Stereotomy (Remastered & Expanded) - Alan Parsons Project (The)

Advantages: A varied and well-produced concept album.
Disadvantages: Fails to capture the spirit of Poe's works.

..."Since the comprehension of sweet sound is our most indefinite conception, music, when combined with a pleasurable idea, is poetry. Music without the idea is simply music. Without music or an intriguing idea, colour becomes pallor, man becomes carcass, home becomes catacomb, and the dead are but for a moment motionless." Thus quoth Edgar Allen Poe in a passage narrated from beyond the grave by the late Orson Welles for the CD remaster of the Alan Parsons Project's first ambitious concept album, a progressive rock rendition of Poe's writings. The Project was a joint operation between acclaimed music producer Alan Parsons (responsible in no small part for the success of Pink Floyd's 'Dark Side of the Moon,' one of the greatest albums ever recorded) and musician Eric Woolfson, drafting in a variety of singers and musicians to produce... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Short, sweet sampler of a fine back catalogue
Disadvantages: You want all the original CDs

...Well, if you have to get a "best of" while you're saving up to re-buy all the Alan Parsons CDs that your ex-wife kept when you split, then so be it. I've never been a fan of compilations but you do get a great feel for what is a surprising variety of music given Alan Parsons reputation for "concept" work. How the chosen tracks were chosen, who knows. The good thing about Alan Parsons is that each "concept" album is really that - laugh if you like, but the range of topics covered in each individual album is great - my personal favouorite is the Gaudi one with all the flamenco musical backdrops. And there's always a good rocking track with great vocals and guitar solo. For sheer quality of recording and daft subject matter, he's hard to beat. The musicians are always almost famous people with huge talent. I envy them. And I want my... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: first side is very good
Disadvantages: second side can be a bit tedious

...The alan parson project is a collection of musicians that changes not only on each album but on each track as well. They have only Alan parsons production and leadership in common. As such some of the albums are a bit disjointed and this is true to that. The album is based on the edgar allen poe stories and each track is related to a particular story. The best track is the raven which uses a voice controlled synth and gets inside your head. The musicians on the album vary as I said but John Miles appears on a couple of tracks and is his usual classy self (he did the single Music in the eighties). The second side gets far more classical and a little overdone. A good album and worth a listen. If you like it try the other albums as he has a certain ability in the studio (he produced dark side of the mmon as well!!!)... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful