Alan Parsons/ From The New World

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR

Alan Parsons/ From The New World

Genre: Rock

Label: Frontiers Records

Rating: ****

After a quick mingling of ringing guitars and power-drums, the words begin "In a dream within a dream, we saw beyond the sky, and drew a constellation, in the shape of Gemini: We turned our sails into the wind, and climbed up to the heights, raised a glass and made a toast, and wrote our name in lights". A steady bassline, lush piano, wailing guitar and a gorgeous burst of saxophone takes over.

Welcome to 'Fare Thee Well', which opens the new Alan Parsons album From The New World. It's his sixth solo album released only under his name, without the Project tagline, but that doesn't make a difference. The sound is very much reminiscent of classic Alan Parsons Project albums like I Robot, Eye In The Sky and Vulture Culture.

The album, like standard Parsons outings, blends elements of progressive, symphonic and classic rock. The title itself is inspired by Czech classical composer Antonin Dvorak's New World Symphony, and there's even a song 'Going Home' using a Dvorak sample. To add to the record's eclectic nature, 'The Secret' (interestingly that's the title of the previous Parsons album) uses very santoor-like samples.

One may feel that overall, From The New World is mellow in comparison to a lot of the British musician's work. But there are some gems along the way. Involved in the production of the Beatles's Abbey Road and Pink Floyd's The Dark Side Of The Moon, Parsons naturally helms the production superbly, and 'Haloes' is a shining example of technical virtuosity and masterly soundscaping.

The strength lies in the songwriting. 'Urobros', which refers to dragons eating their own tail, features crisp vocals by guest Tommy Shaw of Styx. Referring to turning fortunes, it says, "Round and round again, where the end begins, back where the beginning arrives, season cycle spins".

There's some beautiful songwriting on 'Don't Fade Now', which refers to a man coming back from the brink. It says, "Don't fade now, the best surprise is you're alive; Don't fade now, the unknown is your new home". Then, 'Obstacles' has a positive vibe, with the lines, "If I were a scientist with equations in my brain, I'd calculate these obstacles away, and splash through them like puddles in the rain".

Guest vocalist James Durbin, who had a stint with metal band Quiet Riot, shines on 'Give Em My Love'. The other guest vocalist is David Pack of Ambrosia, who appears on 'I Won't Be Led Astray', though that's one of the weaker spots here, sounding more like Air Supply. Both these tracks feature the brilliant guitarist Joe Bonamassa, but thats the tragedy - though nuanced, these solos are short, and could be played by anyone else.

While most of the album has the vintage Parsons sound, a complete surprise is reserved for the end. There's a cover version of the Ronettes hit 'Be My Baby', first released in 1963. Here, American singer Tabitha Fair is on vocals (strangely uncredited in the streaming sites or on YouTube), giving a new twist to the pop classic. It sounds like a complete departure from the album, but so what?

While the guest singers show diverse styles, the other vocals on the album are shared by Todd Cooper, P.J. Olsson and Parsons himself. Each blends with the song's personality perfectly. From a creative perspective, this album is yet another evidence of the Parsons genius, though only time will tell whether it will produce hits as successful as 'Eye In The Sky' and 'Psychobabble'. One of course hopes he visits India to promote this album - his two earlier shows in Mumbai in 2007 and 2013 having left behind warm memories.