This album, for me, reflects the mature, somber mood that Jeff had for the future of ELO. As he sings the lyrics he sounds deep in thought, as though truly mulling over what he is saying.
Unlike a lot of albums recorded and released at this time, the production isn't too overbearing or ridiculously eighties-sounding.
"Heaven Only Knows" is an optimistic, upbeat song about hope and looking to the future, and "So Serious" is yet another bouncy, shiny tune to add to the musical parade. While the lyrics represent something almost foreboding, the music insists that Jeff's mood is still up. Songs like "Getting to the Point," "Secret Lives," "Is It Alright," "Sorrow About to Fall," and "Without Someone" all have an aura of things left unsaid, of sadness, abandonment, and, most of all, loneliness. Jeff feels alone for most of this album; yet there are those inevitable ELO pieces with the catchy hook that strikes an ELO fan's chord, showing us that while Jeff may be uncertain of the band's future and even of himself, he can still deliver those catchy, unique ELO songs for us ("Calling America," Send It," "Destination Unknown.").
One song in particular that really sums up this period in ELO's career is the UK B-side single "Caught in a Trap." Basically how Jeff thought of being in ELO after over a decade and a half, the lyrics represent the inevitable ties that come with being a musician- contracts, deadlines, and demands.
"Caught in a Trap" 's musical sibling, "In For the Kill," shares the same basic musical structure but hits the nail on the head when it comes to summing up Jeff's emotions: "Listen to the money talk, listen to it scream. Only lots of paper but it haunts them in their dreams."
Overall, Balance of Power is a sad but honest final effort from ELO.
Balance of maturity
This album, for me, reflects the mature, somber mood that Jeff had for the future of ELO. As he sings the lyrics he sounds deep in thought, as though truly mulling over what he is saying.
Unlike a lot of albums recorded and released at this time, the production isn't too overbearing or ridiculously eighties-sounding.
"Heaven Only Knows" is an optimistic, upbeat song about hope and looking to the future, and "So Serious" is yet another bouncy, shiny tune to add to the musical parade. While the lyrics represent something almost foreboding, the music insists that Jeff's mood is still up. Songs like "Getting to the Point," "Secret Lives," "Is It Alright," "Sorrow About to Fall," and "Without Someone" all have an aura of things left unsaid, of sadness, abandonment, and, most of all, loneliness. Jeff feels alone for most of this album; yet there are those inevitable ELO pieces with the catchy hook that strikes an ELO fan's chord, showing us that while Jeff may be uncertain of the band's future and even of himself, he can still deliver those catchy, unique ELO songs for us ("Calling America," Send It," "Destination Unknown.").
One song in particular that really sums up this period in ELO's career is the UK B-side single "Caught in a Trap." Basically how Jeff thought of being in ELO after over a decade and a half, the lyrics represent the inevitable ties that come with being a musician- contracts, deadlines, and demands.
"Caught in a Trap" 's musical sibling, "In For the Kill," shares the same basic musical structure but hits the nail on the head when it comes to summing up Jeff's emotions: "Listen to the money talk, listen to it scream. Only lots of paper but it haunts them in their dreams."
Overall, Balance of Power is a sad but honest final effort from ELO.