Originally released as three separate albums, FACE THE MUSIC, A NEW WORLD RECORD and DISCOVERY.

Electric Light Orchestra: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar, piano, synthesizer); Kelly Groucett (vocals, bass); Richard Tandy (piano, clavinet, synthesizer); Bev Bevan (drums, percussions).

Producers include: Jeff Lynne.

THE COLLECTION contains: FACE THE MUSIC (1975)/A NEW WORLD RECORD (1976)/DISCOVERY (1979).

This three-disc set collects three of ELO's classic late-'70s albums in their entirety, and as such, it's an excellent overview not only of Jeff Lynne's musical genius, but of commercial '70s pop as a whole. 1975's FACE THE MUSIC, 1976's A NEW WORLD RECORD, and 1979's DISCOVERY--1977's double-disc OUT OF THE BLUE is omitted for space--are as good as Top-40 pop got in the last half of the '70s, and hearing the three together sketches out the arc of Lynne's career. FACE THE MUSIC, ELO's fifth album, is slightly rough-edged, but its enormous hit singles paved the way for the staggeringly good A NEW WORLD RECORD, Lynne's best and most consistent work. After the overwhelming commercial success of OUT OF THE BLUE, DISCOVERY is a bit more self-consciously experimental, with new-wavish Vocoders and disco beats coloring the typically excellent songs. All three are simply essential.