Octave (album)
| Octave | ||||
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| Studio album by The Moody Blues | ||||
| Released | 9 June 1978 | |||
| Recorded | October 1977 – April 1978 at The Record Plant, Los Angeles | |||
| Genre | Rock, pop, progressive rock | |||
| Length | 46:08 | |||
| Label |
Decca Records (UK) London Records (US) |
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| Producer | Tony Clarke | |||
| The Moody Blues chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Octave | ||||
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| Professional ratings | |
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| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |   |
| Rolling Stone | (unfavorable) |
Octave is the ninth album by The Moody Blues, released in 1978, and their first release after a substantial hiatus following the success of the best-selling Seventh Sojourn in 1972. The album proved to be the last for the group with keyboardist Mike Pinder, who departed during the album's sessions, and declined an offer to tour with the group. Pinder had just started a new family in California, and found that he was not getting on with his bandmates as he had before. Pinder would be replaced by former Yes keyboardist Patrick Moraz in time for their 1979 tour, beginning a new era in the band's history. Octave would also be the final studio album from the band produced by Tony Clarke.
Octave was considered a departure from previous Moody Blues albums, mainly because the group's use of lounge-style organs and synthesisers in place of a Mellotron or Chamberlain (Pinder's song "One Step Into the Light" referenced the Mellotron). Real strings were used on three songs: "Under Moonshine" and "I'm Your Man" (both written by Ray Thomas), as well as "Survival" (written by John Lodge).
Released after a considerable break, which saw The Moody Blues returning in an era of punk music and disco, Octave evidenced a reduced commercial impact for the band, but reached #6 in the United Kingdom and went platinum in the United States, where the album reached #13. The album produced the hit single "Steppin' in a Slide Zone," which hit #39 in the US, in addition to "Driftwood".
In November 2008, the album was remastered and released on CD, with five previously-unreleased, live, bonus tracks.
The 8-track tape version of this album has the distinction of being one of the few 8-tracks that is arranged exactly like the album, with no song breaks. The original album was released on clear blue vinyl.
Album-Billboard (North America)
Singles - Billboard (North America)
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