I've been playing a few new discs lately.

Alan Parsons:  A Valid Path.  Online reviews nearly convinced me not to purchase this album, but I am a long-time fan of Alan Parsons, so that factor won out.  I think the online reviewers have their ears stuffed with cream cheese or something.  This album is great fun to listen to.  It is touted as "an album of electronica," and I suppose it is, but whereas I cannot listen to most electronica for more than about thirty seconds without getting bored, this album is full of the lush soundscapes and interesting textures I've come to expect from Parsons.  No, it doesn't sound exactly like his other releases, which I'm sure is what's behind the detractors' biased reviews.  Yes, he does put two songs on that are "versions" of old classics from the Project.  But even those are great fun for me!  One new song sounds as if it could be the best Flaming Lips tune ever--and the lyrics may not be very "high-brow," but it certainly is catchy.  If you enjoy Parsons, and if you can handle the fact that he's trying something different this time out, then pick this up and enjoy.  The opening track features some nice guitar tones from David Gilmore, reminiscent of the days of Meddle.  The album's running time matches nearly exactly the time it takes to cook a batch of chicken in the rotisserie.  (Recipe available on request.)

Tears for Fears:  Everybody Loves a Happy Ending:  I've been listening to cuts off of this one for a while at The Dividing Line on Monday nights, and was pursuaded to buy a copy.  It just came yesterday, and I've listened to it several times already.  I think it's hard not to say "beatle-esque" with a group like this, but I don't much care about that.  This is feeling like a very solid album to me, though it's hard to comment more substantially than that at this point.

Bleu:  Redhead:  This one arrived in the same package with the Parsons disc, so it has gotten limited time on the player.  It features a heavy pop sound with ringing hooks galore, and at least one tune shows clear Andy Sturmer influence (a comment I made while listening, then verified by reading the liner notes).  I think if I didn't have Parsons in for the commute right now, I'd be listening to this one obsessively.  Maybe that will start in a couple of weeks.  Solid, charming, smart "power pop."

Asia:  Silent Nation:  I haven't listened to a new Asia album since about 1983, so I picked this one up as a lark.  I have yet to be drawn in by it.  It isn't bad, but it hasn't made me want to repeat a single song yet, after about three listens to the whole disc.  The packaging is certainly flashy.  Will the music grow on me?  Only time will tell.

Anyone else?

Herring405