SEVENTH SOJOURN

I prefer not to put in order how much I like each of MB's Classic-7 albums. For me personally, this final one surely isn't behind the others. It sounds a bit more commercial and straight-forward but not the way that would bother me. Instead, I enjoy it being more open and fresh, "on the wind, soaring free" - just like the cover art! My dearest MB songs spread evenly over the 7 albums but this is the most absent on the list of unfavourites and in that sense the strongest one... if you get my Lodgic.

I just love Mike Pinder's two impressive songs, 'Lost in a Lost World' and 'When You're a Free Man'. Among his best! Actually each member is at the peak of writing, except that Justin "Never-Been-Bad" Hayward's 'New Horizons' is indeed beautiful and 'You and Me' deliciously flowing rock number (was 'The Land of Make-Believe' his? I have skipped that one in my taping) but he HAS done so many better ones in the previous albums. Otherwise I would rate this 5 stars anytime.

'For My Lady' is a charming Ray Thomas classic that loses only to 'Legend of Mind'. John Lodge wrote a strong ballad 'Isn't Life Strange' and 'Just a Singer' which is probably the catchiest MB rocker ever (it just should have been faithful also in length to 2-3 minutes 60's pop format not to get annoying). But on the whole, a very enjoyable farewell album for one of the best rock bands of 60/70's. Sad that the spirit was mostly gone ever after and they became quite a mediocre pop band.