Balance of Power (album)


Balance of Power is the eleventh studio album by the Electric Light Orchestra released in 1986. It is the final album by the band to feature co-founder Bev Bevan on drums, as well as the last album to feature keyboardist Richard Tandy in an official capacity, until 2019's From Out Of Nowhere.

Overview

Balance of Power was the last studio album by the Electric Light Orchestra before their initial disbanding. By this time Kelly Groucutt had departed and the group was pared down to a trio of Jeff Lynne, Richard Tandy, and Bev Bevan. Recording for the album began in mid of 1984, with a planned release for Spring 1985. The addition of several synthesizer tracks and mixing work by Reinhold Mack to the album caused its release to be pushed back to early 1986. ELO played some live concerts in the UK and Europe, and for one UK show George Harrison performed as guest guitarist.
The video for the single "Calling America" was shot in Paris, and contains shots of the band playing in front of Centre Georges Pompidou. A video was also made for the single "So Serious." The track "Endless Lies" was intended as an homage to Roy Orbison, and was originally recorded for the double LP version of Secret Messages; it reappeared on this album in a slightly reworked and more compact form.
The remastered version of the album was released on 26 February and 20 March 2007 as part of the Sony/BMG Music Epic/Legacy series.
Europe's CD releases were on CDEPC26467 in March 1986. The US and Japan CD releases were on CBS Associated.

Track listing

All songs written by Jeff Lynne.

Personnel

;Additional personnel
CountryPeak
Australia Album Chart49
Austria Ö3 Austria Top 4029
Canada RPM Singles Chart46
Germany Media Control Charts18
Japan Oricon16
Norway VG-lista4
Sweden Sverigetopplistan3
Switzerland Music Charts10
UK Album Chart9
US Billboard 20049