UK band Arrival in 2 albums, 1970 and 1972

 

On discogs:

A London-based close-harmony pop-rock band featuring singers originally from Liverpool. Following its appearance on Maynard Ferguson's 1970 UK television special and two chart hits, "Friends" and "I Will Survive", the band was booked to appear at the Isle of Wight Festival 1970.

Members: Dyan Birch, Frank Collins, Lloyd Courtenay, Paddie McHugh, Tony O'Malley

As usual in these situations it's difficult to find the information in the database for compositional credits, etc.  I find it also a little annoying, though it's OK overall, that both albums were ST. 

Overall the music is all vocal with as mentioned wonderful harmony vocals in four part chords, nicely done, with the tracks some of which are cover versions (Light my Fire?? Really?) but the original ones are really beautiful and grew on me over the last few weeks.  They sound a little like a mix of Carly Simon and Laura Nyro in terms of the gospel and piano-based influences.

From the 1970 first, Sit down and Float starts with an A minor bluesy riff and melody similar to Carole King's It's Too Late, but moves surprisingly for the chorus into A major with well developed harmony vocals supplemented by oboe patterns in the background, a transition that caught my attention due to its oddness though quite pleasant to hear:

The second album which was released 2 years later is definitely superior.  Of course, bear in mind that I'm referring here to inventive creativity and oddness, progressivity, so if you like simple songs, you'd for sure prefer the first one.  They really try hard to craft original music on this one, with at least half the album containing quite surprising ideas.  Consider So it is written, with its lovely string intro and the gospel sound to it:

Listening carefully to the lyrics, it seems to be a born-again Christian theme.  The buildup to the final verse is just beautifully done, as well as the 'solo' instrumental passage in the middle with string quartet performing over the basic chords.

I was curious to know what are the songwriting credits but it's hard to locate as mentioned earlier. Luckily on the compilation called "All the Songs" everything is nicely indicated, here.  There are also bonus tracks on there, though these are for the most part (as usual) disappointing.  (Well I shouldn't say as usual, the Batdorf Rodney bonuses were amazing.)  I see both samples above were written by one Frank Collins, who was also in the later band Kokomo.    (Note that the other complete cd, called Friends, has an additional BBC session on it. I suggest you purchase that one...)

I can't resist sampling another of Frank Collins' wonderful compositions, Weary Sad:

At times this second album sounds very much like that other beautifully gentle ssw masterpiece, The Street and The Sea which after so many years seems never to be reissued (see here)... or perhaps my old perennial favourite, Melisma.

Credit to him for the beauty of this music...

Geniuses abound...