I ROBOT

The second album from the Alan Parsons Project tightens up the slack from Tales of Mystery and Imagination and produces an intriguing mix of pop-symphonic instrumentals, moving and soulful power ballads (including the sweeping, majestic Some Other Place or the poignant Don't Let It Show), and up-tempo tracks showing a strong funk influence (such as I Wouldn't Want To Be Like You, Breakdown or The Voice). Impeccably produced as expected, the album is a slick piece of crossover magic which sounds a bit like what might happen if Supertramp and Steely Dan collaborated on an album. Some of you probably gagged a little at the thought of that, but if like me that sounds like an awesome idea, you'll probably find there's a lot to love about I Robot.