NEW DOUBLE LP
New sealed copy. 2025 limited edition reissue. LP1 on yellow vinyl, LP2 on red vinyl. Includes 12" x 12" double sided poster.
Originally released on October 24, 1977 in the US (and four days later in the UK), Out of the Blue marked a peak in Electric Light Orchestra’s commercial and creative success. Written and produced entirely by Jeff Lynne, the double LP became one of the band’s best-selling albums, with global sales reaching an estimated 10 million copies by 2007.
The album's striking artwork—featuring a glowing spaceship inspired by the 2001: A Space Odyssey space station—was created by Kosh with illustrations by Shusei Nagaoka. It became a signature image for ELO, and was carried into their live shows in the form of a colossal, illuminated flying saucer stage set. The original pressing included a pop-up cardboard model of the ship and a poster of the band, emphasizing the album’s sci-fi concept.
Musically, Out of the Blue continues ELO's fusion of symphonic pop and rock, with sweeping arrangements, layered harmonies, and heavy use of strings and synthesizers. Side three of the double LP is devoted to the four-part "Concerto for a Rainy Day" suite, culminating in the iconic single "Mr. Blue Sky"—a track that has since become one of the band's most enduring songs. Other standout singles include “Turn to Stone,” “Sweet Talkin’ Woman,” and “Wild West Hero.” The album charted at No. 4 in both the US and UK, and reached the Top 5 in several other countries, including Australia and Sweden.
While not universally praised upon release—some critics at the time found it overproduced or emotionally distant—the album has undergone a major critical reassessment. Retrospective reviews now regard it as one of ELO's defining achievements. Pitchfork described it as proof of "how good it can sound when the grand approach works," while the BBC called it “essential” for anyone drawn to pop perfection. It remains a touchstone in symphonic rock and an ambitious display of late 70s studio production at its most expansive.
The album has been included in several major rankings, including 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die and Colin Larkin’s All Time Top 1000 Albums, and continues to influence generations of pop and rock artists alike.
TRACKLIST:
A1 Turn To Stone
A2 It's Over
A3 Sweet Talkin' Woman
A4 Across The Border
B1 Night In The City
B2 Starlight
B3 Jungle
B4 Believe Me Now
B5 Steppin' Out
C1 Standin' In The Rain
C2 Big Wheels
C3 Summer And Lightning
C4 Mr. Blue Sky
D1 Sweet Is The Night
D2 The Whale
D3 Birmingham Blues
D4 Wild West Hero
