TALES OF MYSTERY AND IMAGINATION

I am very surprised that I haven't reviewed this album yet. It made quite an impact on my when it was released in the fall of 1976 as it married some amazing story-lines with classically orchestrated rock band fronted music in a way I had never before heard. Though all of the radio-friendly art rock songs of Side One are well done, well-conceived, and well performed, except for "A Dream Within a Dream" (3:40) (9/10) with its amazing Orson Wells poetry reading, I always felt that they were a bit "over the top"--over-dramatized. The jewel of the album, however, is the orchestrated interpretation of "The Fall of the House of Usher" (16:10) (10/10)--one of my most favorite stories of all-time is here matched stunningly well by Alan Parsons and Eric Woolfson's music. The finale, "To One in Paradise" (4:13) (8/10) is absolutely gorgeous, but almost too-syrupy pretty, if you know what I mean.

Excellent album that introduced the world to the genius team of Alan Parsons and Eric Woolfson--as well as to a cast of "guest" artists that would grace APP albums for years to come.