The Voice

Zoo Freaks, get ready to groove to The Voice by The Alan Parsons Project from their iconic I Robot album, spinning right now at THE ZOO! This track, dripping with dark, futuristic vibes, features the electrifying vocals of Steve Harley, frontman of Cockney Rebel. Reviewers on Prog Archives rave about Harley’s commanding performance, noting that his intense delivery elevates the song’s foreboding atmosphere, with its hypnotic bassline and ethereal synths giving way to a fast-paced, orchestral climax. The song’s mechanized refrain, “he’s gonna get you,” adds a chilling edge, perfectly aligning with the album’s theme of machines outpacing humanity. Fun fact: The Voice found a second life as the intro music for the 1981 telenovela Infamia, proving its haunting allure transcends genres.

Another tidbit from the I Robot lore is the album’s serendipitous timing. According to the band’s official site, the-alan-parsons-project.com, the album hit stores in the U.S. the same week as Star Wars in 1977, riding the sci-fi wave with its robot-themed cover art by Hipgnosis. While The Voice itself wasn’t a chart-topping single, its intricate production and progressive rock flair have made it a fan favorite, with Reddit users on r/progrockmusic praising its Pink Floyd-esque vibe, a nod to Alan Parsons’ engineering work on The Dark Side of the Moon. The song’s layered textures, from its funky rhythm to the massive orchestral bursts, showcase the Project’s knack for blending pop, prog, and disco influences into a slick, otherworldly sound.

The Alan Parsons Project, the brainchild of Alan Parsons and Eric Woolfson, began in 1975 in London, born from a meeting at Abbey Road Studios’ canteen in 1974. Parsons, already a seasoned audio engineer, had worked on legendary albums like The Beatles’ Abbey Road and Let It Be, starting his career at 18 as an assistant engineer at EMI’s tape duplication department. His big break came after hearing the master tape of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, inspiring him to talk his way into Abbey Road, where he earned credits on Abbey Road by 1969. Woolfson, a songwriter and session pianist, pitched the idea of a producer-driven band, blending their talents to create concept albums. Their debut, Tales of Mystery and Imagination (1976), set the stage for their signature progressive rock sound, leading to I Robot’s success.

Stay connected with The Alan Parsons Project through their official website for news, vinyl releases, and merchandise. Follow them on Facebook for updates and fan discussions, and check out Instagram for behind-the-scenes glimpses. On X, Alan Parsons shares tour dates and studio insights. Fans can dive deeper at Prog Archives for detailed discographies and reviews, or join the Alan Parsons Project Fan Group on Facebook to connect with fellow enthusiasts. Keep it locked to THE ZOO for more psychedelic spins!