Why "X" by Band "Y" is a Perfect Album

Critian Caceorte · Dec 13, 2020

On Why "Seventh Sojourn" by the Moody Blues is the Perfect Album

Well, isn't that just a pretentious title? Surely there's a music album of higher quality and for more deserving of such a title as "the Perfect Album?" Indeed, you would be correct, so let us instead relabel this essay to something more appropriate…

On Why "Seventh Sojourn" by the Moody Blues is a Perfect Album

Much better. This essay is an extrapolation of my attempt to explain to friends and family why this album is as good as I think it is. The reason that I refer to it as "a Perfect Album" instead of "the Perfect Album" is, as above, I believe that there's too much of an argument against that claim, and it says a bit pretentious besides. I won't disagree that my current title isn't also pretentious to a degree, but I think's a much easier claim to prove then the last. So, now that I've said that, perhaps I should better define what I mean by "perfect."

When people talk about a "perfect song," it typically refers to a number of things, maybe a highly technical solo part or piece, perhaps just an overall amazing melody, perhaps even well written lyrics or just an overall inducement of emotion. A "perfect album," in my view, is a bit easier to define, but far more difficult to achieve: "A collection of music that is not only of good quality overall in terms of its individual songs, but is also great in terms of composition." This definition thus excludes those albums that have really amazing singles, but also include a dud or three or have a rather poor composition or theming. I don't mind those albums at all, but I feel like they better exemplify the individual songs within them that are great rather than the album itself. What this definition would include however are albums that have no Top 40 Billboard hits or anything like that, but also don't have any bad songs either, and each song either shares in its theming or tone with each other or at least flow well into each other. Under this latter definition, I believe that "Seventh Sojourn" by the Moody Blues is a Perfect Album.

For those who do not know, the Moody Blues are a rock band, described by some as a progressive rock band, who released their first album, "The Magnificent Moodies," in 1965. That album isn't as well-known as its successor, "Days of Future Passed," which released in 1967 and included the hit "Nights in White Satin." Fast forward a few years and a personnel change to 1972, where the band would release their eighth album "Seventh Sojourn." Quite the rapid pace for producing content, I agree, but this album wasn't rushed at all, or at the very least, it never felt rushed to me. It did, however, have a troubled development according to guitarist Justin Hayward thanks in part to conflicts the band had with the producer Tony Clarke, and as such it was a number of years before the ninth album, "Octave," would be developed.

Despite the trouble, this album is truly quite amazing. Some would remark that it's a softer, mellower sound compared to the rest of their work, but I think that's a bit incorrect to say. It definitely is more, for the most part, quiet in places, but there's an edge to enough of the songs that I don't think you can call the album as a whole "soft." I would lean more on calling it a quiet roar than a noisy mewl, something that doesn't burst your eardrums but does burst your heart. It's a philosophical work of art, displaying its calm criticism of the world except in those deliberate instances where it isn't, and it's this consistency of tone that is the album's greatest strength. There are a number of albums out there with good songs that nonetheless have a very eclectic feel to them, to their detriment I feel. The reason Seventh Sojourn is as great as it is is because of how well the songs flow into each other and seem to fill in the gaps of their neighbors. And that flow begins with my personal favorite of the album, "Lost in a Lost World."

"Lost," as I'll be calling it now, begins with what sounds like a string section (I'm assuming the harmonium, since no cellos or violins were used for the album) slowly vibrating the song into being. This is followed by a drum beat to get the song officially going, then the bass guitar, and then the vocals finally come into play. A perfectly fine opening, not one that gets your blood pumping, but does still get you to pay attention more and more as the tune goes on. However, I will admit that if there's one weakness many of the songs in this album do have, it's that it's difficult at points to hear or at least pay attention to the lyrics within them, because of how well the music itself flows. That isn't the case all the time thankfully, but I mention it here because the lyrics in this case are important. They help to set the tone of this album as a critique at various issues displayed around the globe, and in this song they bite.

Note: For the lyrics, I got them off of Google, but I've already found errors with it, so either Mike Pinder is getting the lyrics wrong, or Google is. Hence, I made a few small edits. At places where it's hard to hear what Pinder is singing, I've marked them as "inaudible" and added what I think is being sung here.

I woke up today, I was crying

Lost in a lost world

So many people are dying

Lost in a lost world

Some of them are living an illusion

Bounded by the darkness of their minds

In their eyes, it's nation against nation against nation

With racial pride

(inaudible, "side by same hide/side")

Thinking only of themselves

They shun the light

(Shun the light)

They think they're right

(Think they're right, tumbling-)

Living in their empty shells

Oh, can you see their world is crashing?

(So many people, so many people)

Crashing down around their feet

Angry people in the street

Telling them they've had their fill

Of politics… (inaudible, "that move them")

Grow... the seeds of evolution

(So many people, so many people)

Revolution never won

It's just another form of gun

To do again what they have done

Let all our brothers (inaudible, "youngest souls")

(So many people, so many people)

"Lost" is primarily a song about injustice, particularly racial injustice. Yet, it's not a song about violence or revolution, it specifically calls out revolution as just another tool by those in power to inflict violence upon the victims. Instead, the issue is not one of power but rather perspective. The ability to see beyond one's point of view is an invaluable one, and what is ultimately needed to prevail in this fight.

Everywhere you go you see them searching

Everywhere you turn you feel the pain

Everyone is looking for the answers

Well, look again; come on, my friend

Love will find them in the end

Come on, my friend

(On, my friend)

We've got to (inaudible, "bend")

(Got to bend)

On our knees and say a prayer

Oh, can you hear the world is (inaudible, "pining?")

(So many people, so many people)

Pining for someone who really cares enough to share his love

With all of us so we can be

An ever-loving family

Have we forgotten who loves who?

(So many people, so many people)

Children from a family tree

That's longer than a centipede

Started long ago when you and I

Where only love...

(So many people, so many people)

I woke up today, I was crying

Lost in a lost world

So many people are dying

Lost in a lost world

So many people, so many people

People lost in a lost world

So many people, so many people

People lost in a lost world

To win this conflict, it's not anger or violence that's needed. What's needed is love and acceptance. It requires looking within ourselves and confronting our own rage in order to find the love buried deep within. At least biologically speaking, we're all siblings to some degree or another, and while siblings may fight, they don't kill each other. We need to remember that and spread our love to others in the hopes that they in turn will spread it elsewhere. All it takes is a little kindness and acknowledgement of the other person's point of view for the world to become a better place than it is now.

This message that "Lost" presents is accompanied by great instrumentation. While my musical ear isn't fine-tuned enough to recognize individual instruments through sound alone, I can still hear what there is and altogether it works. "Lost" is a lamentation of the world, and what I'm assuming is either the oboe or the Harmonium (it can be difficult to tell at times) cuts in at the middle to provide some relief to the encumbering tone of the drums and base. Overall, there's a reason it's my favorite of the album, but it's certainly not the only song on it I enjoy.

One thing I think that the Moody Blues excel in compared to other bands is that there's rarely a sudden break between tracks, they often flow into each other, picking up where the other left off or in some cases is leaving off. "New Horizons" isn't as good at this as some of their other songs, but it's not terrible at it either. And lyrically, it picks up the threads that "Lost" leaves.

Well I've had dreams enough for one

And I've got love enough for three

I have my hopes to comfort me

I got my new horizons out to sea

But I'm never gonna lose your precious gift

It will always be that way

'cause I know I'm gonna find my peace of mind

Someday

Where is this place that we have found?

Nobody knows where we are bound

I long to hear, I need to see

'cause I've shed tears too many for me, me

But I'm never gonna lose your precious gift

It will always be that way

'cause I know I'm gonna find my own peace of mind

Someday

On the wind soaring free

Spread your wings, I'm beginning to see

Out of mind far from view

Beyond the reach of a nightmare come true

Well I've had dreams enough for one

And I got love enough for three

I have my hopes to comfort me

I got my new horizons out to sea

But I'm never gonna lose your precious gift

It will always be that way

'cause I know I'm gonna find my own peace of mind

Someday, someway

The singer, Justin Hayward, is going off into unexplored territory, literal or metaphorical, with enough love in him to go around. Hopefully once this journeys done, he'll find that peace he's been looking for, escape the nightmare his life has become, even if he's not sure where exactly he's going. But, he won't forget the friends he's made along the way, and he's certainly not going to forget you, the listener, on his journeys.

"New Horizons" is a simple song, but still a moving one. The Chamberlin does a good job of filling in for a stringed instrument, and the guitar popping at the end of verses helps to accentuate what Hayward is singing. It's a song that I feel best represents a "typical" Moody Blues song, wrong as that is to say, because of its simplicity pacing alongside the emotions it draws forth. It's a sad, but optimistic tune, one hopeful for a new future.

Unfortunately, "For My Lady" comes in after an audio break, so the flow breaks a little. Still, small details like that are fine when compared to the larger whole. The flutework as well as the singing in this song are both done by Ray Thomas, which causes issues with live concerts but is thankfully mitigated here through the magic of recording software.

My boat sails stormy seas

Battles oceans filled with tears

At last my port's in view

Now that I've discovered you

Oh I'd give my life so lightly

For my gentle lady

Give it freely and completely

To my lady

As life goes drifting by

Like a breeze she'll gently sigh

And slowly bow her head

Then you'll hear her softly cry.

Oh I'd give my life so lightly

For my gentle lady

Give it freely and completely

To my lady

Words that you say when we're alone

Though actions speak louder than words

But all I can say is I love you so

To drive away all my hurt

Oh I'd give my life so lightly

For my gentle lady

Give it freely and completely

To my lady

Set sail before the sun

Feel the warmth that's just begun

Share each and every dream

They belong to everyone.

Oh I'd give my life so lightly

For my gentle lady

Give it freely and completely

To my lady

Once is happenstance, twice is coincidence, but three times is a pattern. "For My Lady", like it's predecessors, is a song that remarks about dreams and love, and we'll see those words repeated further into the album. For now, they form a pattern and though only "Lost" has so far only displayed a political bent, that will be present in later songs as well. Theoretically speaking, you could also say that Seventh Sojourn is also trying to tell a story, one of a man sickened with the anger around him as well as inside who goes on a journey, leaving his friend behind to try and sort himself out. The thing which best seems to calm his soul is a woman he meets along the way, who he falls deeply in love with. If this is the narrative, then what's the next step?

Isn't life strange?

A turn of the page

Can read like before

Can we ask for more?

Each day passes by

How hard man will try

The sea will not wait

You know it makes me want to cry, cry, cry

Wish I could be in your heart

To be one with your love

Wish I could be in your eyes

Looking back there you were and here we are

Isn't love strange?

A word we arrange

With no thought or care

Maker of despair

Each breath that we breathe

With love we must weave

To make us as one

You know it makes me want to cry, cry, cry

Wish I could be in your heart

To be one with your love

Wish I could be in your eyes

Looking back there you were, and here we are

Isn't life strange?

A turn of the page

A book without light

Unless with love we write

To throw it away

To lose just a day

The quicksand of time

You know it makes me want to cry, cry, cry

Wish I could be in your heart

To be one with your love

Wish I could be in your eyes

Looking back there you were and here we are

"Isn't Life Strange?" starts off with a fairly soft vocal section, even for a song on this album, but after a while the singing picks up in volume before going off into a wail. Evidently, this metaphorical individual made a misstep in his attempt at forming a relationship with his love, leaving him alone once more and back to feeling miserable, this time with sorrow instead of anger. Without his love, his life has gone back to drudgery. What's interesting here is that another element or theme is added here, the sea. The reason, I believe that a sea is used here when representing a journey instead of, say, a road is that the sea is mysterious. You're never quite sure if you are going to end up where you are hoping to go, and it's too difficult of a journey for you to leave and then come back in any short span of time. There is going to be separation involved, guaranteed, and whether the man was affected by this in his relationship or not is unknown.

There's a leafless tree in Asia

Under the sun there's a homeless man

There's a forest fire in the valley

Where the story all began

What will be our last thought?

Do you think it's coming soon?

Will it be of comfort

Or the pain of a burning wound?

All we are trying to say

Is we are all we've got

You and me just cannot fail

If we never, never, stop

You're an ocean full of faces

And you know that we believe

We're just a wave that drifts around you

Singing all our hopes and dreams

We look around, in wonder

At the work that has been done

By the visions of our father

Touched by his loving son

All we are trying to say

Is we are all we've got

You and me just cannot fail

If we never, never, stop

All we are trying to say

Is we are all we've got

You and me just cannot fail

If we never, never, stop

You and me just cannot fail

If we never, ever, never, ever, stop

"You and Me" is a bit more of an energetic tune, with a repeating guitar piece to start the song off. It's a song of cooperation and desperation, and unlike the previous songs it doesn't follow a narrative. In my opinion, judging by the line of "We're just a wave that drifts around you/singing all our hopes and dreams," this is a message from the band themselves. There are issues around the world that we could tackle, that we could be tackling, such as climate change, warfare, homelessness and others, if we were to just unite together to resolve them. If we do not, then as we die we'll regret the choices that we made in our lives.

While perhaps not tied with the ideas of dreams and journeys as our previous songs, "You and Me" does bring back that political consciousness, and love still remains a strong component of that. It calls into question issues that we sometimes ignore and put out of our minds, and brings them back into stark relief. They aren't inevitable dooms, they are preventable and solvable ills, and can be fixed so long as we have love for one another.

I would have perhaps suggested placing this song somewhere else in the album, it's the only I feel sticks out for any reason. But the issue with placing it before "Lost" is that it makes that song lose some of its initial impact, and placing it in-between the narrative songs breaks up the story and flow to them. And there's a reason it's not later, believe me, it's important. So with that in mind, I'll concede that this is perhaps the best place to put this song. It's definitely not bad, just a little out of touch, and perhaps that thus makes this album less than perfect in the minds of some. Don't worry however, we still have three songs to go.

Video not included due to post limitations, listen to it here:

We're living in a land of make believe

And trying not to let it show

Maybe in that land of make believe

Heartaches can turn into joy

We're breathing in the smoke of high and low

We're taking up a lot of room

Somewhere in the dark and silent night

Our prayer will be heard

Make it soon

So fly little bird

Up into the clear blue sky

And carry the word

Love's the only reason why

Open all the shutters on your windows

Unlock all the locks upon your doors

Brush away the cobwebs from your day-dreams

No secrets come between us anymore

Oh, say it's true

Only love can see you through

You know what love can do to you

We're living in a land of make believe

And trying not to let it show...

Maybe in that land of make believe

Heartaches can turn into joy

We're breathing in the smoke of high and low

We're taking up a lot of room

Somewhere in the dark and lonely night

Our prayer will be heard

Make it soon

So fly little bird

Up into the clear blue sky

And carry the word

Love's the only reason why...

Open all the shutters on your windows

Unlock all the locks upon your doors

Brush away the cobwebs from your day-dreams

No secrets come between us anymore

Oh, say it's true

Only love can see you through

You know what love can do to you

"Land of Make-Believe," or "Land," for short, is yet another song about the healing power of love. In this case, love can dispel the secrets and preconceived notions we have about others. We don't often reveal the latter explicitly, instead letting it guide us, a land of make-believe where the laws of nature and the rules of society coincide with our points of view and anything that sticks out is an aberration to the world. But such just isn't true. It isn't fair to just believe that everyone is like this, or enjoys this, or hates this. We have to open ourselves up to others and let love guide us through our lives if we want to really enjoy the full picture. It's a beautiful message, overall.

Now, the next song, "When You're a Free Man," is another one of my favorites, and also sung by Mike Pinder. I believe it returns to the narrative established earlier, this time from the perspective of the friend who was left behind. The journeying man has finally reached his destination, and even found a new love, a new life and a new family. However, for whatever reason, he is unable to come back the same way he came. There's a number of reasons why, so let's try and take a look.

Video not shown due to post limitations, listen to it here:

Time quickly passes by

If only we could talk again

Someday, I know I'll see you smiling

When you're a free man again

High on a mountain side

We laughed and talked of things to come

Someway, I know I'll see you shining

When we're all free men again

You left your country for peace of mind

And something tells me you're doin' alright

How are the children and Rosemarie?

I long to see you and be in your company

Someday, I hope I'll see you smiling

When you're a free man again

I often wonder, why

Our world has gone so far astray?

Someway, I know I'll see you shining

When we're all free men again

You gave love freely to those with tears

Your eyes were sad then you saw the need

You know that love lasts for eternity

Let's be God's children and live in perfect peace

Peace, perfect peace, perfect peace, peace

Someway I know I'll see you shining

When you're a free man

When we're all free men again, yeah

When you're a free man

Perhaps our protagonist is unable to return because they were imprisoned? Perhaps they cannot return because of closed borders, or even war? Any of these are valid reasons, though in my eyes the latter is more plausible because of the reference to when both parties will be "free men again." Something interesting that I wonder about now is the reference to the children and, presumably, a wife. Does this mean that the journeying man's love was in fact his wife, who he lost and divorced? I can only speculate as there is no official word from the band on the matter. Still, it calls to mind the feeling of separation, especially from loved ones but even to a degree the rest of the world, for a long, long time. It's isolating, it's depressing, and yet tinged with just a slight shade of hope to it. A hope that freedom will come, someday, and hopefully soon.

Before we finish this album with its last song, let us recall what the album has done already. It's told, either purposefully or accidentally, a narrative about wanting to escape the chaos and hate and learning to come to peace with one's self. It's an album about issues around the world that must be resolved, which can only be done through unity and love. Without these elements, people will remain prisoners of their own delusions and their countries' borders and laws. It's an album that does not demand chance, but it asks for it, and it pleads that a chance to the situation will come sooner rather than later, before it's too late for progress to be made.

It's a deep and sorrowful compilation which still bears elements of joy within, a hope for a better future, one that's not limited by class, race, nations or even views. A truly free world of love for all to enjoy. So, with this in mind, with this deep album, with all its thematic and emotional weight, how does it end? How does it conclude such a grand narrative, how does it finish the impact that the themes of love, freedom and unity bring? How does complete the album?

Well…

Video not available due to post limitations, listen to it here:

I'm just a wandering on the face of this earth

Meeting so many people

Who are trying to be free

And while I'm traveling I hear so many words

Language barriers broken

Now we've found the key

And if you want the wind of change

To blow about you

And you're the only other person to know, don't tell me

I'm just a singer in a rock and roll band.

A thousand pictures can be drawn from one word

Only who is the artist

We got to agree

A thousand miles can lead so many ways

Just to know who is driving

What a help it would be

So if you want this world of yours

To turn about you

And you can see exactly what to do

Please tell me

I'm just a singer in a rock and roll band.

How can we understand?

Riots by the people for the people

Who are only destroying themselves

And when you see a frightened

Person who is frightened by the

People who are scor-(scorching this earth.)

Scor-(scorching this earth)

I'm just a wandering on the face of this earth

Meeting so many people

Who are trying to be free

And while I'm traveling I hear so many words

Language barriers broken

Now we've found the key

And if you want the wind of change

To blow about you

And you're the only other person to know, don't tell me

I'm just a singer in a rock and roll band.

I'm just a singer in a rock and roll band

How can we understand

Riots by the people for the people

Who are only destroying themselves

And when you see a frightened

Person who is frightened by the

People who are scor-(scorching this earth.)

Scor-(scorching this earth)

Music is the traveler crossing our world

Meeting so many people bridging the seas

I'm just a singer in a rock and roll band

I'm just a singer in a rock and roll band

Music is the traveler crossing our world

Meeting so many people bridging the seas

I'm just a singer in a rock and roll band.

We're just the singers in a rock and roll band.

I'm just a singer in a rock and roll band...

…It continues that theme, that vision of freedom. I'll say that much. It even has to a degree an awareness of political issues. But for the greater narrative of the journeying man? For the philosophical wisdom which the band provides? Heck, even the theme of love that seems to suffuse this album to its core? Well, it kicks those concepts straight out the damn window and onto the curb for them to be smashed into little lego blocks of thought. "I'm Just a Singer In a Rock and Roll Band" is not a song about wisdom or even love, it's a song of inadequacy. It was written by John Lodge in response to all of the fans writing and asking the band for the answers to deep questions for which they had no response, because, of course, they all are just singers in a rock and roll band.

While "Lost in a Lost World" might be my overall favorite of the album, special attention does need to go to the individual parts that make up "I'm Just a Singer." That soft opening that rises and rises, but unlike "Lost," it keeps going. Building and building further up and up in volume as well as pace until the guitar finally kicks in and the choir joins the tune. John Lodge here stands out for his songwriting, not necessarily his singing, but because of that little half-second delay between the choir's vocals and his own intrusion into the line of "scor-(scorching this earth)" that makes him stand out from everyone else. Lead singers in Moody Blues songs tend to be drowned out at times by the rest of the band singing, but not Lodge, no sirree. That singular minute detail changes a song, for what I think is the better, and adds complexity to it. I wish more songs honestly had stuff like that, it's one of many reasons why "Light up the Night" is the most popular song by the Protomen (who I might cover in the future.)

"I'm just a singer" has a far more lackadaisical, carefree attitude, at least in its melody. It still tries to talk about issues, but it does so in a much more upbeat manner. It echoes the futility of revolutions displayed by "Lost," and the desire for freedom in "Free Man." It pierces the barriers of perception spoken of by "Land of Make-Believe", it continues the band's message from "You and Me". It concludes the album in the best way possible, by acknowledging the parts from before while rejecting the necessity to listen to the band for those same themes. You don't need to listen to Pinder, Hayward, Thomas or Lodge to find the answers you seek. Sure, you could discover them while listening to their music, but overall, find the answers yourself. Peace is an internal journey, and so is love, and both must be pursued under your own merits. Take the time and effort to seek them out (though, be socially conscious when doing so, we ARE still living in isolation conditions, at least in the US.)

Overall, have love in your heart for others, and for yourself. Find common ground with the people around you, and try to see from their perspective from time to time. In the age of the internet, we seem to have a ton to argue about, but very little to agree on. Perhaps life could be better if we had more of the latter and less of the former. But, then again, I'm just a writer on the digital web.

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Welp, this was in hindsight embarassing to write. Not so much that I'm not satisfied with writing it, but I've always been a bit self-critical about my work. I keep wondering whether I've made the right points or not, I worry that my poor hearing when it comes to music will bite me in the back in regards to leitmotifs, instrumentation and whatnot. Still, I'm glad I at least put pen to paper and got this all down, and maybe with enough of a response I might another one of these essays. In which case, I have another album in mind.

(Perhaps) Coming Soon: Why Blind Guardians' "Imaginations From The Other Side" is a Perfect Album.

Why "X" by Band "Y" is a Perfect Album

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Critian Caceorte

Currently Suffering from Space-Time Narcolepsy

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