The Turn of a Friendly Card
The Alan Parsons Project · 1980
40 min · 10 tracks · progressive rock · art rock
A sophisticated blend of progressive rock and artful pop, layered with lush production and introspective lyrics.
Why this album works
'The Turn of a Friendly Card' reached No. 5 on the UK Albums Chart and featured the hit single 'Games People Play,' which gained significant radio airplay. Its exploration of gambling metaphors resonated culturally during the rise of casino-themed entertainment in the early 1980s, marking a distinct moment in the band's evolution.
- Best for
- layered, dense sonic textures long, immersive listening sessions dynamic emotional journeys
- Context
- Released on November 1, 1980, 'The Turn of a Friendly Card' was the fifth studio album by The Alan Parsons Project, following their successful 'I Robot.' At this point in their career, they had established themselves as a prominent force in the progressive rock scene and were exploring themes of chance and risk through conceptual storytelling.
- Stylistic neighbors
- XTC· The Sisters of Mercy· Siouxsie and the Banshees· Jah Wobble· Flesh for Lulu· The Sound· Felt· We've Got a Fuzzbox and We're Gonna Use It
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 May Be a Price to Pay 4:58
- 2 Games People Play Standout 4:21
- 3 Time Standout 5:04
- 4 I Don’t Wanna Go Home 5:03
- 5 The Gold Bug 4:34
- 6 The Turn of a Friendly Card: Ⅰ. The Turn of a Friendly Card, Part One 2:36
- 7 The Turn of a Friendly Card: Ⅱ. Snake Eyes 3:23
- 8 The Turn of a Friendly Card: Ⅲ. The Ace of Swords 2:59
- 9 The Turn of a Friendly Card: Ⅳ. Nothing Left to Lose 4:07
- 10 The Turn of a Friendly Card: Ⅴ. The Turn of a Friendly Card, Part Two 3:22
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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