Electric Light Orchestra: A New World Record

A New World Record was Electric Light Orchestra's sixth studio album and one that continued a shift for the band toward more pop oriented songs. After having experienced mild commercial and critical success with Eldorado and Face the Music, A New World Record represented ELO's commercial and critical breakthrough. Songs such as "Livin' Thing", "Telephone Line", "Do Ya", "So Fine", and "Tightrope" attracted listeners from both pop and rock genres and many reached the top of hit singles charts globally.

What's interesting about ELO is that they were one of the pioneers when it came to merging the rough energy and excitement of rock n' roll with the prim and proper lines of classical music. Because of the willingness of bands like ELO to experiment and take risks, the music we enjoy today is fuller, more dynamic, and more artistic in many ways than it ever has been.

Track List
1. Tightrope
2. Telephone Line
3. Rockaria!
4. Mission (A World Record)
5. So Fine
6. Livin' Thing
7. Above The Clouds
8. Do Ya
9. Shangri-La

It is a well known fact that vinyl cut in the 70s can be hit or miss. Some claim that the energy crisis had an effect on the production quality. It is also rumored that the evolution of alternatives to vinyl, such as 8-track and cassette tapes, detracted focus away from vinyl production and over to the more popular mediums. Regardless of the true reason, vinyl records produced in the 70s have their QC moments. We believe it had more to do with the manufacturer than it did with anything else, as there are pressing plants such as Santa Maria and Pittman that produced some very good vinyl during that era. Therefore, if you are considering an original vinyl pressing of any sort, it would be wise to research and find one that is known to be good.

The initial release we tested had an embossed cover and was pressed by Research Craft. It would not be one we would place into the preferred category. Research Craft had a long existence, having been in operation from the 1940's until the early '80's. Having changed hands many times, Research Craft was purchased by United Artists Records in 1971 and sold to Capitol Records in 1978 before closing in 1981. Through the years, Research Craft had a reputation as a decent manufacturer. However, frequent ownership changes appear to have had a negative effect on product quality. We also tested a pressing by Terre Haute that did not include an embossed cover. It faired no better and was possibly even worse. Plus, the releases are noisy. Both pressings also lacked the life and energy that had to be present in the studio at the time of their recording.

While it is sometimes better to own a 1st pressing of many records, A New World Record by Electric Light Orchestra may not be one of them. The 2018 reissue from Epic may be the go release, as it seems to have favorable reviews on Discogs. Hopefully someone will decide to take this record on as an audiophile project and release a version that fully represents the potential this album possesses. 💸

💰Invest
💵 Consider
💸 Pass