I do really like Zoom (hate the name thou) the reason it wasn't included was because up until Zoom, Lynne hadn't had a break or real chance to stand back and examine his output. I think Zoom is a more considered recording. Lynne has definately distilled a lot of the ELO sound.. Personally for Zoom I'd have like to have heard a more solid return to form.. As much as it pains me to say it it does have an Armchair theatre feeling about it.. I would have liked a big stirring intro like on secret messages,.. There is really only Heaven Only Knows which starts an Album without this big build up.. I think alsoI'd liked strings, particularly when sooo many new bands are citing ELO as an influence.. I'd also have liked to see a return to a concept of some sort.. and I think he could have put some backwards bits in.. to me Zoom sounded a lot like the music he wrote for the band in the film Still Crazy, Strange Fruit (or whatever they were called) mixed with a little bit of OTTD..

Please don't forget Zoom. This album is considered a return to the 75-79 sound but is also very modern. I think the music of Zoom is almost timeless.

Jeff purposefully changed the bands sound in writing tunes, but you cannot discount the personnel shrinkage in the band...that had an impact on sound too.

I too have noticed the change in sound. Some people don't like a bands sound to change, call em sell outs. I disagree, a band that can evolve can survive. I don't know for sure but IMHO I think the change after discovery was due to the cellos leaving, less string sound, and more keyboard, that is what was very popular then. I like the changes. The change after Eldorado is what gets me. I know Kelly joined after that and his voice really brought alot to their sound, but it seems to me it was more than that. I even noticed Jeff's appearance and demeanour changed quite a bit around face the music. It's strange and intriguing, then again I may need to get a life.