I might agree that the way this record approximates what it (supposedly) criticizes is a species of profundity if what it (supposedly) criticized was schlock. As it is, the pseudo-disco makes Giorgio Moroder sound like Eno and the pseudo-sci-fi makes Isaac Asimov seem like a deep thinker. Back to the control board. C

- Robert Christgau, Christgau's Record Guide, 1981.

Bonus Reviews!

Further reading on Super Seventies RockSite!: Album Review: Tales of Mystery and Imagination Alan Parsons Project Discography

The Alan Parsons Project was established as a top record-seller with I, Robot, their second album. Musically, the record continued the ideas of their debut. Thematically, the record was an exploration of the science-fiction concept of a world run by machines and mechanized human beings, particularly robots. * * * *

- Daevid Jehnzen, The All-Music Guide to Rock, 1995.

I Robot is the penultimate Parsons Project album. In hindsight it's a little thin on songs, though the hit single "I Wouldn't Want to Be Like You," "Some Other Time" and "Breakdown" made for a strong early album set. But put the headphones on while you're listening, and you'll understand why it worked. * * * *

- Gary Graff, Musichound Rock: The Essential Album Guide, 1996.

The engineer of Dark Side of the Moon did his own thing here with collaborator Eric Woolfson and it was indeed a project. Something original, fusing an orchestra, progressive rock and pop laced with science-fiction themes, this work of studio art was totally radical for its time, with cinematic, crisp, clear production and slick musicianship -- in sum, good head music that was ponderous man, ponderous. * * * *

- Zagat Survey Music Guide - 1,000 Top Albums of All Time, 2003.

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