After disbanding the Alan Parsons Project (APP) in the late 80s , namesake Alan Parsons took some time off.  After spending the 60s, 70s and 80s first as an in demand studio engineer and then leader of a hugely popular band, the final release of the Project , 1987s Gaudi signaled a change. Parsons and his partner in the Project Eric Woolfson decided it was time for a split. It was a full six years before Parson’s released an album, 1993’s Try Anything Once. That album lead to the first tour of Parson’s career.  Following the obligatory live album, On Air appeared in 1996.

Similar to previous APP albums, while not a full-on concept album, On Air has a theme throughout.  This time the theme of human’s fascination with flight appears in every song.  From the story of Icarus (“Too Close To the Sun”) to man’s first attempts to leave our planet (“Apollo”), each song touches on flying.  “Blue Blue Sky” both opens and closes the album, with Eric Stewart of 10cc fame on vocals.  The song is a pretty tune.  That’s part of the overall problem(?) with the album.  It’s a very pretty album, also released in a 5.1 High Definition Surround version it’s great to listen to.  The issue is that the majority of the songs are just forgettable.

Parson’s partner in this project is former APP guitarist Ian Bairnson, who wrote or co-wrote 10 of the 11 tracks. Lead vocals on the songs are covered by a good group of vocalists including Stewart, Neil Lockwood (former ELO Part II), Steve Overland (FM) and even Christopher Cross.

Standout tracks on the album are “Brother Up In Heaven” an ode to a fallen serviceman and “So Far Away” with the unmistakable vocals of Cross.

Fans of the APP should enjoy this album as it’s really an extension of what that band did , and did well, for so many years.  I think the absence of Woolfson has effected the song writing, there is nothing on the level of “Games People Play” or “Eye In The Sky”. There are several instrumentals as well, which helped to group APP into the Progressive Rock category (sorry Scott Evil, I disagree, this is more yacht rack than Progressive).

On Air is still worth a listen or two and then move on to the next album.

website: http://alanparsonsmusic.com