DAYS OF FUTURE PASSED

This landmark album is really two albums in one: the first operates on the premise that one can simply match up gentle pop songs with orchestral flourishes and rehash their melodies with similarly orchestrated instrumental passages and presto you have a breakthrough for 1967. To be honest I can't argue much with that. But, given the datedness and the lack of memorability of part 1, the real pioneering spirit is felt on the part 2, representing the pm in everyone's day, if you will. Here we find well written and performed songs that are enhanced rather than justified by the orchestra. For every lugubrious "Dawn is a Feeling", part 2 contains a timeless melody like "Tuesday Afternoon", and for every passe sixties rocker "Peak Hour", part 2 presents a stunning "Twilight Time". Add in the eerie power of "Sunset" and the eternal romance of "Nights in White Satin", and you have half a 5 star album. If you have hitherto passed on "Days..", I recommend you add it to your future shopping list.