IN SEARCH OF THE LOST CHORD

One of the great psychedelic albums (and definitely prog), "In Search Of The Lost Chord" is the 3rd offering from The Moody Blues and right up there with their magnum opus "Days Of Future Passed", released a year previously. The band experiment furthermore with more eccentric instruments (especially sitars for that raga rock feel), most prominently present on "House Of Four Doors" and "Om". I love the title and artwork too - they seem to fit beautifully with the music, although I wish they brought up the "Lost Chord" theme more often, as opposed to going off on tangents about Timothy Leary teamed with (albeit excellent) psychedelic doodlings. Could have made an even better concept album than its predecessor. Nonetheless, a masterpiece and a must-have for any classic prog rock fan.

"Departure" kicks the album off instantly bringing some very psychedelic elements to the table. The best Graeme Edge poetry of all the Moody Blues discography, and works unbelievably well with the aforementioned instruments. An essential opener - takes you right into the music. "Ride My See-Saw", the sort of equivalent of "Peak Hour" but containing less adventurous melodies and chords, brings the more commercial 60s psych-pop vibe into it. Not the best track, but pretty catchy I guess. "Dr. Livingstone, I Presume" is a little light-hearted and one-dimensional for the album when coupled with "See-Saw". I reckon they should have excluded one from the album, and made the other a single to be honest. The song is more musically commendable though, with some great lyrics and chord progressions, but quite a bad melody to fit them. Lovely addition of the mellotron though and strangely warming.

"House Of Four Doors" is quite an eccentric little collection of scribblings which happen to work together well. Some of John Lodge's best songwriting, and shows what he is really capable of (not just slightly inferior Beatles singles with a twist). Some of his superb harmonies shine through on here, and as each door creaks open you enter a new dreamy setting (such as baroque interludes, as you enter some sort of opulent, lavish palace chamber, with harpsichords rolling off the walls). Took me a while to accept the chorus melody that jumps up and down in the wrong place, but one of the highlights. "Legend Of A Mind" is another simply outstanding song on the album. All the things I love in a prog song: chords, melodies, harmonies, quirkiness, and a unique solo, all played out over a long time. The solo in question is an excellently constructed Ray Thomas flute section, that flutters lightly over the solid backing. The guitars on here - also brilliant, and the only real problem I can think of for it is the repetitive lyrics. They are important and meaningful but I really can't remember anything else they say in that 6 minutes.

"Voices In The Sky" is another wonderful arrangement, written by frontman Justin Hayward. Like "Legend Of A Mind", it upholds the bar for guitar playing and soars to a whole new level when it comes to lyrics. I'd love to hear something like this on the radio nowadays - very forward-looking and just sophisticated enough for me to appreciate, especially on some glorious summer's day. Reaches a great climax too at "just what is happening to me". "The Best Way To Travel" then follows: another dreamy pop song taking you to a reality of kaleidoscopic vision even better than the Beatles themselves. The squeaking swing sort of sound does go on a bit too long, but I love that needlessly outgoing music and lyrics. "Visions Of Paradise" is yet another tremendous piece, focusing more on the melodies than filling the gaps with what would become overplayed guitars, and introduces a few more sitar tunes. Another atmospheric chorus here too and keeping the consistency of the album tight, still trying out new techniques.

"The Actor" is basically Justin's attempt to make a copy of "Nights In White Satin" for me. It is a brilliant song but it couldn't keep up with the wonders in "NIWS". Still, I love this song almost as much, because of the vivid memorable echoes, and the band playing as a whole part, laid on with some interesting flute harmonies and melodies to the intricate lyrics. I've not a clue how this one band can produce so many of these striking melodies - definitely comparable with that of The Beatles! "The sounds I have heard in your hello" builds to a slightly more complex climax than "Cos I love you" in "Nights In White Satin", and actually superior for me. Like the whole album, the only thing letting them down really was the flow being interrupted. "The Word" is another short poem, reprising some of the previous material of the album in the background as a fairly mediocre passage is recited - still necessary to the album though, and as a prelude to "Om".

Possibly the best song on the album, and I was just hypnotised when I first heard it. The seeping mellotron, Arabic percussion and instrumentation, plus scattered, reverberating lyrics that all become one in the magnificent chorus harmonies. Sends shivers down my spine every time. I think they mastered their raga rock experimentations so seamlessly on this closing song, and definitely sounds as good, if not better than any other ever created. For someone who loves chords so much, I really love this essentially one chord song so much - proves me wrong and shows me what can be done. Surprisingly, this type of song format has never been repeated, which could be so much greater nowadays if attempted, with all the new access to technology - just a thought to any aspiring songwriters out there! :P Undeniably heavenly, and portrays the scene so much better than ever done previously or since - even more beloved than the "Shine On Brightly" ending by the Moodie's rivals Procol Harum, also released in summer 1968 as the band's 2nd prog rock album that ends in heaven too (coincidence?) The ultimate culmination of The Moody Blues into one deliciously overblown 5 minute prog mini-epic - could they have discovered that coveted lost chord?

A: Despite a couple of scratches along the way, "In Search Of The Lost Chord" shows the band at their creative zenith, being right up there with the resolute "Days Of Future Passed".

Departure: ***** Ride My See-Saw: **** Dr. Livingstone, I Presume: **** House Of Four Doors: **** Legend Of A Mind: ***** House Of Four Doors (Part Two): **** Voices In The Sky: ***** The Best Way To Travel: **** Visions Of Paradise: ***** The Actor: ***** The Word: **** Om: *****