Octave - THE MOODY BLUES****

Steppin' In A Slide Zone/Under Moonshine/Had To Fall In Love/I'll Be Level With You/Driftwwod/Top Rank Suite/I'm Your Man/Survival/One Step Into The Light/The Day We Meet Again

Octave was the first Moody Blues album in six years, and the mysticism of their earlier releases is largely absent. Although the sound is now mainstream rock these songs are well crafted and distinctive. (US:13 UK:6)

“They weren't in the midst of a spectacular creative momentum, and as such, the album feels rather generic and forced. It's not all bad, Top Rank Suite is a great pop song, but sounds nothing like The Moodies. It was clear the magic had faded over the hiatus, and although they still clearly had life in them, the door had shut rather firmly on the past that made those first seven so miraculous.”

“A very uneven comeback after six years from their last album. More adult contemporary than art rock. Keyboarder Mike Pinder left the band in the middle of the sessions and never returned.”

“After a six year silence the band returned with this album. Critics trashed it because it came out at the height of punk and they weren't waiting for the return of one of the dinosaurs. It was mostly just a pop album and therefore not well received by the fans either. But despite all the negative reactions from critics and fans, this turned out to be a pretty good. Yes, it is pop and I certainly miss Mike Pinder's mellotron, but this features a lot of great songs.”

“An under appreciated Moody Blues classic. While the song arrangement and content lacks the mysticism and idealism of their first seven. These songs represent a more matured look on life. Musical and vocal arrangements are beautiful.”

“Although Pinder's departure was certainly the end of an era for The Moody Blues, at least he left the band on a very high note. Octave is a marvellous Moodies album, with the band picking up right where they left off. All the band members contribute excellent songs.”

“Perhaps the most attractive characteristic of The Moody Blues repertoire is that each album is different. I too did not care for Octave when it first debuted, but listening more I discovered what it is: a collection of finely crafted, late `70s songs done in the group’s style.”