AMBROSIA

I just had to put in my two cents worth on what I consider one of my all time favorite albums. Unlike most people, I had this album long before Ambrosia went commercial. I loved this album when I first got it and I still do. Because of Ambrosia's commercial success with top 40 radio, this album has been forgotten, which is very unfortunate. This album should be essential. It was a forerunner to Dark Side of the Moon in that it was produced by Alan Parson who would go on to produce DSotM. It is too bad that Ambrosia didn't follow the progressive path because they would have been one of the best if they had continued making music growing off of this album. The album opens with Nice, Nice Very Nice and Time Waits for No One, both of which have their share of tempo and style changes, but mostly upbeat. And the lyrics are great too. The next track is Holdin' on to Yesterday which I remember as having some radio airplay, but the radio back then seemed to play an edited version that leaves out the beautiful violin part which is on the album. World Leave Me Alone has some great lyrics and phrasing and Make Us All Aware is one of the louder songs of the album with some nice surprises in the instrumental section of the song. Lover Arrive is a very beautiful ballad which is just progressive enough to not be commercial. Mama Frog is amazing with a very cool reading of "Jabberwocky" in the middle. Last of all is the biggest highlight of the album...Drink of Water... which boasts an amazing range of dynamics in the interplay of the guitars, the amazing organ solo and the varying louds and softs of the vocals. Amazing song. Yes, this is an essential album that has sadly been ignored because of the path that Ambrosia took afterwards. But if you can find it, you should give it a chance.