While continuing to grow as an artist, Dan Fogelberg extended himself even further on his fourth album, Nether Lands. Somewhat of a concept album, replete with orchestration and following an underlying theme throughout, it had the feel of a long, unified musical suite. Powerful, moving, and emotionally charged, it firmly established Fogelberg as a major artist whose creative reach seemed boundless. Arriving at the height of the California rock explosion, the album brought together rock, pop, country, folk, and classical musical ideas in a fully cohesive effort. Though some of the songs could stand on their own, the album begs to be listened to as a complete work. Fogelberg was stretching himself to ambitious heights, not only through his songwriting, singing, and turns on various instruments, but also by producing the album himself. Nether Lands both reflected and surpassed the ’70s music sound and, most importantly, still resonates many years later. – Stephen J. Matteo