Other Side Of Life - Moody Blues (The) > Reviews > The Other Side of the Moodys

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Average
Lyrics	Thought-provoking
Quality and consistency of tracks	Mixed
How does it compare to the artist's other releases	Good
Value for Money

Advantages:	A couple of superb songs and my all time favourite track
Disadvantages:	A filler album really

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

This album comes from the middle period of the second phase of the Moody Blues history. The line up had consolidated following the loss of Mike Pinder and Patrick Moraz was established as the keyboard player. The last but one album (‘Long distance Voyager’) had been a huge success and the loyal fans continued to flock to the British and American tours.

‘The Other Side’ presents a heavier sound than most previous albums. There is still the presence of the driving beat and the ‘wall of sound’ that became the group’s hallmark. However the tracks themselves are somewhat repetitive in nature and apart from one ballad there is a lack of the distinctive and plaintive lyrics this time from Justin Hayward. It is relatively short at 42 minutes playing time.

Released in May 1986, it reached a peak at No.9 in the US album charts and No.24 in the UK. “Your Wildest Dream” (coupled with “Talkin’ Talkin’”) was a top ten hit in America but failed to register here in Britain. The single “The Other Side Of Life” (which had a live performance of “Nights In White Satin” as its ‘B’-side) had minor success in the US.

The album cover shows ‘cut-and-paste’ photographs of the group in a laboratory. The words to the songs are reproduced inside.

The following is the play list with my personal assessment (scored out of five)

1. Your Wildest Dreams. *****

What an opener to the album! (what an opener this would make to any album!!) This track is one of my all time personal favourites of the Moody Blues. It is a classical composition by Justin Hayward and features all the distinctive hallmarks of the Moody’s sound. The track starts quietly enough with strains of the synthesiser and the sound of rushing waves. It build to an upbeat wall of sound, with a driving beat and soaring voices in harmony.

The verses include some of Justin’s most poignant words and encapsulates the yearning for young love, lost … ‘Once upon a time, once when you were mine, I remember skies reflected in your eyes. I wonder where you are, I wonder if you think about me, once upon a time in your wildest dreams’. Wasn’t that how it was, for me? For you? Once upon a time?

There was a beautiful video made to accompany this release which is a great representation of the track. (I remember when girls wore (heavy two-tone) eye make up like that!!!) It is recorded on the compilation DVD or Laserdisc ‘The Moody Blues – Legend of a Band’

Interestingly Justin wrote a follow up track (‘I Know You’re Out There Somewhere’) which appears on the next album ‘Sur La Mer’. The video to that uses the same personnel.

2. Talkin’ Talkin’ ****

This is a brisk rocker with a relentless accompanying drum beat. The voices act as a counterpoint to the themes played on the synthesier
.

3. Rock’N’Roll Over You ***

John Lodge is at his best when writing good driving rockers. This has a busy keyboard riff that rounds through the whole track. The voices are supported by rhythmic drumming and synthetic sounds. Towards the end the track moves into a melange of multi-tracking and overdubbing.

4. I Just Don’t Care ****

This is an unashamedly romantic ballad from Justin Hayward. In the main there is a smooth backing instrumental but the middle part uses ‘wall of sound’ synthesisers.

5. Running Out Of Love. ***

Another upbeat rocker, this is a Justin and John duet. Again it has an intense and heavy synthesiser accompaniment.

6. The Other Side Of Life *****

The title track of the album. This is another Justin Hayward composition but has a much more sinister feel to the lyrics and the vocals. It is taken at a slower pace and the lead voice dominates the proceedings. There are interesting harmonies in the background.

This track also had an accompanying video which is presented on ‘The Legend’ DVD and disc.

7. The Spirit *

The result of a collaboration between Graeme Edge and Patrick Moraz. This is an undistinguished track with little tune and monotonous lyrics. It is the weakest offering on the album. Maybe Graeme should have stuck to his monologues.

8. Slings and Arrows **

Yet another upbeat offering from Justin and John. It sounds like a cross between two of the previous tracks (‘Talkin’ and ‘Running out of Love’) and is fairly mundane.

9. It May Be A Fire ***

This is a slower John Lodge song. It is sung competently enough with a standard backing but I feel he is better served with the upbeat rock composition.

I do find this record difficult to review. It contains one of my absolute favourite tracks but much of the rest is not particularly memorable. This album is certainly not one of the Moody’s best. It did produce two tremendous songs and two superb accompanying videos. The remainder range from run-of-the-mill to downright pedestrian. ‘The Other Side of Life’ is an album for the dedicated collector rather than someone seeking an introduction to the group.

Amazon has a web page describing this album which also features playable excerpts of five of the tracks. The address is: http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000001FJP/ref=sr_aps_music_1_1/026-8958125-7361233

THE OTHER SIDE OF LIFE - The Moody Blues (1986) THRESHOLD 829179-2 £8.99

[Chart information has been gleaned from “The Great Rock Discography” – Sixth Edition (2002) by M.C.Strong]