The Alan Parsons Project VS Utopia
Printed From: Progarchives.com
Category: Progressive Music Lounges
Forum Name: Prog Polls
Forum Description: Create polls on topics related to progressive music
URL: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=127853
Printed Date: February 21 2025 at 09:58
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Topic: The Alan Parsons Project VS Utopia
Posted By: AFlowerKingCrimson
Subject: The Alan Parsons Project VS Utopia
Date Posted: November 20 2021 at 15:35
Please note that this refers to the US band Utopia and not the rather obscure German band with the same name.  Neither band made it out of the 80's so they have that in common if nothing else. The winner goes up against Saga. Also, you don't have to be super familiar with both to vote one or the other but please know more than just a handful of songs by each and preferably at least one or two albums by each.
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Replies:
Posted By: verslibre
Date Posted: November 20 2021 at 15:41
Not true, Mike! Utopia has released numerous live albums after the '80s, starting with 1993's Redux '92: Live in Japan. Oh, and my vote goes to Utopia...and it's not even close.  ------------- https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_ipg=50&_sop=1&_rdc=1&_ssn=musicosm" rel="nofollow - eBay |
AFlowerKingCrimson wrote:Posted By: AFlowerKingCrimson
Date Posted: November 20 2021 at 15:49
Well, APP has released live albums later too. I was referring to studio albums. Did Utopia release a studio album in the past ten years or so? They might have but I don't think they did.
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Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: November 20 2021 at 16:04
I only know the Alan Parsons Project, but I'd like to experience some Adventures in Utopia too one day. 
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Posted By: verslibre
Date Posted: November 20 2021 at 16:04
Alan Parsons Project's last outing was Gaudi (1986). Everything since is under Alan Parsons' name (no "Project"). Yes, Utopia's releases (archival and current) have been live, not studio (Todd continued to release original music under his own name, as he always has), with one release of a one-off studio project called Disco Jets, that was recorded in '76. In the last decade, Utopia concerts have featured an hour-plus of music from the first three (best) albums. Close your eyes and you'll swear it was '76. Not sure why he won't record new material with a variation of the early line-ups. Roger Powell retired from touring, but that doesn't mean he'd opt out of making new music (maybe). ------------- https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_ipg=50&_sop=1&_rdc=1&_ssn=musicosm" rel="nofollow - eBay |
Posted By: Duddick
Date Posted: November 20 2021 at 16:15
| I love most things Todd does, with his early 70’s work (inc Utopia) being my favourite. Conversely I find Alan Parsons very bland/AOR so it’s a no brainer for me |
Posted By: verslibre
Date Posted: November 20 2021 at 16:16
 ------------- https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_ipg=50&_sop=1&_rdc=1&_ssn=musicosm" rel="nofollow - eBay |
Posted By: AFlowerKingCrimson
Date Posted: November 20 2021 at 16:37
Gaudi is from 87. 
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Posted By: verslibre
Date Posted: November 20 2021 at 16:40
First promo LP released in '86. Argue with Discogs.  https://www.discogs.com/master/8375-The-Alan-Parsons-Project-Gaudi" rel="nofollow - The Alan Parsons Project - Gaudi | Releases | Discogs ------------- https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_ipg=50&_sop=1&_rdc=1&_ssn=musicosm" rel="nofollow - eBay |
Posted By: progaardvark
Date Posted: November 20 2021 at 16:41
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Of these two, I tend to listen to APP more, so that gets my vote. ------------- ---------- i'm shopping for a new oil-cured sinus bag that's a happy bag of lettuce this car smells like cartilage nothing beats a good video about fractions |
Posted By: rik wilson
Date Posted: November 20 2021 at 17:16
| Utopia is a joy to behold, their slant toward Mahavishnu Orchestra unfolds on the first lp, a massive prog statement. |
Posted By: AFlowerKingCrimson
Date Posted: November 20 2021 at 17:57
Gnosis, this site and wikipedia all say 87. I'm talking about an official release date which is usually what we go by. Jan. of 87 but still 87. I suppose you are one of those people who thinks Permanent Waves by Rush is a 70's album even though it was released in early 1980. |
Posted By: Manuel
Date Posted: November 20 2021 at 18:46
| Utopia. |
Posted By: omphaloskepsis
Date Posted: November 20 2021 at 19:03
| AP Project |
Posted By: BrufordFreak
Date Posted: November 20 2021 at 19:06
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Not sure how to vote on this one: Utopia had 1 & 1/2 great prog albums, APP had four or five very good proggy albums. Todd Rundgren's Utopia is, IMO, one of the finest true prog albums ever made (even if he and the boys may have been just playing around in a kind of JTULL/Thick as a Brick style. Nobody casts Ian and the Gang any shade for their tongue-in-cheek little joke, though, do they?) Tough one . . . ------------- Drew Fisher https://progisaliveandwell.blogspot.com/ |
Posted By: AFlowerKingCrimson
Date Posted: November 20 2021 at 19:20
You can do "both." That's what I would probably do but I'm not really familiar enough with Utopia so I won't vote at all.
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Posted By: Man With Hat
Date Posted: November 21 2021 at 09:01
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APP ------------- 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: Cristi
Date Posted: November 21 2021 at 09:14
| The Alan Parsons Project |
Posted By: rushfan4
Date Posted: November 21 2021 at 09:19
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The band that made APPs cool before they were a thing. ------------- 
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Posted By: Cristi
Date Posted: November 21 2021 at 09:22
| yay, it's a tie! |
Posted By: AFlowerKingCrimson
Date Posted: November 21 2021 at 09:44
I didn't think it would be this close. I figured Utopia would take the lead because of their debut album.
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Posted By: Cristi
Date Posted: November 21 2021 at 09:51
I could say the same about APP
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Posted By: AFlowerKingCrimson
Date Posted: November 21 2021 at 10:03
Really? You think it's better than I Robot?
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Posted By: Cristi
Date Posted: November 21 2021 at 10:07
I actually prefer Pyramid to both the debut and I Robot. I rarely listen to Utopia, and I've overplayed some APP albums. That explains my vote, doesn't it? |
Posted By: verslibre
Date Posted: November 21 2021 at 10:29
Er, why even do a poll like this, then...?  ------------- https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_ipg=50&_sop=1&_rdc=1&_ssn=musicosm" rel="nofollow - eBay |
Posted By: verslibre
Date Posted: November 21 2021 at 10:30
Oh, it's "officially" '87. I just love to see you scrambling to collect deets. ------------- https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_ipg=50&_sop=1&_rdc=1&_ssn=musicosm" rel="nofollow - eBay |
Posted By: verslibre
Date Posted: November 21 2021 at 10:42
Absolutely. It's a gem. Another Live is also superb. TRU & AL are great keyboard albums — Moogy, Ralph, Roger! As the first quartet album, Ra is a step down, but it's still a very, very good prog record. APP produced nothing I'd put on par with those.
------------- https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_ipg=50&_sop=1&_rdc=1&_ssn=musicosm" rel="nofollow - eBay |
Posted By: AFlowerKingCrimson
Date Posted: November 21 2021 at 10:45
Maybe.
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Posted By: Cristi
Date Posted: November 21 2021 at 11:21
I'm gonna listen some Utopia tomorrow.
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Posted By: Cosmiclawnmower
Date Posted: November 21 2021 at 12:47
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I almost love both equally; both have had plenty of killer and filler over their histories but both hold a significant place in my own listening history.. but i've just got to go with Todd & co... From the first Utopia lp right up to the fantastic Redux 92; live in Japan which just Kicks the proverbial from start to finish! ------------- |
Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: November 22 2021 at 01:58
| I only know APP and I don't really love anything in particular. I know Todd Rundgren more as a producer and especially for The Tubes Remote Control album which I like a lot. |
Posted By: Mormegil
Date Posted: November 22 2021 at 07:29
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APP gets the nod. ------------- Welcome to the middle of the film. |
Posted By: tdfloyd
Date Posted: November 22 2021 at 08:25
| APP by a wide margin |
Posted By: AFlowerKingCrimson
Date Posted: November 22 2021 at 09:32
Yes, that's a great album. Although a bit proggy they Tubes apparently don't have enough prog in them(according to those who make those kind of decisions) to even qualify as prog related on this site(along with a few other bands). I remember seeing the Tubes in the 80's as a teen(with Utopia opening no less) and they started their set off with "turn me on."
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Posted By: BaldFriede
Date Posted: November 22 2021 at 11:45
The German band Utopia are not that obscure; actually their only album was re-released as an Amon Düül II album. Historically this is incorrect though; Utopia were formed when Amon Düül 2 temporarily broke up due to an internal feud that included threats with revolvers and knives. Some of the members formed Utopia and started recording a self-titled album while Amon Düül II recorded "Wolf City". But since they both recorded in the same studio it was inevitable that they ran into each other again and again. And so they made peace with each other again, which resulted in all members playing on both albums. And one song, "Deutsch Nepal", was liked so much by both bands that it appeared on both albums, albeit in different versions. This information is from the Amon Düül II biography
"Tanz der Lemminge" written by German rock journalist Ingeborg Schober. She and
her boyfriend, filmmaker Rüdiger Nüchtern (who shot the short movie
"Amon Düül II plays Phallus Dei"), were close friends of the band. -------------  BaldJean and I; I am the one in blue. |
Posted By: AFlowerKingCrimson
Date Posted: November 22 2021 at 13:54
| Thanks for explaining that Friede. That's a very interesting story. For whatever reason, I never got around to owning any AD2 (although I have heard a little here and a little there). Oddly enough though, I do have the AD album "paradieswarts Duul." |
Posted By: cemego
Date Posted: November 22 2021 at 19:33
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I think comparing APP to Camel would be a better comparison. I picked APP. As much as I revere Todd, there is simply more APP content to listen to. ------------- listen to streaming stuff! no commercials! http://wmom.servemp3.com:8000/listen.pls |
Posted By: AFlowerKingCrimson
Date Posted: November 24 2021 at 13:04
Ok, but do you seriously think APP stands a chance against Camel on this site? Btw, I'm a bit surprised(but glad) to see someone else who is my age and from the Philly area.
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Posted By: mellotronwave
Date Posted: February 05 2022 at 14:46
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Utopia ! APP is nice , a bit to mellow for my tastes |
Posted By: EduTatsumi
Date Posted: February 05 2022 at 15:45
| The Alan Parsons Project |
Posted By: geekfreak
Date Posted: July 10 2022 at 05:47
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The Alan Parsons Project ------------- Friedrich Nietzsche: "Without music, life would be a mistake." Music Is Live Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. Keep Calm And Listen To The Music… < |
Posted By: BrufordFreak
Date Posted: July 10 2022 at 07:38
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I love the first two Utopia albums and the first three APP albums, but that's about it. However, I love the debut Utopia album about 2,351,447 times more than the others combined, so voted Utopia. ------------- Drew Fisher https://progisaliveandwell.blogspot.com/ |