New World Record (Exp) [Extra tracks, Original recording remastered]

E.L.O. | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 12, 2006)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Extra tracks, Original recording remastered
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B000F8O4DQ
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (95 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #70,101 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Their #5 smash from '76 gave ELO its first platinum record, and it's probably their most consistent creation. The hits Livin' Thing; Do Ya , and Telephone Line join Rockaria; Tight Rope ; a full six bonus cuts and more!

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

53 of 55 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars ELO: The purveyors of practically perfect proggy power pop September 13, 2006

By Dr. Emil "Tom" Shuffhausen

Format:Audio CD

HERE IS THE NEWS

This brilliant newly re-mastered edition of A NEW WORLD RECORD makes a strong case for it being simply the best art-pop album of the 1970s--or maybe ever. Featuring a dynamic, fresh, big sound and updated graphics with many rare band photos and artifacts plus--AND THIS IS HUGE--a previously unheard track that is absolutely "out of this WORLD."

Many fans (including ELO's guiding light himself, Jeff Lynne) count OUT OF THE BLUE as ELO's brightest moment. And while there's no arguing the brilliance of that long-play release, I would like to respectfully disagree; for me, A NEW WORLD RECORD is THE ultimate ELO album.

THE SONGS

Let's look at the track-by-track evidence:

"Tightrope" is sheer brilliance; a seemless melding of orchestral grandeur with driving rock and roll. It's a thoroughly gripping and dramatic opener where synths, strings, choirs, and guitar riffs all swirl together in a perfect summation of the ELO sound.

"Rockaria!" is a thrill-a-second, over-the-top romp that is well described by its title...it's old-fashioned, foot-stomping rock and roll married with operatic flourishes, rolled up in a tongue-in-cheek story about a girl who's "sweet on Wagner," but not too hip when it comes to modern sounds--or is she?

"Mission (A World Record)" is sad, chilling, and profound, and oh so lovely. It is both a re-visiting of some of the cosmic themes explored in ELO's 1973 album, ON THE THIRD DAY, and also pre-figures the sci-fi imagery of OUT OF THE BLUE and TIME.

Perhaps you've heard of "Telephone Line," one of ELO's biggest singles, which wraps bitter loneliness in a sweet candy coating. It's one of those cathartic pop songs that remains a staple on radio, 30 years after it's release, thanks to a timeless melody and beautiful arrangement.

"So Fine" is a quirky, bright, danceable confection with a strange-but-engaging middle section that sounds like a Morroccan wedding celebration, before yielding once more to sweet strings and insistent chorus.

The classic "Livin' Thing," another huge hit, is the textbook definition of pure pop. Recently named by "Q" magazine as the #1 "Guilty Pleasure" single in rock history, it is--like Belgian chocolate, Lobster Thermidor, rich Corinthian leather, Cuban cigars, and glittery diamonds--a sublime indulgence. Who cannot immediately identify that swooping violin, Spanish guitar, castanets, and plucked strings which cascade into a giddily delicious chorus. And all of the flash delivers a positive, refreshingly innocent payload: love is a living thing...don't throw it away.

But ELO is not all lightness and froth. The oft-covered classic "Do Ya" is up next, and it's one of the great rockers of the 1970s. There's that opening heavy riff, the building tension and drama, and those surreal lyrics...I heard Bev Bevan bashing on the drums, myself. It is, of course, a re-make of a song Lynne originally wrote and recorded in 1971 with "proto-ELO" band The Move (Lynne, Roy Wood, Bev Bevan, Rick Price) and the debate rages to this day as to which version is better. I'll go with this 1976 ELO version, though...dynamic, crisp, and powerful.

"Above the Clouds" is simply sublime, a heavenly slice of balladry that wafts in and out all too quickly. It's Brian Wilson-esque, in a very soulful way.

Then, there is the gorgeous and majestic closer, "Shangri La," which is absolutely heartbreaking and haunting...again with the achingly gorgeous melody, the swelling strings and chorus, and a gripping coda that is, in its own way, as effective as The Beatles on "Hey Jude."

BONUS MATERIAL

Really, it's all about "Surrender," the previously unheard gem that makes its debut on this re-mastered edition. While it clocks in at a shade under three minutes, it makes an immediate impact--instantly memorable and so catchy it should be illegal, with briskly strummed guitars and some honking saxes. There are some interesting instrumental takes, plus a version of "Telephone Line" with a slightly different (and very fine) lead vocal than appeared on the "official" final release.

As mentioned earlier, the album graphics are awesome; not only fully restored, but "chock full" of photos and artifacts and enjoyable commentary from Lynne and ELO historian Rob Caiger. Special thanks to Caiger, webmaster Ken Greenwell, and ELO Communication Queen/super fan Lynn Hoskins for helping to make this historic and vital project possible!

RECOMMENDATION

Overall, A NEW WORLD RECORD is the perfect art pop/rock album that sits quite high indeed in the realm of stellar 70s releases. It is as important as, say, TAPESTRY by Carol King, RUMOURS by Fleetwood Mac, SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER by Bee Gees, FRAMPTON COMES ALIVE by Peter Frampton, BREAKFAST IN AMERICA by Supertramp, or ALIVE by Kiss. And it's better than all of them. Put together.

Hyperbole? Am I being over the top? Overly effusive? Yeah, maybe. So, pass the Belgian chocolate and champagne and crank this sucker up to "11" on the dial. We're really gonna rock tonight!

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars ELO's best ever? It gets my vote! November 18, 2004

By Dr. Emil "Tom" Shuffhausen

Format:Audio CD

What more could one want in a pop/rock album... except perhaps more songs? Many (including ELO's guiding light himself, Jeff Lynne) count OUT OF THE BLUE as ELO's brightest moment. And while there's no arguing the brilliance of that long-play release, may I make a case for A NEW WORLD RECORD? "Tightrope" is sheer brilliance; a seemless melding of orchestral grandeur with driving rock and roll. "Rockaria!" is a thrill a second, over-the-top romp. "Mission (A World Record)" is sad, chilling, and profound, and oh so lovely. Perhaps you've heard of "Telephone Line," one of ELO's biggest singles, which wraps bitter loneliness in a sweet candy coating. "So Fine" is a quirky, bright, danceable confection. The classic "Livin' Thing," another huge hit, is the textbook definition of pure pop, and "Do Ya" is one of the great rockers of the 1970s. "Above the Clouds" is simply sublime, a heavenly slice of balladry that wafts in and out all too quickly. Then, there is the gorgeous and majestic closer, "Shangri La," which is absolutely heartbreaking and haunting. Overall, A NEW WORLD RECORD is the perfect art pop/rock album that sits quite high indeed in the realm of stellar 70s releases. You don't want to miss it.

24 of 26 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars One of my desert island discs September 8, 1999

By MilesAndTrane

Format:Audio CD

It's far to say that Jeff Lynne picked up where the Beatles left off sans the ability to play any type of music. 1976's A New World Record showcases once again that Jeff Lynne is THE most overlooked singer / songwriter / producer / musician in the history of recorded music. E.L.O's trademark of scoring an orchestra to perfectly written rock songs is showcased no better than on this album. I grew up on this album as my father was quite fond of it for many years. One of the most dark, trippy and wonderful pieces of music can be found in the bridge section of "Mission." "And all the stars above, rain icy fingers down on me." True beauty, true genius. This is an unmatched masterpiece from Jeff Lynne and co. Give yourself a treat and purchase this gorgeous, flawless album.