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Alan Parsons: From The New World
Alan Parsons - From The New World Album Art

Alan Parsons: From The New World

Melodic Rock/AOR
4.5/5.0

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Frontiers Music
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 06.13.2022 | Released: 15.07.2022

When music legends are considered, Alan Parsons is a member of that exclusive and elusive club. As a mere 18 year old, he assisted as an engineer on The Beatles' Abbey Road. His production credits would continue for more than 50 years, and include two of my all-time favorite albums: Pink Floyd's Dark Side Of The Moon and Ambrosia eponymous debut album. While his list of accolades for other artists is bountiful, Parsons has also been a prolific solo artist, more so in recent years.

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Alan Parsons

Parsons returns with his latest solo album, From The New World, the follow up to The Secret, his first studio album in 15 years. Parsons has been known to work collaboratively with a host of fine musical talent. From The New World is no exception. On vocals the album includes, besides Parsons himself, both young and old: James Durbin, Tommy Shaw, and David Pack (taking Parsons back to his Ambrosia days). The guitarists are equally exceptional, including among others: Jeff Kollman, James Durbin, and Jeff Marshall, an instructor at the Music Institute of Hollywood, known for his work with Blake Shelton, Tim McGraw and Dwight Yoakum. Additionally, new blues legend, Joe Bonamassa, delivers solos within Give 'em My Love and I Won't Be Led Astray. All these contributions, led us to the music.

As a whole I found From The New Word on the lighter side of AOR melodic rock wherein the compositions are large and lush with acoustic guitar, piano, symphonic nuances, and fine vocal harmony. This is notable within Obstacles, The Secret, Goin' Home, and Fare Thee Well. Perhaps more upbeat, but eschewing hard rock heaviness, are Uroboros (with Tommy Shaw), perhaps You Are The Light. Yet these are also subtle arrangements. The alternative with some more girth in composition is the closing, Be My Baby, a cover of The Ronettes classic hit. Take note of the tight drum arrangement.

All said, many listeners may find Alan Parsons latest project, From The New World, more sublime and mellow. Perhaps more gentle melodic rock which is informed by vocal harmonies, and a gentle mix of acoustic guitar and piano, yet spiced with fine guitar work. It's definitely different than his early work, but still displays his immense talent as songwriter and producer. Recommended.




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The Take Away

All said, many listeners may find Alan Parsons latest project, From The New World, more sublime and mellow. Perhaps more gentle melodic rock which is informed by vocal harmonies, and a gentle mix of acoustic guitar and piano, yet spiced with fine guitar work. It's definitely different than his early work.

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