Eve (1979)
The Alan Parsons Project’s fourth album, Eve, marks their third No Skip record—and easily one of their most surprising.
Released in 1979, Eve tackles the theme of femininity and the roles women are forced to play in society, making it arguably the most socially aware and forward-thinking release in the band’s discography. It’s a concept record, yes—but it’s also a cultural statement, landing at a time when feminist movements were gaining real momentum around the globe. You didn’t hear many prog-rock bands addressing gender politics in the late ’70s, which makes this one stand out even more.
Musically, it’s as sharp and polished as anything they’d done before. The album pulls from a range of styles—rock, pop, orchestral, and electronic—without feeling scattered. The production is, of course, flawless. Parsons’ reputation as a studio wizard (thanks to past work with The Beatles and Pink Floyd) shows up in the details. Everything feels intentional, balanced, and thematically linked.
Lucifer and Secret Garden are the album’s instrumental highlights, with Lucifer especially making a statement right out of the gate. That synth-and-drum groove still hits hard, setting an eerie, cinematic tone. Damned If I Do is a near-perfect pop-rock single, with a hook that sticks and lyrics that reflect inner conflict and restraint. You Lie Down With Dogs goes darker, confronting double standards and the blame often placed on women for the behavior of men.
Tracks like Winding Me Up and Don’t Hold Back explore female identity and resilience, confronting the pressure to perform or conform. You Won’t Be There might be the emotional peak of the album—a sorrowful ballad about loss, identity, and the absence that reshapes a person’s world.
What makes Eve hit differently is how grounded it is emotionally. There’s less abstraction here and more direct confrontation with real-world issues. It’s bold without being preachy, and it takes a clear stance while still delivering top-tier musicianship.
———————————————
Highlight Songs:
Damned If I Do
You Lie Down With Dogs
You Won’t Be There
I’d Rather Be A Man
If I Could Change Your Mind
———————————————
Own it, Stream it, Forget about it?
Own it. Eve proves that The Alan Parsons Project didn’t just know how to craft sound—they knew how to say something with it. It’s one of their smartest, most layered records, and it still feels relevant today.
———————————————
Overall Rating:
4.5 Stars
