The Alan Parsons Project "Stereotomy"

Stereotomy is the ninth studio album by The Alan Parsons Project, released in 1985.

Not as commercially successful as its predecessor Vulture Culture, the album is structured differently from earlier Project albums, containing three lengthy tracks ("Stereotomy" at over seven minutes, "Light of the World" at over six minutes, and the instrumental "Where's the Walrus?" running over seven and a half minutes) and two minute-long songs at the end. It is a full digital production and both the LP and CD releases were encoded using the two-channel Ambisonic UHJ format.

The original vinyl packaging of the album was different from all the reissues: it featured somewhat more elaborate artwork of the paper sleeve supplied with a special color-filter oversleeve. When inserted, the oversleeve filtered some of the colors of the sleeve artwork, allowing four different variations (2 per side) of it. That was supposed to symbolize visual stereotomy. In the reissues, only one variant remained. The artwork was nominated for Best Album Package at the 29th Annual Grammy Awards.

The word "stereotomy" is taken from "The Murders in the Rue Morgue" by Edgar Allan Poe. It refers to the cutting of existing solid shapes into different forms; it is used as a metaphor for the way that famous people (singers, actors. etc.) are often 'shaped' by the demands of fame.

Stereotomy earned a Grammy nomination in 1987 for Best Rock Instrumental Performance – Orchestra, Group, or Soloist for the track "Where's the Walrus?"

Stereotomy marks the final appearance of David Paton on bass; he went on to join Elton John's touring band, and the first since Tales of Mystery and Imagination not to feature Lenny Zakatek.

Track listing

All songs written and composed by Alan Parsons and Eric Woolfson.

Side 1

1. "Stereotomy" (lead vocal John Miles, backing vocal Eric Woolfson) – 7:18
2. "Beaujolais" (lead vocal Chris Rainbow) – 4:27
3. "Urbania" (instrumental) – 4:59
4. "Limelight" (lead vocal Gary Brooker) – 4:39

Side 2

1. "In The Real World" (lead vocal John Miles) – 4:20
2. "Where's The Walrus?" (instrumental) – 7:31
3. "Light of the World" (lead vocal Graham Dye, backing vocal Steven Dye) – 6:19
4. "Chinese Whispers" (instrumental) – 1:01
5. "Stereotomy Two" (lead vocal John Miles) – 1:21

Stereotomy was remastered and reissued in 2008 with the following bonus tracks:

1. "Light Of The World" (backing track)
2. "Rumour Goin' Round" (demo)
3. "Stereotomy" (Eric Woolfson guide vocal)
4. "Stereotomy" (backing rough mix)