Is The Turn of a Friendly Card a good place to start with The Alan Parsons Project?

Yes, The Turn of a Friendly Card is recommended as a starting point for new The Alan Parsons Project listeners. Melodic progressive rock intertwines with orchestral arrangements and lyrical storytelling, creating an immersive auditory experience. Released in 1980, The Turn of a Friendly Card was the fifth studio album by The Alan Parsons Project. Following the commercial success of their previous album, I Robot, this record further solidified their reputation for innovative soundscapes and conceptual storytelling. At this point, the band had developed a strong identity within the progressive rock genre.

Who is The Turn of a Friendly Card for?

The Turn of a Friendly Card works well if you're into layered, dense sonic textures, long, immersive listening sessions and dynamic emotional journeys.

How many songs are on The Turn of a Friendly Card?

The Turn of a Friendly Card has 10 tracks, running approximately 40 minutes.

Released 46 years ago this November

The Turn of a Friendly Card

The Alan Parsons Project · 1980

40 min · 10 tracks · progressive rock

Melodic progressive rock intertwines with orchestral arrangements and lyrical storytelling, creating an immersive auditory experience.

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Top tracks — play these first

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May Be a Price to Pay Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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Games People Play — This track stands out with its catchy chorus and commentary on human behavior, encapsulating the album's thematic exploration of chance and choice.
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Time — With its haunting melody and poignant lyrics about life's fleeting nature, this song became one of the band's most enduring classics.
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The Turn of a Friendly Card: II. Snake Eyes — This part of the suite showcases intricate instrumentation while reflecting the themes of luck and fate prevalent throughout the album.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

63 /100

Treeline

Higher than 74% of albums we've rated

The album blends melodic songwriting with orchestral elements, creating a cohesive yet varied listening experience.

What we noticed

The title track is divided into five distinct parts, each contributing to an overarching narrative while maintaining thematic cohesion.
The first three tracks establish a strong melodic foundation before transitioning into the more intricate and experimental sections of the title track.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 8/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

layered, dense sonic textures
long, immersive listening sessions
dynamic emotional journeys
contemplative reflective moments

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — Further solidified the band's commercial success with hit single 'Games People Play'.
Themes: human behavior commentary· life's fleeting nature· luck and fate
Career context: Released in 1980, The Turn of a Friendly Card was the fifth studio album by The Alan Parsons Project. Following the commercial success of their previous album, I Robot, this record further solidified their reputation for innovative soundscapes and conceptual storytelling. At this point, the band had developed a strong identity within the progressive rock genre.
Stylistic neighbors: Yes· Emerson, Lake & Palmer· Pink Floyd