Try Anything Once (1993)
Try Anything Once is the debut solo album from famed producer, engineer, and sonic wizard Alan Parsons. After shaping the sounds of Abbey Road, Dark Side of the Moon, and nine albums with The Alan Parsons Project, Parsons steps into the solo spotlight with a record that blends his unmistakable production polish with a new sense of creative freedom.
As solo debuts go, Try Anything Once is a confident and compelling entry into Parsons’ ever-expanding musical universe. The album kicks off with The Three of Me, a funky, atmospheric opener that shows off both his technical chops and his flair for the theatrical. It’s got sweeping strings, layered vocals, and even a spooky, Halloween-esque break in the middle eight that feels like it was lifted straight from the soundtrack of a stylish classic goth thriller. Go ahead and toss it in your October playlist—you’ll turn heads, spark conversations, and probably summon at least one synth ghost.
From there, the record slides effortlessly through a range of styles and moods. Turn It Up is a smooth, jazzy pop number that rides the line between adult-contemporary and late-night radio cool. Wine From the Water brings an upbeat, shuffling groove that feels like a spiritual cousin to Paul McCartney’s Wino Junko or a few tracks deep into a Dire Straits B-side binge. It’s fun, weirdly classy, and quietly infectious.
Of course, it wouldn’t be an Alan Parsons album without instrumentals, and Try Anything Once brings the goods. Breakaway explodes out of the gate with a driving rhythm and blazing saxophone lines that feel both cinematic and immediate. Dreamscape, on the other hand, is a blissful slow-burn—like Pink Floyd on a meditation retreat. The guitar work floats. The mood lingers. It’s Parsons doing what he does best: creating worlds within songs.
Is this a No Skip Album? Not quite. A few tracks don’t stick the landing or linger in the memory as long as the standouts. But even the lesser moments are wrapped in such pristine production and sonic texture that they’re still worth the ride. And when the record does hit its peaks, it’s a reminder that Parsons is more than just a behind-the-scenes legend—he’s an artist in his own right.
Try Anything Once is a strong solo launch—versatile, richly layered, and full of that Alan Parsons magic. Fans of The Alan Parsons Project will find plenty to love, but the album also stands alone as a gateway into his post-Project evolution. Don’t count Parsons out just because he stepped away from the band. He’s still got gas in the tank—and mojo to spare. As long as Dr. Evil doesn’t steal it.
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Highlight Songs:
The Three of Me
Wine from the Water
Turn It Up
Dreamscape
Re-Jigue
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Own it, Stream it, Forget about it?
Definitely worth owning this one. It is a solid first solo outing with many, many things to love on it. There is not one bad song on here, but there are a few that are passable. I recommend owning it for sure.
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Overall Rating:
4 Stars
