The Alan Parsons Project
„I Robot“
Black Vinyl. Gatefold. 1977. Art-Rock, Prog, Pop.

How to rate an album that has with “Tales Of Mystery And Imagination“ such a strong predecessor? For me, the brilliant first work hangs like the sword of Damocles over all subsequent albums. In 1977, the project’s second work, “I Robot,” was released. Derived from Isaac Asimov’s story “I, Robot,” the record is more generally about the relationship between man and machine (AI). And this is where I see the album’s first weakness: Since the rights to market “I, Robot” had already been allocated, the project could not refer directly to Asimov’s work. Which I think is a shame, as it would have increased the authenticity. So “I, Robot” became “I Robot.”

For fans of prog and art rock, I Robot is hard for the stomach, as this album is full of pop and disco sounds. And yet this album also has a certain fascination. Prog is not the same as prog, why shouldn't elements be combined with pop/disco?

The first song, “I Robot,” could be an opener for typical SF films from the 60s and 70s. Synth meets guitars and bass. A slight touch of disco meets art and space. A very good song in my opinion. “I Wouden’t Want To Be Like You” lives from the disco rhythm. Lyrically and vocally good. Art and prog? No. Art comes back with “Some Other Time.” Interesting lyrics, disco bass and vocally good again. “Breakdown” is lyrically darker than its predecessors and musically well implemented. Disco undertone? Yes. Dramatic? Yes, and with a choir! “Don’t Let It Show,” on the other hand, is a typical ballad and doesn’t fit with its bombastic attitude. Except for the last song, it’s a well-listenable side A. Although “Don’t Let It Show” takes up the basic theme again towards the end.

LP B begins with a nice rhythm, art rock is back. And "The Voice" brings atmosphere with his singing and robotic voice in the background. "Nucleus" brings a technical background sound that drifts with a spacey note. In "Day After Day" we encounter a prog element, because "Nucleus" flows seamlessly into the new song. Here too we are dealing with a ballad, but it flows along in a pleasantly relaxed manner. "Total Eclipse" could have come straight from the film A Space Odyssey. Eerie, ominous. Art rock then flows prog-like into the finale "Genesis Ch.1 V32". I think two nice songs to end with.

Is this a classic with its strong disco elements? I think so, because "I Robot" has some strong points despite some weaknesses. Of course, we are not dealing with "Tales Of Mystery and Imagination" here. And that's a good thing. Art rock, prog, pop, disco and space in an interesting mix. If we add AI to the robot, we have a topic that is still relevant today. The record sounds impeccable and sits comfortably on the turntable.

Ian Bairnson –  Eleelctric and accoustic Guitar
B. J. Cole – Pedal-Steel-Guitar
John Leach – Zymbal
KanteleDavid Paton – Bass, accoustic Guitar
Stuart Tosh – Drums, Percussions, Keyboards
Vocals – Eric Woolfson, Alan Parsons, Duncan Mackay, Lenny Zakatek, Allan Clarke, Steve Harley, Jack Harris, Peter Straker, Jaki Whitren, Dave Townsend

The photos are all from my CD. The rights to all motifs, logos, texts and fonts that can be seen in the photos are of course owned by the copyright holder.