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L.E.O. (band)

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L.E.O.
Background information
GenresAlternative Rock, Indie Pop
Years active2006
Labels
Members

L.E.O. is a 2006 project by Boston musician Bleu and collaborators which produced Alpacas Orgling, a 2006 album of original songs similar in style to Electric Light Orchestra (ELO), the Traveling Wilburys, and 1970s AM radio pop music.[1][2][3]

Formation

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In 2002 Bleu was chatting with the former frontman of Semisonic, Dan Wilson.[4][3] Wilson retold details from producer Rick Rubin about Jeff Lynne's studio methods and techniques.[5][6][3] Bleu, interested in these techniques and ELO in general,[4] wanted to make songs similar to Jeff Lynne using his studio methods for fun.[7] Gradually those songs would develop in to the album Alpacas Orgling.[6] Mike Viola joined the project after an onstage cover of ELO's "Telephone Line" by Bleu and Viola at the Paradise Lounge in Boston.[1][7][3]

The name "L.E.O." is based on the letters in "ELO". However according to Bleu, the letters in L.E.O. could stand for "Little Electric Operas",[4] or "Little E-mail Operas".[5]

Alpacas Orgling

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Their debut album, Alpacas Orgling, features major contributions from Matt Mahaffey of Self, Andy Sturmer of Jellyfish, Hanson, Mike Viola, and members of Chicago.[8][9][3] The album was remotely recorded by the musicians over the course of 4 years in 12 different studios.[10][4] The album's name is an acknowledgement of alpaca farmer and Extreme's bassist Pat Badger, who previously gave Bleu a place to live.[5]

Bleu would go on a release tour for Alpacas Orgling, tour venues included T.T. the Bear's Place.[11]

The album was well received. Alpacas Orgling was number 8 on Entertainment Weekly's "must list".[12] Brian Mansfield of USA Today said, …"Bleu McAuley's supergroup side project does the Electric Light Orchestra better than Klaatu did The Beatles".[13] In his 4 of out 5 star review, Stewart Mason of AllMusic wrote, …"Alpacas Orgling is the single best album any of its major participants have ever taken part in".[9] CityBeat gave the album an A−, praising Bleu for infusing his own "creative spark" with "a timeless pop era".[14] Prefix Magazine dismissed the album as a "terrible idea".[15] In January 2007 "Ya Had Me Goin'" peaked at 57 on the Tokio Hot 100 in Japan.[16]

Discography

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Studio Album

Title Album details
Alpacas Orgling
  • Released: October 17, 2006 (US) · January 24, 2007 (JPN)
  • Label: Cheap Lullaby Records (US) · Victor Entertainment (JPN)
  • Format: CD

Music Video

Year Song Creator Album
2007 "Goodbye Innocence" Beth Jean[11] Alpacas Orgling

References

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  1. ^ a b Sullivan, Jim (September 25, 2006). "Boston music news: September 29, 2006". The Phoenix. Retrieved October 24, 2020.
  2. ^ "E.L.O.のインスパイア・バンド、L.E.O.デビュー！Bleu、A.スターマー、ハンソンら参加" [E.L.O.'s inspiring band, L.E.O. Debuts! With Bleu, A. Strumer, Hanson, and others.]. CDjournal (in Japanese). December 5, 2006. Retrieved December 10, 2020.
  3. ^ a b c d e "L.E.O. Full Story". notlame.com. Not Lame Recordings. Archived from the original on December 3, 2008. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
  4. ^ a b c d Baker, Brian (November 27, 2006). "Mr. Bleu Sky". Amplifier Magazine. Archived from the original on October 29, 2007. Retrieved November 26, 2020.
  5. ^ a b c Anderman, Joan (November 11, 2006). "Hoping to shine a little love on '70s pop-rock band ELO". The Boston Globe. Archived from the original on November 19, 2006. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
  6. ^ a b Sullivan, Kate (November 1, 2006). "E.L.O. Is For Lovers!". LA Weekly. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
  7. ^ a b "Biography". AirPlay Direct. October 18, 2019. Retrieved November 11, 2020.
  8. ^ Orzeck, Kurt (October 16, 2006). "NEW RELEASES: DIDDY, JOJO, XZIBIT, C-MURDER, RUBEN STUDDARD & MORE". MTV. Archived from the original on October 29, 2020. Retrieved October 24, 2020.
  9. ^ a b Mason, Stewart. Alpacas Orgling at AllMusic
  10. ^ "Bleu's L.E.O." The Phoenix. October 6, 2006. Archived from the original on November 12, 2006. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
  11. ^ a b "L.E.O." bleutopia.com. Archived from the original on January 26, 2007. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
  12. ^ "Ten Things We Love This Week". Entertainment Weekly. October 27, 2006. Archived from the original on November 28, 2006. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
  13. ^ Mansfield, Brian (October 31, 2006). "This week's playlist". USA Today. Archived from the original on November 5, 2006. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
  14. ^ Breen, Mike (October 18, 2006). "L.E.O. -- ALPACAS ORGLING (CHEAP LULLABY)". CityBeat. Euclid Media Group. Retrieved September 10, 2021.
  15. ^ Ingber, Greg (November 27, 2006). "Alpacas Orgling". Prefix. Archived from the original on May 9, 2021. Retrieved May 9, 2021.
  16. ^ "Tokio Hot 100". J-Wave. Retrieved January 1, 2021. Select 2007 in the 年 field. Select 1 in the 月 field. Select 5 in the 回放送日 field and then click GO.
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