Face the Music

E.L.O. | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Jet Records
• ASIN: B0000025DR
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (67 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #142,512 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Limited Edition digitally remastered Japanese pressing of this 1975 album packaged in a miniature LP sleeve featuring four bonus tracks: Alternate Versions of 'Fire On High', 'Evil Woman', 'Strange Magic' and 'Waterfall'. 12 tracks total. Sony. 2006. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

44 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mind-blowingly magical, September 13, 2006

By 

Dr. Emil "Tom" Shuffhausen (Central Gulf Coast) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Face the Music (Audio CD)

HERE IS THE NEWS

Epic/Legacy has now given us this stellar re-mastered edition of FACE THE MUSIC, and it's a real treasure. It's one of those documents that vividly illustrate why ELO leader Jeff Lynne is considered on of the leading lights in popular music history.

The original 1975 classic by ELO is a bracing collection of some pretty hot tunes; on this re-mastered edition, these songs sound better than ever, and the graphics are wonderfully expanded, with a booklet full of rare photos and insightful commentary by Lynne and ELO historian Rob Caiger.

THE SONGS

Here is a song-by-song review...

"Fire On High" is the ultimate progressive rock instrumental...Jeff Lynne packs more drama and punch and verve into this 5:31 minutes than many composers acheive in a lifetime. (Drummer Bev Bevan more than lives up to his "Basher" moniker here, with deft, speedy, and powerful work on the skins.) The drama builds majestically until it all finally explodes into a searing acoustic guitar riff--a symphony of guitars that dive and soar like a downhill skier.

"Waterfall" is the definition of "achingly gorgeous"--so pretty it almost hurts. The lyrics are sad, but cathartic, and the melodic vocal interplay is fantastic. It's a fine example of ELO's ablity to wash a song in strings without it all becoming sappy or soupy.

Then there's the decidedly funky "Evil Woman," one of the giant, enduring hits of the decade...that pounding piano motif is instantly recognizable and the background "hey hey hey's" stick in your brain long after the song ends.

One of ELO's better--but oft-forgotten--songs is "Nightrider," a clever little tribute to Jeff Lynne's earliest days in rock and roll, and it moves at a nice gallop. It acheived minor success as a single, and features some intriguing and engaging mood shifts, plus some fine vocal work from bassist Kelly Groucutt.

Another track that is sometimes unjustifiably overlooked is the rollicking "Poker," which is a dizzying duel between crunchy guitars and the swirling synths of Richard Tandy, and some amazingly Beatlesque harmonies. Why this was never released as a single is beyond me, but it's a real corker.

The band cools down for the massive hit ballad, "Strange Magic," which is beautifully atmospheric and engaging with mysterious imagery and yet more patented Lynne melodic brilliance.

The comedic country detour, "Down Home Town," is no joke musically--well-played, shifting rhythms and moods, and a sing-along chorus that--while humorous--remains memorable.

ELO always closes well, and "One Summer Dream" is no exception. It wafts along like a river flowing into Autumn, with some lovely chord changes and vocals and Bevan's deft drumming.

BONUS MATERIAL

In this re-mastered edition, we get an interesting alternate take on the intro to "Fire On High," plus the U.S. single edit of "Strange Magic," and the beautiful instrumental mix of "Waterfall." But the real attraction is a "stripped down" mix of "Evil Woman," with a great vocal from Jeff and energetic playing from the band.

Again, it should be noted that the restored and expanded graphics are topnotch and the liner notes are outstanding. Hail to Rob Caiger, Lynn Hoskins, and all of those ELO fans/historians who helped make this project happen! Well done!

RECOMMENDATION

There are days when this is my favorite ELO album. And while I generally rate it barely behind A NEW WORLD RECORD or OUT OF THE BLUE, I still believe it is one of the best and most important album releases of the 1970s--by any artist. It's not as "tied together" or cohesive as many of ELO's albums, but it is an outstanding collection of individual tunes.

In short, there are no weak songs here--only great songs, greater songs, and greatest songs. Somewhere on the radio right now, "Evil Woman" or "Strange Magic" is playing; and "Fire On High" remains the finest rock instrumental ever recorded by anyone.

Don't miss this re-mastered edition! If you already love ELO or have earlier editions of FACE THE MUSIC, you really owe it to yourself to hear the much-improved sound, check out the updated graphics, and enjoy it all over again.

FACE THE MUSIC would qualify as a BEST OF collection for most bands. Pick it up and discover why!

31 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ELO's Greatest Disc, January 27, 2003

By 

Alan Caylow (USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Face the Music (Audio CD)

1975's "Face The Music" was ELO's fifth album, and it remains my personal favorite ELO disc to this day. It was the first ELO album I ever bought, and it made me a lifelong fan. I was completely blown away by the album's most famous trio of songs that I kept hearing on the radio: the magnificent orchestral rocker, "Fire On High," and the instant pop classics "Evil Woman" & "Strange Magic." And I was equally thrilled by the album's other musical gems, such as "Waterfall," "Nightrider," "Down Home Town," and the dreamy album closer, "One Summer Dream." I love the band's Beatle-esque flair for melody, their fine musicianship & production, and the excellent singing, songwriting, and guitar work of leader Jeff Lynne. Great stuff all the way.Capturing the group right smack in the middle of the 70's, "Face The Music" is the Electric Light Orchestra at their most creative. I enjoy all of the band's albums, including other great works like "On The Third Day," "Out Of The Blue" and "Time," but "Face The Music" is the one that I have the most fondness for. Now, if only those folks at Sony Music would give this album a long-overdue remaster treatment....one can dream. :-)

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of Lynne's best albums gets deluxe remaster with bonus tracks, September 22, 2006

By 

WTDK "If at first the idea is not absurd, the... (My Little Blue Window, USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Face the Music (Audio CD)

This deluxe remastered edition of the album features a terrific sounding remaster as well as four bonus tracks. From the disturbing opening track "Fire on High" to the lilting "Waterfall" (one of Lynne's personal favorites)to "Evil Woman" the album shows Lynne in top form. The richest melody and ballad (although I love "Waterfall") (in my opinion) was the closer "One Summer Dream".

We get four bonus tracks. The original "Fire on High" early mix which lacks many of the overdubs on the final version. An stripped down mix of "Evil Woman" (Lynne in retrospect feels is superior to the album version. I would agree that rocks harder without the string and backing vocal overdubs and sounds equally as good)created for this release to mimic the early version without overdubs. We also get the single version of "Strange Magic" which has only appeared on import "Best of" collections to date and a lovely instrumental mix of "Waterfall" without the vocals.

The booklet features brief comments by Lynne on the songs as well as a brief recording history of the album, how it performed on the charts and photos of the various sleeves for the 45's issued from the album. We also get a pictue of the infamous electric chair billboard that promoted the album in Los Angeles.

I have the gold edition released by Sony 7 or 8 years ago and this sounds slightly better to my ears than that original edition. The cool back cover with the band's eyes darkened so it appears that they are staring out at you from the cover is replicated here. The original gold CD had a fold out sleeve that basically replicated the original inner sleeve with lyrics on it. Here it's presented as the much more user friendly booklet.

"Face the Music" became the big breakthrough album for ELO. "El Dorado" and "On the Third Day" set the stage for their largest hit album to date. With singles "Evil Woman" and the ballad "Strange Magic" ELO took the airwaves by storm. During the 70's there were lots of great singles on so-so albums "Face the Music" proved an exception to the rule with each song almost as inventive as the last. "Down Home Town" has always felt like a bit of filler but its melodic filler. The first album recorded in Germany with engineer Mack at the helm this would be the first of many recorded in that studio located in the basement of a hotel.