Sur la Mer
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox album
| name = Sur la Mer
| type = studio
| artist = the Moody Blues
| cover = surlamer.jpg
| alt =
| released = 13 June 1988{{cite web|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1988/MW-1988-06-11.pdf|title=Music Week|page=38}}
| recorded = 12 October 1987 – April 1988
| studio = Good Earth Studios, Soho, London
| length = 50:56
| label = Polydor{{Cite web|url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1988-07-03-8802090288-story.html|title=Moody Blues Surreal, Trendy|first=Deborah|last=Wilker|website=Sun-Sentinel.com}}
| producer = Tony Visconti
| prev_title = Prelude
| prev_year = 1987
| next_title = Greatest Hits
| next_year = 1989
| misc = {{Singles
| name = Sur la Mer
| type = Studio
| single1 = I Know You're Out There Somewhere
| single1date = 23 May 1988
| single2 = No More Lies
| single2date = 10 October 1988
}}
}}
{{Music ratings
| rev1 = AllMusic
| rev1score = {{Rating|2|5}}{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r13382}}
}}
Sur la Mer is the thirteenth album by the Moody Blues. It was released in 1988.{{Cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-08-29-ca-871-story.html|title=POP MUSIC REVIEW : Moody Blues Keep on Going . . . and Going . . . and Going|date=August 29, 1988|website=Los Angeles Times}} It features the hit single "I Know You're Out There Somewhere", a sequel to their 1986 hit "Your Wildest Dreams".{{cite AV media|author=The Moody Blues|title=The Moody Blues - Sur La Mer - Fact Video|date=June 10, 2021|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0w4FAWFAVdc|publisher=One Live Media|access-date=March 26, 2022|via=YouTube}} Much of the music on the album would fit in the "synthpop" genre, though it does incorporate more rock and acoustic influences than its predecessor.
One other single was issued from the album in the U.S. "No More Lies" did not chart on the Billboard Hot 100 but did reach #15 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart.{{cite web|title=Adult Contemporary|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/the-moody-blues/chart-history/|publisher=Billboard|accessdate=2024-02-16}} "Here Comes the Weekend" was released as a single in Australia only but reached #50 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart in the U.S.
Flautist and vocalist Ray Thomas did not appear on the album, although he remained a member of the band at the time during which it was recorded.{{Cite web|url=https://consequenceofsound.net/2018/01/r-i-p-ray-thomas-founding-member-of-the-moody-blues-dies-at-76/|title=R.I.P. Ray Thomas, founding member of The Moody Blues dies at 76|website=Consequenceofsound.net|date=January 8, 2018}}
Writing
Guitarist Justin Hayward remembers writing "I Know You're Out There Somewhere" and working on the song with producer Tony Visconti:{{quote|The success of "Your Wildest Dreams", which really, I thought it was almost a throwaway song. Tony Visconti was a big part of that [success with] his sound and his style. It was only when it came out that I realized that emotionally, it was a common experience for a lot of people. It occurred to me that I had other things at home that had that exact same feel and continued that sentiment. So I dove back into my home tapes and then I realized that "I Know You're Out There Somewhere" was there too. So I was very conscious of continuing that feeling, because a lot of other people identified with it."{{cite web|author=Wardlaw, Matt|title=Justin Hayward on His New Solo Album and Possible New Music from the Moody Blues|publisher=Ultimate Classic Rock|date=February 28, 2013|url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/justin-hayward-moody-blues-interview/}} He continues, "A lot of people have had that experience where they want to know what happened to the first person they ever loved. My advice to them is to not find out. My thoughts are that you can never go home; you can never really go back. Even before it came out people were going nuts about that song; it struck a chord with people, emotionally. It turned out to be one of the most popular songs that we do with the Moodies. It is one of the most enjoyable songs for me to play when I am onstage.{{cite web|author=Martel, Andy|title=Always Looking West: An Interview with Justin Hayward|website=Moodybluestoday.com|date=February 8, 2013|url=https://www.moodybluestoday.com/always-looking-west-interview-justin-hayward/}}}}
Album cover
Nicolas de Staël's 1955 painting Le Fort d'Antibes serves as the album's cover artwork.{{Cite web|url=http://otten.freeshell.org/moodyblues/FAQ-4-05.htm|title=THE MOODY BLUES FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS LIST|website=Otten.freeshell.org}}
Reception
Justin Hayward remembers the album's positive commercial reception and the group's second wave of success in the 1980s fondly. He explains, "It was such a wonderful time in our career. We had a hit record and we were on MTV and all of that stuff. It was the second time around for our career. It was particularly nice because I wasn't quite as stoned as I was the first time. I could really appreciate it. I was forty years old and it was fantastic to have a record in the singles charts again."
Track listing
=Side one=
- "I Know You're Out There Somewhere" (Justin Hayward) – 6:37
- "Want to Be with You" (Hayward, John Lodge) – 4:48
- "River of Endless Love" (Hayward, Lodge) – 4:45
- "No More Lies" (Hayward) – 5:13
- "Here Comes the Weekend" (Lodge) – 4:13
=Side Two=
- "Vintage Wine" (Hayward) – 3:38
- "Breaking Point" (Hayward, Lodge) – 4:56
- "Miracle" (Hayward, Lodge) – 4:56
- "Love Is on the Run" (Lodge) – 5:00
- "Deep" (Hayward) – 6:50
Personnel
Musicians
- Justin Hayward – vocals, guitars, keyboards, drum sequencing
- John Lodge – vocals, bass guitar, keyboards, drum sequencing
- Graeme Edge – drums, percussion
- Patrick Moraz – keyboards, synthesizers, arrangements
Production
- Produced by Tony Visconti
- Engineered and mixed by Tony Visconti, Paul Cartledge & Sam Smith
Charts
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+Chart performance for Sur la Mer ! scope="col"| Chart (1988) ! scope="col"| Peak |
| {{album chart|Australia|35|artist=The Moody Blues|album=Sur la Mer|rowheader=true|access-date=July 10, 2024}} |
| {{album chart|Canada|35|artist=The Moody Blues|album=Sur la Mer|chartid=8550|rowheader=true|access-date=July 10, 2024}} |
| {{album chart|Switzerland|26|artist=The Moody Blues|album=Sur la Mer|rowheader=true|access-date=July 10, 2024}} |
| {{album chart|UK2|21|date=19880619|rowheader=true|access-date=July 10, 2024}} |
| {{album chart|Billboard200|38|artist=The Moody Blues|rowheader=true|access-date=July 10, 2024}} |
Certifications
{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for Sur la Mer}}
{{certification Table Entry|artist= Moody Blues|title= Sur la Mer|type=album|region=Canada|award=Gold|relyear=1988|certyear=1988}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=yes}}