A Question Of Balance (studio album) by The Moody Blues

"A Question of Balance" from 1970 was my first Moody Blues album, which I bought while it was still on the charts. It was first and foremost the single "Question" I had noticed in the radio.
After purchasing the album, I hated to admit to myself that the other tracks did not live up to my hopes and expectations. There was too little rock guitar and that everything was overall a bit too nice. Even though it could not be measured with other favorites from the same time, such as "A Salty Dog" and "Full House", I actually did play it quite a lot and learned to a certain degree to appreciate even the the songs that sounded like ”family pop”; they were after all good and well-written songs. However, the three Hayward songs were always favorites. Now, many years later, I have relistened to the album and obviously noticed new aspects and learned to appreciate some of them. It is obvious that the group in many ways was trend-setting and lyrically, in fact ahead of their time, e.g. with focus on the environment and greedy abuse of the resurces of the Earth. In fact, very impressive that young men in their midtwenties could deliver such a mature piece of work.

The middle part of "Question" is still incredible and probably one of the most beautiful pieces of music group ever delivered. The pompous intro (and end) I was never very crazy about, and I still think that the two parts do not fi really well together. Haywards "It's up to You" is another highlight; a melodic rocker with a small touch of country. "Dawning is the Day" is an evocative and more complex number. Mike Pinders to numbers "How are we here" and "Melancholy man" originally fell out, far from my taste, but of course I now realize that they are actually both nicely and beautifully constructed. John Lodge's songwriting I found came the closest to Hayward’s, and he was my number two favorite. His "Tortoise and the Hare" is a light upbeat soft rocker - a really nice song. His "Minstrel Song" is a grand and nicely arranged composition. Ray Thomas croons safely through his own "And Tide Rushes in," and together with Graeme Edge he has put the final number "The Balance" together. Edge, who was often responsible for the recitals, has also written the fine "Don’t You Feel Small", which could sound like a song taken from a movie.

As a whole, "A Question of Balance" is probably one of the most succesful Moody Blues albums and one that has aged with grace.

https://www.angelfire.com/nv/Badfinger/BANDmoodyblues.html

This is an album where the group seemed to try to swap their amazing progressive and intricate style for more simple and accessible songs and it doesn't work for me. Bare a few tracks, most of the songs on here are quite dull and don't really give you much to explore. This is disappointing as most of their other records have such a rich sound that feels so grand as you listen too it. They seem to have lost that on this record. There are still fun tracks on here and it is very easy listening so I can see why people enjoy it. Overall, while it is great in places there just isn't enough in this record for me.

From AndrewJFisher 04/13/2019 22:58

So I think this was their attempt to strip down a little and be more rock(partly so that it would be easier to tour the album). But I think it's as good as their albums before it. "It's Up to You" is a fave of mine, kinda country/southern rock and "The Balance" is a great finisher that really gives the feel of a troubled person, finally realizing an important truth.

From Fischman 10/28/2016 16:05

Typically outstanding album from the classic seven. Chock full of great tunes and creative expression. Of the original batch, this one has the best of all the spoken poetry in "The Balance."

From flamingyesdept 06/05/2016 20:50

Question is just freakin' awesome

From tbakeman 04/25/2013 22:38

Lets just all agree that this is one of the most interesting album covers of all time. My dad has had it on a poster on his wall my whole life

From Freddie55 12/23/2009 17:38

Good but my least favourite of the "Classic 7". It is too conservative and bland for me to consider it really good progrock or symphony rock. Best tracks are "Question" and "And the Tide Rushes In".