Wheel of Prog - ELO - Electric Light Orchestra (Albums Tier List) with guest Jem Godfrey of Frost*

Jem Godfrey from Frost* joins Roie, Geoff, and new Prog Report contributor Steve Joyce for a new Wheel of Prog episode to rank the incredible ELO catalog and talk about the new Frost* album 'Life in the Wires.'
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Opening theme music to podcast: • Art Crime
#frost #elo #jefflynne

[@quaid667]

I love the last 2 albums. Jeff Lynne doesn't disappoint and i am really hoping one more is coming before he retires.

[@singahanni]

Nobody seems to be aware of the fact that the whole double album of ‘Secret Messages” as intended is up on Spotify. It is absolutely brilliant.

[@progreport]

Good to know.

[@stephenjoyce7061]

I don't do Spotify 🙂

[@michaellord9745]

I have the whole thing on a special edition release on vinyl. It's terrific.

[@RogerMelodicMusic]

@@stephenjoyce7061 Then NOW is the time to get on there and delve and discover some new music and some old ones.

[@JeffCooper10538]

Yes it was later issued as intended BUT it was still missing the track Beatles Forever. Because Jeff doesn’t like it anymore I believe, or something like that. A bit of a holy grail for ELO fans.

[@ricardoelorza613]

Just discovered your channel. That was a fun chat. We all have our preferences, but my personal 3 favorite ELO albums are the ones on S so... happy days!!. Cheers from Spain

[@brettengland192]

Leaving 'When Time Stood Still' off of "Time" is unconscionable. It is easily one of my favorite ELO songs.

[@progreport]

Totally

[@stephanlandshuter5237]

You're so right. I heard the song on a vinyl b-side in the 80es and was blown away.

[@JeffCooper10538]

This!

[@JeffCooper10538]

Jem nails it. You need all members of ELO on an ELO album to make The Electric Light Orchestra.

[@michaellord9745]

Time is an S tier album for sure. I think it's their best album besting Out of the Blue and A New World Record which are also S tiers albums. Now I'm going to watch.

[@Fritha71]

Agree! So this was horrifying to witness until things were thankfully righted in the end LOL

[@peterogers6813]

I totally agree. That’s my three S albums too

[@PeterSutter-uc1dh]

As far as I am concerned, "Alone In The Universe" is a brilliant ELO album. The album reminds me more of the dreamier songs from Time or Secret Messages than the Tom Petty productions. The influence of the Traveling Wilbury sound is significantly less than on the album Zoom, Jeff also experiments more with electronic elements and pulses, e.g. the title track, When The Night Comes, The Sun Will Shine On You or One Step At A Time. I think the album is underestimated by prog fans because it only contains short, thoughtful, concise songs.But it's more conceptual than it seems at first glance. It's a consciously reflexive album in the tradition of Roy Orbison or Del Shannon's songs about lonely guys.Another focus is the study of the old masters' chord progressions, which are more unusual for modern pop songs.Additionally, Jeff Lynne finds that short songs are very difficult to write, so perfecting this approach was his ambition.

[@stephenjoyce7061]

Great comments - I will listen to AITU again with these in mind. Thank you

[@PeterSutter-uc1dh]

It's best to listen to the Japan Deluxe edition, which, in addition to bonus tracks Fault Line and Blue, contains another song, On My Mind.

[@OurFamilyInMotion]

On The Third Day until Time (and even Secret Messages) is an astounding run of albums.

[@JeffCooper10538]

A New World Record is the greatest album of all time by anyone ever for me. Just pips OOTB as the production is better and not a single second is wasted. Once again Jem nails it with his description of So Fine. Also Mission (A World Record) is total genius.

[@stephenjoyce7061]

This was my ranking going into the podcast: S: Eldorado, Out of the Blue, Time A: A New World Record, ELO2, Face The Music B: Discovery, On The Third Day, ELO/No Answer C: Xanadu, Secret Messages, Balance of Power D: Zoom, Alone in the Universe, From Out of Nowhere #JusticeForEldorado ! 😂

[@Marc_Papeghin]

Pretty much my ranking !! Eldorado in the Top 3 of course and I would definitely have put Xanadu in that position 👍

[@progreport]

Good stuff Steve!

[@JeffCooper10538]

My band since I was 12 years old. And still is. About to tune in. I’m gonna love this. 🎼 💡 🎻

[@F1fletch]

Time is “S” all the way. The best album hands down IMO.

[@progreport]

You're not wrong.

[@JeffCooper10538]

21st Century Man needs a mention. One of my very favourite ELO tracks.

[@F1fletch]

So true, love that song!!

[@Marc_Papeghin]

As a huge ELO fan that was especially fun to watch !! (and a bit frustrating too at times haha 😁) The presence of Jem was the icing on the cake ! Milliontown IMO being one of the best prog epics ever written 🙏

[@progreport]

It was frustrating for some of us too :)

[@brettengland192]

There has never been a collection of four songs better than the four in 'Concerto for a Rainy Day.'

[@stephenjoyce7061]

Hard to beat, I agree! I think side 2 of Eldorado would just edge it

[@Marc_Papeghin]

True 🙏

[@progreport]

@@Marc_Papeghin Sorry :)

[@markwilburn4962]

I absolutely love ELO! Top 5 band for me all time even for a metal fan like myself. I honestly believe ELO is the reason that I really have gravitated towards a lot of symphonic music overall. Discovery for me is a solid A tier. First of their albums i remember putting on from my older sisters collection, so its a special one for me.

[@Metal-Midgar]

Oooh, this was unexpected, but I'm excited for it. Still fingers crossed for a King Crimson episode.

[@progreport]

Enjoy!

[@stephanlandshuter5237]

Steven Wilson adores Out Of The Blue. I couldn't believe that one of my fav artists, whose music is nothing like E.L.O. (except the exquisite multi-layered harmony vocals), loves this album as much as I do.

[@progreport]

Yes he told us this in one our interviews as well.

[@dornishraven1628]

You should do Marillion!

[@daveycretin664]

Time is BRILLIANT! As Mr. Steve stated, “Ticket to the Moon” is a phenomenal song. Mr. Geoff, you sir are in the minority. Sorry, not sorry. ~ Davey Cretin, from Cretin Classics.

[@MrGnb123]

No need to apologise/ not apologise.

[@JeffCooper10538]

Brilliant description of On The Third Day by Jem. This man gets ELO even if he is a bit wrong about Ma Ma Ma Belle, … the riff is very Brown Sugar by The Stones by the way - someone need to do a mash up here! Also kudos for the mention of The Night Went On In Longbeach. Terrific live document from that era. Maybe one day the full concert might get released.

[@leethomas2155]

Lol... I reconstructed the double Secret Messages album complete with Beatles Forever. I like it better than the single album plus l don't mind Beatles Forever. Nice shout out for Mike Oldfield. As a huge fan of his I'd love to see a Mike Oldfield Wheel of Prog show.

[@dimsylsodium1]

The discussion on ELO-2 (tactical voting apart) is interesting because of the reference to "Showdown". Thinking back to the time when the early ELO records were first released, "Showdown" was for me the turning point. And was the song that got me really interested in ELO. However, it was not included on ELO-2 (at the time of its initial release). It was a single (in the UK) which was released after "Roll Over Beethoven" and before the band moved from EMI (Harvest) to Warner Bros. Hence, "Showdown" was not on the next album, "On the third day" (a WB release). From "Showdown" the band seemed to progress peaking with "El Dorado". "Face the music" felt like a bit of a downturn, with "A new world record" being an excellent album,, but did not bring anything particularly new (although it was great to be able to get hold of an album version of "Do Ya"). After that, I recognised that "Out of the blue" was exceptional, but by then I'd stopped buying ELO records. So for me "Showdown" was the critical song in ELO's development with "El Dorado" being the pinnacle. By the way, I understand that after "On the third day", Jeff Lynne's father told him that his songs were not memorable/singable (or words to that effect). On "El Dorado", Jeff attempted to address his father's criticism (to great effect in my opinion).

[@stephenjoyce7061]

That's really interesting, I didn't know about Jeff's father's comments. Eldorado certainly achieved being singable & memorable! #JusticeForEldorado

[@JeffCooper10538]

From the two JL ELO albums the title track from Alone In The Universe is the best track for me, and has the most echoes back to the classic era band. Particularly on the coda.

[@PeterSutter-uc1dh]

True, AITU is a solo album by Jeff, but I don't see a problem with that. ELO is not just the name of a band, but also a project. As Metronomy, Joseph Mount also records some albums solo and others with a band. ELO's first album was definitely not a band album, even later, especially in the eighties, there were always pieces that were more or less solo recordings. In general, I would say that even in the OOTB era, in the studio, the creative competition with the engineer was more important than the band's contributions. But ELO were undoubtedly a great band live.

[@garanceadrosehn9691]

Jem could have put "ELO II" in group "D" and then ripple other albums up and still have "Time" at the top. Or at least put it in "B", then move "Eldorado" up to "A", which would then still move "Time" to S. And FWIW I also think that "Time" belongs in "S" or maybe (at the worst) at the top of "A".

[@garanceadrosehn9691]

I'll also make a guess that the album "Time" would fare better among fans of Prog than it would for a pop audience.

[@bradleystone2623]

"Time" is ELOs most progressive album. Belongs in 'S'.

[@progreport]

Agreed.

[@JoeScottish]

That was entertaining

[@progreport]

It got to S tier where it belongs👍🏻

[@mechanicalanimal125]

Time, Secret Messages, Xanadu and Balance of Power can all go in the D column for me. Discovery in C then everything else would fit in either S or A for me

[@MichProgNerd]

Need to do a Wheel of Rock on Jeff’s fellow Wilbury Tom Petty or albums (co-)produced by Jeff.

[@progreport]

Not a bad idea

[@johansoderberg6546]

I didn't understand why Jem didn't put ELO 2 in D and then bump up Eldorade as well as Time, as well as some other record.

[@michaellord9745]

No more Geoff on the Wheel of Prog!! I've had it...ENOUGH!! Not sorry, not sorry.

[@joegordon2915]

Well you finally got the top three right despite Geoff’s efforts. My biggest disagreement would be from out of nowhere which I really like. But yes Time is my favorite and Out of The Blue is best.

[@JeffCooper10538]

Oh Jem! No ELO fan ever calls 10538 Overture Ten 5 3 8!!!! Oopsy. 😘

[@JeffCooper10538]

But you’re right about the first album being soooooo brilliant! Again wonderfully described.

[@michaelbaucom4019]

Sentimental favorite: A New World Record Best: Out Of The Blue Xanadu might be ELO's worst, but--still good music RIP Richard Tandy

[@ekaterinaavetisova4778]

Moody Blues or Zappa next?

[@progreport]

not sure either is next but maybe eventually

[@mechanicalanimal125]

start it at 11:00 to skip some rubbish about a guests band and for what we all actually came here for. :)

[@heavymetalheretic5386]

Time is S tier and I'm sick of it being disrespected, happy it was rescued by people who understand peak music. Geoff is on crack.

[@progreport]

He just doesn't like it. That's ok. :)

[@heavymetalheretic5386]

@@progreport I know lol, I'm just being funny.. Love you guys, Geoff included

[@JeffCooper10538]

I love Time but it’s never one of my go to albums. Missing the strings of Louis Clark on here. That said whenever I spin it, I do always remember how much I love it.

[@brettengland192]

The last two ELO albums are awful. They're actually Jeff Lynne solo albums in the guise of ELO.

[@progreport]

Not awful, just not as good, as we discuss.

[@johnwheatcroft1188]

Another good one,but Roie you need to let people put them where they want..it feels a bit my show,my placing..just saying. 😊

[@progreport]

If you've seen the other episodes you know we let people place stuff wherever. We also get to complain about it. :)

[@johnwheatcroft1188]

Not always,and I've watched them all,tonight it happened with the frost gentleman, you influenced him moving a pick into another spot to satisfy your pick..sorry but you did..I think you should forget the how many albums can go in a tier,and let people put their choice in their tier,then discuss it later,but it still remains where they intended it.Have the wild card to add a little something different, but otherwise it just sometimes ends up being not what your quests always intended..sorry, just my opinion.

[@johnwheatcroft1188]

Just another additional comment to back my previous one,if I'd been asked to rank the albums to my satisfaction and then because someone else thought that wasn't right it got moved,what's the point asking people their choice..let everyone rank,in whatever tier,then if you end up with 6 in s tier and 4 in b,none in another, so be it..then go round and ask everyone at the end what they would change if anything, you can still have a debate but people have albums where they not anyone else saw fit..thanks

[@progreport]

@@johnwheatcroft1188 Nah, we like it like this. It's more fun this way. But thanks for watching man.

[@dewurstbursch5644]

ELO is not Prog. That is crazy.

[@stephenjoyce7061]

Not crazy at all 😉 As discussed in the podcast, every ELO album is a progression in sound/style from the one before it. If you take this into account, plus the content of the first four albums, in their early days there's no doubt at all that ELO was prog rock - obviously they became less proggy more symphonic and electronic rock/pop as time went on.

[@progreport]

Ridiculous!

[@JeffCooper10538]

You are clearly unfamiliar with the first 4 albums.

[@AntonyRG1]

1/ Eldorado 2/ Time 3/ Out of the Blue 4/ Face the Music 5/ A New World Record ........... That's it + Secret Messages [song]. Bonus - Here are the greatest mystery and suspense films ever made: The Long Good Friday (1980) The Accused (1949) Blow out (1981) The Upturned Glass (1947) Judgment Night (1993) Footsteps in the Fog (1955) Dial M for Murder (1954) No Way Out (1987) Mulholland Drive (2001) Witness for the Prosecution (1957) The Suspicions of Mr Whicher: The Murder at Road Hill House (2013) Snowball (1960) Term of Trial (1962) Return from the Ashes (1965) Murder on the Orient Express (1974) Marathon Man (1976) Vertigo (1958) Dead Calm (1989) Dr. Jekyll and Sister Hyde (1971) Jagged Edge (1985) Eyewitness (1981) The October Man (1947) The Birds (1963) Manhattan Murder Mystery (1993) 2 Days in the Valley (1996) The Searchers (1956) Close My Eyes (1991) Mona Lisa (1986) Doctor Zhivago (1965) The Edge (1997) Jackie Brown (1997) The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999) Shooting the Past (1999) The Wrong Man (1956) Gangster No. 1 (2000) Time Without Pity (1957) The Naked Edge (1961) Nicholas Nickleby (2002) The Day of the Triffids (1963) Whitechapel (2009 TV series S01) Wanted for Murder (1946) The Other Boleyn Girl (2003) Sole Survivor (1970) Strangers on a Train (1951) Tucker & Dale vs. Evil (2010) Dear Murderer (1947) Bleak House (TV series 2005) Kiss the Blood Off My Hands (1948) The Night Visitor (1971) Fear Is the Key (1972) The Lorelei (1990) In My Father's Den (2004) Scarlet Street (1945) Double Indemnity (1944) The Last of Sheila (1973) No Night Is Too Long (2002) Frenzy (1972) Archangel (2005) Sweet Smell of Success (1957) Closing the Ring (2007) The Fugitive (1993) U Turn (1997) The Watcher in the Woods (1980) The Dead Zone (1983) Double Jeopardy (1999) The Hot Spot (1990) Hard Eight (1996) The Big Clock (1948) A Simple Twist of Fate (1994) Jack the Ripper (1988 TV series) Personal Affair (1953) North by Northwest (1959) The Boys (1962) The Prestige (2006) The Scarlet Claw (1944) After Hours (1985) The Wooden Horse (1950) Went the Day Well? (1942) Lawn Dogs (1997) Death on the Nile (1978) Witchfinder General (1968) Paradox (2009 TV series S01E01/E02) Conspiracy (2001) The Night Digger (1971) Black Book (2006) Stage Fright (1950) Out of Time (2003) Something to Hide (1972) The Man Who Haunted Himself (1970) Sorry, Wrong Number (1948) The City of the Dead (1960) The Red Shoes (1948) The Long Dark Hall (1951) Breakdown (1997) So Long at the Fair (1950) The Man Who Never Was (1956) Stalag 17 (1953) Paper Mask (1990) Web of Evidence/Beyond This Place (1959) A Canterbury Tale (1944) Marnie (1964) The Birthday Present (1957) The Third Key/The Long Arm (1956) Village of the Damned (1960) The Murder Game (2003 TV series) Cast a Dark Shadow (1955) In the Heat of the Night (1967) The Fog (1980) The Final Countdown (1980) Calculated Risk (1963) The Devil Rides Out (1968) Across the Bridge (1957) Handgun (1983) Fargo (2014-2015 TV series S01/S02) Vanishing Act (1986) Eden Lake (2008) Matchpoint (2005) Dressed to Kill (1980) The Guardian (1984) Rear Window (1954) 23 Paces to Baker Street (1956) Joy Ride (2001) Prime Suspect (1991 TV series S01) Reign of Terror/The Black Book (1949) The Sum of All Fears (2002) Don't Talk to Strange Men (1962) Picnic at Hanging Rock (1975) The Vanishing (1988) The Wicker Man (1973) Where Eagles Dare (1969) Prime Suspect (1982) The Wreck of the Mary Deare (1959) Under Suspicion (1991) Southern Comfort (1981) Pack of Lies (1987) Gosford Park (2001) The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956) Blow-up (1966) The Game (1997) Never Let Go (1960) Déjà Vu (2006) Happy Now (2001) The Third Man (1949) The Scapegoat (1959) True Detective (2014 TV series S01) Time After Time (1979) For Them That Trespass (1949) The Walking Stick (1970) Quatermass and the Pit (1967) The Suspect (1944) The Boys from Brazil (1978) Shadow of a Doubt (1943) Chase a Crooked Shadow (1958) The Missing (2014 TV series S01) Séance on a Wet Afternoon (1964) Flashpoint (1984) The Exorcist (1973) Gone Baby Gone (2007) The Woman in Black (1989) And Soon the Darkness (1970) Waking the Dead - Thin Air (2002 TV series S02E07) Evil Under the Sun (1982) The Changeling (1980) Separate Lies (2005) The Medusa Touch (1978) The Sniper (1952) The Shining (1980) Scandal Sheet (1952) Frequency (2000) Rope (1948) The Murders in the Rue Morgue (1986) The Collector (1965) Frantic (1988) The Ninth Gate (1999) The Ghost Writer (2010) Road Games (1981) Whodunnit? (2013 TV series) The Thing (1982) The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011) An Affair in Mind (1988) In a Stranger's Hand (1991) Psycho (1960) The Day of the Jackal (1973) The Fall (2013 TV series S01) Nowhere to Go (1958) Duel (1971) Layer Cake (2004) The Hill (1965) The Spanish Prisoner (1997) Cash on Demand (1961) Sergeant Rutledge (1960) Midnight Run (1988) The Damned (1962) 11:14 (2003) Murder by Decree (1979) Call Northside 777 (1958) Gone Girl (2014) Sahara (1943) Thunderbolt and Lightfoot (1974)

[@progreport]

Umm, ok. 🤣

[@stephanlandshuter5237]

Nah, this list is much too short. Must try harder.😅

[@JeffCooper10538]

Brilliant description of On The Third Day by Jem. This man gets ELO even if he is a bit wrong about Ma Ma Ma Belle, … the riff is very Brown Sugar by The Stones by the way - someone need to do a mash up here! Also kudos for the mention of The Night Went On In Longbeach. Terrific live document from that era. Maybe one day the full concert might get released.