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The Alan Parsons Project - Tales of Mystery and Imagination CD (album) cover

TALES OF MYSTERY AND IMAGINATION

The Alan Parsons Project

 

Crossover Prog

4.08 | 790 ratings

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Tarcisio Moura
Prog Reviewer
4 stars I have always thought critics - and many of my firends - were too harsh on The Alan Parsons Project. And the only of his works that received some praising was his first, Tales Of Mystery And Imagination. Looking back now I can see that this is maybe his most progressive overall, maybe because of the long symphonic piece The Fall Of House of Usher, which occupies much of the second side of the original LP. but still I donīt think this first work was not too far removed from those remaning albums by the Project.

Ok, their 80īs output tended too much to pop, but from the very start the music here is quite melodic and accessible. The lyrics are very interesting and they were one fot APPīs strongest points, along with the tasteful arrangements, the fine choice of singers and the great melodies. And this first release was no exception. It has some more orchestration and weird sounds here and there for some effect, but the music overall did not differs much from what they did next (they were bashed by critics from the second LP on).

All those polemics aside, I was pleased when I heard this album again after many years. It was a bold nove for such an unknown act: Parsons could be famous inside the music business for his brilliancy on the production and engineering board, but most music fans never heard about him. the LP was not a great seller but it does have a strong personality and showed the world the potential of such bold (some say pretentious) attempt to do some musical work on Americaīs great poet Edgar Alan Poe. The result was great and I still think it is one of APPīs best. All songs are good, but the instrumental The Fall.. is certainly the highlight of the album with its hauting atmosphere and its stunning ending piece.

A very fine start for a much underrated essemble of fine artists. Four stars.

Tarcisio Moura | 4/5 |

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