FROM THE NEW WORLD

After the video release of Uroboros (first single taken from this album), displaying in close succession iconic images referring to the cover art of almost each beloved record of the Alan Parsons Project, we had every right to expect a "return trip" to that sound.

And if we don't expect an exact repetition of the recipe, we won't be dissapointed, because this is more a new incursion in that atmospheric world of delicious songs fleshed out with the particular type of orchestral (and sometimes also choral) arrangements, that once were part of the APP trademark, and now are back. There are also those ambivalent guitars floating between tonal areas, and the vocalists who know their parts, but still seem to succumb to that same slight and sweet dizziness. Close enough to, but not touching the original Project sonic paradigm, the first three tracks present the listener with the old magic: Fare Thee Well is the symphonic ouverture preparing for the journey, The Secret gears up to a typical mid-tempo APP number, like Children Of The Moon (they even quote the title), and Urobouros grows a bit of rocking teeth for a more agressive sound.

After that, they fold down to a more restrained performance, in the fashion of their previous release from 2019, The Secret. Even so, the orchestral contributions are much more focused this time around, and the compositions form a more coherent set, helped by the guests contributions, specially Tommy Shaw's vocals, and Joe Bonamassa's electric guitar solos, which add variety and energy to the overall sound.

Oddly enough, Alan chose to close the album with a couple of non-originals: Goin' Home is a 1922 song by an Antonin Dvorak's student, which inspired Symphony No. 9's Largo movement, and the Ronettes' Be My Baby closes the album in the lowest point, if considered from a strictly progressive point of view.

The super commercial side of Alan Parsons´ Project, Band or whatever......

This is horrible like Styx´s most horrible moments but even worse! I Have almost expected something of his music, but there is always, the money side and this release, really fits into that. Forget all... this should never be considered Prog!! This guy or band or whaterver, has a lot of more ambitions, money wise of course. A huge deception like decadence into your ears. Its´s being a long time but Alan´s or whatever turns out is as mellow and boring... than sour grapes. If this is a new world...leave me out!!!!!!!!!!!! What to do ? Money is money, what a shame.

The latest album from Alan Parsons features most of his band plus assorted guests such as guitarist and singer Joe Bonamassa, Tommy Shaw of Styx, vocalist David Pack (Ambrosia), and vocalist James Durbin. This means we have nine lead singers across the 11 songs, and Bonamassa adds a guitar solo on a couple of the tracks. The burning question about this album can be boiled down to just one word, "Why?". This is solid middle of the road stuff with no songs which can be said to be any more than that although a couple towards the end are even worse. Of course, it has been produced within an inch of its life, and of course the vocals are great throughout, but there is virtually nothing here to get anyone excited. I have been a fan of Alan's work since I first came across 'Tales Of Mystery And Imagination' not long after it had been released. I was still at school then and was fully enamoured by the complexity of the arrangements and how it all fitted together. But, the big difference is that that was full of songs whereas this feels as if it has been put together by committee, with no-one having the final say.

It was pretty average (apart from the production) up to near the end, but then the last two songs just sank it. The only positive which can be said about the 100-year-old "Goin' Home" is that it is way better than the version of The Ronettes' "Be My Baby". This really is for fans only.

I wanted to rate this at 4 stars, as it gets off to a wonderful start. However, the energy seems to run out a bit as the album progresses. It's not that the songs aren't good, but they do tend to fall short when compared with many of Alan Parson's other albums. Sadly, I have to agree with other reviewers when it comes to the last track on the album. I found it unnecessary and redundant (heard it before) and it does nothing for the quality of the album overall. That said, I still enjoyed hearing this new album from one of my favorite musical artists and am happy to have it in my collection. It is typical Alan Parsons, it has a few gems on it, and I recommend it to any fan of the band.

Here is the latest album from Alan Parsons, legendary engineer, producer, and performer. This is his 6th solo album since the demise of the very successful Alan Parsons Project and his partnership with Eric Woolfson in the '90's, and this one probably is most reminiscent of that earlier band than any of his other solo albums, which is good news for fans. Here, once again, Parsons returns to the lush arrangements, layered vocals, and impeccable pop production he is known for. As usual, Parsons uses several different vocalists and guest artists throughout the album, including vocalists Tommy Shaw (Styx) on 'Urobouros' and David Pack (Ambrosia) on I Won't be Led Astray, and guitarist Joe Bonamassa on Give 'Em My Love, and though the different vocalists may be a bit unsettling at first, it all comes together in a unified style that works pretty well. And the signature APP sound is present throughout, starting with the opening track, 'Fare Thee Well', one of the strongest tracks and most reminiscent of the old style. After the first few songs, however, the album becomes much mellower through the middle section of the album, with softer, slower ballads and a more stripped down sound, which gives the songs a more personal, intimate feel. However, this does drag the album down a bit as being too soft, but the songs are still pretty good. The album picks back up again near the end with a couple more strong songs, although the album ends on a weaker note, with an emotional, but rather unimaginative adaptation of the theme from Dvorak's New World Symphony, 'Going Home', which is confusingly followed by a note for note reproduction of the Ronettes 60's classic 'Be My Baby', which doesn't fit at all with the rest of the album (and if you're going to do a cover, why just replicate the original? - no point to it). Overall, if you are a fan of the 70's and 80's Alan Parsons Project, you will find just enough to like on this album, it is a nice, easy, but non-essential listen, but if you are not already a fan, there is probably not much here that would pique your interest. Certainly not as compelling as Parsons in his heyday, but a marginally good album with enough to recommend to fans. Best Tracks: Fare Thee Well, Uroborus, You Are The Light, Halos. Weak tracks: Obstacles, Going Home, Be My Baby. rating 3.