Before we let June slip away, I thought it would be appropriate to note a landmark anniversary this month. While some of ELO's earlier works got the 30th Anniversary treatment, this particular anniversary will go by quietly.
It is the 30th anniversary of ELO's Secret Messages, an album that, for many reasons, remains at the top of many fan's favorites list... and a release of the original 2LP version remains at the top of most every fan's wish list. It was an album full of unique song ideas. The mythology behind its creation and subsequent cover artwork are about as layered as the sounds it featured.
During a mall visit in 1983, I spotted it in a record store bin... and my mom refused to buy it for me because I "already have too many records." People then watched as a 12-year-old broke into an epic shitfit. Those were the days.
Happy Anniversary, Secret Messages. Here's to hoping...
7 comments:
I too spotted it in the mall store record bin. I was 16, had a dish washing job, and thankfully could buy it on my own. No Mom there to tell me I had too many records. :-)
What memories. I had no clue the album was coming at the time so it was a total surprise when I found it. I still remember the all day anticipation of having to wait until I got home to put it on the turntable.
I was 21 at the time. I've heard on the Dutch radio there was a new double album coming out by ELO. What a disappointment it was that it turned out to be a single album. Another disappointment to me that it wasn't nearly as good as Time and I thought that ELO's haydays were over.
Through the years I have learned to appreciate Secret Messages more, but still I think it is not as strong as many others.
But, here we are! And still mentioning it and still listening to it, because it has Jeff Lynne's songs! (I love 'Stranger'!)
I had been at Ft. Polk, LA for a few months, when much to my delight I saw this album on sale at the post PX. I was a VERY happy soldier!
I tend to listen to the albums in chronological order these days and I find myself liking Secret Messages more and more. Fascinating to hear similar experiences to my own of not knowing there was a new album before you found it in the record shop; innocent times indeed...
Mom was certain that it wouldn't be out when I went to buy it a local mall that summer in 1983. Turns out I was the second person to get it and I remember the cashier telling two clerks what I purchased.
He turned to the other clerk who had a look of shock on his face. He thought it wasn't goiing to be sold.
That made me smile.
the day this album came out, i ran to the record could not contain my excitement..i had to read the sleeve notes there and then ...it had strange terms Oberheim DMX, Denis dog barking. Not since univox univibe on NWR had I been so perplexed. returns for Mik Kaminski (in a cameo role), Louis Clark.After i felt underwelmed, for me it never reached the continuity and songwriting levels of earlier albums. Since it had been cut to hell by record company execs it is hardly surprising I guess.
Hello Folks,
First of all, sorry for my English. I remember when Secret Messages was published and I remember I couldn't study my exams during that week because I was too nervous. When I finally listened to it I really enjoyed but I think Jeff Lynne never will do a production so brilliant as he did in Time.
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