Aмвяosiα - S/T (1975)

Mixed and partly produced by the legendary Alan Parsons, this glorious sun-dazed West Coast progressive pop debut is not only one of the best albums of the 1970's, but remains one of the best art rock crossover records in the entirety of recorded music history.

Intriguingly, although outfits like The Alan Parsons Project and Toto would be influenced by this album's sound to a substantial degree in the second half of the 70's, nothing sounds quite like it before or since. 'Nice, Nice, Very Nice' sports an addictive groove and some Kurt Vonnegut derived lyrical content, resulting in one helluva good idea, but it's on fine-tuned cuts like 'Holdin' On To Yesterday' and strange sprawlers along the lines of 'Drink Of Water' and 'Mama Frog' where this band's uncanny talent at blending killer melodies with proggy pathos is unveiled to a glorious maximum.

Many albums come great, yet will not last long in the grand scheme of things. An album this perfect, thankfully, doesn't seem to have that kind of problem. It's a tried and true American progressive rock classic, and still just as distinct and wonderful sounding today as it was nearly forty years ago.

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