Days of Future Passed

Bruce Beatlefan (November 14, 2011)

It is impossible to imagine the second album by any artist differing from the first by a greater level than how "Days of Future Passed" differs from "The Magnificent Moodies". The story of how this glorious and unique second album came about from the ashes of a group that was dying is an often-told one, so I'll skip it. But what came about as a result of a 40% change in personnel and experimenting with a classical sound with cosmic world-view has enabled the Moody Blues to reach millions of fans who aver how their souls have been beautified by their music.

In short, the Moody Blues retained a quickly-assembled group of skilled musicians under the direction of Peter Knight and bearing the impressive-sounding title of the London Festival Orchestra to accompany their own playing and singing a sequence of self-written songs that track a day from daybreak to nighttime. In many ways the album is unique in rock and roll's history--often times it sound scarcely like rock music at all! The song cycle makes for an absurdly simple concept on which to base such an ambitious project, but it succeeded because (1) most of the songs were excellent, and (2) the songs are rich in a variety of observations and emotions which reverberate especially deeply with anyone born between 1940 and 1960. In all the subsequent years, these moods still represent the expressions, yearnings, and joys that most relevantly describe the states in my own heart that can be found in any music.

One can examine the lyrics and find them a cornucopia of the feelings most young people shared during those times: In the song "Another Morning" one hears the innocence and joy in a child's play world. In "Twilight Time" the glories of nature are celebrated. With the lyrics "Take a look out there, planets everywhere", Michael Pinder expresses his awe of the vastness of the cosmos.

Optimism and hope abound with most of the songs, but sorrow and regret balance this out: lyrics like "Beauty I've always missed with these eyes before..." and "Toiling has borne too many tears, turn 'round all those past years" addresses the fears of un-fulfillment through insensitivity or overwork. A strong communal spirit inviting all to join their journey is clear thoughout: "If you'll just come with me you'll see the beauty of Tuesday Afternoon"... "It makes me want to run out and tell them they've got time" ... "In minds far and near things are becoming clear with a meaning". A gentle poke at those soul-less folks who refuse to break from the rat race highlights "Peak Hour", and the entire range of emotions is wrapped up with neat ambiguity with this giant question mark: "But we decide which is right...and which is an illustion".

The beauty of the rock-cum-classical music is a delight to the ears, and the beauty of the thoughts and feelings expressed is a delight to my soul. Days of Future Passed is still a distinct pleasure to listen to, all these years and thousands of plays later. It fits every definition possible of a classic album.

Bob Felberg (March 16, 2008)

This is an album that stayed with me this it came out in 1967. I like it even more now than I did then. It is just a journey through a day, that's all, but musically it draws in quickly with a lush and expressive overture that makes it so easy to keep listening. The updates in sound reproduction serve to sharpen the experience.