TALES OF MYSTERY AND IMAGINATION

The first, the best... Even through the subsequent wonderful works as I Robot and the successfully Eye in the Sky which, by the way, have defined the sound for Alan Parsons, is here, with "Tales..." when the ambition of a well orchestrated and elaborated record has come to be.

Beyond the remarkable work as a music engineer, Alan Parsons develops and incredible sensibility in matter of musical environment, as well as the imagination from musician Eric Wolfson. As funny as clever, the selection of works from another Alan (Poe) has come to make the perfect scenario for explores the qualities of musical production and push its boundaries beyond the possibilities, at least at the time it was recorded.

Each story, dark as well, has in the same level a unique identity and the signature from its author. Parsons understood this and he worked over the sensations, the musical textures in order of develop a sound-brother for each tale. The lyrics are, evidently, based in the stories they are inspired by, even the obvious, some of its lines calls the listener to understand once again how to feel Poe's fears of his own imaginer. From the very beginning to the end, the sensation for isolation, a cold old castle, the winter at the window begging for life of their own, the crime just committed, all of them are fantastically landed.

Orchestrated by the great Andrew Powell, the spirit of symphonic rejoice surreal voice of electronic, each song has its brawn, and could be basically be heard as one single opus. Tough the narration from Orson Wells works as bridge between the first part and the marvellous suite "The Fall of the House of Usher". Indeed there are fails, as such as many influence from many styles and artists from Parson's previous collaborations, since Abbey Road even Dark Side of the Moon (a little more obvious in the final track To One in Paradise), but this may not lack its emotional side, as dark as exciting, with a musical and story line so easy to follow...

Alan Parsons Project wanted to prove they were capable to sign their names in the magical book of progressive rock artists, and they did.