L.E.O. (band)

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]

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

Formation

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

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

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
  1. 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. "L.E.O. Full Story". notlame.com. Not Lame Recordings. Archived from the original on December 3, 2008. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
  4. Baker, Brian (November 27, 2006). "Mr. Bleu Sky". Amplifier Magazine. Archived from the original on October 29, 2007. Retrieved November 26, 2020.
  5. 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. Sullivan, Kate (November 1, 2006). "E.L.O. Is For Lovers!". LA Weekly. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
  7. "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. Retrieved October 24, 2020.
  9. 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. "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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