tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-660808341284783109.post9121350514843420982..comments2024-03-02T07:40:22.786+03:00Comments on Only Solitaire blog: ABBA: The AlbumUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-660808341284783109.post-19091736600702579412020-07-23T02:22:56.597+03:002020-07-23T02:22:56.597+03:00The single greatest proof of the album's great...The single greatest proof of the album's greatness is that MNb likes this band. I don't think MNb has ever been so positive about an album ever, and that is more than enough to prove this album's worth.<br /><br />"And still The Album manages to be that one ABBA record which even the professional haters might somewhat appreciate: sacrificing none of the trademarks of their classic mid-1970s sound, it injects a few extra elements that suggest going beyond cheap entertainment — and, might, in fact, indirectly be responsible for the fact that the band's legacy has so far remained above ground."<br />I honestly don't know what they did as a whole to make this sound like a piece of art rather than just a commercial record. Each song has something they did to make it more powerful. My best bet is the girls have really mastered their vocal techniques, adding even more gorgeous harmonies than before and even adding elements of drama to the vocals. Another thing is that it is a bit more diverse, but it succeeds in its diversity, which shows that Benny and Bjorn have matured as songwriters. And the minor touches of course, the synth blasts of "Eagle", the moody bass of "Name of the Game", the classical majesty of "Thank You For The Music", etc. But yeah, it is not easy to define as a whole, but that makes the band even greater than they already are!<br /><br />" there is always something cringeworthy in the lines 'there's gotta be rock'n'roll to fill the hole in your soul' if the song that contains them is not rock'n'roll at all."<br />Eh, I don't see that as a big deal. The lyrics are dumb, but since when has ABBA's lyrics mattered? The melody is catchy as hell, and that's all there is to it: there is nothing wrong with an ABBA song if it works melodically.<br /><br />" 'Thank You For The Music', like it or not, is an anthem for the ages, bound to be treasured by sissies around the world just like 'We Will Rock You' is treasured by all the tough guys"<br />Comparing it to We Will Rock You is kind of denigrating the song in my opinion. We Will Rock You is a dumb, cocky anthem made to be an arena favorite. However, Benny and Bjorn truly were trying to make art with that song and make it a masterpiece, and that is exactly what it is.<br /><br />" gracefully ending ABBA's most underrated ballad in the entire catalog."<br />YES! I have always felt this way. The vocal harmonies are so beautiful, and the tension but hope in the song makes it complex and meaningful. Anyone who thinks ABBA's music had little substance will be disproven with that song, let alone the other masterpieces of the album.<br /><br />Good review George! This is one of my favorites, and I am glad you have always supported the band even when people call them pop nonsense.MrMojoRisinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13108191596444612879noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-660808341284783109.post-11594678531623847762020-06-27T23:06:48.907+03:002020-06-27T23:06:48.907+03:00This comment has been removed by the author.MrMojoRisinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13108191596444612879noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-660808341284783109.post-60189553745312525742011-07-18T00:18:27.703+04:002011-07-18T00:18:27.703+04:00Being from 1963 Abba is very much connected to my ...Being from 1963 Abba is very much connected to my teenage years. The very first record I bought was the single Money, money, money. Only a few weeks later I discovered Made in Japan and understood I had to hate Abba. Still today I really can't. The hits are simply too well written.<br />Sure I'm not going to comment on them, with one exception: Eagle. But I only want to remark that it has some innovative and great guitar play, especially in the coda. This should say something, coming from somebody who practically worships Blackmore until he quit hardrock (well, post 1980 only on stage).MNbnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-660808341284783109.post-82749392989212891692011-02-27T07:55:24.555+03:002011-02-27T07:55:24.555+03:00The final perfect album, and the perfectest of all...The final perfect album, and the perfectest of all. This is right after the halfway point (fifth out of eight) and it is where you notice that ABBA are getting darker. No "Me and Bobby and Bobby's Brother" on here. First of all, there's "Eagle", which is, hands down, THE best ABBA song EVER. I won't try to describe it, because George, you did that way better than I could hope to. "Take a Chance On Me" is fun. "One Man, One Woman" is pretty. "The Name of the Game" is great, especially with its never-ending chorus. "Move On" has a pretty chorus (even though the spoken verse is COR-NY). "Hole in Your Soul" is even cornier, but it's definitely a guilty pleasure. "Thank You for the Music" is very, very pretty; so is "I Wonder", but it's more Broadway than ABBA, so I kinda like it less. But "I'm a Marionette", if not for "Eagle", would be the best ABBA song ever. It rocks and is desperate and its instrosection is AWESOME! Thank you, ABBA, and thank you, George.Ross Dryernoreply@blogger.com