Brilliantly bracing concept now enhanced with new tracks

Review Score: (10/10)
Though TIME was a huge hit worldwide, it didn't have the same impact here in the USA, going "only" gold and hitting #16 on the album charts...quite a comedown from the high flying platinum days that ELO had previously enjoyed for much of the previous decade. Still, among true ELO fans, TIME is very highly regarded indeed; a daring, experimental proto synth symphony with a haunting concept of space and time travel that highlights humanity over technology. (It's almost a doppleganger for ELO's 1974 masterpiece, ELDORADO, which dealt with many similar emotional themes, albeit in a medieval setting.) The brief "Prologue" lays out the basic idea before the thundering "Twilight" bursts through your speakers, propelled by Bev "Basher" Bevan's fierce drumming and Richard Tandy's galloping keyboard and piano. It's a stunning sonic acheivement, and things don't let up after that. Though "Ticket to the Moon" is a ballad, its gorgeous arrangement and melody make the song as captivating and compelling as any vintage ELO rocker. The song contains one of Jeff Lynne's most affecting lyrics: "And the tears I cry might turn into the rain that gently falls upon your window." Many songs here received significant airplay around the world including the Spector-esque "The Way Life's Meant to Be," the moody, melodic "Rain is Falling," the pulsating "Here is the News," and the prescient beauty of "21st Century Man." But, the big hit here is "Hold On Tight," the brilliant bilingual retro-rocker that marked ELO's last top ten single. After the haunting moodiness of TIME, "Hold On Tight" is a bracing and encouraging track that encapsulates ELO maestro Jeff Lynne's trademark optimism. Also included here on this newly re-mastered and expanded edition of TIME are some stellar bonus tracks; the best is "Julie Don't Live Here," a song that was inexplicably left off the original release and was never released as an A-side single...it's as good as pop gets. The original artwork from the LP has been restored here making for a topnotch package overall. Many casual fans may be unfamiliar with the brilliance of TIME. Now is the *time* to fix that!

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