A QUESTION OF BALANCE

I'm ever so glad that The Moody Blues moved on from their R&B, Merseybeat pop onto more experimental paths. A Question of Balance offers the listener an insight to their raw side, and dare I say, 'heavier' side. This is an album devoid of the smooth studio over-production that was demonstrated on the previous few releases and contains a lot more energy than those. Debates may rage about the amount of progressiveness the band shows. They are certainly skillful musicians that play a great diversity of instruments, and know when and where to use them, even if only for a particular bar, or section of a song. This record has ten tracks of solidly written and uniquely arranged songs, starting with the dynamic and symphonic opening tune, the rather successful 'Question', hitting the listener in the face with fast paced acoustic guitar strumming, glorious bursts of Mellotron, a great bass line and a pacey beat. The mid-section slows things down to a very 'Nights In White Satin' feel along with tender and heartfelt vocals from Justin Hayward, only to return to the heavier intro section. Moodies at their best. All songs cross-fade into one another, a trick that the band perhaps over-used, but it prevents the listener's attention from straying. Great mellotron playing, especially on How Is It (We Are Here), creepy whispered vocals on Don't You Feel Small, impressive riff-based rock with It's Up To You, and also the addition of a synthesizer, used to good effect on Dawning is The Day and the somewhat depressing Melancholy Man. All tracks have something interesting about them, making this a solid starting point for anyone wishing to discover these artsy, proto- progsters in fine form. 4 stars.