The Alan Parsons Project: Thoughts?
Printed From: Progarchives.com
Category: Other music related lounges
Forum Name: Proto-Prog and Prog-Related Lounge
Forum Description: Discuss bands and albums classified as Proto-Prog and Prog-Related
URL: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=11480
Printed Date: December 02 2024 at 21:20
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.01 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: The Alan Parsons Project: Thoughts?
Posted By: GatesOfDelirium
Subject: The Alan Parsons Project: Thoughts?
Date Posted: September 13 2005 at 18:16
|
I rather like them, and they're one of the few progressive groups that my dad actually listens to. I rather liked I, Robot, and of course, Tales of Mystery and Imagination. ------------- 
|
Replies:
Posted By: jitu
Date Posted: September 13 2005 at 18:23
|
i love them especially tales of mystery and imagination i like turn of a friendly card track and gold bug and of course goudy la sagrada and lots more ------------- 
|
GatesOfDelirium wrote:Posted By: Odysseus
Date Posted: September 13 2005 at 18:41
|
I also dig a little bit of Alan Parson's music. I prefer him as a producer. My fav APP song is The Raven. That bass gives the song such power. 
|
Posted By: NetsNJFan
Date Posted: September 13 2005 at 19:22
|
yes the Raven is my favorite along with Dr. Tarr and Prof. feather. ------------- 
|
Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: September 13 2005 at 19:27
| OMG, surely they aren't prog..................i've got most of their albums and prog ain't anywhere in sight. However as i've stated before a lot of crap in here is being blessed as prog...god forgive them..or whatever. |
Posted By: Odysseus
Date Posted: September 13 2005 at 19:32
Another one of my favs as well...... "Just what you need to make you feel better... just what you need to make you feeeeel." |
Posted By: RaphaelT
Date Posted: September 13 2005 at 20:35
|
I don't know if anyone of you agree, but I think that "A Tell Tale Heart" with wonderful part of Arthur Brown could be very well covered by Iron Maiden, without changing a single note. Great, scary mood. ------------- yet you still have time! |
Posted By: kingofbizzare
Date Posted: September 13 2005 at 21:56
|
I'm trying to get all of their albums on vinyl. I'm only missing Eve, Pyramid, Stereotomy, and Gaudi. I really like Tales of Mystery and Imagination and Turn of a Friendly Card, the rest is all fairly good, but nowhere near as good as those two (well, maybe I Robot). ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/kingofbizzare/?chartstyle=asimpleblue5"> 
|
Posted By: Fearless
Date Posted: September 13 2005 at 22:06
|
Who cares. Good music is good music. Open your mind and start listening to the music and stop dismissing everything that you think "isn't prog".
BTW, I love 'Cask of Amontillado'. What a melancholic, emotional song...really brings out the color of Poe's story. Also, Sirius/Eye in the Sky is great. Makes an excellent introduction at NBA basketball games as well. ------------- If you don't stand up You don't stand a chance! |
Posted By: Man With Hat
Date Posted: September 13 2005 at 22:54
|
Great band Eye In The Sky, Tales of mystery..., and The turn of a friendly card- all great stuff (and their best imo) ------------- Dig me...But don't...Bury me I'm running still, I shall until, one day, I hope that I'll arrive Warning: Listening to jazz excessively can cause a laxative effect. |
Posted By: FragileDT
Date Posted: September 13 2005 at 22:58
Yeah my dad is funny with progressive music. The only progressive band he liked when he was young was ELP (odd i thought.) He can't stand any of the bands I play. He dismisses it for what he calls "tasteful" music. ------------- One likes to believe In the freedom of music But glittering prizes And endless Compromises Shatter the illusion Of integrity |
Posted By: BiGi
Date Posted: September 14 2005 at 04:31
I always thought so!!! ------------- A flower? 
|
Posted By: BiGi
Date Posted: September 14 2005 at 04:42
|
I definitely like most Alan Parsons works!
My favourites albums are
The songs I love most:
------------- A flower?
|
Posted By: Phil
Date Posted: September 14 2005 at 05:50
| I used to have Pyramid on vinyl, pretty good album I recall, a large part of the publicity was centred on him having been the engineer on "Dark Side of the Moon" - there was a definite similarity in the production sound. |
Posted By: DACE
Date Posted: September 14 2005 at 05:55
| "Pyramid" is Ok, but the rest is too commercial, in my opinion... |
Posted By: BiGi
Date Posted: September 14 2005 at 06:15
Tales of Mystery and Imagination commercial??? I can hardly figure it... ------------- A flower?
|
Posted By: TheProgtologist
Date Posted: September 14 2005 at 07:07
|
I really like them.Tales,I,Robot,Pyramid and Eye in the Sky are favorites. -------------  |
Posted By: eugene
Date Posted: September 14 2005 at 07:49
|
Yes, I agree. Couple of weeks ago I started nearly the same topic here, where I stated that apart from "Tales of mystery and imagination" (really outstanding album), I find nothing progressive in APP music, but rather commercial pop. I also was surprised that APP got quite high rating here in PA.
------------- carefulwiththataxe |
Posted By: Gluonio
Date Posted: September 14 2005 at 08:08
Only have Tales of mystery and imagination!I find this album very good,and i enjoy listening to "The tell-tale Heart" with the GREAT Arthur Brown!It's actually one of my favourite E.A.Poe tales! ------------- ...But my dreams are for dreaming and best left that way-and my zero to your power of ten equals nothing at all... |
Posted By: cluckie
Date Posted: September 14 2005 at 08:28
| been downloading mp3s from PA and thought they were good. prog or not as some have trouble deciding im on the look out. like the raven and have it downloaded next to aphrodites child, the four horsemen. they both sound like they could be found on the same album |
Posted By: lmollea
Date Posted: September 14 2005 at 08:33
Quoting BiGi (mutating mutandis  )
I definitely like most Alan Parsons works! My favourites albums are
The songs I love most:
I don't disdain (thought they're more commercial), Vulture Culture and Ammonia Avenue. Easy listening good for a nice atmosphere. ------------- Semm che, semm che settà giò in del bar / a cercà l'universo nel bucèer del Cynar cosmonauti al tavolino cun la sigareta in bùca / che vemm a cambià el mund apena finissum la sambuca |
Posted By: samuel.jeronimo
Date Posted: September 14 2005 at 09:20
------------- http://www.jeronimosamuel.no.sapo.pt - SAMUEL JERONIMO |
Posted By: Jared
Date Posted: September 14 2005 at 10:03
|
Yep, I've always had a soft spot for APP, and used to own all the albums on Vinyl. My personal highlights were 'A Turn Of A Friendly Card' & 'Try Anything Once', although Ammonia Ave, Vulture Culture & Eye are also great radio friendly light rock albums, when you are in the mood. As to whether they are 'prog' or not; only 'Tales' really is, and 'I Robot' in parts, but that shouldn't detract from the rest of their catalogue being well executed and enjoyable music for the right occasion. ------------- Music has always been a matter of energy to me. On some nights I believe that a car with the needle on empty can run 50 more miles if you have the right music very loud on the radio. Hunter S Thompson |
Posted By: Haragei
Date Posted: September 14 2005 at 10:22
| If Eye in the Sky is prog, then the entire XTC Catalog should be included too. It's pop. |
Posted By: salmacis
Date Posted: September 14 2005 at 12:04
| I like their music a lot- it's always very well written with lots of hooks, and subtle yet highly effective musicianship. I put them in the same category of bands like Queen, 10CC, Supertramp, Be Bop Deluxe, XTC and Sparks- progressive pop, or 'intelligent pop', as Tony Banks rightly labelled the bands I mention in an interview once. I have a few albums on vinyl- 'Pyramid' and 'Turn Of A Friendly Card'- plus the best of on CD. I like them enough to buy more albums. |
Posted By: TheProgtologist
Date Posted: September 14 2005 at 13:38
|
I don't really think of The Alan Parsons Project as prog. But I like his work so what's the difference? ------------- |
Posted By: DACE
Date Posted: September 14 2005 at 13:58
|
You're right "Tales..." is not commercial (though I find it quite boring). I meant the 80s and 90s records. |
Posted By: shakalito
Date Posted: September 14 2005 at 16:21
|
I really love APP & AP music, AP Project - Tales of Mystery and Imagination (The raven, The Tell-tale Heart, Dr. Tarr... & The Fall of the house of Usher, take me to other world) - I-Robot (I-Robot & Genesis Ch. 1 V.32, great instrumentals... Some other time, beautiful ...) - Pyramid (In the Lap of Gods.... oh my god!!!!) - The Turn of a Friendly Card (The Turn of a friendly card, parts I and II... Nothing left to Lose, great guitar solo!!!) - Eye in the Sky (Sirius/Eye in the Sky, great rock classic... Old &Wise  I love that sax... Silence & I, beautiful orchestral arrangements)- Ammonia Avenue (Prime Time, great!!! ... Ammonia Avenue, wonderful!!!) - Stereotomy (Stereotomy I and II, good rock pieces... Urbania and Wheres the Walrus?, I love these instrumentals) - Gaudi (La Sagrada Familia , Paseo de Gracia )Alan Parsons - Try Anything Once (The Tree of Me, Turn it Up, Mr. Time, Jigue, Re-Jigue, Back Against the Wall and the beautiful Oh Life (there must be more), are perfect tracks to a perfect album) - On Air (Cloudbreak, a good Bairnson's work... Brother up in Heaven, simply beautiful... Apollo, an introduction to next electronics albums, good job) Without forgetting Freudiana, the Eric Woolfson's masterpiece, really outstanding!!!! |
Posted By: rupert
Date Posted: February 27 2006 at 13:56
|
I think that APP started great, with "Tales", "I robot" and "Pyramid", while "Eve" was a shallow miss to me. Ironically, it's "Turn of a friendly card" that I love best, while later on I lost interest ( I have to confess ). I didn't like "Stereotomy" that much from the ones I came to listen to then ( Though "Where's the Walruss" is a great instrumental track ). What's really embarrassing to me
------------- ...I'm a musician/singer/songwriter, visit me on www.reverbnation.com/rupertlenz and there you can choose from 125 recordings you can listen to ( for free ) if you're not limited to prog-rock ! |
is that you don't get "Tales" on CD in its original form ( apart from, if you're lucky, an over-expensive MFSL edition ). It's not that I dislike the overworked version, it's only because I'd like to have the Album I grew up with on CD the way it WAS !Posted By: Gary the Ghoul
Date Posted: February 27 2006 at 14:43
|
i first heard of them in austin powers(LOL) i luv them,but i doin't have a lot of their discography can anybody link to some downloads? |
Posted By: fastandbulbous
Date Posted: February 27 2006 at 14:52
It's amazing to me, how beginning with a great first album, they went
slowly downhill with each subsequent release. Until by the end,
they totally sucked.
------------- IMPEACH CHENEY FIRST!!!! |
Posted By: BaldJean
Date Posted: February 27 2006 at 15:09
|
the first album was ok, though in my opinion Peter Hammill's adaptation
of "The Fall of the House of Usher" is superior by far. I more or less
have to agree with my predecessor in this thread, fastandbulbous
-------------  A shot of me as High Priestess of Gaia during our fall festival. Ceterum censeo principiis obsta |
Posted By: salmacis
Date Posted: February 27 2006 at 15:32
|
As much as I like many select songs by the Alan Parsons Project, particularly the beautiful 'Time', I'd say that their albums are somewhat samey for these ears. Not that they are bad, but as a band I don't find them particularly progressive- they are more of an AOR act that dabbled with prog for me. Thus why I'm more than happy with a 2cd 'Ultimate Collection'...
|
Posted By: Kong
Date Posted: March 06 2006 at 23:45
| Alan Parsons is one of my favourite "musicians". Eric Woolfson and him make totally sweet music. I like the songs Eye in the SKy, Professor Tarr and some others. there is some Alan Parsons I don't like but most I love. |
Posted By: Ivan_Melgar_M
Date Posted: March 07 2006 at 01:00
|
One excellent album, close to amasterpiece....Tales of Mystery and Imagination Two very good albums, pretty much over the average......I Robot and Pyramids. The rest absolutely forgetable IMO. BTW; The genius behind Alan Parsons Project was Andrew Powell his skills as conductor and arranger are outstanding, even the worst APP albums arranged by him sound excellent, the problem was the path Alan Parsons took. Iván ------------- 
|
Posted By: Sean Trane
Date Posted: March 08 2006 at 03:52
|
I like the first three albums Interestingly so , in some interview last year, singer Eric Woolfson has been claiming responsability for most of the songwriting of the early albums and he now feels shortchanged by the name of the band and his lack of fame He had agreed that Alan Parsons Project would have a better chance at fame than say Eric Woolfson Experiments, so he had gone along with that name since Alan Parsons was almost a garantee for the public eye. ------------- let's just stay above the moral melee prefer the sink to the gutter keep our sand-castle virtues content to be a doer as well as a thinker, prefer lifting our pen rather than un-sheath our sword |
Posted By: DallasBryan
Date Posted: March 08 2006 at 04:00
|
I actually think that "I Robot" was one of the best albums ever made. I remember laying on the bed about 1978 and listening to the whole album while thinking around corners, it was intense to be on the same plane as Alan when he made the album and it was bourne from another state of conscienceness.
|
Posted By: anael
Date Posted: March 12 2006 at 19:55
Hehe I have The Turn of a Friendly Card autographed by PJ (the new vocalist) and Geoffrey Downes (guitar player)!!! but NO Alan. He didn't sign anything
And I think their best albums are Tales of Mystery and imagination and The Very Best LIVE. Mammagamma Rules! ------------- 
|
Posted By: tdreamer
Date Posted: March 15 2006 at 14:52
| Alot of the APP material was just easy listening pop songs but there is a lot of good instrumentation on all the albums. I used to own a compilation of all his instrumentals and it was great. I quite like 'The Valid Path' but it's totally different from the earlier albums IMO. |
Posted By: aapatsos
Date Posted: March 18 2006 at 12:47
|
I am missing pyramids and tales... everything else I have up to 1984 is brilliant |
Posted By: darren
Date Posted: March 24 2006 at 01:37
|
Sounds like I'm the only one who liked "Amonia Avenue"? OK, maybe not the whole album but songs like "Don't Answer Me". ------------- "they locked up a man who wanted to rule the world. the fools they locked up the wrong man." - Leonard Cohen |
Posted By: freebird
Date Posted: April 14 2006 at 08:31
| I loved the album, its one of their best. Title track is great |
Posted By: oliverstoned
Date Posted: April 14 2006 at 08:51
|
Are you both joking? What is good is "The fall of the house of Usher" from Tales...
And the beggining of Pyramid. |
Posted By: freebird
Date Posted: April 15 2006 at 00:47
| I guess its an aquired taste... |
Posted By: Ivan_Melgar_M
Date Posted: April 15 2006 at 02:33
|
My favoirite track doesn't come from my favorite album which is Tales ..., my favorite song is "In the Lap of the Gods" from Pyramids, one of the most wonderful orchestral work, the point where the Rock song turn into an almost symphopnic work withs a full Orchestra conducted and arranged by Andrew Powell is outstanding, the echoes of the ancient Egypt add more mystery. Iván -------------
|
Posted By: darren
Date Posted: April 18 2006 at 14:55
|
I said I liked Amonia Avenue. I didn't say it was their best work... or even my favourite for that matter.
sheesh. ------------- "they locked up a man who wanted to rule the world. the fools they locked up the wrong man." - Leonard Cohen |
Posted By: eddietrooper
Date Posted: April 18 2006 at 15:02
|
My favourite album is the concept double album "Freudiana". Very, very, very, very underrated and forgotten.
|
Posted By: oliverstoned
Date Posted: April 18 2006 at 15:02
Indeed, i like it a lot too, and is one of the pieces which introduced me to prog when i was 12! The "pyramid" concept is probably inspired by PF/DSOTM. |
Posted By: freebird
Date Posted: May 01 2006 at 06:45
| Has anyone got the new album "A valid Path" Is it good? I only heard "Return to Tunguska" & I liked that track. |
Posted By: BookAboutSalad
Date Posted: May 01 2006 at 08:15
I've listened to Tales of Mystery and Imagination, I really think it's charming, especially the first half - in this case I don't really like the orchestral turn this album takes. Maybe not true prog but no doubt prog related. I'd rate the album 7/10. And of course The Raven is the best song! 
|
Posted By: akin
Date Posted: May 01 2006 at 19:04
Their are not prog to you, but they were considered prog in the seventies, eighties and nineties (And nowadays too). The same thing goes with supertramp, for example. In my opinion it is useless to change the defiition of what is prog and what is not. I think those new criterias should be applied to the new bands. In early seventies, Funkadelic, Parliament were funk. Nowadays funk is something like rap. This doens´t cause Funkadelic or Parliament to not being funk. Just my thoughts about thiese questions. |
Posted By: Blacksword
Date Posted: May 04 2006 at 08:26
|
Only ever heard 'I Robot' Great album! ------------- Ultimately bored by endless ecstasy! |
Posted By: Ivan_Melgar_M
Date Posted: May 05 2006 at 02:07
-------------
|
Posted By: mystic fred
Date Posted: May 05 2006 at 02:26
my one and only alan parsons album, a masterpiece! i really can't say why i couldn't get on with the others, they just weren't the same.....?
 -------------  Prog Archives Tour Van 
|
Posted By: aapatsos
Date Posted: May 05 2006 at 09:34
I like the whole album
|
Posted By: akin
Date Posted: May 05 2006 at 14:01
|
Posted By: Mandrakeroot
Date Posted: May 06 2006 at 05:20
|
To my warning the APP\ APB is not a true Prog band. You are a band of "False Prog" because plat a POP one that has such Symphonic arrangiaments (or Prog atmospheres) that Prog becomes. This sub genre includes also ELO, for example.
For always yours, Mandrakeroot.
|
Posted By: DallasBryan
Date Posted: May 07 2006 at 17:23
| I Robot is a great inside out(experienced?) album, start to finish. Scared of the voice there in your mind, its been awhile since you've been aware, someone is watchin' you......something like that |
Posted By: Bj-1
Date Posted: May 07 2006 at 17:45
|
I have Tales of Mystery and Imagination on mp3. Really good album! ------------- RIO/AVANT/ZEUHL - The best thing you can get with yer pants on! |
Posted By: Tristan Mulders
Date Posted: May 07 2006 at 17:53
|
I always disliked the sound of most of the vocalist on their albums... although their instrumentals most of the time are simply great. ------------- Interested in my reviews? You can find them http://www.progarchives.com/Collaborators.asp?id=784 - HERE "...He will search until He's found a Way to take the Days..." |
Posted By: Camel_APPeal
Date Posted: July 06 2006 at 00:35
|
What can I say about the Alan Parsons Project?
I owe this band my passion for intelligent music and even becoming a musician; I've been fortunate enough to tell this directly to Alan Parsons and Eric Woolfson themselves!!
I don't care wether people call it prog, pop or AOR, I love it; it may not be as complex as some of the well-known prog acts, but it really is well crafted music. Eric Woolfson is a genius!! His lyrics are excellent, for his lyrics are Woolfson's observations of the world, focused on the theme of the album in question... and they can even be disguised as love songs when they're not!! (e.g. Don't Answer Me).
That's why my nickname is Camel_APPeal  ------------- 
"After all, it's music what we're talking about here, so there's no best or worst; just what you like and what you don't" |
Posted By: samuel.jeronimo
Date Posted: July 19 2006 at 13:57
I love XTC ------------- http://www.jeronimosamuel.no.sapo.pt - SAMUEL JERONIMO |
Posted By: salmacis
Date Posted: July 19 2006 at 17:22
| Recently got 'Stereotomy' for the princely sum of £1. I actually enjoyed it a heck of a lot, but again, I don't hear much full blown prog in it. 'Prog related' is fair considering how most of their works are concept albums, and they kind of toy with prog without really getting there. Still, a fine band. |
Posted By: Bj-1
Date Posted: July 19 2006 at 17:24
|
Their debut is really good! ------------- RIO/AVANT/ZEUHL - The best thing you can get with yer pants on! |
Posted By: spacecraft
Date Posted: July 21 2006 at 20:37
|
Are they not a bit lightweight? some good songs, but an awful lot of crap in there.
He is a good engineer, and he should've stuck to doing that. ------------- To Him as the Supreme King and Judge we commit our cause, casting our cares upon Him and firmly trusting that He will inspire us with courage and bring our enemies to nought. |
Posted By: Arrrghus
Date Posted: July 26 2006 at 19:32
|
The Project, cool... sometimes an idiot tells me Alan has a good voice. ------------- 
|
Posted By: mgallard
Date Posted: July 31 2006 at 00:16
|
Alan Parsons and APP, all good music, have 'em all and saw them recently live here in Guadalajara, wow!, it's cool how he's kept the energy alive in the band by having younger musicians fill in. Prog, prog-related, rock, porp, whatever, who cares ? Only the narrow minded would care. Your loss, our gain. Mogens |
Posted By: DallasBryan
Date Posted: March 12 2007 at 19:10
| the first 2 are classics, the rest descend from that. |
Posted By: Maga
Date Posted: March 13 2007 at 00:01
|
i actually like them a lot. the first few albums were quite fresh. But I feel that in albums like "the turn of a friendly card" their escence began to dissapear into a repetitive mellow corny sound. ------------- "be honest and unmerciful" |
Posted By: Malve87
Date Posted: March 16 2007 at 17:55
|
I really like Alan Parsons Project, my favourite songs are: The Same Old Sun, Oh Life (There Must Be More), Siren Song, The Raven, The Cask Of Amontillado, The Shadow Of A Lonely Man, If I Could Change Your Mind, The Three Of Me, Turn It Up, Ignorance Is Bliss, The Very Last Time, Ammonia Avenue, Don't Answer Me, Brother Up In Heaven, One Day To Fly, Blue Blue SkyAs for the albums:
Tales Of Mistery Imagination, On Air, Try Anything Once, The Time Machine. ------------- ] 
|
Posted By: Moogtron III
Date Posted: March 16 2007 at 18:07
|
The debut is very original. They did a remake some years ago which I still have to listen to. For the rest: I like some songs like The Silence And I, Eye In The Sky, Old And Wise and La Sagrada Familia, but in general I don't like them much: is miss some sort of "edge", they're not a real band and you can hear that. Hated Time Machine, to be very honest.
Sorry if I hurt somebody's feelings. I'll make it up to the fans though: in the best forum tradition I'll say three nice things about them
 : 1. they've got one of the best producers ever; 2. there's no other act like them; 3. my former boss liked them |
Posted By: Atavachron
Date Posted: March 16 2007 at 22:36
| I just can't get into them.. people say they're 'progressive' but I seem to keep hearing the duller non-prog albums. |
Posted By: coleio
Date Posted: March 31 2007 at 12:53
|
Tales and I Robot are great albums, some of their later stuff isn't really prog in fact their whole catalogue of music is classed as prog related. But yeah, those first two albums are definitely brilliant ------------- Eat heartily at breakfast, for tonight, we dine in Hell!! |
Posted By: docsolar
Date Posted: March 31 2007 at 23:57
|
The only songs I've really heard are "I Can Read Your Mind" and the entire album 'Turn of a Friendly Card'...very good stuff, though I'd like to dig deeper into their repertoire.
------------- 
|