DAYS OF FUTURE PASSED

Here it is. The first progressive album, IMO. Orchestral arrangments, longer songs, many switches between mood/song structures/instraments, progressive theme, everything here screams progressive. Especially for that time. From this standpoint alone its essential in every collection. The music itself is very good with many flutes, voilins, keybaords, and an overall happy feeling in most of the tunes. Also, i really like the lyrics on many of the tracks. I probably would give this four stars if it wasn't for the fact that i believe it to be the first progressive album. It is debateable however, and again for that reason every prog fan should try so they can form there own opinion.

Hightlights: The Day begins, with its overture-like feel, introducing all the delicious melodies that will appear later (and some good poetry by Graham, i believe). Lunch Break: Peak Hour, starting as an upbeat "classical" piece and switching to a hard rocker (for that time anyway). Excellent stuff! Tuesday Afternoon: Forever Afternoon, from the "hit" single of the first movement to the orchestral stuff of the second and the softer, ominous rock of the third, very well done, and again very progressive. The last huge hitter would be the lamentful Night: Nights in White Satin. I love the melody of this song, melancholy and powerful! Very emotional singing as well, you can feel the pure emotion of what he is singing. Wonderful! All the other songs are very good as well, but these stand out.

All in all, this is a must. The first progressive album which deserves to be owned (or at least heard) by all prog fans. As a plus there are very few lowlights on this album. Extremly recommended! Absolutely essential.