EVERY GOOD BOY DESERVES FAVOUR

At this point in time, The Moodies hadn't given up some of their more experimental and oddball traits, but like they were somewhat in the process of shedding their trippier aspects for a more mainstream approach to songwriting.

The opening track does not give any indication of that they were through with some of their more distinctive traits. It's those Moodies being Moodies for sure, as the album begins with what seems like a flying saucer landing on Earth, followed by the creation of life or something (I'm probably way off here) before the more interesting "communication" sequence begins. At this point the band gives us the evolution of music, starting with drum hitting accompanied by some "unga bunga" noises and gradually adding other elements and styles including sitar music, medieval flute melodies, harpsichords, symphonies (aka mellotrons) before finally guitars kick in at the song's climax to announce the arrival of rock, all in this one track! It's a good thing this album came out in 1971 or maybe we'd be subjected to the Moody Blues' interpretations of disco, hip-hop and finally atmospheric post black metal. I have to admit it would be cool to hear Ray Thomas boastfully rapping about how he's the best flute player in 'da game while dissing Ian Anderson as a "damn fool", but yeah, let's be happy the song ends with rock.

The Story In Your Eyes follows, and the album is looking to be a winner! It's short but seriously sweet with a cool ultra fuzzy guitar sound and some cool little soloing bits. Justin sings like he means it...this guy was friggin' worried about the future! Such a great number.

Then things start to slip. Not completely, as Our Guessing Game has a pretty busy chorus, but by the time we get to Emily's Song, we're dealing with the band morphing into Bread. I know it's a heartfelt ode to John's kid, but man it's mellow. After You Came picks things up with that cool guitar sound, an upbeat rhythm and a fun catchy chorus and One More Time To Live follows, which is also my second favorite track on the album after Story In Your Eyes. It starts off as just another Bread knockoff, but soon this organ gets louder and the vocals get stronger...then the tune gets all proggy and cool. Definitely one of John Lodge's best numbers. The rest of the album just blurs into soft rock mushiness to me, with the exception of a few sections of My Song, which is a decent enough piece but not Pinder's best.

As one of their seven important psychedelic era albums, it's one of the weaker ones, but it does possess a couple of serious gems to slap you out of dozing off.