Moment of Truth is the second and final studio album by ELO Part II, released in October 1994. Recorded following a period of significant lineup changes within the group, the album features original ELO alumni Bev Bevan, Louis Clark, Kelly Groucutt and Mik Kaminski, the latter two having recently joined Part II as full-time members at the time of recording.
The cover illustration by Graham Reynolds depicts an incandescent light bulb shattering. The light bulb image continues a visual theme that began with the light bulb depicted on the cover of Electric Light Orchestra's debut album. Moment of Truth and the single "One More Tomorrow" would determine if ELO Part II would continue re-establishing themselves in America. "The Fox" was originally from the 1985 Kelly Groucutt EP, We Love Animals.
The album was reissued in 2021 by Renaissance Records on CD and 2×LP, the first time Moment of Truth was available on LP. Both the CD and LP releases included bonus tracks.
Reception In 1994, Music & Media called Moment of Truth "thin" compared to ELO Part II's predecessor Electric Light Orchestra (ELO). They also noted that the way ELO Part II handled symphonic rock was similar to the way Alan Parsons handled it. In an earlier issue that year, Music & Media noted that the single "Power of a Million Lights" had a sound consistent with ELO under Jeff Lynne, the only difference being the change from strings to synthesizers.
Track listing Original CD
Tracks included on 2021 reissue:
Personnel ELO Part II
Bev Bevan – drums Mik Kaminski – violin Louis Clark – orchestral keyboards and orchestral arrangements Kelly Groucutt – bass and vocals Eric Troyer – keyboards and vocals Phil Bates – guitar and vocals
Additional musicians Percussion: Hossam Ramzy Strings: The London Session Orchestra; leader: Gavyn Wright (included Wilf Gibson)
References