14.01.2008.
Alan Parsons Project - Ammonia Avenue (1984) (@256)
(Review from allmusic, wikipedia, progarchives.com)
One of the most interesting aspects about the Alan Parsons Project is the band's ability to forge a main theme with each of its songs, while at the same time sounding extremely sharp and polished. Much of this formula is used in Ammonia Avenue, only this time the songs rise above Project's overall message due to the sheer beauty of the lyrics partnered with the luster of the instruments.
Ammonia Avenue was originally intended to be released as a double album with their next album, Vulture Culture's material forming the second record. The title of the album was inspired by Eric Woolfson's visit to Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI) in Billingham England, where the first thing he saw was a street with miles of pipes, no people, no trees and a sign that said 'Ammonia Avenue'. The album focused on the possible misunderstanding of industrial scientific developments from a public perspective and a lack of understanding of the public from a scientific perspective.
The enchanting saxophone of Mel Collins on "Don't Answer Me" adds to its lonely atmosphere, while the briskness of Eric Woolfson's wording throughout "Prime Time" makes it one of the Project's best singles. On "You Don't Believe," the seriousness of the lyrics works well with the song's energetic pace. The subtlety of the ballad comes to life on the elegant "Since the Last Goodbye," which focuses on a failed attempt at a relationship. With Ammonia Avenue, the sum of the parts is greater than the whole product, which can't be said for all of the Alan Parsons Project's albums. Vocalists Eric Woolfson, Chris Rainbow, Lenny Zakatek, and Colin Blunstone equally shine, placing their talents above and beyond the album's main idea.
Line-up :
- David Paton / bass
- Stuart Elliott / drums & percussion
- Ian Bairnson / guitars
- Eric Woolfson / keyboards
- Alan Parsons / fairlight prog.
- Mel Collins / saxophone
- Andrew Powell / orchestra arrangements and conduction
Track List :
01. Prime Time (5:03)
02. Let Me Go Home (3:20)
03. One Good Reason (3:36)
04. Since The Last Goodbye (4:33)
05. Don't Answer Me (4:11)
06. Dancing On A Highwire (4:22)
07. You Don't Believe (4:26)
08. Pipeline (3:56)
09. Ammonia Avenue (6:30)
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Original Post Date : 7 Sep 2007 | 3:12 AM
