The Turn of a Friendly Card

The first time I took notice of The Alan Parsons Project was sometime during sixth grade.  "Games People Play" was a rock radio favorite, and my classmate Marni was a big fan.  I think she told me she had the entire album, The Turn of a Friendly Card.  The song immediately captivated me.  Something about that repetitive synth, courtesy of an ARP Odyssey, but of course I didn't know that when I was eleven.  I just knew I dug it, and still do.  My brain was rapidly absorbing music at that time.  The track is the very essence of my late elementary school memories.  My friends, my neighborhood.  The subsequent times I have happened by the old haunts this song always emerges from my long term. Perfect soundtrack.

Years later I bought The Best of The Alan Parsons Project.  "Time", also from ....Card, really got to me.  Eric Woolfson's reassuring vocal is so poignant and haunting, bringing to life the always intriguing theme of time passage, how it (for openers) relates to the temporary nature of relationships.  He would also later sing the APP staple "Eye in the Sky".  "Games People Play" was sung by Lenny Zakatek, and his rougher tenor suits lyrics that can be interpreted many ways.  Is the tune about aging? Transparency? Dishonesty? How does it fit in with the theme of the album? One that considers the plight of a gambler.  

Side Two of The Turn of a Friendly Card is a suite which includes the AOR radio staple "Snake Eyes".  Chris Rainbow lends the right urgency to the vocal, which grows more desperate as the song progresses.  He's singing about more than just craps, you know.  Vivid depiction of brokenness. The most obvious, lyrically, dealing with addiction.  Very cinematic imagery.

The Alan Parsons Project, named for the man who had served as a sound engineer for the Beatles and Pink Floyd, are known for their instrumentals, and "The Gold Bug" and "The Ace of Swords" belong in the same breath with "Syrius" and "Mammagamma".  The former is super groovy and danceable.  The latter builds slowly to a majestic march.  Both have that signature Parsons sound, instantly recognizable. 

Lesser known tracks "I Don't Wanna Go Home" and "May Be a Price to Pay" further Parsons' thesis for The Turn of a Friendly Card.  Gambling as a metaphor for, well, life itself.  Everything here, while as accomplished as ever, is maybe easier to get into than the earlier albums.  It might be the right starting point for the listener curious to dive into the Alan Parsons discography. 

"TTOAFC Part 2", a perfect reprise, closing the album with impressive guitar (Ian Bairnson on electric) and strings (The Philharmonia Orchestra).  Exhilarating, then melancholy.  Then vice versa.  That's true of many Alan Parsons tunes.  Bittersweet.  A damned catchy earworm chorus to boot.  It leaves us with plenty to mull over at fadeout.