Disco de Electric Light Orchestra: “No Answer”

This is one of those records that has a sound all its own. I've never heard anything else that really sounds like this. It's probably mostly due to Roy Wood's cello playing which is, well.....interesting. The album was recorded at about the same time as the Move's last LP MESSAGE FROM THE COUNTRY, and certainly some songs from this project could have ended up on that album, especially "10,538 Overture" and "Look at Me Now" (both great), and vice-versa. The best tracks are the aforementioned "Overture" and "Look.." as well as Jeff Lynne's "Queen of the Hours" and "Mr. Radio" and Wood's "First Movement" (a "Classical Gas" sound-alike but still great) and "Whiper in the Night."

This is a definite must-have for MOVE fans, but only the most ardent ELO fanse are likely to fully appreciate it.

It began as a vision...two Birmingham, England buddies, Roy Wood and Jeff Lynne, wanted to "pick up where the Beatles left off on 'Strawberry Fields' and 'I Am the Walrus.'" Roy was the leader of the amazingly popular band, The Move, while Jeff was the leader of an up-and-coming group called Idle Race. When personnel problems created an opening in The Move, Roy invited Jeff to join he and drummer Bev Bevan. Jeff consented, provided that he and Roy could work on their side "orchestra rock" project. In 1971, the Electric Light Orchestra was birthed out of The Move with a lumbering single called "10538 Overture," which quickly ascended the charts in England. Little did they know then that the accompanying album, NO ANSWER, would be the herald of one of rock and roll's most enduring success stories. "10538" is essentially a Move single, and as such is wonderfully quirky, melodic, and somewhat disturbing. "Look At Me Now" is a very nice Roy Wood ballad, with an interesting arrangement and instrumental curios. "Nellie Takes Her Bow" sounds like Jeff Lynne gone vaudeville, and is very effective, though overly long. The martial instrumental break might have fit better in the following cut..."The Battle of Marston Moor (July 2nd 1644). The "Battle" cut earns ELO points for trying, but is not, at the end of the day, extraordinarily listenable. Wood's "1st Movement" on the other hand, is a wonderful pastiche of guitar and string quartet, not unlike "Classical Gas." "Mr. Radio" is very evocative and well-written, and highlights Jeff's great talent for pathos, even at an early age. It's perhaps the closest thing to the later ELO sound on this album. "Manhattan Rumble (49th St. Massacre)" is a fine Jeff Lynne piano instrumental that indeed rumbles along like some eerie 1930s mob film. "Queen of the Hours" is another nice Lynne ballad, thrown a bit by the jarring string intro, though it does remind one of the Beatles circa 1968. "Whisper in the Night" is sweet and stirring. Basically, it's Roy, a guitar, and a few strings, and a prayer. It's a nice benediction for this album. I would love to start a campaign for Roy and Jeff to do more work together. Until then, I'll give this CD and all of my Move stuff some more spins.

In many ways, this is my favorite ELO album. I don't consider it the BEST, mind you, but I do love the risky, experimental nature of it. For instance, "10538 Overture" really connects, despite it's lumbering, at points out of time, rumbling rhythm. The rough strings and horns highlight a great melody and compelling story. Other great songs here include the lovely lilt of "Mr. Radio," the urgency of "Look at Me Now," two cracking instrumentals ("1st Movement" and "Manhattan Rumble") and the gorgeous "Whisper in the Night." There's never a dull moment here, even when the band slips around a bit walking on their high wire. This is not the ELO of 1975-1980, a sleek pop hitmaking machine. This is more akin to The Move muscially and sonically(actually, it really IS The Move) under a new name. On "No Answer," Roy Wood, Jeff Lynne, and Bev Bevan lay the groundwork for what would become an amazing decade for all three...albeit in different directions.

"No Answer" is the original and best ELO album. Roy's aim to continue where "I am the Walrus" left off was achieved. The blend of deep cello and violin with electric guitar and drums produces one of the most original albums in pop history. Although this album is best known for "10538 Overture", most of the other songs on it are also very original and entertaining, one of my favourites is "Battle of Marston Moor". This album should certainly be in any serious ELO fan's collection.

I saw a guy above me under the title "I hate to do this guys" say that this is a bad album and don't buy it. I say don't listen to him! Listen to me and the other 4 star users. Sure, this album is very unique and ahead of it's time, but that's what ELO has always done. It's also a very good start for ELO. Personally, I thought it was going to be a lot worse than this. I WAS WRONG! BUY THIS ALBUM! It's got everything you could want. It's got great hits like "10538 Overture" and "Mr. Radio."

And great instrumentals such as "Battle of Marston Moore [July 2nd 1964]","Manhattan Rumble (42nd Street Massacre)" and "1st Movement" which are great instrumentals by the way, and we all know how good ELO is with instrumentals such as "Eldorado Overture (on the "Eldorado" cd). But i'm not going to go to far into another album. If you are just now starting to get into ELO. First of all, WISE DECISION! BUY IT!