A Question of Balance Songs Ranked
A Question of Balance is the sixth album by The Moody Blues. The album was an attempt by the group to strip down their well-known lush, psychedelic sound in order to be able to better perform the songs in concert. Released in 1970, the album reached No. 1 in the United Kingdom and #3 in the United States. In March 2006, the album was remastered into SACD format and repackaged with six extra tracks. In 2008, a remaster for standard audio CD was issued with the same bonus tracks. Melancholy Man song was covered by Gökhan Abur, former Turkish pop singer and present weatherman, as Yalnız Adam (Lonely Man in Turkish) in his 45 rpm Yalnız Adam/Palyaçodan Başka Neyim ? in 1972. Here are all of A Question of Balance songs ranked.
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10. The Balance
“The Balance” made for the perfect poetic finale to the album … The chorus is catchy and the instrumentation is arranged beautifully. Also, the individual band members’ voices are heard, near the end of the song, as they take turns singing lines like, “Do you realize?,” “Yeah, yeah…,” and “Just open your heart.” Also, is that John singing in falsetto behind Mike’s narration?”
9. Tortoise and the Hare
“The percussion sounds excellent on John Lodge’s “Tortoise and the Hare,” and so do the rockin’ double-tracked lead guitars, during the instrumental break … Also, notice that John Lodge’s voice is double-tracked (And also separated, slightly, from one another, in the stereo field, as heard through headphones), as he sings in two octaves during the “While you were sleeping” parts of the song.”
8. Don’t You Feel Small
“Don’t You Feel Small” sounds a bit on the eerie side, with the whispered voice accompanying the singing (You can hear the same style of vocal overdubbing on The Doors’ hit, “Riders On The Storm”). Ray Thomas plays the flute in a similar fashion to the solo heard in the middle of “Legend of A Mind,” from “In Search Of The Lost Chord,” and it sounds superb!”
See more: The Moody Blues Albums Ranked
7. Melancholy Man
“Melancholy Man” makes for a beautifully dramatic dark Moody Blues’ composition … Just like “How Is It (We Are Here),” loads of interesting sounds and keyboard elements are featured on this particular Pinder tune. The combination of the wind (or “whirlwind”) effects and the intense synthesizer sound, in the middle of the song, puts the “icing on the cake,” when it comes to following through with the theme of the song!”
6. And the Tide Rushes In
“And The Tide Rushes In” makes for a calm and beautiful tune, and the instrumentation creates the setting of a tranquil seashore with waves “rushing in,” in the distance.”
5. Dawning Is the Day
“Dawning Is The Day” reminds me of “Tuesday Afternoon,” from “Days Of Future Passed,” when listening to the combination of the flute, mellotron, and piano. Notice how, near the end of the song, the Moodies chant, “Listen, we think we have found you,” repeatedly, but right before the song fades into “Melancholy Man,” the lyrics switch over to “Listen, we think we can see you” … How sneaky!”
4. How Is It (We Are Here)
“How Is It (We Are Here)” features outstanding mellotrons, making me think back to the mellotron-driven sound of “To Our Children’s Children’s Children” … This Mike Pinder track sounds more like a track from “Children’s,” more than any other on “A Question Of Balance.” The instrumental break is out of this world, featuring the electric guitar (sounding like a prelude to the “bee buzz” electric guitar heard on “Every Good Boy Deserves Favour” and onward) blending in with the mellotrons, as well as the super-cool high “squeaking” synthesizer effects, giving the song an otherworldly sound.”
See more: The Moody Blues Songs Ranked
3. Minstrel’s Song
“Minstrel’s Song,” much like “Every Good Boy’s” track “Nice To Be Here,” is an upbeat, cheerful tune, and the flutes and percussion really stand out, on this track. Justin Hayward’s brief solo, “Listen to the One … Who sings of love,” near the end of the song, is sung with perfection, and right on the beat!”
2. Question
“This mix is like an extended version of the single mix of the song … The sound quality is outstanding on this mix, especially on the louder elements of the song. The track also comes to a full ending with somewhat of a Spanish-flavored guitar style, at the very end”
1. It’s Up to You
“It’s Up To You” reminds me of “Lovely To See You,” from “On The Threshold Of A Dream,” only slightly more mellow. The double-tracked electric guitars sound wonderful, once again, and I like the “wave-like” effects from the drums during the “If they knew that we have got nothing to lose” parts of the song.”
