ALAN PARSONS : FROM THE NEW WORLD

  1. Fare Thee Well
  2. The Secret
  3. Uroboros
  4. Don't Fade Now
  5. Give 'Em My Love
  6. Obstacles
  7. I Won't Be Led Astray
  8. You Are The Light
  9. Halos
  10. Goin' Home
  11. Be My Baby

Label : Frontiers Music SRL

Release Date : July 15, 2022

Length : 44:58

Review (Markus' Heavy Music Blog) : In recent months and years, Alan Parsons has not been stingy with releases. The current wave of releases started in 2019 when Parsons presented 'The Secret', a new studio album. After that two live albums arrived, one with a recording from the Netherlands and another one recorded live in Tel Aviv. And now comes 'From the New World' to the record stores. The new album includes eleven songs, all in the typical Alan Parsons sound style. Progressive-, classic- and art rock unite on 'From the New World' to an compelling sound collage. This time Parsons also got prominent support in the studio. Joe Bonamassa contributed with two guitar solos and can be heard on 'Give 'em My Love' and 'I Won't Be Led Astray'. The vocals are shared by a total of nine singers and one of them is none other than Tommy Shaw (Styx) who gives 'Uroboros' a sparkle all its own. The slower song comes out of the speakers with a lot of depth and feeling. In addition, Shaw's voice gives the tune a rocking expression without the song getting really loud. Exciting is also 'Halos', a track that reminds me more of the Alan Parsons Projects times. Melody line and hooks make the song a highlight. Also worth mentioning is the cinematic middle section with an atmospheric depth that only Parsons can deliver with such intensity. 'The Secret' is more of ear candy and 'You are the Light' swings light-footedly through the soundscapes. And it is a cover version which provides a rather unusual conclusion to the album. 'Be My Baby', originally by The Ronettes is the final track of the album, a longplayer that contains everything Alan Parsons fans expect. 'From the New World' offers atmosphere, big arcs of sound and a lot of feeling. Without wandering too much on the beaten path, Parsons again succeeds in skillfully presenting his very own sound.

Review (Vintage Rock) : Eleven-time Grammy-nominated, engineer, multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and producer Alan Parsons presents From The New World, the follow-up to his 2019 The Secret album. Since the end of the 1980s and Alan Parsons Project, there have been a few album and tours with Parsons as a soloist, with backing band for support. For From The New World, his sixth solo album, special guests like Joe Bonamassa, Tommy Shaw, David Pack and James Durbin add wonderful touches to the stunning performances by Parsons and his incredible band. From the big dramatic sweep of the slightly overlong "Fare Thee Well," to those stabs from his famous guests, the 11 songs run the gambit. Aside from Shaw rocking good and hard on "Uroboros," it's the ballads that work best for me on From The New World. Parsons manages his breathy singing over an acoustic guitar backing on "Don't Fade Now," while Durbin and Bonamassa help out on the bluesy "Give 'Em My Love." Bonamassa joins Pack and Mike Larson for a string-laden "I Won't Be Led Astray." < The collection ends with a perfect recreation of the Ronettes' "Be My Baby." As odd a choice as I found it to be, it does feature a spot-on vocal from Tabitha Fair and has the lush feel of a Parsons' production. No longer part of a project, out and about playing live with a great band, and offering a solo release every few years, Alan Parsons is an icon still to be reckoned with. From The New World makes this plain and simple.

Review (Dangerdog) : 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. Alan Parsons Click For Larger Image 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.