DAYS OF FUTURE PASSED

Days of Future Passed is easily a prime example of full blown progressive rock in its earliest stages. The innovation for its time is rather astounding. The way in which it works around a concept in addition to the fantastic work of the London Festival Orchestra makes it stand out as a true innovator of the music scene. The album is as varied as its subject, a typical day, highlighting the energy of afternoon and the lonliness of night.

The album draws a lot of its success through the wide variety of instruments that are provided by the orchestra. The strings echoing the main melody in "Dawn: Dawn is a Feeling" is a prime example. Also, the introduction is a sweeping overture exclusively of the orchestra. For 1967, having an orchestra backing you on a record is something truly innovative. Quite often, the album has a sound of a somewhat typical sixties "British Invasion" band and the Beatles influence is really present. The best example is "Peak Hour." However, the introduction to that song is much more experimental than anything that their pop contemporaries would produce. The various orchestral interludes are really great because they really create a distinct sound and are a welcome break from use of more typical rock instruments. It adds a real artistic quality that is still unparalleled and transforms the album in to something like "highly progressive pop music" which I think most people would certainly find enjoyable. It adds to the accessability of the album. The band combines pop melodies with progressive orchestration and the result is a winner.

What it comes down to is that The Moody Blues really do make great music and this is an album with historical qualities for progressive music and the quality of musicianship is very good indeed. The concept aspect of the album is exectuted very well with poignant lyrics. I'd say "Nights in White Satin" has to be one of the best orchestrated and beautiful pieces of the 60s and the vocals work very well. Overall, a great album that would make a good addition for people who enjoy diverse instruments and songwriting. Not the most complex work, but the concept and musicianship more than make up for it. Really an enjoyable and deep work that has to be heard.

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