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. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Originally Released In 1975. Includes Rare Bonus Tracks 'Swallow Wind', 'News From Spain' (The Remix Single Version) & 'Elvaston Place'.
Recorded at Abbey Road Studios, London. Originally released on Janus (7012). Includes liner notes by Stephen K. Peeples.
Personnel: Al Stewart (vocals, guitar, acoustic guitar, keyboards); Neil Lancaster, Brian Bennett (vocals, background vocals); Charles Mills (vocals); Simon Nicol (guitar, acoustic guitar); Stuart Cowell (guitar, electric guitar, dobro); Tim Renwick (guitar, electric guitar); David Ellis, Isaac Guillory (guitar); Dave Ellis (acoustic guitar); Graham Smith (harmonica); Peter Woods (accordion, keyboards); Pete Wingfield, Peter Wood (keyboards); Barry DeSouza, Gerry Conway (drums); Tony Carr (percussion); Chas Mills (background vocals).
Liner Note Author: Colin Irwin.
Arrangers: Andrew Powell; Alan Parsons.
Personnel: Al Stewart (vocals, acoustic guitar); Simon Nicol (acoustic guitar); Stuart Cowell (electric guitar, dobro); Tim Renwick (electric guitar); Isaac Guillory (guitar); Graham Smith (harmonica); Peter Wood (keyboards, accordion); Peter Wingfield (keyboards); George Ford, Peter Moss (bass); Barry DeSouza, Gerry Conway (drums); Tony Carr (percussion); Chas Mills, Brian Bennett, Neil Lancaster (background vocals).
Q (7/93, p.114) - 3 Stars - Good - "...like all Stewart's work [the album] is pretty and civilized...`The Dark And The Rolling Sea' has epic scale, with the somehow cozy exoticism which is Stewart's trademark and a satisfyingly lilting, sea-shantyish tune..." Dirty Linen (Apr/May 93, p.75) - "...Stewart brought together many of the best elements from the previous albums for 1975's MODERN TIMES...very good..."
Without a Doubt Al Stewart's best recording hands down. The songs go right to the core of your soul and bring out the best and worst memories of your life. An excellent, diverse CD. You should have it in your library. Submitted by Robert Dean (Lake Tahoe, CA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Good album, what do you think? I purchased my first recording on Modern Times 25 years ago and just bought the CD. The songs are simply about relationships with
people. The title song, Modern Times, hits home for me. Two people meet after a long period of time. One person wants to remember the good times, the other feels pain about remembering. Very good. The song Carol is about what can happen when you live in the "fast lane". Good song also. I like the rest of the song, too. This is a album worth buying. Submitted by a reviewer (San Francisco, CA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Solid Al I first discovered Al from His Past, Present & Future Album. So, when Modern TImes was Released, I had to buy it. It was a good decision. Unlike PP&F it didn't have an overall theme, but it had good songs from end to end. Including a summary of The Kurt Vonnegut novel "Sirens of Titan". There are solid rock tune, Carol & Apple Cidar Reconstruction, and introspective moody songs like Next TIme. The title track is a documentary of disillusionment. I have never stopped enjoying the disk. Submitted by Aleleeinn (Columbus, OH, USA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Bought on a Lark back in 1981 because I liked Year of the Cat and it quickly became one of my favorite albums of all time. The earlier reviews are also helpful and I direct you to them. For me, "Not the One" has always hit home as Stewart accurately and so poetically describes the endgame of a relationship and how you come to realize that someone has gotten "to the center of your life but she never really found you..." Modern Times has not been a station on a line, but has traveled through life and sounds better with age. Submitted by rabbimeyer (Appleton, WI) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
One of my favorites This recording is one of the best Al Stewart has done. I have fond memories of this cd because I graduated from high school the year this was released(1975). When I would play this in my car my friends would always ask me who this was. They liked it because it was a mix of acoustic and rock pop songs about relationships and life in general. The two songs that I really like on this cd is a song called What's Going On and Modern Times. The first song has very soothing acoustic guitars
with a harmonica. Very well done. The later is a song about a high school reunion and all the memories that Al and a friend of his has.
Though it is a disturbing song, it most likely would remind alot of us of our past experiences in life. I play this cd often because it reminds me of differnt things that were going on in my life when it was released. At least they were happy memories.
Enjoy this cd, it's a keeper. Submitted by a reviewer (Bel Air, Maryland) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Without a Doubt
Good album, what do you think?
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