I Chased the Balloons and I was Enlightened
Matthew J. Archuleta | DENVER, CO USA | 12/02/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I think your experience with this very expensive release (but darn well worth it), will be as pleasureable as mine. I don't know what is the better experience, the enclosed CD-Rom or the music. My favorite Alan Parsons release before this CD was "The Turn Of A Friendly Card". There is no comparison. This release is substantially more mellow and having more substance in terms of lyrical content and music than other 'projects'. The music is fantastic. The CD-Rom offers historical facts, tributes, and amazing effects and photographs. 'Hit' the soaring balloons--some whizzing by. Hint: go to the website listed on the liner notes to get tips on the proper viewing of this CD-Rom)."
One of Alan's Most Melodic Offerings
Michael Butts | Martinsburg, WV USA | 06/30/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Returning to the thematic concept so often used in his early career, Alan Parsons has assembled a great mix of tunes, instrumentals, and singers for an overall beautiful CD. The theme is flight, from the first time Daedalus and Icarus took wing to our modern space age. It details the frustrations, the glories, the wins, the losses, the sorrows of the pursuit of flight. Highlights are the opening intro to "Blue Blue Sky" which fades into "Too Close to the Sun." (With a dynamic jet crescendo!); "Brother Up There," a poignant story dedicated to someone who lost their life in a flight, and the finale of "Blue Blue Sky" which crescendos and decrescendos so beautifully. This is a haunting, enjoyable album, exquisitely produced and engineered by the marvelous Mr. Parsons"
On Air
Delbert Wright | Toronto Canada | 06/21/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"A good journeyman effort by the current Parson's team. This album is, as indicated by the title and cover art, revolving around flight.The highlights are, Blue blue Sky, Too Close to the Sun and Brother Up In Heaven. Brother Up In Heaven is a soft very sentimental piece and a bit of a departure from the usual Alan Parsons style. Too Close to the Sun is a retelling of the Greek Myth of Icarus with morals attached. The whole album is very much worth listening. I found the instrumental Apollo moving including the introductory soundbites from President Kennedy's speech. I would rate it well ahead of Vulture Culture and about on a par with The Time Machine"
Track Listings (12) - Disc #1
