Gaudi (1987)

We love Gaudi. Everyone say it with me. “We love Gaudi”.

Gaudi was the final record from The Alan Parsons Project and it gets its name from the famous Spanish architect Antoni Gaudi. The overall concept and theme of the record revolves around his life and work. Why the band chose to conceptualize an entire record around Antoni Gaudi is a mystery to me, but it really works. The record, though, is also not as clear cut on its concept like the bands earlier Edgar Allan Poe album or even their Sci-Fi I Robot record.

The album opens with the epic and unforgettable La Sagrada Familia, named after Gaudi's unfinished cathedral in Barcelona. The track features a lush orchestral arrangement and sets the tone for the album's grandiose sound. It doesn’t get anymore grand than this song.

Following that is Too Late, which deals with the tragic death of Antoni Gaudi. Closer To Heaven is very nice sonically, but it doesn’t have a lot of replay-ability to me. Standing On Higher Ground, on the other hand, is a thumping 1980’s powerhouse while Money Talks is punchy track with a driving mechanic rhythm.

Inside Looking Out is a gorgeous ballad and the record is all tied together with a perfect bow on top with the instrumental Paseo de Gracia finishing things off.

Musically, Gaudi is a masterpiece. The bands production skills shine through on every track, with intricate arrangements, stunning production, and impeccable sound quality. The album is also notable for its use of orchestration, which gives all the songs a cinematic quality. They followed popular 80s music trends on this record with their use of synthesizers, drum machines and even some light sampling.

Gaudi is a fitting tribute to the life and work of Antoni Gaudi, and a testament to the talent of The Alan Parson’s Project. It's a downer that the band's penultimate record, Stereotomy, was a bit of a let down, but Gaudi more than makes up for it. If you're a fan of lite-prog rock turned 1980s pop rock, grand orchestral rock arrangements, or just good music in general, Gaudi is definitely, without a doubt, worth a listen.

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Highlight Songs:

• La Sagrada Familia

• Standing on Higher Ground

• Too Late

• Paseó de Gracia

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Own it, Stream it, Forget about it?

Gaudi is not the greatest looking album cover, but it sure as hell is one of The Alan Parson’s Projects greatest albums. It is worth buying, absolutely. Go buy it, now. I will wait.

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Overall Rating:

4.5 Stars