Compilation albums are usually meant to flog the dead horse of a recently disbanded group, not slapped right before a career-best album. How peculiar. Four Light Years did, at the time of its release, what many want from modern-day compilations of Electric Light Orchestra material. The Jeff Lynne-fronted band has more hollow compilation albums than most, and even then has flatly refused to give up anything from their archives. What few songs have been coughed up have, in one way or another, been released before. The best listeners can hope for from this endless list of compilations, then, is that the songs are put together in a satisfying and suitable fashion. This is just that. A three-album run of what best defines the band. A New World Record, Out of the Blue, and Discovery all in one place. Listening to them back-to-back-to-back is a treat, and for those who have the time to do so, it should be done.
Four Light Years served more as a reminder of the band’s talents after an arguably disappointing spot on Xanadu. Time was just a year away but this triple album does, on paper, look to be a convincing collection of songs because it rips from the best of ELO’s discography. But hold on. This is an ELO compilation after all. A spanner is sure to be found in what few cogs turn this machine. There it is. This is more a highlights package than a simple piecing together of three great albums in full. The albums are there in full, make no mistake about it, but it’s in the wrong order. A New World Record begins not with Tightrope but So Fine. What purpose is there in flipping this release? None, but it’s one of those small changes which is made for no good reason. A staple of the ELO compilation efforts no matter the decade. Just bizarre, but as long as the title of the album matches with the literal passing of time between the three releases featured here, all can be forgiven.
It does work out that way, and Four Light Years provides, even with this poor track list change, a clear look into ELO at their very best. This is arguably their greatest three-album run, and hearing just how many hits are tucked away on A New World Record, Out of the Blue, and Discovery, is always a treat. With modern-day context, Four Light Years is unfortunately useless. A nice footnote for the history of the band but when you can access all three of these releases, separately, and printed in the right order, Four Light Years feels a bit redundant. What must have been a great chance to revisit three excellent albums at the time now, as it was back then anyway, looking a little too messy to engage with. The wrong order is a killer but so too is the cost of buying these three albums separately.
Most fans who found themselves tempted by the Four Light Years boxset must have realised they owned these three already, especially considering the popularity of Discovery. It feels like an honest compilation though, and that is where Four Light Years is worthy of praise. There are few compilations around that can honestly say they have the listener in mind. Either contractual obligations or a chance to fleece a few more pennies from a band in decline are usually reason for extra compilations. But not Four Light Years. It felt like a reminder of what ELO could do ahead of an album which can also be considered one of their best. Slot Time onto this compilation and cut A New World Record off and it’s just as strong. But that’s perhaps thanks to the strength of Out of the Blue and Discovery, rather than anything else.
