[.ca] Eye in the Sky

From Amazon.com:
Alan Parsons Project's Eye in the Sky was almost guaranteed at least moderate success due to the hits that preceded it ("Games People Play" and "Time" from Turn of a Friendly Card.) With Eye, Parsons returned in some ways to his more progressive, art-rock past and the album only had one major hit, the lush title track. Parsons's approach was a synthesis of studio wizardry with a symphonic, spacey interplay between keyboards, synthesizerss and basic rock instrumentation. Though never a hit, "Psychobabble" remains a favorite of fans. "Children of the Moon," "Sirius," and "Gemini" all have Parsons's love of the esoteric. "Mammagamma" also allowed Parsons to fully indulge his fondness for orchestration with its instrumental structure. --Steve Gdula

When Parsons "Hits it big":
Parsons was already successful in his own right before Eye in the Sky. But this album would be the climax to his mainstream career. While he has released wonderful and excelling music since Eye in the Sky, nothing has compared to how well he charted with this album. The album itself, is really good. Its got a great sound and the first songs are tremendous from Sirus (a classic arena rocker) molding right into Eye in the Sky (a radio classic), followed by a trio of somber but at times upbeat songs: Children of the Moon, Gemini, and Silence and I (perhaps one of the best songs by Parsons). These songs are the highlights and make the album worth buying outright. Sadly, I feel the album does go down hill with a couple mainstream songs: Step by Step and You're Gonna Get Your Fingers Burned. However, Psychobabble and Mammagamma make up for them. The album finishes off with a reflectful Old and Wise. If you're a Parsons' fan, then you already have this album. However, if you are looking for a more mainstream progressive pop rock, then you might do yourself some good by trying out this album.

The most representative Project's album:
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.

Parsons In The Sky:
1981's "Eye In The Sky" is an Alan Parsons Project classic, and it remains the group's best-selling album, thanks to the lush, hugely-popular title track. While the album's theme, if it has one, is a little unclear (a look at spirituality & the human race's past, perhaps?), it contains all the hallmarks of the Project's sound: fantastic prog-pop & melodies (co-written by Parsons & Eric Woolfson) , sweeping orchestrations by Andrew Powell, and amazing studio wizardry & musical performances. As already mentioned, the title song is the Project's signature tune, a Top Five smash on the singles chart, and featuring a rich vocal turn by Woolfson. Other great songs include the spacey "Children Of The Moon," "Gemini," "Silence And I," the rockers "You're Gonna Get You're Fingers Burned" and the awesome "Psychobabble" (a Project favorite to this day), "Step By Step," and the stirring "Old And Wise," as well as the classic Project instrumentals "Sirius" (the lead-in to "Eye In The Sky"), and "Mammagamma." Along with Eric Woolfson, there are other wonderful vocals throughout by David Paton, Chris Rainbow, Colin Blunstone, Elmer Gantry, and Lenny Zakatek, and tremendous musicianship from such Project staples as guitarist Ian Bairnson and drummer Stuart Elliot. A sparkling album from beginning to end, "Eye In The Sky" is an all-time Project classic.

"Risin on the crest of a natural wave":
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.

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