Ambrosia - Ambrosia (1975)

Ambrosia - Ambrosia (1975)


Artist: Ambrosia
Album: Ambrosia
Released: 1975
Genre: prog rock


Review:
Ambrosia's debut album is simply brilliant. I don't know how much influence Alan Parsons actually had on the production, but I can certainly hear a similarity in "feel" (albeit a loose one) between this album and Tales of Mystery and Imagination, the debut album from the Alan Parsons Project which was recorded in August of the same year. Indeed, all four members of Ambrosia played on that album.

This is "pop" music, to be sure, but it's good pop. The music is not bland or ordinary; there are not only wonderful harmonies in the vocals, but some nice guitar and keyboard work as well. There are fun songs and poignant songs, but the former don't get silly and the latter don't get sappy. And only two could be considered on the traditional pop theme of love.

Not only is it musically interesting, but the lyrics are will worth listening to, definitely a cut above the typical pop love song. Where else would you find Kurt Vonnegut given co-writer status (The lyrics for "Nice, Nice, Very Nice" are from the 53rd Calypso of Bokonon from his novel Cat's Cradle), and another song containing a reading of Jabberwock (from Alice in Wonderland)?

- Joe Puerta / bass guitar & lead vocals
- David Pack / guitars, lead vocals & keyboards on "Lover Arrive"
- Christopher North / keyboards & vocals
- Burleigh Drummond / percussion, bassoon & vocals

Tracklist:

1. Nice, Nice, Very Nice (5:49)
2. Time Waits For No One (5:01)
3. Holdin' On To Yesterday (4:19)
4. World Leave Me Alone (3:17)
5. Make Us All Aware (4:28)
6. Lover Arrive (3:12)
7. Mama Frog (6:05)
8. Drink Of Water (6:29)

Total Time: 38:40