Classic Rock Pop Album of the Day- Abba- Abba: The Album (1977) ** 1/2
Today's installment is from my guilty pleasures archive. For the terribly uninformed, Abba obviously was not a rock group. They were a Swedish pop group that made very good melodic uber-hooked hits, and sold tons of singles. There is really no level of what I would call instrumental excellence. But they had an incredible knack of reaching into pop sensibilities that peaked the pleasantry neural receptors. The core of the band were two married couples, that did do a nice job of extracting relationship karma into their songwriting. The stuff was from the heart, no doubt.
Abba also had one of my two of my teenage crushes. Agnetha was a breaktakingly beautiful front lady, and beyond sexy. Her and her friend Frieda captivated the audience, while their husbands and the rest of the crew performed almost invisibly. Of course, no way would I ever have an Agetha poster on my dorm wall. I would have been drubbed out of the cool rockers club.
That spot was, and acceptably reserved for Stevie Nicks.
This particular album is the best of the studio lot, but it does have a lot of weak filler spots. The known hits are great, and the filler is mostly gimmickry stuff, as almost self parodization. And for that reason, instead of investing in any one of their 9 albums, stick with one of their 12 compilation offerings. There really isn't much to discuss around the musicianship. It comes across in some ways no better than studio musicians. This band in essence, are steeped into world class hooks, with very good vocalizations, and harmonizations that are top notch. It is a relaxing listen, so no need to over analyze.
Fun Fact: I was kind of shocked to find out that this was Abba's only studio album that reached Platinum status in the U.S. There were 2 top 20 songs, which was a norm for Abba in their career They were the ultimate '45's pop group.
Side 1-
-------------
Eagle- FX laden and off tangented effort. Not an especially great start. Not the worst on the LP, but mediocre. 6
Take a Chance on Me- Beautiful harmonies and incredible hook lines. One of Abba's classics. 1
One Man, One Woman- Channeled their worst Anne Murray on this one, some interesting piano at end provides a slight, just slight bit of redemption. 7
Name of the Game- Another melodic classic. Nothing complex or cerebral here. Just masterful pop. The trailing background Trumpet is nice touch too. 2
Side 2-
-----------
Move On- Caribbean ridiculousness , rife with harpsichord and steel drums. A big swing and miss. 9
Hole in Your Soul- Abba's attempt at a more hard-rocking sound. Tune has an Elton John feel to it. As absurd as that concept seems, the song isn't that bad. I guess Saturday can almost be alright for fighting .... In Sweden. 5
Thankyou For the Music.- Broadway-ish like song that was a staple in their playlist, as kind of a strange self ode their music . 4
I Wonder (Departure)- The sleeper. It is ballad in nature, but has some of the better songwriting on the LP. This final trio on the album was apparently intended to encompass what would be the bones of a musical. And this one is in the top tier of this group- 3
I'm a Merionette- Overboard show tune. Forced dramatic singing with impinged rock guitar, and a disco strings add? Give me a break. 8
Today's installment is from my guilty pleasures archive. For the terribly uninformed, Abba obviously was not a rock group. They were a Swedish pop group that made very good melodic uber-hooked hits, and sold tons of singles. There is really no level of what I would call instrumental excellence. But they had an incredible knack of reaching into pop sensibilities that peaked the pleasantry neural receptors. The core of the band were two married couples, that did do a nice job of extracting relationship karma into their songwriting. The stuff was from the heart, no doubt.
Abba also had one of my two of my teenage crushes. Agnetha was a breaktakingly beautiful front lady, and beyond sexy. Her and her friend Frieda captivated the audience, while their husbands and the rest of the crew performed almost invisibly. Of course, no way would I ever have an Agetha poster on my dorm wall. I would have been drubbed out of the cool rockers club.
That spot was, and acceptably reserved for Stevie Nicks. This particular album is the best of the studio lot, but it does have a lot of weak filler spots. The known hits are great, and the filler is mostly gimmickry stuff, as almost self parodization. And for that reason, instead of investing in any one of their 9 albums, stick with one of their 12 compilation offerings. There really isn't much to discuss around the musicianship. It comes across in some ways no better than studio musicians. This band in essence, are steeped into world class hooks, with very good vocalizations, and harmonizations that are top notch. It is a relaxing listen, so no need to over analyze.
Fun Fact: I was kind of shocked to find out that this was Abba's only studio album that reached Platinum status in the U.S. There were 2 top 20 songs, which was a norm for Abba in their career They were the ultimate '45's pop group.
Side 1-
-------------
Eagle- FX laden and off tangented effort. Not an especially great start. Not the worst on the LP, but mediocre. 6
Take a Chance on Me- Beautiful harmonies and incredible hook lines. One of Abba's classics. 1
One Man, One Woman- Channeled their worst Anne Murray on this one, some interesting piano at end provides a slight, just slight bit of redemption. 7
Name of the Game- Another melodic classic. Nothing complex or cerebral here. Just masterful pop. The trailing background Trumpet is nice touch too. 2
Side 2-
-----------
Move On- Caribbean ridiculousness , rife with harpsichord and steel drums. A big swing and miss. 9
Hole in Your Soul- Abba's attempt at a more hard-rocking sound. Tune has an Elton John feel to it. As absurd as that concept seems, the song isn't that bad. I guess Saturday can almost be alright for fighting .... In Sweden. 5
Thankyou For the Music.- Broadway-ish like song that was a staple in their playlist, as kind of a strange self ode their music . 4
I Wonder (Departure)- The sleeper. It is ballad in nature, but has some of the better songwriting on the LP. This final trio on the album was apparently intended to encompass what would be the bones of a musical. And this one is in the top tier of this group- 3
I'm a Merionette- Overboard show tune. Forced dramatic singing with impinged rock guitar, and a disco strings add? Give me a break. 8
. You can't be serious! ABBA?
. Hated them in the 70's, maybe tolerate them now if I hear them at the shop or in an elevator.
