The Alan Parsons Project Album: “Eye in the Sky [Bonus Tracks]”

Producer/songwriter/musician Alan Parsons had a smart idea; that is, write and produce albums without a band. There is no Alan Parsons' Band proper, just a rotating group of musicians. Several are steady performers throughout Parsons' ten album Project. Eye In The Sky makes heavy use of an orchestra, choir and the "sounds like everything and anything" fairlight - hence the album is often tagged "art' and "progressive." Overall, Eye In The Sky is rhythm-driven light rock. Whether provided by the bass guitar (Eye In The Sky), rhythm guitar (You're Gonna Get Your Fingers Burned) or drums; most compositions are compulsory toe-tappers. "Psychobabble" is a bass guitar lover's dream - David Paton's work is brilliant and arousing.

Parsons' approach is highly structured, prim and proper; and his compositions often come-off as "calculated" rather than "loose." "Loose" is not in Alan Parsons' dictionary. With its fairlight programmed rhythm, the instrumental `Mammagamma' touches on disco. The fiery rocker `You're Gonna Get Your Fingers Burned' is a welcome change of pace to the band's normally reserved playing. The most tantalizing composition is the sentimental ballad `Old And Wise.' Zombie Colin Blunstone provides lead vocals. His smoky and hushed voice is one of the most provocative in popular music. Like all of The Eye In The Sky, `Old And Wise' is lush and multi-textured.

Technical Note: Eye In The Sky is one of the fist digital recordings (using the Sony PCM 1610 System). I suspect that the mix is analog; therefore, the result is also analog. Arista could have sought the first-generation recordings and produced a true DDD disc. Keep your fingers crossed for a digital remaster.

Parsons and company would reach their commercial peak with this album. It outsold everything else they had done before or since and was a huge hit. The leadoff instrumental "Sirus" is still used as the intro music for the Chicago Bulls and several other major league sports teams. The album had several other huge hits including the title track, "Psychobabble", and "Old And Wise". Although remains one of the band's most popular albums, it has never been one of my favorites. With the exception of the opening "Sirius / Eye In The Sky" and closing track "Old And Wise" I find most of this album to be a step down from my favorite Parsons discs. Not that it is bad, it is certainly a decent enough album, but compared to some of the band's other works I don't like it as much. I am in the minority however as most Parsons fans rate this as one of the band's best so your mileage may vary on this one.

Eye in the Sky may be the most popular APP album. It certainly has the Project's most played track that many have heard over and over without even knowing who the artist is. I can always picture Michael Jordan trotting out on the court to the sound of "Sirius." Then there is the title track that tacks onto the opening instrumental which is just beautiful. In fact, the entire first half of the album has a spiritually uplifting celestial feel. One is just swept away by the vocals to these songs, especially Eric Woolfson's contributions. My only complaint is how the wonderful simplicity of "Silence and I" is interrupted by a big orchestra sound in the middle. It really disturbs the mood of the album.

The second half is not as strong. There are two rather mundane tracks "You're Gonna Get Your Fingers Burned" and "Step By Step." "Psychobabble" is also not one of the better tracks, but it has a powerful, catchy verse. The album, however, ends with one of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard: the dirge "Old and Wise." The lyrics sound like those of one who is dying yet it sports the line "I'll miss you when I go." One usually doesn't think of the dead missing the living (it's usually thought of as the other way around). It is a very powerful track. The Best of the APP Volume 1 has a slightly extended closing saxophone to this track which makes the song even better. Eye in the Sky is not perfect (check out APP's Ammonia Avenue for perfection), but I could never give this gem less than 5 stars. It's one of those "essential" rock albums.

This is the best album by The Alan Parsons Project. I mean, you gotta fall for Silence And I, the best song ever written by Alan Parsons. The album is very melodic and gives me a strange feel, which Pyramid didn't. The songs are all well, and I can hardly say more then I highly recommend it to every Pop-fan, listen this, and you'll feel blessed. Let's have a closer look at the album, and for now... keep on rocking!!

Sirius: 9/10 (excellent)

Eye In The Sky: 9/10 (excellent)

Children Of The Moon: 9/10 (excellent)

Gemini: 8/10 (very good)

Silence And I: 15/10 (essential)

You're Gonna Get Your Fingers Burned: 9/10 (excellent)

Psychobabble: 10/10 (essential)

Mammagamma: 8/10 (very good)

Step By Step: 9/10 (excellent)

Old And Wise: 11/10 (essential)

If your looking for some easy listening well produced music then buy this CD. Alan Parsons is very talented and produces some great CD's. Great vocals and incredible music. Great when listened to kind of loud or on the headphones.