Forever Amber

Forever Amber must have worn out the grooves on their copy of the Zombies' Odessey and Oracle. Their rare 1969 LP, The Love Cycle, emulated the late-period Zombies rather well with its classically influenced melodies and careful harmonies. A very derivative album, but a good one, bound to please listeners who regretted the Zombies' split after Odessey and Oracle. The Zombies aren't the easiest group to clone, but Forever Amber do a good job with their deft melodies and harmonies, as well as the classically patterned keyboard arrangements. "Bits of Your Life," had it gained wide distribution, had obvious hit potential, and rates as the best Zombies imitation ever (admittedly not a wide field). It was reissued on CD in the 1990s, although the re-releases are themselves hard to find in the US. ~ Richie Unterberger, All Music Guide