TALES OF MYSTERY AND IMAGINATION

It's been awhile since I have really listened to this so I spun it again before this review. Leaving aside the "prog-or pop?" argument, I believe Alan Parsons nonetheless made some excellent music and was a top notch producer. Side one is my favorite on this release: " A Dream within a Dream", "The Raven", and "Cask of Amontillado" are awesome Parsons songs, some of his best. Based on these, this might be a five star review. I also enjoy the ending album track "To One in Paradise". Now, the problem. Unlike most other reviewers of this album, I just can't get into "The Fall of the House of Usher". I find it overlong and boring in parts. I have never been a big fan of mixing orchestra and rock ala' Moody Blues, so I guess my problem is understandable. I can see the effort and skill- but just not the result. But that's just my own personal hangup. Overall, though, this album rates a 4 stars whcih is as high as any of Alan Parsons' efforts. (I Robot and Pyramid are probably 4 star also).