Face the Music

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Work

Face the Music, the band's fifth album, was released in September 1975. Jeff Lynne, the sole songwriter, wanted to move from the large-scale classical sound of Eldorado towards more recognisable pop songs, although the strings remained prominent. Bassist Kelly Groucutt and cellist Melvyn Gale replaced two departed members. Recording began at Musicland Studios in Munich, on the advice of Deep Purple. The orchestra was recorded separately in London. It became the group's first album to go platinum.

Lynne wrote Evil Woman in a few minutes, near the end of the sessions, as filler. It became a worldwide hit. Fire on High opens with synthesizer and choir and contains a backwards message, spoken by drummer Bev Bevan, as a joke by Lynne. In Nightrider, Lynne and Groucutt take turns singing lead, and at the end the backing singers imitate strings.

Listening

Track list

1. 1Fire on High5:31Apple Music ↗
2. 2Waterfall4:12Apple Music ↗
3. 3Evil Woman4:36Apple Music ↗
4. 4Nightrider4:25Apple Music ↗
5. 5Poker3:32Apple Music ↗
6. 6Strange Magic4:30Apple Music ↗
7. 7Down Home Town3:54Apple Music ↗
8. 8One Summer Dream5:48Apple Music ↗

30-second previews via Apple Music. Listen to the whole album on Apple Music ↗

See also

• Electric Light Orchestra