L.E.O. is a power-pop 'supergroup' conceived by Bleu and includes contributions from Andy Sturmer (Jellyfish), Mike Viola (The Candy Butchers), Jason Scheff (Chicago), Steve Gorman (The Black Crowes), Hanson and many more!

Yes it is a big tribute to all things Jeff Lynne/ELO (even the band's name is an anagram of ELO!). Bloody hell is it good as well!

'Goodbye Innocence' could easily be a Jeff Lynne solo number right down to the Lynne styles guitar solo. The same goes for 'Private Line'. Then we have 'Make Me' which takes the riff of 'Do Ya' and goes into ELO overdrive!

'Don't Let It Go' recalls prime time ELO in all their pomp whilst the rock 'n' roll feel reminds you of the Travelling Wilburys. Simply wonderful!

Album closer 'Sukaz Are Born Every Minute' gets those strings and harmonies set to max. Listen right to the end of this track (it reads a mere 42 minutes on my RealPlayer!) where L.E.O. cover the ELO classic 'Don't Bring Me Down', in acoustic mode.

There are many aural delights on this album that reveal themselves with each play, just like an ELO album.

I really do hope they do another album to follow this one and maybe they can rope in Jeff Lynne for a guest spot!

A must have for lovers of Jeff Lynne, Travelling Wilburys and ELO music. They wanted to pay tribute to the genius of Jeff Lynne and they did, big time.

****½

Review by Jason Ritchie

Artist website (My Space)