Electric Light Orchestra - The Electric Light Orchestra (1971)

Personnel
Roy Wood: Guitars, Bass guitar, Cello, Oboe, Bassoon, Clarinet, percussion, period woodwind instrument; Krumhorn (as stated on original vinyl record sleeve), vocals
Jeff Lynne: Guitars, bass guitar, piano, keyboards, vocals.
Bev Bevan: drums, Percussion, vocals.
Bill Hunt: French horn, Hunting horn.
Steve Woolam: Violin.
Rick Price: bass on some original tracks (erased and redubbed by Wood and Lynne)

Later released as "No Answer" in the US in 1972. Funny story is that an US album executive called some associates of ELO to get the album name and they weren't able to get the name so they called the album "no answer" thanks to a big misunderstanding.

The early 70's consisted of several bands that were heavily influenced by the sound of The Beatles and other British invasion bands of the 60's. From Big Star to T.Rex, Electric Light Orchestra was heavily influenced by the sound of The Beatles but unlike the other two bands I just mentioned, they blended pop harmonies with pop/rock and classical music.

The Electric Light Orchestra is an album influenced by Baroque style music which was popular in the 16th to 18th centuries with composers like Vivaldi and Bach. Their debut album has the pop/rock harmonies but the use of cellos and violins give the album a much darker tone then their later works. At times the cello gives the songs a beefy/powerful sound and you start to wonder if Bach came back from the dead to produce this album. You can find various references to The Beatles on this one as from the track, "Look at Me Now" which has shades of Eleanor Rigby written all over it.

The Electric Light Orchestra is an album vastly different from their later albums and it was interesting to hear the "Baroque and Roll" sound they had going for it. There are a few songs that I really enjoyed like "10538 Overture" but the Baroque infused sound is still growing on me. It's an above average album but I would recommend it to fans of ELO who want to see the bands early roots, or even fans of psychedelic rock.

Favorite Tracks: 10538 Overture, First Movement (Jumping Biz), Mr. Radio

The Verdict: 3.0