Air Supply Album: “Definitive Collection”

As an Air Supply fan from the beginning, I have been looking for years for a "definitive" hits collection that includes every song of there's to crack the Billboard Hot 100. I used to own their "Greatest Hits" which was issued in 1988, but it left off key tracks including: "Young Love", "Two Less Lonely People in the World", "Just as I Am", "The Power of Love (You are my Lady)", and "Lonely is the Night". Then this collection came along which did include "Young Love", "Two Less...", and "Just as I Am". In a sense I guess it is definitive in that it includes all of the songs to make the Top 40. However, it leaves off the singles that did not make the Top 40: "The Power of Love" which peaked at #68 and "Lonely is the Night" which peaked at #76. Since this release, they have put out another hits compilation called "Ultimate Air Supply" which is still not a complete collection because it still leaves off "Lonely is the Night". If you are looking for a true, definitive collection, the only on Amazon is an import that sells for $24.49, which seems a bit steep. I am gonna stick with this one that has all of the Top 40 hits, and try to download those other 2 songs. If you are looking for just the Top 40 hits, this collection will suffice.

I normally go into great depth on a song-by-song basis for each CD I review, since typically I am so into the albums that many, most or even all the tracks deserve their own critique. However, Air Supply consistently creates such wonderfully pretty songs, it's easier to pick the clunkers than those that fit the mold (and I'm not picking those either because you may like what I think is a clunker). Did I say pretty? Yep, sure did. This music is pretty. It's meant for mellow occasions, great for kissing the significant other, or perhaps even more. Slow dancing is another great activity for this music.

Many artists are great at making noise. There are lots of headbangers out there. But one day you may realize there are other kinds of music in the world, and ballads are beautiful. This album joins those by Elton John (Love Songs) and Madonna (Something to Remember), among others, that are perfect for particular occasions requiring this kind of music. Put in all three of these CDs for about three hours of mellow, romantic music.

There are a number of cuts by Air Supply on this that are just plain awesome, if you like this kind of music. "Lost in Love" always makes me feel good; the perfect lover's song. An added attraction on this CD is the much longer Australian version of this song, which is more than a minute and a half longer than the US version. "Making Love Out of Nothing at All" just begs for a high sound level. "All Out of Love", "Every Woman in the World", and more and more...the list would go on to include so many on this CD.

I'm not enthralled with every cut on this CD, I think there are a few that could have been skipped and replaced with other, better selections. Unfortunately they didn't ask me to create the CD, nor any of the other Air Supply fans that I'm sure have their own personal favorites.

Ignore the small complaint. This collection is very representative of Air Supply. Syrupy? Yes. 80s? Mostly. Good? Absolutely!

This "definitive" collection is a MUCH better album than their original hits album back in the 1980s. There are TWICE as many songs, the sound quality is great, and the liner notes are exceptional. This collection is for both the fans and casual.

Simply the best single-CD compilation of the band's hits. The sound quality surapsses all previous collections, and full versions of all the tracks appear (an earlier Greatest Hits collection shaved off a few seconds here and there).

This is a really beautiful compilation. Every one of these songs was very well written and performed. Russell Hitchcock has possibly the best voice I have ever heard (and will ever hear). "All Out Of Love" really showcases his singing abilities, and I consider it one of their best songs ever. This is also true of the absolutely amazing "Making Love Out Of Nothing At All". I promise you, this song will blow your mind! I love listening to it on headphones, real loud, to get the full effect. Speaking of loud, you just gotta to love "Just As I Am"! Totally contrary to the aforementioned, "The One That You Love", their only #1 hit, is very beautiful and Russell shines so brightly. "Even The Nights Are Better", "Here I Am", and "Two Less Lonely People In The World" are great (but, admittedly, somewhat sappy) mid-tempo numbers. The original version of "Lost In Love", which Russell says "started everything for [them]", is a very relaxing piece of music, a great "last song". The only complaint I have is that CD this includes more than half of their album Now And Forever. A few songs that are a little slow and a tiny bit boring to me, like "Taking The Chance", "Come What May", and "Young Love", could have in my opinion been replaced. Perhaps by "The Power Of Love", "Never Fade Away", "Lonely Is The Night", or other often-overlooked songs. If you are interested in Air Supply, but don't necessarily want to own a great deal of their albums, this one is for you!