Time Changes

Ford Theatre's second and final album is more subdued and song-oriented than their debut. There's still a downbeat tone to the tunes, but they're more reflective and wistful, and less filled with psychedelic angst. The assaultive organ of the debut is definitely toned down. There's still a San Francisco influence in the squiggly tones of the guitar and the minor-shaded harmonies and melodies, particularly on — what a surprise — "Jefferson Airplane," the track with the best balance between the pop harmonies and into-the-abyss guitar-organ breaks. Some strings push the record more toward pop, but not to its disadvantage. The words often take the sentiments of someone growing older and more disillusioned with passing time; "I Feel Uncertain" is pretty reminiscent of Tim Hardin's early compositions. "Good Thing," by contrast, could have almost fit on an early Youngbloods album with its buoyant optimism. Oddly, one of the songs from their first album, "Back to Philadelphia," is reprised in a different version. The insertion of several brief instrumental interludes, in common with quite a few other records of the era, give rise to conceptual pretensions which really aren't supported by the album's proper songs, though they have their uses in maintaining the period mood of the record.