Customer Reviews

Eye in the Sky

5 star:		(49)
4 star:		(18)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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."

Producer/songwriter/musician Alan Parsons had a smart idea; that is, write and produce albums without a band. There is no Alan Parsons' Band proper, just a rotating group of musicians. Several are steady performers throughout Parsons' ten album Project. Eye In The Sky makes heavy use of an orchestra, choir and the "sounds like everything and anything" fairlight - hence the album is often tagged "art' and "progressive." Overall, Eye In The Sky is rhythm-driven light rock. Whether provided by the bass guitar (Eye In The Sky), rhythm guitar (You're Gonna Get Your Fingers Burned) or drums; most compositions are compulsory toe-tappers. "Psychobabble" is a bass guitar lover's dream - David Paton's work is brilliant and arousing.

Parsons' approach is highly structured, prim and proper; and his compositions often come-off as "calculated" rather than "loose." "Loose" is not in Alan Parsons' dictionary. With its fairlight programmed rhythm, the instrumental `Mammagamma' touches on disco. The fiery rocker `You're Gonna Get Your Fingers Burned' is a welcome change of pace to the band's normally reserved playing. The most tantalizing composition is the sentimental ballad `Old And Wise.' Zombie Colin Blunstone provides lead vocals. His smoky and hushed voice is one of the most provocative in popular music. Like all of The Eye In The Sky, `Old And Wise' is lush and multi-textured.

Technical Note: Eye In The Sky is one of the fist digital recordings (using the Sony PCM 1610 System). I suspect that the mix is analog; therefore, the result is also analog. Arista could have sought the first-generation recordings and produced a true DDD disc. Keep your fingers crossed for a digital remaster.

One of the best (and most commercial)CD's of the Alan Parsons Project. On this album one finds slow and up tempo songs. The one 's that stand out the most in my opinion are "Silence and I" and "Old and Wise". Silence and I has a very good orchestral arrangement and I think Colin Blunstone sings wonderfully on "Old and Wise". The only complaint I have is that the saxophone solo on Old and Wise should have been a lot longer than it now is (so, Alan if you read this: please change it!). Another favorite song is the titlesong: "Eye in the Sky". It really is a CD you will play on and on. It will never bore you! So, if you are an Alan Parsons addict and you don't have this CD: buy it as soon as possible; you are missing some of the best stuff the master has made. If you haven't heard of Alan Parsons before: try it and i think you will be buying more Alan Parsons CD's shortly.

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.

Although Eye in the Sky is not the best album from the Project, it was the most succesful one and at the same time the most recommended for anybody who hasn't listened to a world record by this huge band.

This is the first album not having a common conceptual link including every song. But there's still a sense of unity between all of them. 'Sirius' opens it. A low synthesiser chord appears from nowhere, a delayed guitar plays a constant riff and the drums, bass and guitar burst together in a very grandious way until a rythm starts and fades away, leading to 'Eye in the Sky'. This famous song owes it success to its sensitive singing by Eric Woolfson and the catchy chorus in which the soothing voices of Chris Rainbow add beauty with these "looking at yooouu" phrases.

An abrupt drum and electric guitar rythm announce 'Children of the Moon', a song that shows how complex and interesting a song from the Project can be. This is a song that comes from nowhere to an exciting chorus full of voices, orchestra and a very medieval trumpet. The words speak about the disappointing politics and how vulnerable we feel in the hands of powerful dehumanised gents. The song disappears into 'Gemini', a beautiful demonstration of scottish Chris Rainbow's soft voice sung almost a-capella.

'Silence and I' is a rather serious song, a very sad one and a classic ballad from the Project sung by Eric Woolfson again. The words allude to some sad childhood memory and the gloomy feel they leave you with is abruptly interrupted by a gorgeous medieval-like orchestra section. Suddenly you get into an upbeat rythm that makes you feel you're in the middle of an adventurous medieval movie (Ladyhawke?). The arrangements from Andrew Powell are great, and this is like the sad boy takes refuge into a dream in which he is a powerful warrior... but we're back to reality and the song returns to its beginning and ends with a very melancholic cascade of orchestral notes.

The second side is much more shallow in its thematic and musically heavier as well. That's proved by the fine rocker 'You're Gonna Get You Fingers Burned'. Usually the most loosely and aggresive songs from the project are sung by the Pakistani-rooted Lenny Zakatek. 'Psychobabble' is a strange song full of eccentric lyrics, and has the feel of a scary movie.
'Mammagamma' is said by Alan Parsons to be a track almost only played by a computer. It's as famous as 'Lucifer' or 'I Robot'.
'Step by Step' is a remarkable song although hidden in the structure of the album. It's got an original 12-string guitar solo from which the strange sound comes from the idea from Ian Bairnson to plug the guitar directly on the mixing desk not on the amp. The last song, Old and Wise, is apparently sad but Eric Woolfson said its lyrics have a very positive mean. The song is poetic and soft, almost a soft lament, and the oboe in the beginning leads you to a melodramatic romantic film soundtrack feeling. The ending of the song is very strongly emotional, with a great saxophone solo.

This is a remarkable album. If you never listened to any Alan Parsons Project album, start with this one.

Eye in the Sky may be the most popular APP album. It certainly has the Project's most played track that many have heard over and over without even knowing who the artist is. I can always picture Michael Jordan trotting out on the court to the sound of "Sirius." Then there is the title track that tacks onto the opening instrumental which is just beautiful. In fact, the entire first half of the album has a spiritually uplifting celestial feel. One is just swept away by the vocals to these songs, especially Eric Woolfson's contributions. My only complaint is how the wonderful simplicity of "Silence and I" is interrupted by a big orchestra sound in the middle. It really disturbs the mood of the album.

The second half is not as strong. There are two rather mundane tracks "You're Gonna Get Your Fingers Burned" and "Step By Step." "Psychobabble" is also not one of the better tracks, but it has a powerful, catchy verse. The album, however, ends with one of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard: the dirge "Old and Wise." The lyrics sound like those of one who is dying yet it sports the line "I'll miss you when I go." One usually doesn't think of the dead missing the living (it's usually thought of as the other way around). It is a very powerful track. The Best of the APP Volume 1 has a slightly extended closing saxophone to this track which makes the song even better. Eye in the Sky is not perfect (check out APP's Ammonia Avenue for perfection), but I could never give this gem less than 5 stars. It's one of those "essential" rock albums.

If you are a fan of progressive rock, or just good melodic music in general, then Alan Parsons "Eye In the Sky" is a must have! There is not a weak track to be found, and as always with Parsons, the album offers up far more musical variety than the average rock LP. There is the unabashed orchestral art rock of "Silence And I", "Gemini" and Old and Wise" (richly arranged songs that are sure to appeal to fans of The Moody Blues, Pink Floyd, or Barclay James Harvest). Rockers like "Psychobabble" and You're Gonna Get Your Fingers Burned". Instrumentals like "Sirius" and "Mammagamma". And of course, the upbeat, hit title track "Eye In the Sky". Guest vocalists Colin Blunstone (of The Zombies hits "Time of the Season" & "She's Not There"), Chris Rainbow (of Camel), and Lenny Zakatek really add a sparkle to the songs. When the history of 70's, 80's & 90's rock is written, Alan Parsons will probably just be a small footnote... but the fact is HE SHOULDN'T BE!

This is the best album by The Alan Parsons Project. I mean, you gotta fall for Silence And I, the best song ever written by Alan Parsons. The album is very melodic and gives me a strange feel, which Pyramid didn't. The songs are all well, and I can hardly say more then I highly recommend it to every Pop-fan, listen this, and you'll feel blessed. Let's have a closer look at the album, and for now... keep on rocking!!

Sirius: 9/10 (excellent)
Eye In The Sky: 9/10 (excellent)
Children Of The Moon: 9/10 (excellent)
Gemini: 8/10 (very good)
Silence And I: 15/10 (essential)
You're Gonna Get Your Fingers Burned: 9/10 (excellent)
Psychobabble: 10/10 (essential)
Mammagamma: 8/10 (very good)
Step By Step: 9/10 (excellent)
Old And Wise: 11/10 (essential)

If your looking for some easy listening well produced music then buy this CD. Alan Parsons is very talented and produces some great CD's. Great vocals and incredible music. Great when listened to kind of loud or on the headphones.

This album is a classic. It has some of the "very best" tracks of the band. Although I haven't listened to all the albums by the band, I think this is a highlight. "Sirius" is a great opening song and the intro to "Eye in the sky". "Eye in the sky" is the best song (IMO) in the album and a major hit of soft rock. "Children of the moon" is another great one with great lyrics. "Gemini" is a wonderful song and one of my favourites. "Silence and I" is another super-song with a great orchestration in the middle. Rough. "You're gonna get your fingers burned" is true ROCK-'N'-ROLL!! I like it, although it isn't the best song in the album. "Psychobabble" is a gem and it's a difficult song. "Mammagamma" is a simple (but not bad) instrumental song. "Step by step" is (maybe) the worst song in the album, although it seems like a single due to its catchy chorus. "Old and wise" is (IMO) the second best song in the album, after the title track. Vocals and the saxophone solo are brilliant. Buy this cd. It's a real-progressive-soft-rock masterpiece!