DAYS OF FUTURE PASSED

This may or may not have been the first Progressive album, but it was the first major mellotron record. Only the first song doesn't have mellotron on it. This is also a concept album about the emotions that accompany each part of the day. Orchestration is very prominant on this album unfortunately, but they had no choice as the record label insisted on this. Still it ruins it for me.

"The Day Begins" opens with orchestration that continues until after 4 minutes ! Just shoot me please ! Then we get spoken words that are eventually joined by some happy harp melodies before the orchestration sweeps back in like Peter Pan flying across the sky. I completely agree with Chicpah's review and thoughts, I'm sure that any teenager listening to this would probably think he's been teleported into a 50's Disney movie. "Dawn" opens with more orchestral banter until vocals arrive before a minute. The vocals remind me of Greg Lake actually. Orchestration is back 3 minutes in. "Morning" opens with a light melody. Vocals before a minute. Tough song for me to get into. Orchestration comes in around 3 minutes.

"Lunch Break" opens with some orchestral romps that Walt Disney would be proud of. The rompage continues until 2 minutes in when a good 60's pop tune takes over. And it doesn't end with orchestration ! "The Afternoon" or "Tuesday Afternoon" is a song I bow in honour to. Melancholic with lots of mellotron. Perhaps my favourite MOODY BLUES tune. Incredible ! I never tire of this one. "Evening" opens with orchestration before vocals, percussion and bass take over. Strings after 2 1/2 minutes. Orchestration is back a minute later. There's a real psychedelic flavour to the song before 4 minutes. Orchestration 6 minutes in. The "Night" or "Nights In White Satin" is a classic. Melancholic with mellotron. Hey there's a theme here with the two best tracks. Very powerful when he sings "Yes I love you, oh how I love you !" Orchestration and spoken words end the album.

It is both easy and difficult to give this 2 stars. Easy because the orchestral parts make me cringe, and there are tons of those moments. Hard because of the significance of this recording.