Face The Music
by Electric Light Orchestra

I disagree that this is not a consistent album. In fact, it’s one of their most consistent. Everything is high quality, except for the cheesy “Down Home Town.” “Strange Magic,” “Evil Woman” and “Fire on High” are among the best things ELO ever did, and some of the catchiest, most innovative records being produced at the time. (Edited)

Face The Music is more fine work from the Electric Light Orchestra, which rather quietly has evolved into a most consistent septet. Leader Jeff Lynne remains one of a few Sixties rockers who has developed a new and more adventurous style with a minimum of chaff in the process. In this setting he has successfully integrated a recognizable string trio (an achievement in itself) with his own melodic strings, producing a stately music without being stuffy or saccharine. Nor do the cellos and violin seem a mere afterthought.

All eight compositions are strong and fully realized: "Poker" with its hard rock guitar explosions, the oddly workable C&W flirtation "Down Home Town" and an instrumental with lavish but spirited orchestration. The seven outdo themselves, however, on "One Summer Dream", a beautiful and evocative tune sung touchingly by Lynne. A trifle sentimental perhaps, but lyrically and musically, it displays more emotion (not to mention pure ability) than one ordinarily hears from a rock group. Most importantly the song and the rest of Face The Music as well, reiterates that rock can be complex, ambitious and arty, yet still remain rock. (RS 203)

CHARLEY WALTERS (Edited)

This is my favourite ELO album. It is where the idea of amalgamating rock and orchestral music comes together seamlessly. Prior to this album their attempts at melding the two genres were not seamless and jumped back and forth between the two a lot. They were getting close on Eldorado but I simply find the individual tacks more memorable here. I find that all their subsequent albums recycled a lot of the musical and lyrical ideas from this album. This is the last one that is really fresh and creative. The only song I don't like is Down Home Town. On every other ELO album there is more than one song I don't like. (Edited)

An album of interest in 1975. One summer dream and evil woman are highlights, down home town would be better if not for the silliness in the lyrics. Worth a listen I enjoy it. (Edited)

What a lot of casual fans do not know is that Ellie Greenwich, SuMagNa (Marge Raymond, Susan Collins & Nancy O'Neill) do the background vocals on Evil Woman, Nightrider, Strange Magic, Down Home Town and One Summer Dream at the Record Plant Studios in New York City. "Jeff Lynne of ELO gave me center mic" exclaims Marge, "He liked a background vocal arrangement I came up with for "Evil Woman".

To this day, I still hear my voice loud and clear on that part, in fact it was just used in the Austin Powers Goldmember movie." Jeff Lynne also gave Marge a small solo part on the track (Down Home Town) and asked the group to go on a National tour of arenas. During those sessions, Jimmy Iovine (Founder & Chairman of Interscope records), who was the engineer, told Marge "You have one of the most incredible singing voices I've ever heard, you should have your own band"! 8-)