Air Supply Album: “Greatest Hits [Arista]”

You have to respect the genius of a group that can, without having to resort to using thunderous guitars (Megadeth, Pantera)or earth shattering bass (almost all modern R&B groups)still somehow grab your very soul and take it for an emotional ride not letting go until the very last harmonic crescendo. "Air Supply: Greatest hits" sets out with a very defined mission. To allow the listener to experience the deepest levels of romantic expression in the most addictive way possible. And man does it ever deliver. From one tune to the next it is never difficult to open your heart and let it cry out in joy, remembrance, longing and even youthful arrogance. To let it join in the soaring melodies of pure unadulterated, and unashamed realities of the feelings that can grow from love. (Almost ninety percent of Air Supply's songs include "love" in the title). Never before has a group been able to succeed so completely in that very common of goals. Listen to it and find out how much feeling is waiting just around the next spin of the disk.

This is a collection of classic songs from the group whose work has been described by Billboard magazine as "awe inspiring". If you even mildly like Air Supply or if you were alive on Earth in the early 1980's, you will recognize the songs and it will be hard to avoid singing along. Don't leave this website without it.

You know you remember these songs. You know you love them. Don't hide from it! Embrace it! Sure they were probably singing the songs to each other, but you can't deny that you sang along! It is so rare to own a CD where every track is a winner, but this one is a precious jewel! Sure it's incredibly 80's! Sure you'd be embarrassed if someone pulled this out of your collection at a party and started playing it, and do you know why? Because this CD is the greatest guilty pleasure of the 80's! Duran Duran? Men at Work? Frankie Goes to Hollywood? They all take a backseat to these voices and these songs!

It's too bad there are only 9 songs on this album. But the 9 that are here are bound to be familiar to anyone who grew up in the 80's and bring back a lot of memories. I know they did for me. Maybe to some people these days, these songs may seem a bit sugary and sentimental, but what the heck, it's still good music. And contrary to one reviewer, I don't find anything wrong with the sound quality at all. Recommended for all fans of Air Supply and 80's pop.

I was born in 1977, so I was too young to understand a lot of the lyrics, but my best memories of my family (especially my father) before they divorced were put to this music in my memories. I've always been affected by music, and the beautiful melodies on these tunes (especially Even the Nights Are Better) are some of the best I've heard. If you're a fan of Air Supply, get this album, and close your eyes...savor the memories that will immediately return upon the opening finger-picked guitar notes of Lost in Love. I know I treasure those memories.

And one more thing...hey, if you're going to review an album, review the album for what it is! You actually bought this album expecting something other than sugary, sentimental ballads?? How ridiculous is that expectation? That's like renting a Monty Python movie, and expecting something serious! How about you get some realistic expectations?