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| cover = ELO A New World Record.jpg
| cover = ELO A New World Record.jpg
| alt =
| alt =
| released = September 1976
| released = 15 October 1976
| recorded = July 1976
| recorded = July 1976
| venue =
| studio = [[Musicland Studios]], [[Munich, Germany]]; string and choral overdubs at [[De Lane Lea Studios]], [[Wembley]]; fixes at Cherokee Studios, [[Los Angeles]]
| studio = [[Musicland Studios]], [[Munich, Germany]]; string and choral overdubs at [[De Lane Lea Studios]], [[Wembley]]; fixes at Cherokee Studios, [[Los Angeles]]
| genre = {{hlist|[[Rock music|Rock]]|[[pop music|pop]]}}
| genre = {{hlist|[[Pop rock]]|[[progressive pop]]|[[orchestral pop]]}}
| length = 36:20
| length = 36:20
| label = {{hlist|[[Jet Records|Jet]]|[[United Artists Records|United Artists]]}}
| label = {{hlist|[[Jet Records|Jet]]|[[United Artists Records|United Artists]]}}
Line 35: Line 34:
| single1 = [[Livin' Thing]]
| single1 = [[Livin' Thing]]
| single1date = October 1976
| single1date = October 1976
| single2 = [[Rockaria!]]
| single2 = [[Do Ya (The Move song)#Electric Light Orchestra version|Do Ya]]
| single2date = February 1977
| single2date = January 1977 (US)
| single3 = [[Do Ya (The Move song)#Electric Light Orchestra version|Do Ya]]
| single3 = [[Rockaria!]]
| single3date = February 1977 (US only)
| single3date = February 1977 (UK)
| single4 = [[Telephone Line (song)|Telephone Line]]
| single4 = [[Telephone Line (song)|Telephone Line]]
| single4date = May 1977
| single4date = May 1977
Line 44: Line 43:
}}
}}


'''''A New World Record''''' is the sixth studio album by [[Electric Light Orchestra]] (ELO). It was released in September 1976 on [[United Artists Records]] in the U.S.,<ref>{{cite magazine |title=ELO LP Set for Oct. |magazine=[[Cashbox (magazine)|Cashbox]] |page=57 |date=23 October 1976}}</ref> and on 19 November 1976 on [[Jet Records]] in the United Kingdom.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Recording News |magazine=[[NME]] |page=2 |date=30 October 1976}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title=News Flashes |magazine=[[Melody Maker]] |page=4 |date=30 October 1976}}</ref> ''A New World Record'' marked ELO's shift towards shorter pop songs, a trend which would continue across their career.
'''''A New World Record''''' is the sixth studio album by [[Electric Light Orchestra]] (ELO). It was released on 15 October 1976 on [[United Artists Records]] in the U.S.,<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Simmons |first=Paul |title=Managers' Notes |url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/70s/1976/Cash-Box-1976-10-09.pdf |magazine=[[Cashbox (magazine)|Cashbox]] |page=31 |date=9 October 1976}}</ref> and on 19 November 1976 on [[Jet Records]] in the United Kingdom.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Recording News |magazine=[[NME]] |page=2 |date=30 October 1976}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title=News Flashes |magazine=[[Melody Maker]] |page=4 |date=30 October 1976}}</ref> ''A New World Record'' marked ELO's shift towards shorter pop songs, a trend which would continue across their career.


Their second album to be recorded at [[Musicland Studios]] in Munich, the LP proved to be the band's breakthrough in the UK; after their previous three studio recordings failed to chart in their home market, ''A New World Record'' became their first top ten album in the UK. It became a global success and reached multi-platinum status in the US and UK, The album sold five million units worldwide within its first year of release. The cover art features the [[Electric Light Orchestra#Band name and logo|ELO logo]], designed by [[Kosh (art director)|Kosh]], for the first time. This logo would be included on most of the group's subsequent releases. The album yielded four hit singles, including "[[Livin' Thing]]", the transatlantic Top Ten hit "[[Telephone Line (song)|Telephone Line]]", which became the band's first gold US single, the UK Top Ten hit "[[Rockaria!]]", and the US number 24 hit "[[Do Ya (The Move song)|Do Ya]]", a remake of the 1972 single by [[The Move]], of which Lynne was a member between 1970 and 1972.
Their second album to be recorded at [[Musicland Studios]] in Munich, the LP proved to be the band's breakthrough in the UK; after their previous three studio recordings failed to chart in their home market, ''A New World Record'' became their first top ten album in the UK. It became a global success and reached multi-platinum status in the US and UK. The album sold five million units worldwide within its first year of release. The cover art features the [[Electric Light Orchestra#Band name and logo|ELO logo]], designed by [[Kosh (art director)|Kosh]], for the first time; this logo would be included on most of the group's subsequent releases. The album yielded four hit singles, including "[[Livin' Thing]]", the transatlantic Top Ten hit "[[Telephone Line (song)|Telephone Line]]", which became the band's first gold US single, the UK Top Ten hit "[[Rockaria!]]", and the US number 24 hit "[[Do Ya (The Move song)|Do Ya]]", a remake of the 1972 single by [[The Move]], of which Lynne was a member between 1970 and 1972.


In 1977, four of the album's songs were featured on the soundtrack of the film ''[[Joyride (1977 film)|Joyride]]''. In 2006, the album was remastered and released with bonus tracks on [[Sony Music|Sony]]'s [[Epic Records|Epic]]/[[Legacy Recordings|Legacy]] imprint. "Surrender" was also issued as a promotional single and an [[iTunes Store|iTunes]] download single, which entered the top 100 download chart. The track was originally written in 1976 for a cancelled film soundtrack and was finished in 2006.<ref name="ftmusic">{{cite web| last = Lynne| first = Jeff| author-link=Jeff Lynne| title = ftmusic.com| url=http://ftmusic.com/anewworldrecord/lyrics.html| access-date=2007-07-29}}</ref> In July 2012, the all vinyl record company Music on Vinyl re-released ''A New World Record'' on 180 gram vinyl with an embossed cover.
In 1977, four of the album's songs were featured on the soundtrack of the film ''[[Joyride (1977 film)|Joyride]]''. In 2006, the album was remastered and released with bonus tracks on [[Sony Music|Sony]]'s [[Epic Records|Epic]]/[[Legacy Recordings|Legacy]] imprint. "Surrender" was also issued as a promotional single and an [[iTunes Store|iTunes]] download single, which entered the top 100 download chart. The track was originally written in 1976 for a cancelled film soundtrack and was finished in 2006. In July 2012, the all vinyl record company Music on Vinyl re-released ''A New World Record'' on 180 gram vinyl with an embossed cover.


==Background==
==Background==
{{Expand section|date=May 2022}}
The band's frontman Jeff Lynne regarded his own songwriting at this point to have reached a new high.
The band's frontman Jeff Lynne regarded his own songwriting at this point to have reached a new high.
{{quote|"The songs started to flow and most of them came quickly to me. To have all those hits, it was just ...I mean amazing really. Going from doing okay for probably three or four years to suddenly being in the big time, it was a strange but great thing."}}
{{blockquote|"The songs started to flow and most of them came quickly to me. To have all those hits, it was just ...I mean amazing really. Going from doing okay for probably three or four years to suddenly being in the big time, it was a strange but great thing."}}
:– Jeff Lynne 2006; ''A New World Record'' remaster
:– Jeff Lynne 2006; ''A New World Record'' remaster


Patti Quatro and [[Brie Howard-Darling|Brie Brandt]] (both of [[Fanny (band)|Fanny]]), along with Addie Lee, sang uncredited backing vocals on the album.<ref name="Quatro 2007">{{cite book |first=Suzi |last=Quatro |author-link=Suzi Quatro |title=Unzipped |publisher=[[Hodder & Stoughton]] |date=2007 |isbn=978-1-44472-819-4}}</ref><ref name="google.com">[https://www.google.com/books/edition/Electric_Light_Orchestra/U9IxDwAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=Patti+Quatro,+Brie+Brandt,+Addie+Lee:+backing+vocals&pg=PT78&printsec=frontcover Electric Light Orchestra: Song by Song]</ref>
Patti Quatro, [[Brie Howard-Darling|Brie Brandt]] (both of [[Fanny (band)|Fanny]]) and Addie Lee sang uncredited backing vocals on the album.<ref name="Quatro 2007">{{cite book |first=Suzi |last=Quatro |author-link=Suzi Quatro |title=Unzipped |publisher=[[Hodder & Stoughton]] |date=2007 |isbn=978-1-44472-819-4}}</ref><ref name="google.com">[https://books.google.com/books?id=U9IxDwAAQBAJ&dq=Patti+Quatro,+Brie+Brandt,+Addie+Lee:+backing+vocals&pg=PT78 Electric Light Orchestra: Song by Song]</ref>


==Critical reception==
==Critical reception==
Line 64: Line 64:
|rev2Score = B+<ref name="Christgau">{{cite book|last=Christgau|first=Robert|author-link=Robert Christgau|year=1981|title=[[Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies]]|publisher=[[Ticknor & Fields]]|isbn=089919026X|chapter=Consumer Guide '70s: E|chapter-url=https://www.robertchristgau.com/get_chap.php?k=E&bk=70|access-date=February 24, 2019|via=robertchristgau.com}}</ref>
|rev2Score = B+<ref name="Christgau">{{cite book|last=Christgau|first=Robert|author-link=Robert Christgau|year=1981|title=[[Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies]]|publisher=[[Ticknor & Fields]]|isbn=089919026X|chapter=Consumer Guide '70s: E|chapter-url=https://www.robertchristgau.com/get_chap.php?k=E&bk=70|access-date=February 24, 2019|via=robertchristgau.com}}</ref>
| rev3 = ''[[Encyclopedia of Popular Music]]''
| rev3 = ''[[Encyclopedia of Popular Music]]''
| rev3Score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite book|first=Colin (ed.)|last=Larkin|year=2011|title=The Encyclopedia of Popular Music ''(5th edn)''|location=London|publisher=Omnibus Press|isbn=978-0-85712-595-8|page=915}}</ref>
| rev3Score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite book|editor-first=Colin|editor-last=Larkin|year=2011|title=The Encyclopedia of Popular Music ''(5th edn)''|location=London|publisher=Omnibus Press|isbn=978-0-85712-595-8|page=915}}</ref>
| rev4 = [[MusicHound]]
| rev4 = [[MusicHound]]
| rev4score = 4/5<ref>{{cite book|last1=Graff|first1=Gary|last2=Durchholz|first2=Daniel (eds)|title=MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide|publisher=Visible Ink Press|location=Farmington Hills, MI|year=1999|isbn=1-57859-061-2|page=[https://archive.org/details/isbn_9781578590612/page/382 382]|url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9781578590612/page/382}}</ref>
| rev4score = 4/5<ref>{{cite book|editor1-last=Graff|editor1-first=Gary|editor2-last=Durchholz|editor2-first=Daniel|title=MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide|publisher=Visible Ink Press|location=Farmington Hills, MI|year=1999|isbn=1-57859-061-2|page=[https://archive.org/details/isbn_9781578590612/page/382 382]|url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9781578590612/page/382}}</ref>
| rev5 = ''[[Q (magazine)|Q]]''
| rev5 = ''[[Q (magazine)|Q]]''
| rev5score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Paul |last=Rees |title=ELO – ''A New World Record'' |magazine=[[Q (magazine)|Q]] |issue=240 |pages=124–25 |date=July 2006}}</ref>
| rev5score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Paul |last=Rees |title=ELO – ''A New World Record'' |magazine=[[Q (magazine)|Q]] |issue=240 |pages=124–25 |date=July 2006}}</ref>
Line 72: Line 72:
| rev6score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref name="RM" />
| rev6score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref name="RM" />
| rev7 = ''[[The Rolling Stone Album Guide]]''
| rev7 = ''[[The Rolling Stone Album Guide]]''
| rev7score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref>{{cite book|last1=Brackett|first1=Nathan|last2=with Hoard|first2=Christian (eds)|year=2004|title=The New Rolling Stone Album Guide'' (4th edn)''|location=New York, NY|publisher=Fireside/Simon & Schuster|isbn=0-7432-0169-8|page=[https://archive.org/details/newrollingstonea00brac/page/274 274]|url=https://archive.org/details/newrollingstonea00brac/page/274}}</ref>
| rev7score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref>{{cite book|editor1-last=Brackett|editor1-first=Nathan|editor2-last=Hoard|editor2-first=Christian|year=2004|title=The New Rolling Stone Album Guide'' (4th edn)''|location=New York, NY|publisher=Fireside/Simon & Schuster|isbn=0-7432-0169-8|page=[https://archive.org/details/newrollingstonea00brac/page/274 274]|url=https://archive.org/details/newrollingstonea00brac/page/274}}</ref>
| rev8 = ''[[Sounds (magazine)|Sounds]]''
| rev8 = ''[[Sounds (magazine)|Sounds]]''
| rev8score = {{Rating|4.5|5}}<ref name="Sounds" />
| rev8score = {{Rating|4.5|5}}<ref name="Sounds" />
Line 117: Line 117:
| length9 = 5:34
| length9 = 5:34
}}
}}

⚫
The [[Compact Cassette|cassette tape]] version consisted of "Tightrope", "Rockaria!", "Mission", and "Shangri-La" on side one, with side two the same as the [[Vinyl record|LP]] version's side two except for "Telephone Line" at the end in place of "Shangri-La".<ref>{{Cite web|title=Electric Light Orchestra - A New World Record|url=https://www.discogs.com/Electric-Light-Orchestra-A-New-World-Record/release/4595403|access-date=2020-12-22|website=Discogs|language=en}}</ref>

The [[8-track tape|8 Track]] version contained "Tightrope" (A1), "Mission" (A2), "So Fine" (B1), "Livin' Thing" (B2), and "Above The Clouds" (B3), "Above The Clouds -Cont'd-" (C1), "Telephone Line" (C2), "Rockaria!" (C3), "Do Ya" (D1), and "Shangri-La" (D2).<ref>{{Cite web|title=Electric Light Orchestra - A New World Record|url=https://www.discogs.com/Electric-Light-Orchestra-A-New-World-Record/release/2374124|access-date=2020-12-22|website=Discogs|language=en}}</ref>


{{Tracklist
{{Tracklist
Line 143: Line 139:
| length15 = 4:51
| length15 = 4:51
}}
}}

⚫
The [[cassette tape]] version consisted of "Tightrope", "Rockaria!", "Mission", and "Shangri-La" on side one, with side two the same as the [[Vinyl record|LP]] version's side two except for "Telephone Line" at the end in place of "Shangri-La".<ref>{{Cite web|title=Electric Light Orchestra - A New World Record|url=https://www.discogs.com/Electric-Light-Orchestra-A-New-World-Record/release/4595403|access-date=2020-12-22|website=Discogs|year=1976 |language=en}}</ref>


==Personnel==
==Personnel==
Sourced from the original album liner notes unless where noted.
* [[Jeff Lynne]]&nbsp;– lead vocals, guitars, percussion, electric piano
* [[Bev Bevan]]&nbsp;– drums, percussion, backing vocals
* [[Jeff Lynne]]&nbsp;– lead vocals, electric and acoustic guitars, percussion, [[Wurlitzer electronic piano|Wurlitzer 200 electric piano]]
* [[Richard Tandy]]&nbsp;– keyboards and synthesizers, guitar, percussion, backing vocals
* [[Bev Bevan]]&nbsp;– drums, percussion, [[Minimoog]] "drum", backing vocals
* [[Richard Tandy]]&nbsp;– Wurlitzer 200 electric piano, Minimoog, [[Micromoog]], clavinet, piano, SLM Concert Spectrum, [[Mellotron|Mellotron M400]], electric guitar, percussion, backing vocals
* [[Kelly Groucutt]]&nbsp;– bass guitar, percussion, backing vocals, lead vocals
* [[Kelly Groucutt]]&nbsp;– bass guitar, percussion, backing vocals, lead vocals
* [[Mik Kaminski]]&nbsp;– [[violin]]
* [[Mik Kaminski]]&nbsp;– [[violin]]
Line 168: Line 167:


===Weekly charts===
===Weekly charts===
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|-
|-
!Chart (1976–78)
!scope=col | Chart (1976–1978)
!Peak<br>position
!scope=col | Peak<br />position
|-
|-
|align="left" |Australian Albums ([[Kent Music Report]])<ref>{{cite book|title=[[Kent Music Report|Australian Chart Book 1970–1992]] |last=Kent |first=David |author-link=David Kent (historian) |publisher=Australian Chart Book |location=[[St Ives, New South Wales|St Ives, NSW]] |year=1993 |isbn=0-646-11917-6 }}</ref>
!scope=row |Australian Albums ([[Kent Music Report]])<ref>{{cite book |title=Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 |last=Kent |first=David |author-link=David Kent (historian) |publisher=Australian Chart Book |location=[[St Ives, New South Wales]] |page=101 |year=1993 |isbn=0-646-11917-6}}</ref>
|align="center" |1
|align="center" |1
|-
|-
|{{album chart |Austria |9 |artist=Electric Light Orchestra |album=A New World Record}}
{{album chart|Austria|9|artist=Electric Light Orchestra|album=A New World Record|rowheader=true|access-date=28 February 2024}}
|-
|-
⚫
{{album chart|Canada|1|artist=Electric Light Orchestra|album=A New World Record|rowheader=true|chartid=5174a|refname=CAN1|access-date=28 February 2024}}
|align="left"|Canadian Albums ([[Canadian Albums Chart|''RPM'']])<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.5174a&URLjpg=http%3a%2f%2fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2fobj%2f028020%2ff4%2fnlc008388.5174a.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.5174a |title=Top Albums/CDs – Volume 26, No. 23 |page=35 |magazine=[[RPM (magazine)|RPM]] |format=PHP |date=5 March 1977 |access-date=6 July 2017}}</ref>
⚫
|align="center" |1
|-
|-
|align="left"|Danish Albums (Hitlister)<ref>{{cite web |title=Electric Light Orchestra |url=http://danskehitlister.dk/?artist_id=892 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160410104341/http://danskehitlister.dk/?artist_id=892 |publisher=Danske Hitlister |archive-date=10 April 2016}}</ref>
!scope=row |Danish Albums (Hitlister)<ref>{{cite web |title=Electric Light Orchestra |url=http://danskehitlister.dk/?artist_id=892 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160410104341/http://danskehitlister.dk/?artist_id=892 |publisher=Danske Hitlister |archive-date=10 April 2016}}</ref>
|align="center" |8
|align="center" |8
|-
|-
|{{album chart |Netherlands |2 |artist=Electric Light Orchestra |album=A New World Record}}
{{album chart|Netherlands|2|artist=Electric Light Orchestra|album=A New World Record|rowheader=true|access-date=28 February 2024}}
⚫
|-
! scope="row"| Finnish Albums ([[The Official Finnish Charts]])<ref name=FINI>{{cite book|last=Pennanen|first=Timo|title=Sisältää hitin – levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972|edition=1st|publisher=Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava|location=Helsinki|year=2006|isbn=978-951-1-21053-5| language= fi}}</ref>
⚫
| align="center"| 1
|-
|-
|{{album chart |Germany |7 |artist=Electric Light Orchestra |album=A New World Record}}
{{album chart|Germany4|7|artist=Electric Light Orchestra|album=A New World Record|id=5926|rowheader=true|access-date=28 February 2024}}
|-
|-
|align="left"|[[Oricon|Japanese Oricon LP Chart]]<ref name="Jachart">{{cite book|title=Oricon Album Chart Book: Complete Edition 1970–2005|publisher=Oricon Entertainment|location=Roppongi, Tokyo|year=2006|isbn=978-4-87131-077-2}}</ref>
!scope=row |Japanese Albums ([[Oricon]])<ref name="Jachart">{{cite book|title=Oricon Album Chart Book: Complete Edition 1970–2005|publisher=Oricon Entertainment|location=Roppongi, Tokyo|year=2006|isbn=978-4-87131-077-2}}</ref>
|align="center" |60
|align="center" |60
|-
|-
|{{album chart |New Zealand |4 |artist=Electric Light Orchestra |album=A New World Record}}
{{album chart|New Zealand|4|artist=Electric Light Orchestra|album=A New World Record|rowheader=true|access-date=28 February 2024}}
|-
|-
|{{album chart |Norway |9 |artist=Electric Light Orchestra |album=A New World Record}}
{{album chart|Norway|9|artist=Electric Light Orchestra|album=A New World Record|rowheader=true|access-date=28 February 2024}}
|-
|-
! scope="row"| Spanish Albums ([[Productores de Música de España|AFYVE]])<ref>{{cite book|last=Salaverri|first=Fernando|title=Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002|edition=1st|publisher=Fundación Autor-SGAE|location=Spain|year=2005|isbn=84-8048-639-2 | language=es}}</ref>
⚫
|{{album chart |Sweden |1 |artist=Electric Light Orchestra |album=A New World Record}}
| align="center"| 6
|-
|-
|{{album chart |UK |6 |artist=Electric Light Orchestra |album=A New World Record}}
{{album chart|Sweden|1|artist=Electric Light Orchestra|album=A New World Record|rowheader=true|access-date=28 February 2024}}
|-
|-
{{album chart |Billboard200 |5 |artist=Electric Light Orchestra }}
{{album chart|UK2|6|artist=Electric Light Orchestra|date=19770619|rowheader=true}}
|-
|-
{{album chart|Billboard200|5|artist=Electric Light Orchestra|rowheader=true|access-date=28 February 2024}}
⚫
|US ''[[Cash Box (magazine)|Cash Box]]'' Top 100 Albums<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Cash Box Top 100 Albums|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/70s/1976/Cash-Box-1976-12-18.pdf#page=49|magazine=[[Cash Box (magazine)|Cash Box]]|volume=XXXVIII #31|page=49|date=18 December 1976|access-date=December 30, 2020}}</ref>
|-
⚫
!scope=row |US ''[[Cash Box (magazine)|Cash Box]]'' Top 100 Albums<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Cash Box Top 100 Albums|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/70s/1976/Cash-Box-1976-12-18.pdf#page=49|magazine=[[Cash Box (magazine)|Cash Box]]|volume=XXXVIII #31|page=49|date=18 December 1976|access-date=30 December 2020|via=World Radio History}}</ref>
|align="center" |10
|align="center" |10
|}
|}
Line 207: Line 211:


===Year-end charts===
===Year-end charts===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|-
|-
!Chart (1976)
!scope=col | Chart (1976)
!scope=col | Peak<br />position
!Position
|-
|-
{{album chart|Canada|60|artist=Electric Light Orchestra|album=A New World Record|rowheader=true|chartid=5175|refname=CAN2|access-date=28 February 2024}}
|align="left"|[[RPM Year-End|Canadian Albums Chart]]<ref name="CAYearend76">{{cite magazine|url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?&file_num=nlc008388.5175&type=1&interval=20&PHPSESSID=c6btf3r8hs459qqt5ln3o3dcv5 |title=RPM Top 100 Albums of 1976 |magazine=[[RPM (magazine)|RPM]] |date=8 January 1977 |access-date=24 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140224000534/http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?&file_num=nlc008388.5175&type=1&interval=20&PHPSESSID=c6btf3r8hs459qqt5ln3o3dcv5 |archive-date=24 February 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|60
|-
|-
|align="left"|Dutch Albums Chart<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=1976&cat=a |title=Dutch charts jaaroverzichten 1976|format=ASP|language=nl|access-date=2 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512112200/http://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=1976&cat=a|archive-date=12 May 2014}}</ref>
!scope=row|Dutch Albums ([[Albums Top 100]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=1976&cat=a |title=Dutch charts jaaroverzichten 1976|format=ASP|language=nl|access-date=2 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512112200/http://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=1976&cat=a|archive-date=12 May 2014}}</ref>
|37
|37
|}

{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|-
|-
!Chart (1977)
!scope=col | Chart (1977)
!scope=col | Peak<br />position
!Position
|-
|-
|align="left"|Australian Albums Chart (Kent Music Report)<ref>Kent (1993). p. 429.</ref>
!scope=row|Australian Albums ([[Kent Music Report]])<ref>Kent (1993). p. 429.</ref>
|2
|2
|-
|-
|align="left"|Austrian Albums Chart<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.austriancharts.at/year.asp?cat=a&id=1977 |title=Austriancharts.st – Jahreshitparade 1977
!scope=row|Austrian Albums Chart ([[Ö3 Austria Top 40|Ö3 Austria]])<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.austriancharts.at/year.asp?cat=a&id=1977 |title=Austriancharts.st – Jahreshitparade 1977
|publisher=Hung Medien |language=de|format=ASP|access-date=1 August 2010}}</ref>
|publisher=Hung Medien |language=de|format=ASP|access-date=1 August 2010}}</ref>
|21
|21
|-
|-
{{album chart|Canada|3|artist=Electric Light Orchestra|album=A New World Record|rowheader=true|chartid=5558|refname=CAN3|access-date=28 February 2024}}
|align="left"|Canadian Albums Chart<ref name="CAYearend77">{{cite magazine|url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?brws_s=1&file_num=nlc008388.5558&type=1&interval=24&PHPSESSID=mhe12pta2k83e08udtq66ot062|title=RPM Top 100 Albums of 1977|magazine=RPM|date=31 December 1977|access-date=24 February 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140405134622/http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?brws_s=1&file_num=nlc008388.5558&type=1&interval=24&PHPSESSID=mhe12pta2k83e08udtq66ot062|archive-date=5 April 2014}}</ref>
⚫
|3
|-
|-
|align="left"|Dutch Albums Chart<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=1977&cat=a |title=Dutch charts jaaroverzichten 1977|format=ASP|language=nl|access-date=2 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512112204/http://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=1977&cat=a|archive-date=12 May 2014}}</ref>
!scope=row|Dutch Albums ([[Albums Top 100]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=1977&cat=a |title=Dutch charts jaaroverzichten 1977|format=ASP|language=nl|access-date=2 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512112204/http://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=1977&cat=a|archive-date=12 May 2014}}</ref>
|48
|48
|-
|-
|align="left"|UK Albums Chart<ref name="UKYearend">{{cite web|url=http://chartheaven.9.forumer.com/a/complete-uk-yearend-album-charts_post21.html|title= Complete UK Year-End Album Charts|access-date=12 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120519050548/http://chartheaven.9.forumer.com/a/complete-uk-yearend-album-charts_post21.html|archive-date=19 May 2012}}</ref>
!scope=row| German Albums ([[GfK Entertainment Charts|Offizielle Top 100]])<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/album-jahr/for-date-1977|title=Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts|date=1977|publisher=[[GfK Entertainment Charts]]|language=de|access-date=2 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211024095103/https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/album-jahr/for-date-1977|archive-date=24 October 2021}}</ref>
| 20
|-
!scope=row|UK Albums ([[Official Charts Company|OCC]])<ref name="UKYearend">{{cite web|url=http://chartheaven.9.forumer.com/a/complete-uk-yearend-album-charts_post21.html|title= Complete UK Year-End Album Charts|access-date=12 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120519050548/http://chartheaven.9.forumer.com/a/complete-uk-yearend-album-charts_post21.html|archive-date=19 May 2012}}</ref>
|16
|16
|-
|-
|align="left"|US [[Billboard Year-End]]<ref name="USYearend">{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/archivesearch/article_display/855680?imw=Y|title=Top Pop Albums of 1977|publisher=billboard.biz|access-date=24 February 2012}}</ref>
!scope=row|US [[Billboard Year-End]]<ref name="USYearend">{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/archivesearch/article_display/855680?imw=Y|title=Top Pop Albums of 1977|publisher=billboard.biz|access-date=24 February 2012}}</ref>
|6
|6
|}

{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|-
|-
!Chart (1978)
!scope=col | Chart (1978)
!scope=col | Peak<br />position
!Position
|-
|-
|align="left"|Australian Albums Chart (Kent Music Report)<ref>Kent (1993). p. 430.</ref>
!scope=row|Australian Albums ([[Kent Music Report]])<ref>Kent (1993). p. 430.</ref>
|22
|22
|-
|-
|align="left"|UK Albums Chart<ref name="UKYearend"/>
!scope=row|UK Albums ([[Official Charts Company|OCC]])<ref name="UKYearend"/>
|47
|47
|}
|}
Line 261: Line 272:


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.ftmusic.com/anewworldrecord/index.html A New World Record Remastered info] at ftmusic


{{Electric Light Orchestra}}
{{Electric Light Orchestra}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:New World Record, A}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:New World Record, A}}
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[[Category:1976 albums]]
[[Category:Albums produced by Jeff Lynne]]
[[Category:Albums produced by Jeff Lynne]]
[[Category:Electric Light Orchestra albums]]
[[Category:Electric Light Orchestra albums]]
⚫
[[Category:1976 albums]]
[[Category:Epic Records albums]]
[[Category:Epic Records albums]]
⚫
[[Category:Jet Records albums]]
[[Category:United Artists Records albums]]
[[Category:United Artists Records albums]]
⚫
[[Category:Jet Records albums]]

Latest revision as of 21:12, 18 August 2024

For the album by the Poster Children, see New World Record.

A New World Record
Studio album by
Electric Light Orchestra
Released15 October 1976
RecordedJuly 1976
StudioMusicland Studios, Munich, Germany; string and choral overdubs at De Lane Lea Studios, Wembley; fixes at Cherokee Studios, Los Angeles
Genre
Length36:20
Label
ProducerJeff Lynne
Electric Light Orchestra chronology
Olé ELO
(1976) 		A New World Record
(1976) 		The Light Shines On
(1977)
Electric Light Orchestra studio album chronology
Face the Music
(1975) 		A New World Record
(1976) 		Out of the Blue
(1977)
Singles from A New World Record
  1. "Livin' Thing"
    Released: October 1976
  2. "Do Ya"
    Released: January 1977 (US)
  3. "Rockaria!"
    Released: February 1977 (UK)
  4. "Telephone Line"
    Released: May 1977

A New World Record is the sixth studio album by Electric Light Orchestra (ELO). It was released on 15 October 1976 on United Artists Records in the U.S.,[1] and on 19 November 1976 on Jet Records in the United Kingdom.[2][3] A New World Record marked ELO's shift towards shorter pop songs, a trend which would continue across their career.

Their second album to be recorded at Musicland Studios in Munich, the LP proved to be the band's breakthrough in the UK; after their previous three studio recordings failed to chart in their home market, A New World Record became their first top ten album in the UK. It became a global success and reached multi-platinum status in the US and UK. The album sold five million units worldwide within its first year of release. The cover art features the ELO logo, designed by Kosh, for the first time; this logo would be included on most of the group's subsequent releases. The album yielded four hit singles, including "Livin' Thing", the transatlantic Top Ten hit "Telephone Line", which became the band's first gold US single, the UK Top Ten hit "Rockaria!", and the US number 24 hit "Do Ya", a remake of the 1972 single by The Move, of which Lynne was a member between 1970 and 1972.

In 1977, four of the album's songs were featured on the soundtrack of the film Joyride. In 2006, the album was remastered and released with bonus tracks on Sony's Epic/Legacy imprint. "Surrender" was also issued as a promotional single and an iTunes download single, which entered the top 100 download chart. The track was originally written in 1976 for a cancelled film soundtrack and was finished in 2006. In July 2012, the all vinyl record company Music on Vinyl re-released A New World Record on 180 gram vinyl with an embossed cover.

Background

[edit]

The band's frontman Jeff Lynne regarded his own songwriting at this point to have reached a new high.

"The songs started to flow and most of them came quickly to me. To have all those hits, it was just ...I mean amazing really. Going from doing okay for probably three or four years to suddenly being in the big time, it was a strange but great thing."

– Jeff Lynne 2006; A New World Record remaster

Patti Quatro, Brie Brandt (both of Fanny) and Addie Lee sang uncredited backing vocals on the album.[4][5]

Critical reception

[edit]
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[6]
Christgau's Record GuideB+[7]
Encyclopedia of Popular Music[8]
MusicHound4/5[9]
Q[10]
Record Mirror[11]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide[12]
Sounds[13]
Melody Maker(favourable)[14]
New Musical Express(favourable)[15]

The album was well received by the music press. In the UK, Harry Doherty of Melody Maker recalled that when Lynne and Roy Wood had formed ELO it was to create "a group that would merge the excitement and colour of rock and roll with the clear lines of classical music", and that "A New World Record is, I feel, the closest that the Electric Light Orchestra have come to realising this". In his opinion the album "takes a giant leap forward... the most striking progression on this album is the use of orchestra and choir. Strings are no longer a novelty." In conclusion, Doherty stated that "A New World Record is ELO's best album in its seven-year history, the most complete of them all. They're a band who haven't yet gained the attention in this country that they deserve. Acquiring this album would be a fine way to change all that."[14] NME's Bob Edmands complimented Lynne's songwriting, saying, "This is, in fact, a very ambitious album, possibly the most sophisticated the band have put out. But random experiments are no way to crack the States or to stay in favour there, and the complexity on this set is all in the service of strong melodic songs." Edmands also agreed with Doherty that ELO deserved to be recognised as a major outfit in the UK, saying, "Lynne and his band are in the front rank of the nation's rock experts, and it's time their standing was properly acknowledged at home".[15]

Robin Smith of Record Mirror said, "Combining electric guitars with highbrow symphonies is a pretty crazy combination, but for the ELO it works. Often the music borders on clumsiness and the lyrics are sometimes silly, but the band's sense of fun carries them through."[11] Tim Lott of Sounds declared that "with A New World Record Lynne has captured the essential atmosphere of sophisticated pop without sounding overblown or cheap. Each of the nine tracks is immediate, commercial, professional." He noted some minor failings with the record, but that they were outweighed by the album's positive aspects, and concluded, "There ain't a duff track anywhere. And trying to balance the superlatives with useless nitpicking and the 'relevance' of supposed old farts like Lynne would be sheer crap."[13]

In the U.S. Alan Niester had some reservations in his review for Rolling Stone, feeling that the record was something of a "treading of the creative waters" and that the group were at that point "a band, now peaking in popularity, that is attempting to supply audiences with exactly the sound they want to hear". However, Niester then went on to note that "Lynne has always been rather deft with the melodic hook, and both 'Livin' Thing' and 'So Fine' are irresistible additions to his list of catchiest tunes. Numbers like 'Mission (A World Record)' and 'Shangri-la' continue the history of classy orchestral stylings that really rock." He concluded, "By Christmas, A New World Record should be a staple in a million homes".[16] Robert Christgau stated that it was the album that changed his mind about the band, who he said had "made a Moody Blues album with brains, hooks, and laffs galore".[7]

In his retrospective review for AllMusic Bruce Eder compared A New World Record with ELO's follow-up, the double album Out of the Blue, and felt that the former album was the better of the two, being "a more modest-sized creation chock full of superb songs that are produced even better... A New World Record contains seven of the best songs ever to come out of the group. The Beatles influence is present, to be sure, but developed to a very high degree of sophistication and on Lynne's own terms, rather than being imitative of specific songs."[6]

Cash Box said that "the album holds together, with haunting cuts like 'Above The Clouds' juxtaposed against faster numbers like 'Tightrope.'"[17]

Track listing

[edit]

All tracks are written by Jeff Lynne

Side one
No.TitleLength
1."Tightrope"5:00
2."Telephone Line"4:38
3."Rockaria!"3:12
4."Mission (A World Record)"4:24
Side two
No.TitleLength
5."So Fine"3:55
6."Livin' Thing"3:31
7."Above the Clouds"2:16
8."Do Ya"3:45
9."Shangri-La"5:34
2006 remaster bonus tracks
No.TitleLength
10."Telephone Line" (different vocal)4:41
11."Surrender" (previously unreleased; also released as a single)2:37
12."Tightrope" (early instrumental rough mix)4:55
13."Above the Clouds" (early instrumental rough mix)1:14
14."So Fine" (early instrumental rough mix)4:16
15."Telephone Line" (instrumental)4:51

The cassette tape version consisted of "Tightrope", "Rockaria!", "Mission", and "Shangri-La" on side one, with side two the same as the LP version's side two except for "Telephone Line" at the end in place of "Shangri-La".[18]

Personnel

[edit]

Sourced from the original album liner notes unless where noted.

Additional personnel
  • Mary Thomas – operatic vocals
  • Patti Quatro – uncredited backing vocals[4][5]
  • Brie Brandt – uncredited backing vocals[5]
  • Addie Lee – uncredited backing vocals[5]
  • Mack – engineer
  • Orchestra and choral arrangements – Louis Clark, Jeff Lynne, Richard Tandy[19]
  • Orchestra conducted by Louis Clark
  • Duane Scott – Engineer for USA edit

Charts

[edit]

Certifications

[edit]
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[45] 2× Platinum 200,000^
Finland (Musiikkituottajat)[46] Gold 25,200[46]
Netherlands (NVPI)[47] Gold 50,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[48] Platinum 300,000^
United States (RIAA)[49] Platinum 1,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Simmons, Paul (9 October 1976). "Managers' Notes" (PDF). Cashbox. p. 31.
  2. ^ "Recording News". NME. 30 October 1976. p. 2.
  3. ^ "News Flashes". Melody Maker. 30 October 1976. p. 4.
  4. ^ a b Quatro, Suzi (2007). Unzipped. Hodder & Stoughton. ISBN 978-1-44472-819-4.
  5. ^ a b c d Electric Light Orchestra: Song by Song
  6. ^ a b Eder, Bruce. Electric Light Orchestra – A New World Record > Review at AllMusic. Retrieved 24 February 2012.
  7. ^ a b Christgau, Robert (1981). "Consumer Guide '70s: E". Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies. Ticknor & Fields. ISBN 089919026X. Retrieved 24 February 2019 – via robertchristgau.com.
  8. ^ Larkin, Colin, ed. (2011). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music (5th edn). London: Omnibus Press. p. 915. ISBN 978-0-85712-595-8.
  9. ^ Graff, Gary; Durchholz, Daniel, eds. (1999). MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide. Farmington Hills, MI: Visible Ink Press. p. 382. ISBN 1-57859-061-2.
  10. ^ Rees, Paul (July 2006). "ELO – A New World Record". Q. No. 240. pp. 124–25.
  11. ^ a b Smith, Robin (27 November 1976). "Review: Electric Light Orchestra – A New World Record". Record Mirror. p. 22.
  12. ^ Brackett, Nathan; Hoard, Christian, eds. (2004). The New Rolling Stone Album Guide (4th edn). New York, NY: Fireside/Simon & Schuster. p. 274. ISBN 0-7432-0169-8.
  13. ^ a b Lott, Tim (27 November 1976). "Record breakers". Sounds. p. 28.
  14. ^ a b Doherty, Harry (20 November 1976). "ELO – at last, a classic". Melody Maker. p. 28.
  15. ^ a b Edmands, Bob (13 November 1976). "Eclectic light and heavy orchestra". New Musical Express. pp. 42–43.
  16. ^ Niester, Alan (16 December 1976). "Electric Light Orchestra: A New World Record: Music Review". Rolling Stone. No. 228. pp. 82 & 85. Archived from the original on 16 April 2008.
  17. ^ "CashBox Album Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. 30 October 1976. p. 35. Retrieved 11 December 2021.
  18. ^ "Electric Light Orchestra - A New World Record". Discogs. 1976. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
  19. ^ "A New World Record - Electric Light Orchestra | Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic.
  20. ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. St Ives, New South Wales: Australian Chart Book. p. 101. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  21. ^ "Austriancharts.at – Electric Light Orchestra – A New World Record" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
  22. ^ "Top RPM Albums: Issue 5174a". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
  23. ^ "Electric Light Orchestra". Danske Hitlister. Archived from the original on 10 April 2016.
  24. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Electric Light Orchestra – A New World Record" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
  25. ^ Pennanen, Timo (2006). Sisältää hitin – levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972 (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. ISBN 978-951-1-21053-5.
  26. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Electric Light Orchestra – A New World Record" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
  27. ^ Oricon Album Chart Book: Complete Edition 1970–2005. Roppongi, Tokyo: Oricon Entertainment. 2006. ISBN 978-4-87131-077-2.
  28. ^ "Charts.nz – Electric Light Orchestra – A New World Record". Hung Medien. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
  29. ^ "Norwegiancharts.com – Electric Light Orchestra – A New World Record". Hung Medien. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
  30. ^ Salaverri, Fernando (2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (in Spanish) (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
  31. ^ "Swedishcharts.com – Electric Light Orchestra – A New World Record". Hung Medien. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
  32. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  33. ^ "Electric Light Orchestra Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
  34. ^ "Cash Box Top 100 Albums" (PDF). Cash Box. Vol. XXXVIII #31. 18 December 1976. p. 49. Retrieved 30 December 2020 – via World Radio History.
  35. ^ "Top RPM Albums: Issue 5175". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
  36. ^ "Dutch charts jaaroverzichten 1976" (in Dutch). Archived from the original (ASP) on 12 May 2014. Retrieved 2 April 2014.
  37. ^ Kent (1993). p. 429.
  38. ^ "Austriancharts.st – Jahreshitparade 1977" (ASP) (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved 1 August 2010.
  39. ^ "Top RPM Albums: Issue 5558". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
  40. ^ "Dutch charts jaaroverzichten 1977" (in Dutch). Archived from the original (ASP) on 12 May 2014. Retrieved 2 April 2014.
  41. ^ "Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. 1977. Archived from the original on 24 October 2021. Retrieved 2 April 2022.
  42. ^ a b "Complete UK Year-End Album Charts". Archived from the original on 19 May 2012. Retrieved 12 September 2011.
  43. ^ "Top Pop Albums of 1977". billboard.biz. Retrieved 24 February 2012.
  44. ^ Kent (1993). p. 430.
  45. ^ "Canadian album certifications – Electric Light Orchestra – A New World Record". Music Canada.
  46. ^ a b "Electric Light Orchestra" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved 28 August 2013.
  47. ^ "Dutch album certifications – Electric Light Orchestra – A New World Record" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers. Enter A New World Record in the "Artiest of titel" box.
  48. ^ "British album certifications – Electric Light Orchestra – A New World Record". British Phonographic Industry.
  49. ^ "American album certifications – Electric Light Orchestra – A New World Record". Recording Industry Association of America.
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