It figures that the Moody Blues' dignified brand of pop rock would age well. The group's second studio album of the 1990s--its first in eight years--reveals a veteran foursome still capable of delivering sophisticated goods in a satisfying manner. The 57-minute package, the first self-produced recording the group has released since this current line-up formed in the mid-60s, takes a yearning, cautiously optimistic view of our modern state of being and adorns it with a pleasant sheen of mature energy. The sound ranges from politely symphonic to playfully Beatles-esque. Strange Times, in fact, offers a few nods to the Moody Blues' storied history, even including a spoken-word coda by Graham Edge � la Days of Future Past. (The poetic content is a bit baffling, though.) Justin Hayward is in fine voice, and the album's up-tempo pieces ("Foolish Love," "The One," "English Sunset") rate as highlights Though a touch too sweet in places, Strange Times is an engaging listen for long-time fans. --Terry Wood