I Robot

I've been a fan of the Alan Parsons Project for as long as I can remember. The "I Robot" album is one of my all - time favorites. My brother had this record and the moment I heard the opening title track, I was hooked. They are my favorite band of all - time. This particular album is a special one for me, I suppose, coincidentally, that I was born around the time of its release, but also just the whole album sounds great. From the title track to the end, every song is unique, yet fitting to the album, which is a concept album (which is typical of Parsons) about the rise of machine and decline of man. The title track has always been one of my favorites. I love how Parsons starts off with the slow electronic bits, then proceeds to add layer upon layer of sound, drums, synthesizer, etc., and a choir, which I've always loved. Parsons is genius at this sort of thing, something he would continue to do throughout his career. This leads in to "I Wouldn't Want To Be Like You," sung by Lenny Zakatek, the first of many songs he would sing for the Project. It's rather funky and has a punk rock flavor to it. This one became a hit and is sometimes still played on the radio. It's a fun rocker that I've always enjoyed. "Some Other Time" is also a favorite. It's a nice little ballad/light rock song, sung by Peter Straker, that really plays up the brass by Andrew Powell's orchestra, which would become a trademark (in my opinion anyway) of the Project sound. The same could be said for the synthesizer ending (or is it guitar?) of "Don't Let It Show." I've always loved that ending, and it's in stark contrast to the rest of the song. I'm guessing this is intentional and I absolutely love it. It's a sound that would be a major trademark of the Project going forward. There's so much I could say about this album. I like how Parsons bookends the album with the instrumental "Genesis Ch. 1. V. 32." There is no verse 32 of Genesis Ch. 1. It ends with verse 31. Parsons was making the point that man was trying to be God by creating something in his own image, in this case, an extra verse (32) to the text. It's a sad closer to the album, but one I've always enjoyed. Recently, upon listening to this track closely, I realized that this is actually a slower version of the title track. I can't believe I never picked up on that. Both have similar beginning's and a five-note progression that plays throughout the song as well as a choir. Genius! And it features Iain Bairnson on guitar. Love it. The 2007 remaster includes bonus tracks of early experiments/demos of "I Robot," "Breakdown," "I Wouldn't Want To Be Like You," and "Day After Day." They also include extensive liner notes (see pictures), however; song lyrics are not included. I bought this CD because the cassette tapes my brother recorded for me back in the late '80s are wearing out and my tape player doesn't work, so might as well replace them with high quality CD's, which this is. I would definitely give this a 10/10.

Alan Parsons was terrific as part of the Pink Floyd phenomenon, but as a solo he soars. I Robot is a trip through new sounds and haunting selections. I have bought everything available by this artist. With “I Wouldn’t Want To Be Like You” and “Day After Day (The Show Must Go On)” you’re going to get hooked.

ESSENTIAL ALBUM!!! What an incredible piece of music. Alan Parsons project combines the best parts of prog-rock with the best elements of pop. This album has undertones of Pink Floyd, whom Parsons worked with as an engineer on Dark Side of the Moon & elements of pop, where he was influenced by the Beatles, with whom he had worked as an assistant engineer on Abbey Road. I Robot peaked at #9 on the album charts. There weren't any singles that made it into the Top 200 but that's not an important thing. It was with this album that things began to go right for the Project. It's with this album that certain patterns were established that would continue for the next several albums. The album opens with the incredible instrumental "I Robot". This song is very similar to Pink Floyd, best song on the album. Then follows "I Wouldn't Want to Be Like You", a pop-type song with a good lead guitar solo. Then comes the beautiful ballad "Some Other Time". "Breakdown" is from the robot's perspective. Woolfson writes excellent lyrics. "Don't Let It Show" slows the tempo down & is only an average piece. "The Voice" is one of the most interesting pieces on the album. It has a distinctive bass line, the instrumental section is very interesting with its strings & subtle sound effects, its tempo change is right on time. "Nucleus" is an instrumental that pales beside "I Robot". "Day After Day" is another average song. "Total Eclipse" is another instrumental that's not up to "I Robot", it's an eerie sounding piece that definitely gives the listener the feeling of loss & sacrifice. "Genesis Ch. 1 V. 32" closes the original album & is another instrumental. This is an excellent song to finish the album, Ian Bairnson once again provides us with a good & appropriate solo. Some may not know the reference of the title. There is NOT a verse 32 in Genesis, chapter one. It's a subtle reference to "Man created Robot in his own image" which is why the whole thing was doomed to failure. We've been given five bonus cuts which give a lot of insight into the making of the album. The first is "Boules" which is the demo version of "I Robot", it features the clicking of two metal balls (boules is French for balls) that was dropped in the final version. "Breakdown", "I Wouldn't Want to Be Like You" & "Day After Day" are all early demo versions, interesting in the regard that we can see what the songs 'morphed' from. The last bonus track, "The Naked Robot", is the most interesting piece. It's an instrumental culled from all the parts of each song from the album. It becomes one of the best tracks on the album. The bonus track "The Naked Robot" is the most interesting because it uses a menagerie of used & unused portions of songs segueing from one to another to complete a stunning ten minute instrumental. But, beware, it's because man created robot in his own image that doomed them both to failure ("Genesis Ch. I V.32") The remastering on this album is excellent & the bonus cuts give an insightful view of the songs in previously unreleased rough demo versions that allows the listener to get an idea of how the songs progressed.

Alan Parsons and his collaborators are musical geniuses. If you are not familiar with Parsons you are missing out. I Robot is a smart inventive journey from start to finish. This was released in 1977 the same year as Star Wars. If it was released today you would think it was something new. Parsons mix of electronics and traditional instruments is astounding. The layers build and compliment each other. The vocals by different singers give each track its own uniqueness. The concept is the rise of machines and the fall of man with a nod to Isaac Asimov. If you want something different this will become a favorite.

With a fair remaster. There is a lot of track, of course, that seem experimental, and for the time it was released, may have seemed more than it is now, goofy monotonous synthesizers going nowhere. However! There are some quality rock tunes and slow tunes on this album that must never be forgotten. And, as I plan, one should attain every APP album: you will find great tunes amidst them all. Or, if you are lucky, as I was not, you may find an essential remastered album. But, ALWAYS go for the remastered versions.

All my life, 49 years worth, I've only known Eye in the Sky by this group. I've loved it all along. I'm listening to this and I am taken to a different world, a different dimension~I am purely at peace! I wish the CD never had to end!

2ème album du groupe, contenant le fameux instrumental I robot, cette nouvelle édition est interessante à plus d'un titre : elle contient un certains nombres de bonus avec "boules" qui est une alternative avant gardiste (electro avant l'heure !) de l'introduction d'I robot, les 3 autres morceaux sont des versions instrumentales des chansons du même nom, et surtout l'album vaut le détour pour "The naked Robot". Long de 10 min ce medley fort bien réussi de l'album, complétement instrumental présente une autre dimension atmosphérique du concept de l'album. A noter que le livret est augmenté de notes interessantes. Pour les fans = indispensable ! Pour celui qui veut connaitre le groupe, il s'agit d'un de leurs meilleurs albums = relativement accessible tout en conservant l'atmosphère du premier album (le génial "Tales...") avec les premiers éléments de ce qu'allait devenir une pop sophistiquée d'Alan parsons Project avec Eyes In The Sky

Super nice! A great sounding LP /Vinyl. Fantastic album too like so many Alan Parsons Project other albums. All Parsons fans should get this album on LP. Anyway LPs and vinyls are the way to go for the complete and full rounded experience of any good music in general! Have it to believe it! Make sure your cartridge and stylus(minimum elliptical)on your turntable /record player are good. Ortofon Om10 and above as an example. Have fun and be good! cheers

Bought as a Christmas gift for my husband. He loves it!

Prog.Rock oder Art Rock? Auf jedenfall ein echter Klassiker. Eine bombastische Klangreise unterstützt von vielen Synthesizern, Orchestra und Choreinlagen. Inspiriert durch den SF-Autor Isaac Asimov. Durch Mofi nochmalig in DSD konserviert und wird als LP oder SACD angeboten. Diese Rezension betrifft die klanglich gewohnt hochwertig gemasterte SACD des bereits schon exzellent produzierten Originales. Auffallend ist der transparentere Sound. Im Vergleich zu den von Alan Parsons gemasterten Legacy Neuauflagen aus 2013, ist da klanglich für die MFSL Ausgabe nicht mehr viel weitere Luft nach oben.

El disco es una joya, el sonido y prensado del vinilo, muy bueno!! 👍