The Alan Parsons Project
„I Robot“
Art-Rock, Prog, Pop.

• LP, Black Vinyl 1977
• Original
• Arista
• 1C 064-99 168
• new

How to rate an album that has with “Tales Of Mystery And Imagination" such a strong predecessor? For me, the brilliant debut album hangs like a sword of Damocles over all subsequent albums. So, in 1977, the project's second work, "I Robot", was released. Inspired by Isaac Asimov's "I, Robot", the album deals more generally with the relationship between humans and machines (AI). And here I see the album's first "weakness": Since the rights to the title "I, Robot" were already taken, the project couldn't directly reference Asimov's work. Which I find a shame, as it would have enhanced the authenticity. Thus, "I, Robot" became "I Robot". The music still works, of course.

Prog and art-rock fans might find this album hard to stomach, as it's permeated with pop and disco sounds. And yet, this album also exerts a certain fascination. Prog isn't just prog. Why shouldn't elements of it blend with pop/disco?

The first song, "I Robot", could easily be the opening theme for a typical sci-fi film from the '60s or '70s. Synthesizers meet guitar and bass. A touch of disco, plus art rock and a space atmosphere. For me, a very good song. "I Wouldn't Want To Be Like You" thrives on its disco rhythm. Good lyrics and vocals. Art rock and prog? No. "Some Other Time" brings back art rock. Interesting lyrics, disco bass, and good vocals again. "Breakdown" is lyrically darker than its predecessors and musically well-executed. 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 quite fit with its overall bombastic attitude. Except for the last song, it's a very listenable side A. "Don't Let It Show" does, however, pick up the main theme again towards the end.

LP B begins with a beautiful rhythm. Art rock is back. And "The Voice" brings atmosphere with its vocals and the robotic voice in the background. "Nucleus" delivers a technically sophisticated background sound with a spacey feel. In "Day After Day" we encounter a common element in prog, as "Nucleus" flows seamlessly into the new song. Here, too, we have a ballad, but it flows along pleasantly and relaxed. "Total Eclipse" could have come straight from the film "A Space Odyssey". Eerie, ominous. The art rock then flows into the prog-infused closing track, "Genesis Ch.1 V32". Two strong songs to end the album.

Is this a classic now, with its strong disco influence? I think so! Because despite some weaknesses, "I, Robot" has more strengths. Of course, this isn't "Tales of Mystery And Imagination". And that's a good thing. Art rock, prog, pop, disco, and space music in an interesting mix. Add in the AI, and we have a theme that's still relevant today. The record sounds impeccable and has a solid feel.

Addendum: I now also have the half-speed remaster from 2025. It sounds more defined than the regular remaster and, to my ears, better than the original from the 70s.
Half-speed mastering is a technique used to cut acetate lacquer for vinyl record production. The cutting lathe's platter rotates at half speed, while the signal to be recorded is fed to the cutting head at half playback speed. This process can allow for a more precise transmission of complex signal components. However, whether the record actually sounds better as a result depends on the mastering and the source material. I can definitely hear the difference on my system, and these days I try to get half-speed masters whenever possible. The technique itself isn't new; it's been used on wax masters since 1949. Today, select albums are still cut using half-speed. However, if you already own these albums in good quality, there's no need to invest in a new record. 

Ian Bairnson –  Eleelctric and Accoustic Guitar
B. J. Cole – Pedal Steel Guitar
John Leach – Zymbal, Kantele
David 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 and Dave Townsend

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

TheProgThief
©18.02.2025
Mk 2