"Face the Music" is the fifth studio album by the British rock band Electric Light Orchestra (ELO). It was released in September 1975 by United Artists Records and on 14 November 1975 in the United Kingdom by Jet Records. This album turned out to be a breakthrough for the band.
The multi-instrumentalist Jeff Lynne, who was also the band's lead vocalist, assembled a new lineup and invested a lot of time in the studio working on the album. This marked the first album to feature bassist Kelly Groucutt, who joined the band midway through the recording process.
"Face the Music" showcased a more accessible, pop-oriented sound and slick production, drawing inspirations from contemporary pop and rock. It was a departure from the band's previous, more experimental works, marking a shift towards more radio-friendly pop rock.
The album produced two hit singles. The first one, titled "Evil Woman", reached the top 10 in both UK and US charts. The second one, "Strange Magic", also gained considerable success, making the top 20 in the US. These achievements helped establish the band in the mainstream music scene.
In terms of critical reception, "Face the Music" was met with mixed reviews at the time of its release, with some critics expressing reservations about the album's overtly poppy sound. However, it has gotten better recognition over time and is now considered a classic album in the band's discography.
The album's cover design, featuring a giant violin-shaped spaceship, has become iconic and is invariably associated with the band's image. It set the precedent for future ELO album covers, all of which would feature similarly distinctive and ambitious designs.
