EYE IN THE SKY

By the time this album hit the shelves in 1982 the MTV revolution was in full swing, systematically reducing popular music to being soundtracks for three-minute cavalcades of crap visuals designed only to titillate and provide a mind-numbing diversion from reality. Unfortunately, much of this recording reflects that mindset as Parsons and Woolfson seem to be trying to follow trends instead of blazing trails, a pattern they had been establishing slowly but surely since the release of their groundbreaking debut.

Once again, however, they start things off on a promising note with the intriguing instrumental "Sirius" that has a progressive slant to it. It segues seamlessly into the radio hit "Eye in the Sky" that is another one in a string of chart-climbers that still resonates today on AOR stations across the world. Ian Bairnson's tasteful guitar work is a highlight. Next up is the best tune here, "Children of the Moon," that has an unusual melody and a somewhat prog chord progression where Ian provides yet another interesting solo.

If things would have "progressed" in that vein then you might have something special here but that's not the case. With "Gemini" they settle back into their comfort zone, dishing out forgettable ditties that really have little substance. "Silence and I" follows and it's an okay tune that transitions into an interesting instrumental segment before returning to the original verse and chorus. Billy Joel was a big time player in the pop world at that time and "You're Gonna Get Your Fingers Burned" is a direct mimic of his style. Only it's just not very good.

"Psychobabble" displays everything that was going south in popular music in the early 80s. Totally forgettable ten seconds after it's over. "Mammagamma" is an instrumental in which they could have been a lot more adventurous musically but it never goes anywhere. Another missed opportunity. "Step by Step" is more of the empty fluff that the MTV virus was causing to be manufactured by the trainload so you might want to skip this one altogether. "Old and Wise" finishes the album and it's not bad at all in an Elton John-ish sorta way. Too little too late, though.

What was happening to this group was happening to almost every artist around the globe at the time so it's almost unfair to pick it apart like this but it is what it is. A product of the era. There's very little prog here so it will only truly appeal to the die-hard fan of the APP in general. 2.4 stars.