Surely the title is a bit of an allusion to the Past, Present and Future of its predecessor, but Modern Times also brought Al Stewart into the present, establishing his classic sound of folky narratives and Lennonesque melodies, all wrapped up in a lush, layered production from Alan Parsons.
Hearing this production makes it clear that this is what was missing from Past, since it gives epics like the title track a real sense of grandeur that makes their sentiments resonate strongly. But it's not just the improvement in production that makes Modern Times the beginning of Stewart's classic period -- his songwriting has leapt up and met his ambitions, as it retains the historical sweep of his earlier material but melds it to a melodic sensibility that's alternately comforting and haunting.
This skill is apparent throughout Modern Times, and is married to a sound that is its equivalent, making this an exquisite pop-prog gem.
There's not a weak track to be found (though "Sirens of Titan", on a bad day, would be the leading candidate), something you can't say about many Al Stewart albums. The third through fifth songs -- "What's Going On?", "Not the One" and "Next Time" sustain a nice folky/acoustic feeling and strong melodies. "Apple Cider Re-Consitution" is OK, but the last two songs bring it home nicely. "Dark and the Rolling Sea" has a lilting menace, and the title track mixes wistful nostalgia and melancholy stretched over 8-plus minutes.
With Stewart's two biggest albums following it, "Modern Times" is like a little brother who doesn't get the credit he deserves. Consistent and intelligent, sustaining its musical mood all the way, "Modern Times" was a set up for its more broad-shouldered relatives.
Side A
A1. Carol - 4:21
A2. Sirens Of Titan - 2:46
A3. What’s Going On? - 3:32
A4. Not The One - 4:33
A5. Next Time - 4:17
Side B
B1. Apple Cider Re-Constitution - 5:16
B2. The Dark And The Rolling Sea - 5:05
B3. Modern Times - 8:38
Companies, etc.
- Phonographic Copyright (p) – CBS Records
- Copyright (c) – CBS Records
- Made By – Shorewood Packaging Co. Ltd.
Credits
- Acoustic Guitar – Dave Ellis
- Acoustic Guitar, Dobro – Simon Nicol
- Arranged By [Orchestral] – Andrew Powell (tracks: B3)
- Arranged By [Strings] – Alan Parsons (tracks: B1)
- Arranged By, Engineer – Peter James
- Backing Vocals – Brian Bennett, Chas Mills, Neil Lancaster
- Bass – George Ford
- Bass, Electric Bass [Fuzz Bass] – Peter Moss
- Design – Roslav Szaybo, Simon Cantwell
- Drums – Barry de Souza, Gerry Conway
- Electric Guitar – Stuart Cowell, Tim Renwick
- Guitar [Additional] – Issac Guillory
- Harmonica – Graham Smith
- Keyboards – Peter Wingfield
- Keyboards, Accordion – Peter Woods
- Percussion – Tony Carr
- Producer, Arranged By, Engineer – Alan Parsons
- Written-By – Dave Mudge (tracks: B3)
- Written-By, Acoustic Guitar – Al Stewart
Notes
Release: 1977 (Reissue)
Format: LP
Genre: Pop
Label: CBS Records
Catalog# 80477
Prijs: €6,99
Vinyl: Goed
Cover: Lichte Gebruikerssporen
http://www.ad-vinylrecords.com/product/stewart-al-modern-times-lp/
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