Jeff Lynne has just released a new solo album. But would you, the
consumer, be more apt to purchase a new cd if the label was "Jeff Lynne" or "ELO"?
The amazing thing about the first new offering from ELO is that the production, writing,
and playing is almost entirely done by Lynne. The only other original ELO member that
makes an appearance is keyboardist Richard Tandy, and that's on one song! The two other
notable guests here are Ringo Starr and George Harrison. This is very fitting since
ELO's sound was always compared to The Beatles. Besides ELO, Lynne's resume has been
quite impressive. He has kept himself busy over the last
15 years by producing recordings for Harrison, Starr, Tom Petty, Paul McCartney, Roy Orbison, and
Brian Wilson. He was also one of the key members of the Traveling Wilburys and produced
The Beatles' reunion singles "Free As a Bird" and "Real Love" for "The Beatles Anthology".
Perhaps Jeff Lynne wanted to steal back the ELO name for himself. Tandy and drummer
Bev Bevan formed the awful ELO Part 2 without Lynne. This would be compared to The
Rolling Stones recording without Mick Jagger or The Pretenders without Chrissie Hynde! Many
people may not see a need for a new ELO release, but "Zoom" establishes the ELO "project"
(this is the word that Lynne uses) firmly in the new decade.
Giving this cd the loose first listen, I'm reminded of ELO's classic radio hits. I hear
reminders of "Do Ya", "Telephone Line", "Don't Bring Me Down", and "Can't Get it Out of My
Head". The new stuff stays faithful to the old sound without sounding dated. The opener,
"Alright", contains all the tricks and big production that made ELO an original sound.
Lynne reassures himself here; "You gotta hold on to something that you believe, hold on
to something that makes you feel alright.". Perhaps this new album is needed to help Lynne
feel worthwhile in the business again. "Moment in Paradise" is a wonderful, lazy sounding
production that is reminiscient of The Beatles. Lynne's "Lennonesque" vocals are matched
well with the solid drumming of Ringo. The electric piano reminds me of 1967 era Beatles.
Lynne recalls his past success again on "It Really Doesn't Matter at All". One of the better
produced tracks here, Lynne talks about his past; "I spent some time across the waves, I
learned a lot of things I never could. I waved my magic wand over the past, I never
understood". It's very refreshing to hear George Harrison playing his trademark slide
guitar that could very well be two examples of his last recordings. On the slow and
bluesy "A Long Time Gone", Harrison's playing helps to make this song a huge departure from
the other tracks on the release. But Harrison's slide really shines on the rocker "All She
Wanted". Sounding much like 1979's "Don't Bring Me Down", Lynne mixes flanged vocals, pounding
drums, and multi-tracked electric guitar with Harrison's brilliant playing. Lynne
formed a special friendship with Harrison over the years, and this is a great way to make a tribute to
his musical legacy.
The remaining tracks on "Zoom" are all vintage sounding ELO, and none of them are substandard.
The engineering and performance are all top-notch without sounding over-produced. For any
ELO fan, or fan of Jeff Lynne in particular, "Zoom" is a great return to form. Without
a doubt, Jeff Lynne prooves that he was and will continue to be the only driving force in
Electric Light Orchestra. Here's hoping that he finds enough inspiration to make another ELO
"project" in the near future.
