Alan Parsons
On Air

The '90s for the Parsons no longer Project continue with a certain continuity of productions. The level doesn’t drop too much, despite the impossibility of regaining the same visibility of the glory days that are now gone.

After "Try Anything..." an official live from the tour will follow, which will finally reveal the musicians, so far studio recording mice. Encouraged by all this, here in 1996 this "On Air" is released. The first true concept album after "Gaudi", where a theme is thoroughly explored with a precise setting. Undoubtedly, it is their creative fodder from which their aesthetic-technical masterpieces emerged. The human flight in its phases, the distance bridged by speed, and why not, even the exploration of space. In short, a tribute to the aviator, both pre- and post-pioneering.

At the compositional level, Ian Bairnson, the guitarist, takes the lead. Alan Parsons acts as the supervisor of the yard and little more. He directs the work as planned. He shouts from the scaffolding and rings the lunch bell. By now, the "workers" know what to do. It seems evident that the entire work is dedicated to a friend of Bairnson who recently passed away, a military pilot indeed. The track "Brother up in Heaven" is specifically dedicated. Nostalgic and sad musicality, a farewell. The flight starts with a typical but not instrumental intro piece, "Blue Blue Sky". Sound of birds and acoustic guitar. A little song with a stalk of wheat in your mouth of less than a minute that fades with "Too Close to the Sun". Yes, the song offers a nice relaxed atmosphere but lacks particular ideas and passes without glory. It is what you would expect from them. Superclassic. More interesting is "Blown by the Wind" which doesn’t step a millimeter out of style but makes you dream a bit. More present guitar, an evocative slow. "Cloudbreak" arrives with a nice noise of a propeller monoplane and takeoff. Instrumental as always unmistakable with a nice straight beat from Elliott, semi-nasty guitar from Bairnson that holds everything up. Always food for those who already have Parsons in memory. Makes you want to raise the volume, must be listened to loud. In its genre, it is very successful. Always meticulously curated sounds.

"I can't look down" seems anonymous at first but then reveals a pleasantly rock soul. In their manner, simple. After the "dedication" to the pilot "Fall Free" is another example of Parsonian pop-rock choral and airy. For the tech enthusiasts made in Alan, here is "Apollo". A five-star instrumental electronic piece. There's also Kennedy's speech on NASA’s space program. Let's go!! Full throttle. A bit MamaGamma-like in the loop, but such arrangements. It feels like being on a military jet flying low with the landscape (of your choice) whizzing by. And here comes the jewel... one of the most beautiful... Christopher Cross with his magical voice. "So far Away" is beautiful. Listen to it. It takes you away. Excellent level. It ends beautifully with the ethereal "One day to Fly" with a Beatles-like cadence, reminiscent of Ammonia Avenue then flowing into the second part of "Blue Blue Sky". It is a successful reprise that becomes an apotheosis of strings. The impression is of being in a hot air balloon. Truly wonderful to the end. It beautifully closes this "On Air". A concept album that resumes the "project" as it was born with the due limits and possibilities. Be careful... nothing is missing. Orchestra etc. etc. Always a big production. Excellent male voices. If you have a nice car or plane trip to make, this work will accompany you perfectly without tiring you.

Classic, not innovative, aesthetic. It is what loyal fans want. Spaghetti with ragù but done properly. Joe Cavalli.