ELO: Secret Messages (Extended Version)
Electric Light Orchestra
Secret Messages (Extended Version)
(Epic)
Electric Light Orchestraâs 1983 album Secret Messages is being rereleased with so much new material, the original two-sided, single record is now a four-sided vinyl release.
The bandâs bassist, Kelly Groucutt left after recording, but the band here consists of him, Bev Bevan on drums, Richard Tandy on keyboards, and of course Jeff Lynne on vocals and guitar. Ex-ELO violinist, Mik Kaminski also makes an appearance, but even though there are plenty of strings here, the classic ELO style is pretty much gone by this point.
Side one features an overly long title track, opening with a descending melody line, the usual mix of high strings and Lynne managing machine-effect style vocals. âBluebirdâ features a wonderful Richard Tandy piano and âTake Me On and Onâ features Lynneâs guitar leading (as does âTrain of Goldâ later and the heavier rocker, âDanger Ahead.â
âNo Way Outâ (side 2) features a finger-snapping beat and acoustic on a country blues number with a spacey sway. This is one of Lynneâs best vocals here. Sorry to say Bevan gets over taken by too much across this record with that disco quick beat (âBuildings Have Eyes,â is one of the prime examples). The band gets into their âDonât Bring Me Downâ rockabilly thang on other weak ones like âRock âNâ Roll is Kingâ and âFour Little Diamonds.â
âLetter from Spain,â is a soft, key-lilting ballad. Not that the tune goes anyplace, itâs more like a tone poem, but itâs a study in restraint and finds Lynne with some of his best vocals. âMandalay,â starting side 4, is an epic prog slogger, again showcasing Lynneâs greatness.
âHello My Old Friendâ with its sweeping strings, Richard Tandy key horn strikes, and a drum machine beat that actually works, and Lynne mimicking John Lennon, ends Secret Messages. It starts real strong but loses its way as it overstays and develops into a pale homage to âA Day in the Life.â
Overall, this extended Secret Messages will be a gem for ELO/Jeff Lynne completists, and there are some solid tunes here. But 4 album sideâs worth? Probably not.