Eye in the Sky

Alan Parsons Project

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 20, 2007)
• Original Release Date: March 20, 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony Legacy
• ASIN: B000IOM1Y6
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #5,005 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Cinematic Genius, May 11, 2007

By	Tim Brough "author and music buff" (Springfield, PA United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

The Alan Parsons Project hit their greatest commercial pinnacle with "Eye In The Sky," the only album other than "I Robot" to reach the top ten. It was also the moment that the revolving members of APP centralized the two main strengths of their albums: concept and songcraft. "Eye In The Sky" is so creamily melodic that it's almost easy to miss the underlying concept of intrusive surveillance. Probably more than any other APP CD, this is where the Adult Contemporary sound that eventually dominated Parson's following efforts took hold.

That is not to say the songs are lacking. As usual, they are tunefully hooky and usually memory grabbers, like the title track. The opening instrumental "Sirius" became the introductory theme for thousands of athletic events, and "Psychobabble" is the obligatory prog-rock song aimed directly at 80's AOR Radio. (Actually, the other song in the vein, "You're Gonna Get Your Fingers Burned," is the weakest song on the CD.) As on previous CD's, the highlights include ballads. On "Eye In The Sky," it's "Old and Wise" with ex-Zombie Colin Blunstone on the lead vocal. One of the discs' more interesting extras is Eric Woolfson's vocal demo on that particular number.

The bonus tracks are indicative of just how much work Parsons and Woolfsons put into their music. While "Eye In The Sky" plays almost like a soundtrack to a movie never produced, the demos show the tinkering that goes on before the final, lush and cinematic sound is crystallized. (Frankly, I like the album enough to have not needed to hear works in progress.) But now that "Eye In The Sky" and "I Robot" have been given their sonically upgraded due, it's a joy to hear the kind of mastery Parsons and company put into this soft-rock marvel.

I am now hoping for the eventual remastered versions of "Pyramid," "Eve" and "Turn Of A Friendly Card."

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Alan Parsons Project - At Their Commercial Peak, December 5, 2007

By	Steven Sly (Kalamazoo, MI United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Parsons and company would reach their commercial peak with this album. It outsold everything else they had done before or since and was a huge hit. The leadoff instrumental "Sirus" is still used as the intro music for the Chicago Bulls and several other major league sports teams. The album had several other huge hits including the title track, "Psychobabble", and "Old And Wise". Although remains one of the band's most popular albums, it has never been one of my favorites. With the exception of the opening "Sirius / Eye In The Sky" and closing track "Old And Wise" I find most of this album to be a step down from my favorite Parsons discs. Not that it is bad, it is certainly a decent enough album, but compared to some of the band's other works I don't like it as much. I am in the minority however as most Parsons fans rate this as one of the band's best so your mileage may vary on this one.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Eye on the cash register, September 10, 2007

By	Michael A. Scarpitti (Columbus, Ohio USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

What? Me worry? Of course, this is one of the better albums from Parsons & Company. If you don't already own it, you should.

The 'remastered' album sounds identical to the original issue (and I listened to and compared the two CDs on very good equipment). The added cuts are of no interest, as all are of lower musical quality than those on the original release. This reissue seems to me to be utterly pointless, intended simply to grab some money from suckers. If you already have the original issue CD, you don't need this one. Save your money.