The Best of the Alan Parsons Project

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The Alan Parsons Project

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The Alan Parsons Project released a variety of music from their debut album "Tales of Mystery and Imagination." Some music was progressive, often influenced by Alan Parson's work on Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon." However, they also had pop-sounding music along with music that today might be considered New Age. Fans of the Alan Parsons Project thus needed, and continue to need, eclectic tastes. For those who could handle the range of musical styles the rewards were great, and frequently sent those listeners on a search for other mind-expanding and enlightening music.

This collection covers music from five of the Alan Parson Project's first six albums. "Tales of Mystery and Imagination" is not represented. Also, not all the songs from these six albums that charted are represented. Rather, someone went through and decided which songs would be representative of the Alan Parsons Project. This collection does therefore earn the title of "The Best of..." rather than being the "greatest" hits.

The 1977 album "I, Robot," which charted at #9, is represented by two songs. "I, Robot" was a concept album loosely inspired by Isaac Asimov's book by the same name. "I Wouldn't Want to Be Like You" reached #36 on Billboard's charts and "Don't Let It Show" reached #92. I personally prefer the introspective and slightly paranoid song "Don't Let It Show." The emotion and power of this ballad are highly evident in this underrated song. The only difficulty I have with this selection is that it trails off rather than transitioning into "The Voice." However, this song remains one of my favorites from this album.

There are two songs from the 1978 album "Pyramid," which charted at #26. "Can't Take It with You" is pop based and catchy. The frenetic and quirky "Pyramania" is a good selection for this collection, balancing the more mundane pop selections.

From the #13 charting 1979 album "Eve" are the instrumental "Lucifer" and the #27 song "Damned If I Do." The instrumental "Lucifer" is quite good with outstanding keyboards and drums. "Lucifer" is one of the better examples of the music represented on the Alan Parsons Project's albums rather than the music generally represented on this collection. "Damned If I Do" is pop and while a decent song I prefer this group's more challenging music.

Another #13 charting album was 1980's "The Turn of a Friendly Card." While the #16 song "Games People Play" has a few surprises and calls to mind progressive moments, it is the beautiful #15 song "Time" that is the real gem. Indeed, "Time" is one of the best songs from the Alan Parsons Project. This song combines a few progressive moments with pop elements and a tremendous vocal to be a standout song whether on the original album or on this album. This song begs to be played over and over with the volume set high.

The Alan Parsons Group hit their pinnacle of commercial success with the #7 album "Eye in the Sky" in 1982. This album is represented by the #57 song "Psychobabble," the #3 song "Eye in the Sky," and "Old and Wise." "Psychobabble" is offbeat with a fast pace, and bears some stylistic similarity to "Pyramania." "Eye in the Sky" was a big pop hit for the group. This mellow song had wide appeal and doubtlessly was a big reason for the success of this album. An even better song is "Old and Wise," which was also chosen to be the last song on this collection. This song has just a touch too much percussion at the beginning to be considered haunting or delicate, but the elements are chilling and nostalgic. But as the song closes out suddenly the vocals command and the saxophone close out will make you long to play this song over again, and wish the song were much longer.

The song "You Don't Believe" first appeared on this album. This song reached #54 on the Billboard chart and also reached #12 on the Mainstream Rock chart. The song has a quick pace and a very early 80s pop feel to it. This song also appeared again on the #15 album "Ammonia Avenue," which was certified gold and was also the group's last big commercial success.

Unfortunately, this collection is light on the orchestral rock side of the Alan Parsons Project and heavy on the more pop oriented music. I enjoy this music and this collection, but I prefer the more experimental music from "Tales of Mystery and Imagination" and "I, Robot" rather than the selections provided here. I also prefer to listen to those concept albums in their entirety because they work better as a whole. However, people have to earn a living and this type of music is more popular than the other. Just remember when you buy this CD that this music was not what Alan Parson's first five albums were about, as any Alan Parsons Project fan will be than willing to tell you.

I think that Alan Parsons Project has produced some good material. I'm not a huge fan, but I do have a handful of releases including this package of hits. I like the idea of having different leading vocalists on different songs. I also like this type of music that mixes pop with progressive. My favorite songs are "Time" and "Eye in the Sky." The song "Time" is an excellent song that is very moving. Some of the material on this album I don't care for that much (some of the tunes sound dated), but on the whole this is worth a listen. I actually rate this 3.5 stars.