MOODY BLUES

While the Moodies were never exactly a rocker's delight, SEVENTH SOJOURN, the seventh recording with the post-Denny Laine lineup, is perhaps their most ballad-heavy album. Ironically, the album's biggest hit, which would become one of the group's signature songs, was the uncharacteristically uptempo "I'm Just a Singer in a Rock and Roll Band." Elsewhere, appearances are equally deceiving; interpersonal tensions had developed in the band to the point where there wouldn't be another Moody Blues album for six years, but the album is full of slow, romantic musings, not signs of strife. As usual, it's Justin Hayward, he of the silky voice and heart-on-a-sleeve lyricism, who excels at all this romantic balladry, his contributions being the most melodic and affecting. John Lodge's aforementioned "I'm Just a Singer" is far and away the most energetic tune, but it closes the album and doesn't disturb the contemplative mood. Ironically, though the band was coming apart, they were also reaching new heights. Keyboardist Mike Pinder had traded in his Mellotron for its more sophisticated cousin, the Chamberlain, which provided an improved overall sound on SEVENTH SOJOURN.

Estimated despatch 5-10 days after ordering.