Out Of The Blue

Extra AF. Good album with a ton of interesting sounds and ideas. But man, it feels like Pink Floyd got bedazzled and thrown onstage at broadway. Overall enjoyable though, so don't get me wrong. True feelings: 3.6/5

stage 1: this album is how long? stage 2: okay jeff, we get it. you like the beatles stage 3: this album is HOW long?? stage 4a: the edibles hit stage 4b: the whale stage 5: the lights are off and the sun went down an hour ago stage 666: a c c e p t

This album feels like driving 65 in a 65 speed limit zone. There is some really fun instrumental stuff in Across the Border. Jungle has got a totally different feel and I dig it, but only kind of. This music just feels like corporate and soulless and sterile to me I guess. There’s no heart here.

Side three of the release is subtitled Concerto for a Rainy Day, a four-track musical suite based on the weather and how it affects mood change, ending with the eventual sunshine and happiness of "Mr. Blue Sky". This was inspired by Lynne's experience while trying to write songs for the album against a torrential downpour of rain outside his Swiss Chalet. "Standin' in the Rain" opens the suite with a haunting keyboard over a recording of real rain, recorded by Jeff Lynne just outside his rented studio. Also heard at the 0:33 mark of the song, which marks the beginning of The Concerto, is thunder crackling in an unusual manner voicing the words "Concerto for a Rainy Day" by the band's keyboardist, Richard Tandy. At around the 1:07 mark, the staccato strings play a morse code spelling out "ELO". The band used the song to open their 1978 World Tour Out of the Blue concerts. "Big Wheels" forms the second part of the suite and continues with the theme of the weather and reflection. Apart from its inclusion on the Out of the Blue album, the song has never appeared on any of the band's compilations or as a B-side until 2000, when Lynne included it on the group's retrospective Flashback album. "Summer and Lightning" is the third song in the suite. The raining weather theme is continued throughout the track though the mood and lyrics are more optimistic. "Mr. Blue Sky", an uplifting, lively song celebrating sunshine, is the finale of "Concerto for a Rainy Day" suite. Again, the Vocoder is used at the end of the track where, at the 4:54 mark, one can hear "Please turn me over" as it fades out. It is the only piece from the Concerto to be excerpted as a single.

I’m sure there were a lot of innovative sonic qualities in this album for ‘77, and in a way I like the orchestra integration, but overall this album just really doesn’t do it for me. Not sure what it is, but it kind of all starts to blend together after a while and not many songs really stuck out for me. Not bad by any means, just nothing overly special. And I know that’s a crime considering Mr. Blue Sky is on this album but 🤷🏼‍♂️

electric light orchestra. I hardly know her.

Ahh 1977. I was more into punk than this shite. Spikey hair, ripped jeans and sucking off wheelies in alleyways was my game. ELO can fuck right off.

More like end my life orchestra.

I love ELO and this album is not an exception! Good rock with various styles, ranging from classic to prog, and some really good instrumental songs.

There might be some good songs here but sheeesh they're hard to find under the bright, overwrought production. Like Brian Wilson on steroids, the studio effects just keep coming with little relief in sight. Somewhere under all the orchestral flourishes and choral singers and unnecessary sound effect is some good old fashioned rock songs....I guess. I wish someone had said to him; "Jeff, why don't you take a break?" 2.5 🌟

This will be…interesting. Ha. First off, this album is LONG, over an hour—20 minutes longer give or take than everything else I’ve been fed from this list so far. ELO clearly have a deep and abiding love for pop songcraft but I can’t stand their sound. God so much fucking falsetto. I don’t know anything about ELO but I’m willing to bet this band is mostly the vision of one person—going to check now. I was right! Jeff Lynne. Good for him. Bad for me. It’s taking everything in me to finish this album and I’m three songs in. I bet if I listened to this four times in a row or if I grew up listening to it I would love it. But that is not the case. Every time there’s a verse I like the arrangement gets more complicated and overwrought—Big Wheels being a good example of this. I do think a lot of it is just the big slick production that’s putting me off, it makes it hard to “hear” the songs with so much instrumentation and just Jesus it’s so fucking smooth and even. I also can’t stand the strings. Also listening the Mr Blue Sky for the millionth time (but for the first time on headphones!) makes me never want to listen to music again. God fuck this album. Objectively it’s very well done and blah blah blah but fuck. Fuck this album. Maybe it’s me but I want to kill myself more and more the longer I listen. Seriously. Stone cold garbage. Those stupid strings. Stupid stupid stupid strings. It’s like they got some Ok songs and made a sandwich but then put a big thick layer of mayonnaise on it and so all you taste is mayonnaise. And mayonnaise is fine but. You know. IT HAS ITS PLACE and that place is not in my ears. I seriously might not listen to music for the rest of the day after listening to this album. It’s too long, too coked-out, too ornate, too fucking obnoxious. If it was 2/3 the length my opinion would probably be different. It’s like watching someone masturbate and they just won’t stop. Think they’re done? Nope! Too bad. Jeff Lynne just keeps on wankin’. And wankin’. And wankin’. Anyways. Self-indulgent twaddle. 1/5 for overstaying its welcome.

Catchy, memorable, inventive. One of my all time favourites!

Somehow this is bland mashup of McCartney, Queen, and Pink Floyd. Massively overproduced and twice as long as it needed to be. A couple memorable songs but mostly I just wanted it to end.

Perhaps the most enthusiastic ensemble you will hear—a genuine triumph.

Love me some ELO. I remember listening to this album as a kid (thanks to my older siblings who were ELO fans). Those opening notes of Turn to Stone bring back memories and it's still a great song. ELO is one of those bands where I enjoy everything I hear but have never dug deeply into their catalog. Jeff Lynne is awesome and I appreciate him more every time I hear anything he's involved in. Mr. Blue Sky has been played a million times in my house since my kids got into Guardians of the Galaxy, but it never gets old. Stuff like Sweet Talkin' Woman is very 70s, but still great. Favorite non-hits - Jungle (fun track), Believe Me Now, Sweet is the Night. Basically, there isn't a weak moment on the album, which is even more impressive since it's a double album. Great stuff, easy 5.

The first album I ever bought was ELO. This one remains a favourite of mine, despite the decades they spent languishing in the mire of critical scorn. I'm glad they've undergone a minor re-evaluation, because Jeff Lynne owned the purest pop ears since Paul McCartney. The songs here feel liked they're beamed in from a softer, sunnier dimension; and it's a small marvel at just how meticulous some of the arrangements are. Lynne has the sensibility of a jeweller where creating pop is concerned - one of my favourite albums, of any genre, ever

This was the first album I bought and I still love it today. It's 110% full-on from the word go with orchestral rock-n-roll pop-driven tunes and not a quiet introspective moment in 4 sides. Jeff Lynne is a genius for arrangements and tunes and it flows along with a multitude of classical and electronic tricks. I can understand how some people can't stand the whole vibe but it's so hooked into my memories I can't but love it.

Fantastical

Anyone who doesn’t put a 5 deserves death

Mr. Blue Sky es una de mis canciones favoritas desde hace unos años y sin embargo, nunca la había escuchado en el contexto de su disco original, y me encantó ahora oírla como parte de una cosa conceptual que está justo en medio del Rock y la sobreproducción del Disco que empezaba en esa época. Muy buenos solos de guitarra, sintetizadores, motivos que se repiten pero utilizados sutilmente, creo que el disco tiene de todo. Perfecta la coincidencia que, después de Blue de Joni Mitchel siguiera Out of the Blue.

Mr Blue Skyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy

Classic double album that seems shorter than its 70 minutes. The suite on Side 3 is perfect.

Great prog pop. As usual, a double album could probably be an even better single album but there is something about it being too long that is appropriate to the genre. Several tracks such as "Stepping Out" would be at home on an alternate universe Let It Be album - down to the overblown arrangement.

Much as a philosopher proposed for Jonathan Richman on this here website, Jeff Lynne looked at The Beatles and said "I can do that"; from time-to-time, he would succeed. You might think I am an ELO's Greatest Hits kinda guy, and you would be correct (apart from Discovery, which I love for nostalgic reasons). This one is too much and too long (often both at once), but when it gets it right it hits hard. "Sweet Talkin' Woman" and "Mr Blue Sky" are always a pleasure, and kudos also for inventing Daft Punk. I'm too old for double albums that are not particularly varied throughout, but I probably would have loved this if I discovered it 35 years ago. I'll be kind

The Disco Beatles. Sorry, I just call ‘em like I see ‘em…

This was a double disappointment as when the name and cover turned up, as my perma-daze simultaneously translated this into Jeff Wayne’s War of the Worlds soundtrack - which may be terrible, but I haven’t heard since I loved it as a pre-teen - and OMD, of whom I’ve heard enough to know I want to hear much more when I can be bothered to. Listened to this at work, started it with my first coffee of the day, finished it three more coffees later with a blazing caffeine hangover. Work wasn’t hard, sun’s been shining, I have had relatively fine sleep, so I can only blame this record, which confounds me by being both lovable and tedious. I understand the Beatles’ debt, but they are a frictionless version, too cuddly, slightly pantomime, and don’t have enough choruses with bite. Here’s a tip: I gave up a second playthrough to listen to Miles Davis’s “A Tribute to Jack Johnson”, which shreds. Maybe listen to that instead.

Not bad per se, but hasn't aged well and annoys me

one of the best

Used to spin this on vinyl often over a decade ago. It was a pleasure revisiting an album I haven’t thought about in quite some time. So many delicious melodies. Jeff Lynne bringing fun symphonic pop to the masses. This is prog rock stripped of a lot of the pretensions.

Love me some ELO! And Mr. Blue Sky is one of the happiest songs ever written. :)

Somehow my favourite Beatles album

I grew up with this album. Have probably listened to it a few hundred times. At the time also special since it is a double LP (and therefore quite long). Today, I think it's ok. But still, there are sooo many songs on it which I really love. So it's a five.

Nobody sounds like ELO! All of these songs are so infused with life and charm. The hits are HITS and the rest of the stuff is all good fun. Shoutout to Wild West Hero. Unsung classic

Quel incroyable album, je frissonne à chaque fois que je l'écoute. L'orchestration est top notch, le groove est là et tu te rempli de bonne humeur à force à mesure que le double album progresse.

A really fun ride, filled with unexpected chords progressions and sumptuous orchestrations. Loved it!

Amazing album, maybe a little too long and could be rearranged. But I don't know what I would cut.

Hype music for cardigan-wearers.

what a group!

You know that Autotune trend that was everywhere 15 years ago? That's Jeff Lynne's creation, from thirty-five years prior. But unlike that trend, Lynne knew when to rein in the autotune so it isn't so overwhelming. Electric Light Orchestra were electronic pioneers but used rock and pop to make it accessible. They sure created some catchy songs, like the electronic chorus in "Sweet Talkin' Woman"! Lynne created a beautiful album that has highs and lows--but most importantly has bangers, some of ELO's most iconic songs. But even the songs that weren't hits were great and engaging. ELO never shied away from pure instrumental songs, and this album was no exception. The instrumentals aren't throwaway songs but are engaging and impactful. I was struck by how similar to a musical Out of the Blue is. Its creation was purposeful, to the point that the position of each song was carefully determined. One motif in particular popped up multiple times, and it was a chord from "Mr. Blue Sky." This connected the album musically but ensured the listener could connect the themes, too.

ELO holds a sentimental value to me, i bought this album for my mom as a present as a child. The combination of slow pop-rock, string orchestras and vocal harmonies really hits me strong. it's easy listening music, for some it might be a bit boring. But the album also has some of their big hits like Mr. Blue Sky

I like it very much! Perfect album! It is very melodious. Vocals are brilliant! Every track is a Masterpiece.

This is like the 5th best Electric Light Orchestra album, and yet it's still getting the maximum rating. I know why this one is on here though, it obviously has the "Concerto For a Rainy Day" suite, you can't really argue with "Mr Blue Sky". I do think something like "A New World Record" or "Time" are better albums all around though, because this one is a little overlong and some songs are a bit forgettable, in comparison to the all killer, no filler albums I rank above it. You have an impure soul if you're rating this under 3 stars. I'm sorry, I don't make up the rules.

Disco with classical instruments? You son of a beautiful woman, I'm in!

When the day is done and there's nowhere to run And the people of the city have all lost and won In your city dress you stand and stare And you smoke another cigarette and comb your hair And the light that shines Paints a trace of sadness On the street I wait But I can't seem to get to you. Well, you start to sway check your Cartier Cause it's getting late you can't afford to wait So you move along where it's going on And the people of the night are playing 'til the dawn And the sun that shines Paints a trace of sadness In your eyes that cry Wishing and hoping Oh Sweet, sweet is the night Now you are near Dark dark were the days They disappear Sweet sweet is the night Now you are near Yeah, this album is pretty fucking great. 5/5

Holy shit was this album great. I don't know if there was a bad song on it. I've only heard the ELO hits before and wow I need to keep deep diving. I'm blown away. The Whale was probably my least favorite track, but it wasn't bad at all Favorite songs: Mr. Blue Sky (obv), Across the Border, Sweet is the Night, Wild West Hero, Night in the City

Ó já. Hljómsveitin sem ég elska en hlusta samt aldrei á. Af hverju? Ég veit það ekki því þetta er algjört meistaraverk. Ekki margar hljómsveitir sem fá mig til að dansa eða hlaupa um úti á götu en þessi gerir það. Ég verð svo glaður. Ef það er ekki fimm stjörnur þá er ekkert fimm stjörnur

WOW

Fun fact: This was the first album I ever bought on CD. This was my favorite album for a long time, but it's been out of my rotation for a few years now. I'm stilling giving it a 5/5 because I feel I'm obligated to do so but it's not really the kind of stuff I listen to these days. The Vibe: You are zipping through space at a zillion miles an hour to see a performance of Beethoven's 9th, which is being played on one of Saturn's moons.

Echt een briljant album. Alles voelt als een opbouw naar Mr Blue Sky toe. Vind dat nummer eigenlijk helemaal niet meer zo leuk als je de rest hoort. Jammer dat hun imago zo erg op dat ene nummer is gebaseerd. Heb een brandweerauto gehoord. Dikke dikke vijf sterren.

"Out of the Blue" by Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) is a landmark album showcasing a rich blend of orchestral arrangements, lush harmonies, and a sophisticated mix of rock and pop. As a producer, engineer, and writer hybrid, there are many layers of musical theory, production techniques, and compositional choices that can be both insightful and inspiring. ### 1. **Complex Harmonic Structure** - **Extended Chords and Non-Diatonic Modulation**: Jeff Lynne often uses **extended chords** (7ths, 9ths, 11ths) and **non-diatonic modulations** to create rich harmonic textures. In "Mr. Blue Sky," for example, the song moves through unexpected key changes that maintain a bright and uplifting character, often modulating through keys like F major, Bb major, and C major. - **Writing Insight**: For a writer, using extended chords can help add color and complexity to an otherwise simple progression. The clever key changes in "Mr. Blue Sky" contribute to a feeling of constant movement, making the song unpredictable and engaging. These modulations also provide contrast between sections, adding to the song's narrative and emotional arc. - **Production Note**: For a producer, ensuring these harmonic shifts are clean and coherent requires careful arrangement, especially with orchestral instrumentation. Each modulation needs orchestral voices to align properly to avoid dissonance that isn’t intended. ### 2. **Orchestral Arrangements in a Rock Context** - **Layering Strings, Brass, and Choirs**: ELO's signature style blends rock with orchestral instrumentation—strings, brass, and choirs. In songs like "Sweet Talkin' Woman," the strings are not merely in the background but actively participate in creating the harmonic rhythm and sometimes even take over melodic duties. - **Engineering Insight**: Balancing a rock band with an orchestra requires an astute understanding of frequency management. Strings and guitars often occupy similar frequency ranges, so panning decisions and EQ are critical. In "Out of the Blue," orchestral strings are frequently layered with guitars, but each instrument's part is arranged so that they complement rather than compete. Cutting low mids on the strings helps them sit well with electric guitars. - **Production Insight**: These arrangements use a combination of **counterpoint** and **layering** to provide both movement and depth. For example, each string line might serve a distinct purpose—one line playing rhythmic stabs while another plays a counter-melody. Understanding how to layer these elements to create a coherent wall of sound is crucial. ### 3. **Use of Ostinatos and Hooks** - **Repetitive Motifs and Hook-Driven Writing**: Many tracks feature **ostinatos**—repeating rhythmic or melodic motifs that drive the song forward. The opening of "Turn to Stone" is characterized by an infectious, repeating synth and guitar line that underpins the entire verse, giving a sense of urgency and excitement. - **Writing Perspective**: An ostinato can provide a hypnotic quality to a track, making it instantly recognizable. Jeff Lynne’s use of these motifs is a reminder that repetition, if done effectively, can be the foundation for memorable hooks. Writers can use ostinatos not only in melodic parts but also in rhythmic sections to build cohesion across different sections. - **Production Insight**: Producing such hook-driven tracks requires ensuring that the ostinato stands out. In "Turn to Stone," compression is likely used on the repeating motifs to keep them prominent without overpowering the vocals. Each repetition is also slightly varied with automation—changing the EQ or the level to keep the ostinato evolving. ### 4. **Layered Vocal Harmonies** - **Choir-like Harmony and Vocoder Use**: Songs like "Mr. Blue Sky" and "Jungle" utilize dense, **choir-like vocal harmonies**. Jeff Lynne employs multi-tracked vocals, often creating lush, Beatles-esque harmonies that are both uplifting and ethereal. The use of a vocoder in tracks like "Mr. Blue Sky" adds a futuristic, robotic character that contrasts with the warmth of the human voice. - **Writing and Arrangement Insight**: For a writer, these harmonies are a critical component of ELO's sound, adding emotional depth and grandeur. Harmonizing in **thirds**, **fifths**, or even more complex intervals can enhance the richness of a melody and make choruses feel more powerful and climactic. - **Production Techniques**: As a producer and engineer, capturing this kind of vocal harmony requires meticulous attention to panning and reverb. Vocals are often spread widely across the stereo field, using subtle panning variations to give the harmonies more space. The use of tape delay on individual vocal layers helps create a thick, lush texture that feels expansive without sounding cluttered. ### 5. **Contrasting Rhythms and Rhythmic Experimentation** - **Polyrhythms and Syncopation**: "Jungle" incorporates various **syncopated rhythms** that reflect its title, using percussive sounds that create a groove almost independent of the underlying 4/4 beat. This contrast in rhythms gives the song a unique feel, almost hinting at world music influences while still maintaining its pop-rock core. - **Engineering and Production Insight**: To make polyrhythms and syncopation work in a mix, it’s crucial to prioritize rhythmic clarity. This might mean using EQ to carve out space for each percussive element or panning different rhythmic components to distinct areas. The key is ensuring each rhythmic layer feels like it contributes to the overall groove, rather than creating muddiness. - **Writing Considerations**: Syncopation helps keep even repetitive sections engaging, as it plays against the listener’s expectations. This unpredictability is one of the tools Jeff Lynne uses to add forward motion to his compositions, and it keeps the listener on their toes. ### 6. **Effective Use of Dynamics** - **Soft Verses and Explosive Choruses**: ELO masterfully uses **dynamic shifts** to differentiate sections of their songs, such as in "Sweet Is the Night." Verses are often relatively sparse, with soft vocals and minimal instrumentation, building up to large, lush choruses with full orchestration and vocal harmonies. - **Engineering Insight**: Capturing this dynamic range in the studio means strategically using compression but not to the point of squashing the natural rise and fall of the performance. Often, automation plays a key role—slowly increasing gain on the strings or guitars as the chorus approaches to enhance the natural crescendo. - **Production Insight**: The shift from a soft verse to an explosive chorus is made even more effective by reducing or removing elements in the build-up—stripping back instrumentation before allowing it to flood back in during the chorus. For example, Jeff Lynne might mute backing vocals and hold off on the strings for the verse, then reintroduce them in full force for the chorus to maximize impact. ### 7. **Synths and Electronic Elements in Orchestration** - **Analog Synth Layers**: "Standing in the Rain" and other tracks use analog synthesizers to add a futuristic, almost sci-fi atmosphere. These synth parts often play in unison with the strings or brass, adding an electronic sheen that contrasts with the acoustic elements. - **Production Note**: Balancing analog synths with orchestral instruments requires careful frequency separation. Often, the synth is used to add body in the low-mid range, while orchestral strings take care of the upper harmonic content. Understanding how to blend the warmth of analog synths with acoustic elements without them clashing is key to achieving ELO's characteristic lush sound. - **Engineering Insight**: Adding modulation effects like chorus or flanger to synths can help integrate them more smoothly with orchestral strings. Additionally, reverb and delay settings can be matched between synths and orchestral elements to create a unified space where both electronic and acoustic textures coexist seamlessly. ### 8. **Concept Album Approach and Thematic Cohesion** - **Unified Motifs Across Multiple Tracks**: "Out of the Blue" is considered a semi-concept album, with many songs sharing thematic elements, such as the **weather-inspired suite** on side three (including "Mr. Blue Sky"). Motifs and themes recur, providing cohesion across different tracks. - **Writing Insight**: Recurring motifs, whether melodic, lyrical, or rhythmic, help build a sense of unity throughout an album. As a songwriter, this can be a useful tool for creating a larger narrative arc. Repeating musical themes across songs or within a suite allows you to link disparate pieces together. - **Production Consideration**: From a production standpoint, maintaining a consistent sound palette across related tracks (e.g., using the same string patches, reverb settings, or synth tones) reinforces this cohesion. It can also help listeners feel they are part of a larger journey, enhancing the album experience as a whole. ### Conclusion "Out of the Blue" is a sophisticated blend of rock, orchestral arrangements, and electronic elements, showcasing Jeff Lynne’s ambitious approach to songwriting, production, and arrangement. For a producer, the meticulous layering of instruments, creative panning, and frequency management are crucial lessons in how to make a dense mix feel expansive and balanced. For an engineer, capturing both the power of rock and the subtleties of orchestral dynamics requires precise microphone placement, EQ choices, and modulation effects. For a writer, the use of extended harmonies, dynamic shifts, and recurring motifs provides tools for crafting rich, emotionally engaging songs.

I have to say, I really liked this one, and it surprised me. I had purchased two or three ELO albums back in the 70s, and by the time this one came out I was quite tired of them. Everything kind of sounded the same to me. I didn’t hear Mr. Blue Sky until much later in life, but really did like that one. But needless to say, I had low expectations for this record, but I really did like it a lot. Probably would give it nine out of 10, so I’ll round up to a five. If I see this used in a vinyl store someday, I’ll pick up a copy unless it’s too expensive.

An absolute gem. Transports you to a different mind state. Also you have to applaud the creative risk for combining orchestral instruments with a rock band.

ELO transports you to another world with whimsical romantic orchestral rock. Rarely is pop music this interesting and catchy.

Sooo many good tracks on this album.

I've been listening to ELO since i was a kid, and honestly, this is not nearly my favorite album of theirs. it's their big pop album with many of their huge hits, but i just think it's a lot less interesting than a lot of their other work. it's probably also the album that introduced me to the concept of an album being too long and having too much filler. i still love it, and comparing it to the rest of this list in general, it's gotta get a 5, but if Face the Music, Eldorado, ELO 2, etc etc were on here it'd be getting a 4 just in relation to those

Some classic tracks (Turn To Stone, Mr Blue Sky, etc)... really interesting sounds, so rich and layered.

brilliant.

Just a masterpiece.

9/10…

Gonna listen more. Every song felt like an anthem. I love Jeff lynne

Loved every minute of it.

Great sound and songs.

This was a lovely start to my day. Woke up put this on made myself coffee sat on our lawn swing drank said coffee went to Costco returned our shit ass pans went to home goods got a good ass pan and then the album ended. Long but not only did I not get bored I enjoyed the whole thing. I feel like what I do during albums impacts my opinion a lot. 8.75/10

One of the easiest 5s I could ever give. The singles are so incredible and memorable and catchy it's unreal. As a record, it has a real love and reverence for all genres, leading to its massive planetary scope. Jeff Lynne is absolutely one of the greatest underrated songwriters of the last 100 years. I understand it's nowhere near as cool as the punk that surrounded it in the 70s, but if John Lennon said this is the band the Beatles would become, then I have nothing else to say. 19/08/24

Recognised the album for Mr Blue Sky, remembered it for all of the absolute gems in the rest of it. Sweet Talking Woman and Night in the City the highlights

It's trite, but the word that kept recurring for me was "orchestral". It's all here: soaring harmonies, string sections, killer walkdowns, and unexpected chords that redirect the songs to something even more interesting. It might be overwhelming if the songs weren't so tightly written and well-paced. This is a literal rock opera. I'd recommend the mid-album oddity "Jungle" for your classic album deep cut.

Originell, krestiv, mitreißend, nahezu perfekt! Seit langem ein Favorit in meinem Regal! Volle Punktzahl!

Otherworldly masterpiece. Jeff Lynne is a musical genius who is sadly so underrated and under appreciated. This whole album is a euphoric journey of sounds and textures that delight on a cellular level. Perfection. It is a long album, which I typically don't like, but it doesn't feel nearly as long as it is because every song slaps and it's such a flawlessly arranged album. Every tracks flows wonderfully into the next. This is one of the GOATs of classic rock and a staple for any collection.

I’ve always seen ELO as a really unique, standalone band. While I’m not familiar with all of their albums from front to back, I’ve heard a lot of their music over the years, and I’ve always appreciated how they have tracks that range from straightforward, pop-inspired soft rock to grand, orchestral ballads, and even some experimental, synth-driven songs. One thing that stands out to me is how ELO’s strong use of strings and orchestral elements gives them a very full, rich sound that’s incredibly colorful.

I know I’ve said this for other albums before, but this just might be one of the best albums I’ve ever heard. The music verges on prog at times with how interesting and unusual it gets, and the vocals are absolutely pristine. The harmonies are comparable with Queen - I genuinely couldn’t say who pulls it off better as the harmonies are of very similar style and both are just so pleasing to hear. In another parallel to Queen, ELO often toe the line between pop and rock to make some beautifully catchy music. I love this album.

I absolutely loved it. Braden’s in laws are onto something here. There are a lot of times where I felt like the situation I was in impacted how I felt about an album. For this album, I was sitting outside an urgent care with a sick wife and sick baby and I loved the whole album. Very familiar-seeming. I didn’t know them before, but I knew the melodies. Excited to do some digging and see all the things they’re connected to.

Very easy to listen to and cool music.

Love this double album which always seems to play shorter than its actual ~70 minutes; great songwriting, great production. And how many bands try to channel the Beatles and fail horribly. For me its an easy 5. I can certainly understand those that don't really like it. Its Prog Pop; 2 genres that can be unpopular with a lot of people. Even I can feel the sugar buzz after listening. But it works wonderfully because its unique sound and great songwriting and arrangements. But I do have another "list" complaint: why include this album and not New World Record? NWR came 1st. It solidified their unique signature sound. Their previous albums, while good, were a more raw and fragmented. NWR spawned multiple hits. It gave us the space ship. It sold 5 million copies in its 1st year. While I probably like them equally, which one was more important?

simply fantastic music

Day 34 - July 5th, 2024 I fucking love ELO. 5/5.

Minha vontade é ouvir ele inteiro sem fazer mais nada além disso. Apesar de longo, achei bem dinâmico pela variedade de sons, instrumentos e coisas acontecendo nas músicas. Tem uma pegada de opera-rock pra mim. Poderia ser a trilha sonora de um longa épico-futurista (não prestei atenção para ver se as letras tem uma conexão entre si, como num opera-rock). Apesar disso, diferente de outras músicas e álbuns que tem alguma história épica de pano de fundo, que possuem momentos tensos ou melancólicos, esse tem um clima geral alto-astral e aventura que vai muito bem.

Great album, time melts away for me while listening to it. Somehow sounds of the time (not a bad thing) and modern at the same time. I guess that's the meaning of 'timeless'.

So good, doesn't need any historical context or preface to slap this hard. People who have only heard "Mr. Blue Sky" are missing out big time. Love the choir vocals and 12-string sounds when they're used.

Damn I just listened to this album like 3 days ago but like a thrilling rollercoaster, LET'S RIDE IT AGAIN! This madness is so wildly baroque, but NEVER at the expense of the groove, so as far as I'm concerned, Lynn can get as wacky as he wants with the ideas and production details. Anyone complaining about this album being "self-indulgent" is wrong, Jeff Lynn has indulged me on this album experience, time and time again. If you want a stripped back rock album then by all means, AC/DC & Aerosmith are in the "A" section, head right on over, you'll have a fine time. This album has a goddamn rainbow light up space station on the album cover for fucks sake. Yes, they have many strings, "Orchestra" is in the NAME OF THE BAND. What did you expect? In the tradition of Queen, Pet Sounds-era Beach Boys, Pink Floyd, ect., these are insane arrangements applied to excellent songwriting. Strip these songs back to vocals and acoustic guitar and they're still excellent songs. Isn't finding the ceiling of music production applied to great songs what we want on occasion? There's a time and place for Nirvana albums and this ain't it. This encapsulates every disco-stadium rock-coked out-Star Wars-roller skate-short shorts-level excess of 1977 in one album descending on the "great blue ship" of Earth in a massive glowing UFO emblazoned with a script-written logo that says ELO. When it comes down to it, we have to judge art on it's own merits. This means I often ask myself, what is this music "attempting to accomplish", and is it effective in this pursuit? I drop the needle on this album and it's straight up BLAST OFF TIME, while feeling all the emotions of Lynn's heartbreaks, elations, & jungle soirees, complete with talking lions. Buy the ticket, take the ride, but do so with an open mind and don't expect to come back down to Earth anytime soon.

The last album I questioned why some of these albums are on here. Not this one. Easy 5 stars.

FUCKING PHENOMINAL ALBUM.

5/5

Canciones favoritas: -Turn to stone (por obvias razones) -Its over (más acústica y simple, muy lindis) -Mr blue sky (por obvias razones x2) -Jungle (super divertida de escuchar) -Standin in the rain (muy dramática) -Summer and lighting (todo el soundtrack de Ella está encantada debió haber sido de ELO ¡¡¡¡¡¡nos robaron!!!!, linda linda) Está larguito, no lo he podido escuchar de una sentada. Este album me hizo soñar que estaba en una película retro futurista y lo amo por eso.

Loved it!! Reminded me of the best parts of the Whom really enjoyed the big sweeping theatricality of it all. Def listening to more Electric Light Orchestra.

I'm an ELO fan and this album has much of Jeff's best stuff. Toe tapper all the way through.

Keep it down anyone who is swinging on this album. It's a unique sound, covers a ton of ground, is creative and uses a lot of instruments well, and is fun. That album art slams and I'm biased as hell but this should completely be on the list and is great to listen to in its entirety.

This is great. It's like they took some of what the Beatles did and elevated it a bit and made it their own. Oh,okay, I know Mr. Blue Sky. This album never lost me, on more listens I'm sure each track would grow on me. It's cohesive. Cool album cover. I didn't even realize it was a double album until it was pointed out to me. Sounds great on headphones.

Brilliant. This genre is something I never listen to and have only come across through radio play and elevators. To say the genre is tepid is an understatement. So I was shocked to find myself bobbing along and surprised by the complexity of the production and aesthetics. This guy knows music.

This is a classic. They do so much with music, and for the time it must have been crazy.

This album is like a combo of everything popular in rock at that era. Very Beatles esque

## In-depth Review of "Out of the Blue" by Electric Light Orchestra ### Overview "Out of the Blue," released in October 1977, is the seventh studio album by the Electric Light Orchestra (ELO). Produced and written almost entirely by the band's frontman Jeff Lynne, this double album is a landmark in the band's career and in the progressive pop-rock genre. It features some of ELO's most memorable tracks and showcases the band's unique blend of rock and classical music. ### Lyrics Jeff Lynne’s songwriting on "Out of the Blue" is characterized by its mix of whimsical storytelling, introspective themes, and romantic narratives. The lyrics reflect Lynne’s fascination with space, love, and time, often using metaphors that evoke a sense of wonder and nostalgia. **Key Tracks and Lyric Analysis:** - **“Turn to Stone”**: This track opens the album with lyrics that speak of loneliness and longing. Lines like "The city streets are empty now (the lights don't shine no more)" capture the essence of desolation in the absence of a loved one. - **“Sweet Talkin’ Woman”**: A tale of elusive love, the lyrics are straightforward yet catchy, embodying the frustration and excitement of chasing a romantic interest. - **“Mr. Blue Sky”**: Perhaps the album's most iconic song, it paints a vivid picture of a joyful, sunlit day. The lyrics, "Mr. Blue Sky, please tell us why, you had to hide away for so long," use personification to bring the sky to life, reflecting themes of hope and renewal. ### Music The musicality of "Out of the Blue" is a testament to Jeff Lynne’s ability to blend classical elements with rock, creating a lush, symphonic sound that was revolutionary at the time. The album features complex arrangements, multi-layered harmonies, and a wide range of instruments including strings, synthesizers, and traditional rock instruments. **Key Tracks and Musical Analysis:** - **“Turn to Stone”**: The energetic opening track features rapid-fire strings and dynamic shifts in tempo, setting the tone for the album’s ambitious scope. - **“Sweet Talkin’ Woman”**: Combines pop sensibilities with a classical string section, creating a rich, melodic tapestry that is both accessible and intricate. - **“Mr. Blue Sky”**: Known for its cheerful, orchestral pop sound, the song is built around a driving rhythm and a jubilant chorus. The use of a vocoder in the bridge adds a futuristic touch. ### Production The production of "Out of the Blue" is meticulous, reflecting Jeff Lynne’s perfectionist tendencies. Recorded primarily at Musicland Studios in Munich, the album benefits from the cutting-edge technology of the time, resulting in a polished, high-fidelity sound. **Production Highlights:** - **Layered Arrangements**: Each track features dense layers of instruments and vocals, carefully balanced to ensure clarity and richness. The strings, often a hallmark of ELO’s sound, are prominent and well-integrated. - **Innovative Techniques**: Lynne’s use of the vocoder in “Mr. Blue Sky” and other tracks was innovative, adding a unique texture that complemented the futuristic themes. - **Consistency**: Despite the album’s diversity in style and tempo, the production quality remains consistently high throughout, creating a cohesive listening experience. ### Themes "Out of the Blue" explores themes of love, isolation, and the passage of time, often framed within a cosmic or fantastical context. The album’s second disc, known as the "Concerto for a Rainy Day," is a four-track suite that vividly depicts the emotional arc of a storm, from anticipation to its aftermath. **Thematic Exploration:** - **Love and Loneliness**: Songs like “Turn to Stone” and “Sweet Talkin’ Woman” delve into the emotional highs and lows of romantic relationships. - **Cosmic and Futuristic Imagery**: Tracks such as “Starlight” and “Jungle” use space and otherworldly imagery to explore themes of adventure and discovery. - **Weather and Mood**: The "Concerto for a Rainy Day" suite personifies weather, using it as a metaphor for emotional states. “Mr. Blue Sky” concludes this suite with an uplifting celebration of the return of good times after a period of gloom. ### Influence "Out of the Blue" had a significant impact on both contemporary and future music. It helped cement ELO’s place in rock history and influenced numerous artists across various genres. **Influential Aspects:** - **Symphonic Rock**: The album’s successful blend of rock and classical music elements inspired other bands to explore orchestral arrangements within a rock context. - **Production Techniques**: Lynne’s production style, characterized by its clarity and innovation, has been emulated by many producers in the rock and pop industries. - **Enduring Popularity**: Tracks like “Mr. Blue Sky” have become timeless classics, frequently used in films, commercials, and television, thereby continuing to influence popular culture. ### Pros and Cons #### Pros: 1. **Innovative Sound**: The fusion of classical and rock elements creates a unique and captivating sound. 2. **Strong Songwriting**: Jeff Lynne’s ability to craft memorable melodies and lyrics is evident throughout the album. 3. **High Production Quality**: The meticulous production ensures that each track sounds polished and dynamic. 4. **Cohesive Themes**: The album’s exploration of love, loneliness, and cosmic wonder is well-executed and emotionally resonant. 5. **Enduring Appeal**: Many songs from the album, especially “Mr. Blue Sky,” remain popular and relevant decades after their release. #### Cons: 1. **Overproduction**: Some critics argue that the album’s lavish production can occasionally feel excessive, potentially overshadowing the raw emotion of the music. 2. **Length**: As a double album, it may be perceived as overly long, with some filler tracks that do not stand out as much as the hits. 3. **Homogeneity**: Despite the album’s diversity, some listeners might find the overall sound too homogeneous, lacking the variety found in other contemporary works. ### Conclusion "Out of the Blue" by Electric Light Orchestra stands as a monumental achievement in the realm of symphonic rock. Its innovative blend of classical instrumentation and rock sensibilities, combined with Jeff Lynne’s masterful songwriting and production, make it a standout album of the 1970s. While it has its criticisms, such as potential overproduction and length, the album's strengths far outweigh its weaknesses. "Out of the Blue" continues to be celebrated for its musical ingenuity and emotional depth, securing its place in the annals of rock history.

I thought this album was absolutely fantastic. I've been awake of ELO for tears but have always been ignorant of their output. Wow. Was I wrong. I actually thought Mr. Blue Sky was a Wings song. Either way, excellent.

Best album of all time? Maybe. People are saying it. Who? People. This album is conceptual without hammering you over the head with CONCEPT. Lynn is a story teller and takes you on a journey without this thing being a novel. It’s pop, but it’s orchestrated and complex. Love this album. 5/5.

one of my all time favs

I just love every song on this album. The transitions were so cool- smooth and not harsh at all. The songs were so complex and original, just no complaints.

This album is absolutely fantastic. I knew Mr blue sky, but hearing it in context made it even better. A lot of genuine bops and interesting sounds getting made. On my second listen I followed along with the wiki which had a bit of track by track info.

This is so amazing. All the effects, the instruments and mixing, the vocals and everything just fits together perfectly. 10/10. Mr Blue Sky is my favourite, probably to the surprise of nobody but yeah 5 stars

Very long but I like ELO so it was good to listen to.

Wonderfully consistent in theme and sound. I am not sure why some of the tracks made the final cut (looking at you, Jungle). Nonetheless, ELO's masterfully triumphant strings are enough to yank you out of whatever shitty mood you might be in. Overall, this receives a Blue Smiley Face :)

so so sooo good, loved forever