Defend the Indefensible: AIR SUPPLY

no they suck. my wife makes me listen to them occasionally but even she can't take the treacle sometimes. I have to admit, they are fucking catchy.

But I just don't see Little River Band -vs- Air Supply.

Australian pastel-shirted mellow-rock FITE!

Haha, that sounds like a Dave Q explanation that's a dream. I can think of a couple of candidates but I'll await on the final word.

So could the Fall, with David Thomas doing the high notes.

My defense of Air Supply: every now and again, you just need a band who'll give you melancholy without the cumbersome moodiness. Air Supply delivers palatable melancholy for the masses, and in pastel shades too, instead of depressing old black. Why not smile and be sad?

Russell H. and G. Russell at Inspiration Point? No wonder the ad was pulled!

The only possible defense for this putrid entity is that it was referenced in the title of Peach of Immortality's album "'Jehovah' My Black Ass - REM is Air Supply!"

(On a semi-related note, Skullflower released a song a few years later called "Satan My Black Ass, Steve Albini = Jim Steinman." I wonder if Albini's band Shellac recorded "My Black Ass" as an "answer" song.)

I don't have a problem with their rehabilitation. They did seem pretty hateful at the time though.

haha I hadn't thought of that but Automatic-era ballads do kind of sound like "All Out of Love" - the fingerpicked standard chord progressions, the string arrangements and tasteful piano tinkling, the earnest whitebread singing, even those echoed chords in the chorus!

(I don't think I actually know any other AS songs.)

"Even the Nights are Better" is a fantastic song. Great arrangements.

It just occurred to me that Air Supply would be the perfect Geir Hongro test case -- if melody really is everything (or almost everything), then Air Supply should be one of his favorite bands of all time; the melodies in their hits are unstoppable. Indeed, if one doesn't care much about rhythm, groove, or attitude, then there is little reason to avoid ranking Air Supply as one of the greatest artists of all time. Anyone for Taking Sides: Air Supply vs. James Brown?

Their greatest hits singles are some of my favorite songs. But they sure made a lot of filler over the years. One of these days I'm going to catch them at a casino. For real.

my first favorite band!

i can make u every promise that has ever been made and i can make all ur demons begone

^^^

still remember being an 11yo going to b&d records -- where i would later get my zepp and even my used copy of transient random-noise bursts -- and being like no, the pastel one, not the one with the balloon, as both b&d scorned me

you know you cant fool me

They were quite handsome when they were young:

https://thebilgebucket.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/peter-cook-l-with-dudley-moore.jpg

....yet so ugly at the peak of their powers.

Do they sing "Carry On My Wayward Son?" If so, I don't think even the late Johnny Cochran (god rest his soul) could defend them.
― Lemonade Salesman (Eleventy-Twelve), Thursday, April 21, 2005 2:33 PM Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

That's Kansas, nevermind.
― Lemonade Salesman (Eleventy-Twelve), Thursday, April 21, 2005 2:34 PM Bookmark Flag Post Permalink