Alan Parsons - The Time Machine (1999) CD-Rip

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 Máire 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.

Tracks:

01. The Time Machine (Part 1) (4:54)
02. Temporalia (1:00)
03. Out Of The Blue (4:54)
04. Call Up (5:13)
05. Ignorance Is Bliss (6:45)
06. Rubber Universe (3:52)
07. The Call Of The Wild (5:22)
08. No Future In The Past (4:46)
09. Press Rewind (4:20)
10. The Very Last Time (3:42)
11. Far Ago And Long Away (5:15)
12. The Time Machine (Part 2) (2:14)
Bonus track
13. Dr Evil Austin Powers Mix (3:23)

Personnel:

Vocals:
Colin Blunstone (5)
Maire Brennan (7)
Beverley Craven (10)
Graham Dye (9)
Tony Hadley (3)
Neil Lockwood (4, 8)
Chris Rainbow (3, 5, 8)
Musiciians:
Ian Bairnson
Stuart Elliot
John Gilbin
Robyn Smith
Richard Cottle
Alan Parsons
The Philharmonia Orchestra - Leader: Clio Gould
Conducted by Andrew Powell