About Alan Parson's I Robot

I've read many times that the album "I Robot" by The Alan Parson's Project is suposed to be about Isaac Asimov's book of the same name. But as far as I've been able to grasp the lyrics, I see no relation between the album and Asimov's book. Anyone could explain the relationship? I think I've read about some other author before Asimov having written a book of the same name, perhaps that's the one the album's based on? Or did Alan Parsons just like the title and did songs thinking about robots?

From wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Robot_%28album%29

It was intended to be based on the I, Robot stories written by Isaac Asimov, and actually Woolfson spoke with Asimov, who was enthusiastic about that. As the rights had already been granted to a TV/movie company, the album's title was altered slightly by removing the comma, and the theme and lyrics were made to be more generically about robots rather than specific to the Asimov universe.[1]

Even though this is barely relevant, I think I Robot is very underrated.  A lot of people that listen to prog rock dismiss Alan Parsons as not being very good.  I understand why as most of his albums are horrible, but I Robot is pretty amazing, and Turn of a Friendly Card and Tales of Mystery Imagination are both good albums.  I Robot was how I got into progressive rock, songs like I Robot and The Voice (that really crazy breakdown in the middle).

I do like many songs of Alan Parsons throughout their discography, but the first two are by far my favourites, up there with the Prog Classics.

Yeah great project that fizzled after Eye in The Sky.

Dellinger wrote: Well, that seems to explain it all. I should remember, when in doubt, check Wikipedia (and you might just as well get the truth).

 

Chris S wrote: Yeah great project that fizzled after Eye in The Sky. Hard to think Eric Woolfson is no longer among us.

What? Did he pass away? I had no idea about that. Was it posted on the news section of the forum? I never read it. That would be a shame indeed.

WalterDigsTunes wrote: Ah yes, PA with its constant use of citations and peer review of statements...

Don't you have a power-pop party to attend or something?

Having read "I, Robot" several times, I can say that the APP album I Robot has little or nothing to do with the book, though it is a decent album.

APP had awkward moments for me, especially their early days. "Time After Time" still chokes me up sometimes. "Eve" was a throwaway as all the critics of the time said. But "Turn of a Freindly Card" was the jewel. Mostly the 2nd side. I bought that album the week it was released, and when side 2 started, I fell on my bed and melted. "Pyramid" sported the ultimate break-up/divorce song, "Shadow of a Lonely Man". I wonder how much liquor sales peaked at that time! Love the guy. RIP Eric. I did not know until fairly late in Parson's carreer that he played git and sang(a live video of Eye in the Sky). He was a little loose getting started, but I did not know he had those abilities. I figured he was the "sequencer" man and producer. Oh well, finding out crap is fun huh? What is funny is the Pink Floyd story of his start. In their accounts, he was a new kid who was allocated to them to lend a hand in the studio. Funny how he went on to produce Al Stewart and on and on.......He ranks with George Martin in my book.  A brilliant guy to be remembered for a long time.