E: "Eyes of a Child" (mostly Part 1) - The Moody Blues

Listening to an early Moody Blues album is like getting clambaked through music. When the needle drops you can practically see plumes of pot smoke wafting out of the speakers. And that is not a criticism.

I've always been baffled by the derision The Moody Blues has faced throughout their entire career. This highly democratic band has contended with vitriol from the music press for decades and they are not held in the same esteem as many of their lesser contemporaries. One could criticize them for some shoddy production, “pretentious” poetry, or a tendency to take themselves way too seriously. However, The Moody Blues gave the world consistency excellent pop/rock music throughout five decades of activity. They continue to tour at a fever pitch and have weathered their critical tempest with a lot of grace and dignity. What gives world?

It took many years, but “To Our Children’s Children’s Children” has become almost universally acclaimed as the strongest of The Moody's “Classic 7” 1967-1972 albums. It’s consistently gorgeous, and one of the rare “concept” albums that actually kind of maintains its concept (more or less) throughout its running time. This is the LP where their refined psychedelic dalliances payoff the most. They hit their stride in 1969, dropping two incredible albums with this and “On The Threshold of a Dream”. Yet I believe, and many agree, that “Children’s” is their magnum opus.

The late 60s was a time of intense expansion and exploration. Society had shifted to wider acceptance, and our travels took us to the outer reaches of the planet, the atmosphere and beyond. Sci-fi, both realistic and fantastic, reached an apex in prominence. The influence of “2001”, “Star Trek” and Apollo 11 led to the conception of “To Our Children’s Children’s Children”.

“Eyes of a Child” stands out on the album both musically and thematically. The song truly manages to capture that that magical sense of enchantment that young, innocent minds have towards the world around them. Opening with a atmospheric layer of chimes, harps and mellotron, “Eyes of a Child, Part I” is quintessential Moodies, a perfect representation of their unique raison d'etre. It’s the track in which all their “isms” coalesce into the perfect Moody Blues experience. The harmonies are more divine than usual (they’re not bogged down by the occasional falsetto caterwauling on Lodge’s behalf). The build from the verse to chorus is spine chilling with a walloping emotional payoff, devoid of melodrama. The evocative lyrics capture the overwhelming sense of wonder and mystery that citizens of the world experienced as the universe was expanding; the human experience humanity being reborn and redefined in front of their, our, infant eyes. 

Of course, I say all this like I was there. I can only imagine. Maybe in some cosmic, philosophical way I was there. Damn Moodies got me thinking...

Part II was never quite as strong for me, possibly because it seems too short to be truly impactful. It’s certainly not bad, just half baked perhaps. And rock music in the traditional sense was not really their bread and butter.

If you are among the Moody Blues’ harsh critics, swallow your pride, close your mouth and your eyes, and open your ears and heart. You may just experience something positive.