L.E.O. (band) explained

Background:temporary
L.E.O.
Years Active:2006
Genre:Alternative Rock, Indie Pop
Associated Acts:Self, Jellyfish, Candy Butchers, Papas Fritas, The Black Crowes, Chicago, Semisonic, The Cautions, The Argument, Electric Light Orchestra

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]

Formation

In 2002 Bleu was chatting with the former frontman of Semisonic, Dan Wilson.[3] Wilson retold details from producer Rick Rubin about Jeff Lynne's studio methods and techniques.[3] Bleu, interested in these techniques and ELO in general, wanted to make songs similar to Jeff Lynne using his studio methods for fun.[4] Gradually those songs would develop in to the album Alpacas Orgling.[5] 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] [4] [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",[6] or "Little E-mail Operas".[7]

Alpacas Orgling

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] [3] The album was remotely recorded by the musicians over the course of 4 years in 12 different studios.[9] [6] The album's name is an acknowledgement of alpaca farmer and Extreme's bassist Pat Badger, who previously gave Bleu a place to live.[7]

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

The album was well received. Alpacas Orgling was number 8 on Entertainment Weekly's "must list".[10] Brian Mansfield of USA Today said, …"Bleu McAuley's supergroup side project does the Electric Light Orchestra better than Klaatu did The Beatles".[11] 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". CityBeat gave the album an A−, praising Bleu for infusing his own "creative spark" with "a timeless pop era".[12] Prefix Magazine dismissed the album as a "terrible idea".[13] In January 2007 "Ya Had Me Goin'" peaked at 57 on the Tokio Hot 100 in Japan.[14]

Discography

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[15] Alpacas Orgling

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Sullivan. Jim. 25 September 2006. Boston music news: September 29, 2006. 24 October 2020. The Phoenix.
  2. Web site: December 5, 2006. 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. December 10, 2020. CDjournal. Japanese. E.L.O.'s inspiring band, L.E.O. Debuts! With Bleu, A. Strumer, Hanson, and others..
  3. Web site: L.E.O. Full Story. notlame.com. Not Lame Recordings. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20081203160318/http://www.notlame.com/leofullstory.htm. December 3, 2008. October 20, 2021.
  4. Web site: 18 October 2019. Biography. 11 November 2020. AirPlay Direct.
  5. Web site: Sullivan. Kate. 1 November 2006. E.L.O. Is For Lovers!. 13 November 2020. LA Weekly.
  6. Web site: Baker. Brian. Mr. Bleu Sky. Amplifier Magazine. 2006-11-27. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20071029171641/http://amplifiermagazine.com/amplified/leo.php. 2007-10-29. November 26, 2020.
  7. Web site: Anderman. Joan. Hoping to shine a little love on '70s pop-rock band ELO. 2006-11-11. The Boston Globe. https://web.archive.org/web/20061119062358/http://boston.com/news/globe/living/articles/2006/11/11/hoping_to_shine_a_little_love_on_70s_pop_rock_band_elo/. 2006-11-19. November 30, 2020.
  8. Web site: Orzeck. Kurt. 16 October 2006. NEW RELEASES: DIDDY, JOJO, XZIBIT, C-MURDER, RUBEN STUDDARD & MORE. https://web.archive.org/web/20201029215025/http://www.mtv.com/news/1543260/new-releases-diddy-jojo-xzibit-c-murder-ruben-studdard-more/. dead. October 29, 2020. 24 October 2020. MTV.
  9. Web site: 6 October 2006. Bleu's L.E.O.. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20061112155135/http://www.thephoenix.com/OnTheDownload/PermaLink.aspx?guid=310907a1-b89a-49a8-8789-05643ac4c92b. 12 November 2006. The Phoenix. November 13, 2020.
  10. Ten Things We Love This Week. . October 27, 2006. https://web.archive.org/web/20061128071623/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/commentary/0%2C6115%2C1548399_1%7C%7C451056_0_%2C00.html. November 28, 2006. December 12, 2020.
  11. Web site: Mansfield. Brian. 31 October 2006. This week's playlist. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20061105061244/http://blogs.usatoday.com/listenup/. 5 November 2006. USA Today. November 13, 2020.
  12. Web site: Breen. Mike. L.E.O. -- ALPACAS ORGLING (CHEAP LULLABY). October 18, 2006. CityBeat. Euclid Media Group. September 10, 2021.
  13. Web site: Ingber. Greg. November 27, 2006. Alpacas Orgling. Prefix. https://web.archive.org/web/20210509153742/https://www.prefixmag.com/reviews/alpacas-orgling/15634/. May 9, 2021. 9 May 2021.
  14. Web site: Tokio Hot 100. January 1, 2021. J-Wave. 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.
  15. Web site: https://web.archive.org/web/20070126171909/http://www.bleutopia.com/leo/. L.E.O.. dead. January 26, 2007. bleutopia.com. December 9, 2020.

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