So I love Parallels and Inside Out...
..it seemed Parallels detailed the falling apart of a relationship, and Inside Out seemed to present kind of moving on..kind of.
But when APSOG came out, it was the third album in a row with some sort of relationship lament in the lyrics, and there was a sappiness to them. It's one if the big things I hold against that album.
Does the book address any of this?
The book paints a very different story IMO.
Firstly, Jim makes it clear that the lyrics on Parallels are often misinterpreted. For instance, Eye to Eye is often interpreted as a personal relationship song, when it was written from the point of view of the performer to the audience. Not two people in a personal relationship.
The book also paints a very bleak picture of the making of IO with more than one band member feeling it was not what it should have been. I think Jim and Ray both state that it was the first time no one felt like the band took a step forward, and instead were just attempting to retread Parallels…and it just didn’t feel right the second time around. (Though Monument is mentioned as a big highlight)
APSOG is never described as having anything to do with relationships…but all who were involved glow about the project as being a reinvention and something they are extremely proud of.