The Time Machine

Alan Parsons Project

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 28, 1999)
• Original Release Date: September 28, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Miramar
• ASIN: B00001NFFB
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (50 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #124,583 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Track Listings

1. Time Machine, Pt. 1

2. Temporalia

3. Out of the Blue

4. Call Up

5. Ignorance Is Bliss

6. Rubber Universe

7. Call of the Wild

8. No Future in the Past

9. Press Rewind

10. Very Last Time

11. Far Ago and Long Away

12. Time Machine, Pt. 2

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

The more things change, the more Alan Parsons albums stay the same. It's entirely fitting that this sonically flawless opus should be called The Time Machine. Born in the excesses and conceptual frenzy of mid-'70s prog rock, Parsons's familiar methodology once again shrewdly employs an almost-star cast of musical vets to do the heavy lifting (among them vocalists Colin Blunstone, Beverly Craven, Spandau Ballet's Tony Hadley, and chief musical architect/guitarist Ian Bairnson). Meanwhile, legendary producer and engineer Parsons twiddles the knobs and slides the levers, just like the Great Oz. Fans will find that Parsons, perhaps the only producer since Phil Spector with big enough cajones to become his own virtual raison d'être, has successfully stayed his familiar course. And if the result is something akin to Pink Floyd lite meets Kenny G in the New Age aisle at your local Natural Wonders outlet, thus has it ever been. While it lyrically renders H.G. Wells's original novel all touchy-feely and virtually unrecognizable, musically it's a reaffirmation that Parsons--not Toto, Journey, or a score of lesser pretenders to the mantle--is the real godfather of corporate rock. Dust off those headphones. Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Some classic Parsons here, February 12, 2000

By	dsrussell "greyhater" (Corona, CA. United States) - See all my reviews

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Being an Alan Parsons' fan since the late 70's (I got into them by a suggestion from a friend who knew I was a big Pink Floyd fan), I was especially pleased at the release of "The Time Machine". Except for their first three or four albums, most of Alan Parsons' work takes a few plays to fully appreciate, and this one is no exception.

There is some classic Alan Parsons here, especially "Time Machine" parts 1 & 2, and "Out of the Blue". A few cuts take many listenings before they grew on me, but all-in-all this is a very solid set, except for "Call Up", which I feel is annoying at best. I found "Ignorance is Bliss" to be especially wonderful after a few plays.

Their entire body of work is amazingly impressive, so much so, that it is difficult picking out a favorite, or least favorite. Every album, even those I first thought of as weak, I just wouldn't want to be without.

In a time where my favorite groups have disbanded, retired, or are rarely visible (Pink Floyd, Supertramp, ELO, Moody Blues, etc.), it's a joy to see Alan Parsons still creating and touring. Between 1 and 10, "The Time Machine" gets a solid 8.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Alan Parsons Returns, September 9, 2005

By	Lonnie E. Holder "The Review's the Thing" (Columbus, Indiana, United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Sounding like a combination of the Alan Parsons Project of the 70s with a dash of Pink Floyd and perhaps even Enigma, "The Time Machine" is an aural experience sure to please many fans of Parsons, New Age and Soft Electronica. Here is music to work, run or meditate by.

This CD opens with the instrumental "The Time Machine, Pt. 1." The music is a combination of acoustic and electronic instruments with Ian Bairnson's guitars overlaid. This brisk opening introduces the theme of time travel and prepares you for the monologue by Professor Frank Close in the second track, "Temporalia." Professor Close is correct that viewing light from other stars is a travel back in time, because that light has traveled for thousands or millions of years to reach the earth; an interesting perspective on an esoteric subject.

The CD moves steadily onward, though figuratively remaining in place, with the mellow song "Out of the Blue," with lead vocals by Tony Hadley of Spandau Ballet. This song is nicely orchestrated, and Ian Bairnson's guitar adds a marvelous counterpoint to the keyboards.

The following song significantly changes the pace of the CD. "Call Up" is funky with a powerful blues feel. Since the song is about calling on people of the past the blues flavor is appropriate. I was surprised that Ian Bairnson provided saxophones on this song in addition to his usual guitar work. This song bears a very strong resemblance to some of the Alan Parsons Project's early work, such as that on "I, Robot."

In a more mellow and beautiful tone is "Ignorance Is Bliss." This song shares traits with music by Dan Fogelberg. This mellow song has the honor of being the longest on this CD, as well as being one of the most beautiful. The lead vocal on this song is by Alan Parson's veteran Colin Blunstone, who provided the vocals for the excellent Alan Parson's Project song "Old and Wise." There is a lovely orchestral arrangement in the extended bridge of this song, which I consider a must listen for Alan Parson's fans.

The instrumental "Rubber Universe" provides a bouncy connection between the previous mellow song and the incredible composition that arrives next. Once again, the style of this song, which is nearly all Ian Bairnson, is very similar to the style of early Alan Parsons Project. Though Bairnson's mandolin portions are too short, they are nostalgic.

I am in love with Maire Brennan's voice. The first time I heard "Call of the Wild" I skipped back to play it again, and then again. I can understand why fans of Clannad love the group so much. As much as I enjoy her sister Enya's music, I think Maire has a more powerful haunting voice, at least in this song. This song makes me run out of adjectives because it is just so (cliché time) awesome. If you can listen to this song and not feel some kind of emotion then you are unable to appreciate emotional music. Crank this song up, it is an instant classic.

The song "No Future in the Past" makes me want to go back to "Call of the Wild." I doubt any song could feel appropriate after the former song, and such is the case here. This song, which is a good song, is out of place next to Maire Brennan's voice. Perhaps there should have been an instrumental between the last song and this when just to prepare your ears for the dramatic change in styles and pace.

By the time "No Future in the Past" is finished you can listen more objectively to "Press Rewind." While this song is perhaps just a bit better than the previous song, it sounds much better following on the heels of the former song though it is middle of the road pop.

The pace slows again with "The Very Last Time." Beverly Craven powers the vocals in this song of loss and memory and love. This song is somewhat unusual in that much of the time the song is Beverly Craven and the piano. The rest of the time it is strings and piano. There are no synthesizers or guitars in this sumptuous aural feast.

The last two instrumentals provide a slight progressive twist to give the album perspective. "Far Ago and Long Away" is image laden in Richard Cottle and Ian Bairnson's keyboards. Ian Bairnson's bass is very predominant, and tempered by the programmed drums and orchestration. This instrumental is yet another reminder of the early days of the Alan Parsons Project. Though not credited, there are smatterings of vocals in this instrumental that provide a lovely other world feel.

This CD wraps up with "The Time Machine Pt. 2." This coda seems to pull the CD together, and provides a listener with the desire to go back and experience this pleasing CD once again.

When I first acquired this CD I found that I could not get enough of it. This CD is an overlooked gem. I am surprised that this CD did not have staying power and that it did not yield a single. There are plenty to choose from, most particularly the spectacularly beautiful song "Call of the Wild," the mystical "Out of the Blue," and the plaintive "Ignorance Is Bliss." I know that my musical tastes have moved away from the mainstream, again, but if current tastes are able to overlook the incredible beauty and power of this music, perhaps I want to stay out of the mainstream.

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars "Time Machine" A Step Forward, January 21, 2000

By	[e-mail] (Missouri, USA) - See all my reviews

"Time Machine" is a big improvement over 1998's lackluster "On Air." Although there are no songs that equal their best, especially their last great song "Oh Life" from 1993's "Try Anything Once," there are still some nice additions to the Parsons catalog. The title is appropriate as this collection both recalls past efforts and moves forward with some interesting additions. Recalling the past are the interesting instrumentals (more of which are included here than in recent CDs) and the best song on the disc "Ignorance Is Bliss," which brings back the feel of their hit song "Time." Moving in a new direction, two songs that feature female lead vocals. Maire Brennan (from Clannad) lends a Celtic lilt to the disc's centerpiece, "The Call of the Wild." Beverly Craven emotes wonderfully in "The Very Last Time," probably the most sentimental song that Parsons has recorded. As usual, the CD sounds fantastic. That is something that you can always count on when you purchase an Alan Parsons disc. However, even with the good elements, the disc is still not up to the levels of earlier heyday albums like "Eye In The Sky" and "Amonia Avenue." (And I really miss Eric Woolfson!) The bulk of this album was written and performed by Ian Bairnson, whose material can range from excellent to mediocre. Perhaps the key to a more consistant disc would be to keep his best songs and recruit another songwriter or two for the balance. The disc is a must for fans, but I would recommend earlier albums for those discovering Alan Parsons.