THE OTHER SIDE OF LIFE

I follow the line of records made by The Moody Blues and between 1967 and 1983 I have liked what I have heard. But on this twelfth album my opinion about them has changed, or the music has changed.

Three years had gone since "The Present" and now 1986 they released "The Other Side of Life", a record with the same line up than before but with a certainty less interesting sound. As before Justin Hayward, John Lodge, Ray Thomas, Graeme Edge and Patrick Moraz was there but to be honest I have hard to hear many of them. You could get a hint of the music's direction just by looking at the cover; it isn't fascinating and artistic as the band's former covers.

I am very sure this is the worst "The Moody Blues" album since "The Magnificent Moodies". On that album is wasn't either prog. These songs unfortunately seem to me like quite anonymous pop rock tunes from the eighties. I can't say I appreciate whether the compositions or the arrangements. The record sounds pale and uninspired and sometimes really bad. I would say a couple of songs are okey and worth listen to if you are interested in "The Moody Blues". The "common" prog listener should avoid the album. "The other side of life" also the title track is harmonic, varied and a fine and detailed composition with depth(6/10) and "The spirit" also has some form of spirit(5/10).

The other songs have got four stars of five by me. They sound cliché and like the band had lost their spirit. I am sad but my review of this is negative. Two stars and not recommended.