"

I was going to say, "use real drums", and then I listened and although I'm very sensitive to bad drums sounds, I can't complain here. They service the music.

The songs sound like prime ELO, and Jeff is indeed a genius.

I'm not a huge ELO fan, because I'm old, and I liked the Move better.
At first I sided with Roy Wood, but he's looney and I absolutely hated "Mustard".

Apparently Bev Bevans isn't speaking to either of them, so we probably won't see a Move reunion any time soon.

Matthew said...

I am right there with you. I'll take more of the same when it's this fucking good.