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AMBITION

Aviary

Crossover Prog


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Aviary Ambition album cover
3.96 | 28 ratings | 5 reviews | 21% 5 stars

Excellent addition to any
prog rock music collection

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Studio Album, released in 2003

Songs / Tracks Listing

1. Hello (3:20)
2. The Sun, The Sand (4:26)
3. Apathy (3:47)
4. Ambition (3:18)
5. You (3:55)
6. Desert Songs / Pharaohs March (11:10)
7. I Should Of Known (4:56)
8. Eva's Birthday (3:40)
9. Fine Lines (5:42)
10. Working Girl (3:37)
11. Yes And No (3:20)

Total Time: 51:11

Line-up / Musicians

- Brad Love / lead vocal, piano
- Paul Madden / Hammond B2 w/perc. Mellotron, MiniMoog, Profet, Rhodes
- Ken Steimonts / Rickenbacker bass, vocals
- Richard Bryans / drums, vocals
- Toby Bowen / guitar
- Tony Dart / drums (on Eva's Birthday)

Releases information

All songs were recorded 1975-1979.
AV Records 0001

Thanks to ProgLucky for the addition
and to AmericanProgster for the last updates
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AVIARY Ambition ratings distribution


3.96
(28 ratings)
Essential: a masterpiece of progressive rock music(21%)
21%
Excellent addition to any prog rock music collection(50%)
50%
Good, but non-essential (25%)
25%
Collectors/fans only (4%)
4%
Poor. Only for completionists (0%)
0%

AVIARY Ambition reviews


Showing all collaborators reviews and last reviews preview | Show all reviews/ratings

Collaborators/Experts Reviews

Review by ZowieZiggy
PROG REVIEWER
4 stars The debut album from "Aviary" (released some... twenty-four prior to this one) was a very good surprise and this follow-up just digs further into the same good old music influences. Inevitably, a song as "Hello" will remind you the Fab Four thanks to brilliant vocal arrangements. But this was already a major asset of the band during their self-titled release.

"Ambition" can't be considered as brilliantly innovative because of its links with past glory, but I am keen to listen to such a work which virtually brought me back in the mid-seventies. Which were my teenage days.

This album is a fine melodic piece of music all the way through. Their leader, Brad Love, is truly phenomenal in his singing role. A strong but sweet voice at the same time, a passionate person. And I appreciate passionate people.

Some tracks are more upbeat and enthusiastic, like the "Queen" oriented title track. When I say "Queen", I refer to their early days of course. It is one of the most achieved songs out of here; the one that consists of many theme changes, versatility and fantasy. A highlight.

When I listen to "You", it is as if Jeff Lynne would sit aside of me. So catchy, so pleasant, so emotional. One can of course categorized this as regressive music, but again, I have such a pleasure to listen to this song. It is just superbly organized, crafted and beautiful.

We are of course not talking of complex, intricate music. No, just easy listening and well performed songs. At least, it is the feeling that prevails until "Desert Songs/ Pharaohs March" starts.

The epic of this album (clocking at over eleven minutes) is a wonderful vocal performance again: at times sweet, it turns into a more solid rock part with strong background keys. But the highlight remains the vocal brilliantness of their leader. The closing of the first movement is truly fantastic.

The second part ("Pharaohs March"), has some ELP flavour (no wonder with such a title!). It is bombastic, pompous, imposing and grandiose. This is a well spent musical moment. At least it speaks to me. It is of course another highlight of this very good album.

The weird "Evas Birthday" has all of what a "10CC" fan can expect: the brilliant arrangements, some disjointed vocal parts, and such a sense of joy. This album is so British in its essence. It might not be the best track but it is so original.

This album features a bunch of solid and creative tracks. "Working Girl" is another one of these. It is really incredible how this band didn't have more recognition. I understand that they could hardly be successful in the US because the music they play is sooooo European but they should have done better in terms of sales over here. Maybe a promotion problem. I even read on their web-site (or better said on Brad Love's one) that they did a support tour for "The Stranglers" in '79. Not really in line with their music.

The closing song "Yes & No" is another sublime melody which is 200% "Queen" oriented. Great vocals as if you were in Mercury's boots and such power from the band. It is a wonderful way to close this excellent album.

Aviary IS a hidden gem. They really deserve your attention if you are into the best of "ELO", "10CC" and "Queen".

Four stars.

Review by progpositivity
PROG REVIEWER
3 stars The title of its final track aptly sums up my conflicted answer to the question, "do you like this album?"

Aviary was a late 1970's progressive pop band whose music evokes images of classic Queen albums like "A Night at the Opera" and "A Day at the Races".

Don't let the release date fool you. These songs were recorded in the late 70's. They just weren't "released" until decades later. (Imitative? Sure. Retro? Not really.)

Two things helped this band avoid degenerating into a total clone of Queen. First, they wisely borrowed from other art pop-rockers just enough to fashion their own uniquely amalgamated timbre. Second, their music contained a few more prog-rock flourishes and overtones than Queen's.

Eva's Birthday is the highlight track for me. I wish they had explored this Zappa inspired style of progressive pop more fully. Of course, I'm sure Sony Records had more than a thing or two to say about such "abuses of studio time" back in the 1970's.

Truth be told, there is much to like here. The melodies are infectious and imminently hummable. The guitars are alternatingly harmonious and powerful. The overall vibe of the music is so unabashedly pompous that I simply can't resist smiling throughout much of this album.

On the other hand... the vocals can borderline on "fey" at times. (So don't say I didn't warn you). And of course, don' t expect anything truly visionary or totally original.

Latest members reviews

4 stars The second album from AVIARY "Ambition" is quite similar to their first album AVIARY "Same" released in 1979 even in terms of influences ( 10 cc, QUEEN, CITY BOY And Styx ) and musical quality. Is a very pleasing album. The great difference between the 2 albums is which in this one, besides st ... (read more)

Report this review (#1575013) | Posted by maryes | Saturday, June 4, 2016 | Review Permanlink

5 stars This CD is a top notch CD. I LOVE this band and was shocked to find them still releasing material. Even though the music was recorded a log time ago, it sounds like it was recorded yesterday. I am still listening to the CD and constantly finding new stuff in this music, it's incredible! I love i ... (read more)

Report this review (#18629) | Posted by | Monday, January 12, 2004 | Review Permanlink

5 stars This is an awesome CD. I also own their self-titled CD Aviary, and the music is so totally unique and awesome, that I can listen to these CD's over and over and over again! I just love this band!! ... (read more)

Report this review (#18627) | Posted by | Tuesday, December 16, 2003 | Review Permanlink

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