If you have to ask that question, you don't know the group. From their early years, loaded with heavy cellos, to the waning years, of Disco-very, and onward, this band has been TOTALLY unique. Certainly, OUT OF THE BLUE was their pinnacle accomplishment, but the masterfully orchestrated ELDORADO comes in a close second. Not one of their records is without an endearing quality (except maybe for BALANCE OF POWER, which really pushed my faith in Jeff Lynne's sensibility of direction), and through it all, I have listened, and enjoyed the long ride, on which this band has taken me. I could not imagine my life without this music. It is a part of my youth, and my being. Even now, with the post-Lynne, attempts, I can find some real enjoyment in the compositions. While you can call it COPYING the Jeff Lynne style, there is nothing wrong with that. If Mr. Lynne no longer wants to do that sort of thing, why not let other band members carry on? They have done a fine job, from what I have heard. The PART 2, LIVE, MOMENT OF TRUTH and NO REWIND releases were all good, and showed that there were still group members who understood that fans WANTED to hear that sound, and moreover, NEEDED to hear it. Much thanks to BEV and KELLY, for carrying on the tradition. I saw them twice, in concert, and although it was somewhat diminished, without Jeff Lynne, and the big saucer, I thought that those shows had more HEART than the TIME tour, which I DID see, and which was supposed to be MORE ELO, because of Jeff. When I saw ELO PART 2, in Indiana, they played the HOLIDAY STAR, which is a small theater, and very well kept: a true arts venue. They played with the ROCKFORD SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, and it kicked the roof off.
No selling the fans short, with loads of keyboards, and although MELVIN, and HUGH, were sorely missed, I still had a GREAT time. They ROCKED, and the Rockford symphony ROCKED, and the audience was electrified. I wish I could have seen the OUT OF THE BLUE TOUR, but alas, I was too young for concerts, in those days. In closing, I will keep this short, as I know most folks won't read this, and it's mainly just for catharsis. What is most important is that if you LOVE the music of THE ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA, then you are a person with an educated, and discerning musical pallette, and you really are quite lucky to have been around to hear the music of one of the MOST MAGNIFICENT rock groups of all time.