A New World Record - ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA****

Tightrope/Telephone Line/Rockaria/Mission (A World Record)/So Fine/Livin' Thing/Above The Clouds/Do Ya/Shangri La

A New World Record was where ELO struck gold, with a lengthy run at the top of the album charts, after dialling down the progressive elements in a move towards mainstream pop. Telephone Line, Rockaria and Livin’ Thing all reached the UK top ten. (US:5 UK:6)

“Having been there at the time, I can testify that this was probably one of the five or six biggest albums of the mid seventies. It is on the light side, with poppy lead and backing vocals, and no extreme progressive passages, but it is a genuinely solid album full of nice melodies.”

“The entire album is filled with great songs with symphonic flourishes and nice melodies. Jeff Lynne has always been one of those underrated songwriters but I think he has proved himself especially with this album. The whole band is in top form and you have some truly timeless classics.”

“The first side struck me as being one of the best song sequences ever, each track taking us somewhere quite different, but each brilliant in its own right. The second side doesn't quite achieve the same heights but it's still my favourite album by a group that's never quite had the critical acclaim they deserve.”

“This is the sound of the Electric Light Orchestra becoming less progressive, less symphonic, more slick and poppier. With the release of A New World Record they stood on the verge of superstardom, which they would achieve shortly after this with the disco-symphonic-pop sound they first mined here.”

“Approaching their peak, ELO have put out a great album of pop-rock songs, catchy melodies, sumptuous production, fiddly bits where the tracks run into each other. It's possibly not cool, but its great music that's catchy and makes you smile.”

“When I was in high school, a geeky kid was asked his favourite group. He said ELO and I cringed. Not because I didn't like them, but because it was then very uncool to admit you did like them. Now I'll shout it to the world - I love ELO.”

“If you enjoy a wide variety of music with classical overtones to rock power chords, you will enjoy this recording. I especially like the masterful use of electronics and synthesizers applied to the colourful melodies.”