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Rating: How could Alan Parsons' music be absent from the end-of-millennium event, with such an appropriate title? Another concept with space-time topics. He doesn't want to approach the year 2000 with nothing. It seems like a self-tribute that harks back to the avant-garde recording of Time in 1973 for the Floyd. Sounds like an end of the line, but it won’t be so. Even if it disappoints afterwards. Confusing and overly charged graphic packaging.
The production triad of the '90s with this The Time Machine results diversified with strong identities. Yet maintaining the unmistakable aesthetic copyright. The purely commercial aspect has been set aside. This is not the era of Eye in the Sky. It did what it had to do, certainly consistent. The work does not shock with particular innovations, there's a bit of freshness but it slightly mimics the sound of the period. Opens imperiously with "The Time Machine", an instrumental that's too long but opens everything with authority. A simple riff well beaten with the four semi "Shine on" notes turned differently that dominate. Could not miss... faded... a little speech on the space-time theme by Professor Frank Close. 2 academic minutes. They were fitting and if Parsons gets into it, he does it. Let’s discuss its utility.
Now though, always fading, comes the time to tear one's hair out for all those '80s teens who yelled and fainted at the sound of "Through the Barricades". "Out of the Blue" is interpreted by the good Tony Hadley, soft and velvety as the piece. The basic melody remains the opening one. An astute solution a la "The Wall". "Call up" deals with the theme: calling upon artists and scientists of the past, the world demands them. The lyrics are more interesting than the music, which isn’t much… it recalls other times and does not thrill. And here comes the typical soft ballad "The ignorance is bliss" sung by the noteworthy and good Colin Blunstone. It’s a remake of "Siren Song". No substantial novelties, the voice greatly embellishes the piece. The instrumental "Rubber Universe" always presents the well-packaged little bundle. Tried and tested skill. The heroic "Call of the Wild" offers a beautiful Braveheart-like atmosphere. Sung by Maire Brennan of Clannad. A very successful combination. In the middle, a fantastic change with Bairnson’s guitar and its magic. Stuart Elliott creates a perfect percussive environment. The musical icon of the former Project manages to renew itself right here. Surely this is the album on which the drummer has more space in terms of compositions. "No future in the Past" and "Press rewind" are sisters when it comes to the British-rock connotation with cold and obvious tones. But sharpening the eardrums, one discovers small gems by Bairnson, not flashy but fundamental.
If you're having a bad day and it's raining outside, don’t listen to the beautiful and melancholic "The very last time". A tear can easily escape. Female voice by Beverley Craven. Piano and strings for a "chamber-like" track atmosphere. The true novelty that seemed to herald a brand new future Project is the instrumental and sci-fi "For ago and long Away". Particularly strange but interesting. There isn't a precise melody, it’s for non-trivial ambient enthusiasts. Skillful electronics. Psychedelic. At this point, it could all end here, but two reprises of "The Time Machine" hit you again. The first is useless but the final theme is needed. The second with the audio track taken from the 2nd Austin Powers film, where indeed the Alan Parsons Project is mentioned in a dialogue with Dr. Evil, (Mike Myers). In short... an advertisement.
Ideal score 3.5 stars. I give it 4 for the career. A “pretty good” album that does not change the usual peculiar characteristics of Alan Parsons, in some ways a reheated soup too many times. But he always manages to add some new ingredient to make it digestible. For diehard fans.
Tracklist and Lyrics
05 Ignorance Is Bliss (06:45)
I find this paradise and rest beside a river
No need to walk another mile
It seems like everyone has everything that wishes could provide
But no one seems to smile
You won't believe me when i tell you this is fantasy
Don't ask how long all this can last
The same old sun will rise and make tomorrow just like yesterday
And so your time will pass
A shelter from the storm
A room without a view
A place where you belong
And like a mother's kiss
That carries you to sleep
The ignorance is bliss
One day the wind may change and blow at your defences
And shake the ground on which you stand
One day the tide may turn and wash away your castles in the sand
And silence rule the land
A shelter from the storm
A room without a view
A place where you belong
And like a mother's kiss
That carries you to sleep
The ignorance is bliss
One day the wind will change and blow away your wonderland
Blue skies will soon be overcast
One day the tide will turn and wash away your castles in the sand
And you'll find peace �� at last
06 Rubber Universe (03:52)
Instrumental
Written by ian bairnson
Keyboards, guitars, bass, saxophone, mandolin: ian bairnson
Drums: stuart elliott
07 The Call of the Wild (05:22)
Well I've talked to the wind and I've listened to rain
I have climbed to the clouds and I've cried out with pain
This life is for living so come to my side
And open your heart, to the call of the wild
We are all of one nation, all of one creed
We are all out of nature, all of one seed
We are in this together, man, woman and child
So open your heart to the call of the wild
We talk the same language in different tongues
We're somebody's daughters and somebody's sons
But those who believe we are head of the chain
May wake up to find we are all that remain
There is no need to fear what we don't understand
For we breathe the same air and we walk the same land
The strong and the anxious, the meek and the mild
All dance to the drum, that's the call of the wild
09 Press Rewind (04:20)
If you could press rewind and do it all again
Would you change your mind, would you change a thing
Would you make it easy, would you make it hard
Would you play the game under another name
Or ask the dealer for one more card
Bang your drum, sing your song
Don't give up, keep the faith, it won't be long
You've been high, you've been low
Press rewind and let it go
Have you had your say, seen all you wanted to see
Or did your dream give way to reality
Don't think it's all too late for you to even try
Before you clip your wings, see what this life brings
You've waited too long it's time to fly
Bang your drum, sing your song
Don't give up, keep the faith, it won't be long
You've been high, you've been low
Press rewind and let it go
Do you believe in fate and what is meant to be
Could you imagine life without a guarantee
Would you appreciate that time was on your side
A flash of second sight, a chance to do it right
Is something money just can't buy
Bang your drum, sing your song
Don't give up, keep the faith, it won't be long
You've been high, you've been low
Press rewind and let it go
11 Far Ago and Long Away (05:15)
Instrumental
Written by ian bairnson
Guitars: ian bairnson
Drum programming: stuart elliott
Bass: ian bairnson
Keyboards: richard cottle, ian bairnson
Orchestral arrangement: andrew powell
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