SEVENTH SOJOURN

The title suggests that the Moodies didn't really regard their Merseybeat-era album The Magnificent Moodies as a "real" Moody Blues album, and who are we to doubt them? As it stands, their Seventh Sojourn would see them going on a hiatus for much of the rest of the 1970s (though they were actively touring as late as 1974), which was probably a savvy call - it meant they didn't outstay their welcome like some of the rest of their generation of bands did, and could reconvene and adapt to new musical times.

That said, some adaptation is already in evidence here. An issue both A Question of Balance and Every Good Boy Deserves Favour had is that they both felt a little dated - even as much of the rest of the prog/art rock scene were pushing forwards, the Moodies were still entranced with the sound of the 1960s. Here, on the other hand, they feel like they've moved into the 1970s fully - New Horizons sounds a little like a proto-Alan Parsons Project piece. (It would later, in fact, be quoted by Pendragon on The Last Man On Earth on The Window of Life, and now I know that connection I can sort of see the influence there.)

A little syrupy and saccharine? Perhaps, but that's the Moodies for you, and as far as drawing a line under an era of the band goes, this does a decent job.