Electric Light Orchestra

Zoom

A Long Time Coming

Review Score:

(10/10)
I have been an ELO fan since I was 7 years old (I'm 35 now) and I can't believe I didn't know about this album until a year after its release. I must say, though, it was well worth the wait. If you like Jeff Lynne's style and ELO in general, you will appreciate "Zoom." It actually touches on the complete genre of the band since its inception in 1972, and you can even hear touches of the Idle Race and the Move. After listening the second time through, I heard glimpses from every ELO album ever released...now that's what I call talent! I'm certain Jeff planned it that way since he never does anything off the cuff--he's too much of a perfectionist for that.

What I really appreciate about "Zoom" is 1) Jeff wanted to make this album because he was ready and did it according to his rules (no contracts, record labels, etc.); 2) after years of legal battles with Bev Bevan, he bought the rights to the band HE made famous and brought it out of the gutter Bevan put it in; and 3) he's shown that the ELO sound remains timeless. Other groups and sounds may come and go, but one has to admit, the songs from "Zoom" could just as easily have fit into the 70s, 80s, or 90s as they do today--again, that is sheer genius!

While I saw the ELO concert on PBS, and was impressed with the performance, I was disappointed to hear the tour was cancelled due to poor ticket sales. It's a shame that a good, clean, and awesome musical group is overshadowed by the trash on the airwaves today...the kids simply don't know what they're missing.

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