Time Machine

Sounding like a combination of the Alan Parsons Project of the 70s with a dash of Pink Floyd, "The Time Machine" is an aural experience sure to please fans of Parsons, New Age and Electronica. The album opens with the instrumental "The Time Machine (Part 1)", written by Cockney Rebel drummer/composer Stuart Elliott (later Al Stewart and Kate Bush a.o.), which resembles the way the Project's album used to open. There's the mellow song "Out Of The Blue," with lead vocals by Tony Hadley of Spandau Ballet. "Ignorance Is Bliss" is one of the most beautiful songs with vocals from former Zombies lead-singer Colin Blunstone. Alan Parsons again uses the concept album formula successful with "Time Machine".

The Time Machine by Alan Parsons actually features very little musical input from Parsons himself, who produced and engineered the album. No matter, because this concept album about the passage of time -- and the triumphs, mistakes, regrets, and memories associated with it -- is Parsons' best work of the '90s. It blends Parsons' traditional prog rock and pop/rock leanings with a bit of techno. The real stars are guitarist/saxophonist/keyboardist/bassist Ian Bairnson and drummer/keyboardist Stuart Elliott, both longtime Alan Parsons Project cohorts who individually wrote most of this album's songs. Other Parsons veterans on The Time Machine include vocalists Colin Blunstone, Chris Rainbow, and Neil Lockwood. "The Time Machine (Part 1)" is a wonderful instrumental complete with dreamy acoustic guitar lines and a steady drum-machine rhythm. Spandau Ballet vocalist Tony Hadley tastefully restrains his past histrionics for "Out of the Blue." Blunstone is featured on the hypnotic "Ignorance Is Bliss," which also contains tasteful piano and orchestral flourishes. "The Call of the Wild" has a warm, Celtic feel thanks to the vocals by Clannad's Maire Brennan and a sprinkling of Northumbrian pipes. "No Future in the Past" and "Press Rewind" are the album's most distinctive pop/rock numbers. Beverley Craven provides the vocals on the lush, bittersweet ballad "The Very Last Time." "Far Ago and Long Away" is a densely arranged instrumental with an overtly techno flavor. The Time Machine will definitely please die-hard Parsons fans. ~ Bret Adams