TALES OF MYSTERY AND IMAGINATION

Their first project is uncharactaristic to their later works in that it has more of a lively, organic feel, and even though there are many musicians involved, they sound more like a band here than they ever did. That being said, I don't consider it their best album, and I think they perfected their formula with their next album, I Robot. And that being said, there is some very good music on this album, especially the first two and last two songs. "A Dream Within A Dream" is one of their most unique instrumentals, I love the groove of "The Raven", and the very stately "To One In Paradise" is probably the best song on the album, besides "The Fall of The House of Usher", which I consider to be a fine piece of avant-classical. That track probably conveys the feeling of the story better than any of the other songs, and I think they found better vocalists after this album, although the vocals contributed by Terry Sylvester and Parsons himself are very good. Overall, a worthwhile recording, though they would get better after this.