| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [1] |
The Other Side of Life is the twelfth studio album by English progressive rock band the Moody Blues, released in 9 April 1986 by Polydor Records.
This was the first Moody Blues album since 1978's Octave, and only the second since 1969's On the Threshold of a Dream, not to be released by the Moodies' custom label, Threshold Records. Beginning with this album, and continuing through 1999's Strange Times, albums would be branded "in association with Threshold Records".
Production
The Other Side of Life was the third recording with Swiss keyboardist Patrick Moraz and the first for flutist and vocalist Ray Thomas not to play a major role. The main songwriters were vocalist/guitarist Justin Hayward and bassist John Lodge, with only one song, "The Spirit", composed by Moraz (his only songwriting credit with the band) and drummer Graeme Edge. The music on the album is characterized by the heavy use of synthesizers, sequencers and drum machines, to the point that it could be classified as synth-pop, a sharp change in style for a band that had stood at the origins of symphonic rock.
The album was recorded at Good Earth Studios in London and produced by Tony Visconti.
Reception
Anthony DeCurtis in his review for Rolling Stone suggested that the album for the most part "plays to the Moodys' longstanding musical strengths: luscious symphonic textures, rich, stately melodies and densely overlaid vocal arrangements" and praised the band for successfully avoiding pompous lyrics, which he felt were present only on "The Spirit".[2]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Your Wildest Dreams" | Justin Hayward | 4:52 |
| 2. | "Talkin' Talkin'" | Hayward, John Lodge | 3:56 |
| 3. | "Rock 'n' Roll Over You" | Lodge | 4:51 |
| 4. | "I Just Don't Care" | Hayward | 3:29 |
| 5. | "Running Out of Love" | Hayward, Lodge | 4:25 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6. | "The Other Side of Life" | Hayward | 6:53 |
| 7. | "The Spirit" | Graeme Edge, Patrick Moraz | 4:19 |
| 8. | "Slings and Arrows" | Hayward, Lodge | 4:29 |
| 9. | "It May Be a Fire" | Lodge | 4:57 |
| Total length: | 42:10 | ||
Personnel
The Moody Blues
- Justin Hayward – vocals, guitar
- John Lodge – vocals, bass
- Ray Thomas – tambourine, backing vocals, flute
- Patrick Moraz – keyboards, synthesizers
- Graeme Edge – drums, percussion
Technical personnel
- Tony Visconti – producer, engineer
- Alwyn Clayden – art direction, design
- Bruce Gill – design
- Michael Hoppen – photography
- Karl Lloyd – illustration
Charts
| Chart (1986) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canada Top Albums/CDs (RPM)[3] | 46 |
| Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[4] | 65 |
| German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[5] | 56 |
| UK Albums (OCC)[6] | 24 |
| US Billboard 200[7] | 9 |
Certifications
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United States (RIAA)[8] | Platinum | 1,000,000^ |
| ^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
- ^ Eder, Bruce. The Moody Blues: The Other Side of Life > Review at AllMusic. Retrieved 31 July 2018.
- ^ DeCurtis, Anthony (17 July 1986). "The Moody Blues: The Other Side of Life : Music Review". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 9 February 2009. Retrieved 1 August 2018.
- ^ "Top RPM Albums: Issue 0675". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 31 July 2018.
- ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – The Moody Blues – The Other Side of Life" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 31 July 2018.
- ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – The Moody Blues – The Other Side of Life" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 31 July 2018.
- ^ "The Moody Blues | Artist | Official Charts". UK Albums Chart. Retrieved 31 July 2018.
- ^ "The Moody Blues Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 31 July 2018.
- ^ "American album certifications – The Moody Blues – The Other Side of Life". Recording Industry Association of America. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Album, then click SEARCH.