(Review from blogcritics.org, amazon, progarchives.com)

Moody Blues returned after a five year hiatus with a very different sounding album. The punk and disco era were now in full flower and such groups as Styx, Journey, and REO Speedwagon were dominating the rock charts. Octave would abandon the cosmic and symphonic sound of the group’s past, and move toward one more in tune with the era.

This album is strongly influenced by the member’s solo projects without a unifying concept or theme. Each song matches the individual personality of its composer. The band’s trademark multi-voice harmonising begins to take a back seat: there is less of it, and subtle changes in the mix push principal singers to the fore on most songs, a trend that would continue in future years. The mellotron is missing from much of the album, mostly replaced by more modern synths, with real strings on a couple of tracks.

The John Lodge composition, “Steppin’ In A Slide Zone”, is typical of the new sound. It is an energetic Lodge rocker but the musical center is the keyboard-guitar interplay which was in vogue at the time. It is catchy and was a commercially successful single.

Justin Hayward is in ballad mode for this release, his music is still very listenable because of the innate beauty of the songs. “Had To Fall In Love” and “Top Rank Suite” are both very mellow. “Driftwood” is the best of the bunch, as it is a gentle love ballad which was a Hayward trademark by this time. His closer “The Day We Meet Again” point toward the future as a new keyboardist was on the way and the grand classical sounds were being left behind.

Ray Thomas shines with “Under Moonshine”, a strong lead vocal by him plus some classic harmonies by the other members of the group.

“One Step Into The Light” is a final spiritual statement by Mike Pinder and his only composition on the album. The music is more progressive rock than the grandiose sound of his past as he would bring his Moody Blues career to a conclusion.

“Octave” is different, more modern, and ultimately a transitional work.

During this period, Yes had asked their keyboard player, Patrick Moraz, to leave. Moraz’s management had some contacts with the Moodies, and after a successful audition with the band, he was hired as keyboard player for the “Octave World Tour”.

Line-up:
- Justin Hayward / vocals, guitar, keyboards
- John Lodge / vocals, bass, keyboards
- Ray Thomas / vocals, flute, harmonica, tambourine
- Graeme Edge / drums, percussion, vocals
- Mike Pinder / vocals, organ, synthesizer

Track List:
01. Steppin’ In A Slide Zone – 5:34
02. Under Moonshine – 4:59
03. Had To Fall In Love – 3:40
04. I’ll Be Level With You – 3:49
05. Driftwood – 5:01
06. Top Rank Suite – 3:43
07. I’m Your Man – 4:20
08. Survival – 4:09
09. One Step Into The Light – 4:28
10. The Day We Meet Again – 6:24

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