Vulture Culture (1984)

Vulture Culture is the 8th studio album by The Alan Parsons Project and—let’s just call it what it is—the band’s 7th No Skip Album (NSA). That’s seven out of eight, folks. This record might not always get the same flowers as some of its predecessors, but it absolutely deserves its seat at the table.

As with every Alan Parsons Project release, the band sticks to their bread and butter: a conceptual throughline. By this point in their discography, though, they’ve gotten a bit subtler with the storytelling. The overarching theme here is a sharp critique of modern society—zooming in on greed, corruption, and the ever-hungry pursuit of power. It’s woke in the best kind of way.

Sonically, Vulture Culture delivers that signature Parsons polish: light prog rock layered with intricate arrangements, lush orchestrations, and just enough mid-80s synth sheen to remind you what era you’re in—but not enough to drown it in neon. It’s a clean blend of classic and contemporary (for its time), and it holds up surprisingly well.

The record kicks off strong with Let’s Talk About Me, a punchy, ego-drenched track with killer hooks and infectious energy. From there, we’re treated to Days Are Numbers (The Traveller), a sweeping, emotional anthem that builds into a stunning finish. And then comes Sooner or Later—undeniably one of the band’s finest hours. No notes. Just vibes and perfection.

However, there are a few tracks that don’t quite soar as high. The title track Vulture Culture and the closer The Same Old Sun are solid—really solid—but when you’re sitting next to songs like Days Are Numbers, it’s easy to get overshadowed. Still, these aren’t skips; they’re just more like low-key gems in a box full of fireworks.

Lyrically, the album goes all-in on calling out societal rot: materialism, self-obsession, power-hunger—you name it. It’s biting, it’s relevant, and it’s still timely. Parsons and Woolfson were clearly paying attention to the world around them, and their commentary is just as sharp today as it was in ’84.

In the grand scheme of The Alan Parsons Project, Vulture Culture is maybe a half-step below their absolute best, but it’s still a vital, high-quality record that deserves way more credit than it tends to get. If you’re not including this in your rotation, you’re missing out on a masterclass in concept rock and thoughtful musicianship.

So, put some respect on Vulture Culture. It’s got brains, heart, and hooks for days—and it walks away with another well-earned NSA badge.

——————————————

Highlight Songs:

• Sooner or Later

• Days Are Numbers (The Traveller)

• Somebody Out There

• Let’s Talk About Me

——————————————

Own it, Stream it, Forget about it?

Absolutely worth owning. It is an entirely different feel from an Alan Parsons Project record, but it’s got a lot of their signature stamps on it. It’s a fantastic record with a great cover and it should proudly be owned and displayed in any music collection.

——————————————

Overall Rating:

4.5 Stars