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Post by jj on Nov 4, 2021 17:34:50 GMT
The opening of "Ode to Freedom" owes a lot to the first part of a piece from Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake: Act I: II. Valse (Tempo Di Valse). It's too similar to be a coincidence.
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Post by agan on Nov 4, 2021 18:18:41 GMT
When you read "Keep An Eye On Dan, which sounds like a Boney M B-side" in the Sydney Morning Herald review... Hum... Really ?!?  |
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Post by jj on Nov 4, 2021 18:30:24 GMT
I wish I could understand the lyrics in most of the songs. It's a bit difficult, to be honest.
Where is Kilkenny, exactly? And why has Bjorn situated a song there, apart from the fact that the song features a very Irish-sounding instrument?
It's gonna take me a while to get into this album, I think.
I really loved the first three singles that were released, but I'm a bit puzzled about the rest.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 4, 2021 18:41:37 GMT
Kilkenny is a county in Ireland.
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Post by HOMETIME on Nov 4, 2021 18:48:05 GMT
The opening of "Ode to Freedom" owes a lot to the first part of a piece from Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake: Act I: II. Valse (Tempo Di Valse). It's too similar to be a coincidence. From the iTunes snippets I've heard, I think that melody also sounds like Sinéad O'Connor's "Three Babies." And on those snippets alone, I think that Ode To Freedom might be my favourite. A little over five hours now until I get to hear the full thing. |
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Post by joseph on Nov 4, 2021 18:52:46 GMT
Please fellow fans...be careful not to give too much away regarding the album. Some of us are still waiting to receive our order of the album. I ordered mine from the Voyage website and received an email today and it states because of covid, it could take several days. I guess covid is going to take the blame for many things to come.
I may end up streaming the album or even popping into HMV to buy a copy if it doesn't turn up reasonably early. Otherwise I might not be joining the party until next week, damn it.
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Post by paulman on Nov 4, 2021 18:57:13 GMT
If I remember Album Visitors succeeded with critics, but the commercial failure was a great disappointment.
The last commercially very successful album was Voulez Vous.
As far as I know, the commercial failure of The Visitors led Benny and Bjorn to consider ending the Abba project.
Sure, there were several causes, but this was crucial.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 4, 2021 19:09:03 GMT
The Visitors was successful in the UK and around Europe. It was not big though in Australia, Canada or the US. Or indeed anywhere outside Europe. I guess in the UK it sold at least 800,000.
Voulez Vous was not the last successful album. The follow up, Super Trouper was ABBA's biggest seller worldwide since Arrival. It sold over a million in both the UK and Germany.
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Post by jj on Nov 4, 2021 19:10:12 GMT
Where is Kilkenny, exactly? And why has Bjorn situated a song there, apart from the fact that the song features a very Irish-sounding instrument?
I suppose what I really meant to say is "Why does Bjorn have to be so specific about a place in these lyrics?" Why is the town of Kilkenny being mentioned in an ABBA song? It's just a wee bit odd. Some of Bjorn's lyrics are just a touch too theatrical and too detailed in many lines, I think. Hmmm.
That's all I'll say now. I'll wait a day or two for others to hear the album before I post again.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 4, 2021 19:12:45 GMT
Onlyabba4meagain
You are right about some fans unrealistic expectations. Some just want very uptempo Mamma Mia/Take a Chance on Me type songs. But ABBA are in their 70s. I have read comments that the album is very varied musically. That to me, is a good thing.
I will give the album a few listens before coming to a decision.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 4, 2021 19:14:54 GMT
I suppose what I really meant to say is "Why does Bjorn have to be so specific about a place in these lyrics?" What is the town of Kilkenny doing being mentioned in an ABBA song? It's just a wee bit odd. Some of Bjorn's lyrics are just a touch too theatrical and too detailed in many lines, I think. Hmmm.
That's all I'll say now. I'll wait a day or two for others to hear the album before I post again.
I think that is a good idea. Don't give away too much. |
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Post by pixi on Nov 4, 2021 19:19:25 GMT
I absolutely love it. Full of subtle references to the past. No Doubt About is my favourite on first listen but that will likely change by the time I play it to death. Welcome back dear heroes 💖💖💖
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Post by HOMETIME on Nov 4, 2021 19:36:03 GMT
Look on it as a nod to Super Trouper, where Glasgow was namechecked in the lyrics. Is Kilkenny really any more random?
And breathe.....
I was sick and tired of everything
when I called you last night from Glasgow
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Post by darin on Nov 4, 2021 19:45:26 GMT
Hi all, first time posting here. Excited to see all of the positive comments about the new songs. I’m east coast US so have several more hours to wait. I enjoy all three singles so far - a lot. The anticipation for getting the whole album is killing je right now. We’ve all waited a long, long tine for this and I am beyond excited.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 4, 2021 19:51:59 GMT
Voyage has got a 4 star review in Rolling Stone magazine. That is a proper music magazine. (And no, it's not The Rolling Stones!)
I haven't read it. I am not going to read any reviews until I have listened to the album a few times.
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Post by HOMETIME on Nov 4, 2021 19:59:25 GMT
Here's the review that Johnny mentions. It's not exactly laden with spoilers but maybe avoid it if you want an entirely pure experience as you hit play. And it is quite a witty piece, too - I chuckled. Rolling Stone being nice about ABBA: who'd'a thunk it?! www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/abba-voyage-1251755/amp/And welcome, darin! Hard to believe that in 12 hours, the whole world (more or less) will have heard a brand new ABBA album! |
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Post by bennybjorn on Nov 4, 2021 20:01:45 GMT
Yep, finally some good news with a great review in Rolling Stone. 4 stars. Says it's an album full of Winner Takes it All's rather than Mama Mia's. Criticises Little Things for being filler but otherwise a really positive review. Hoorah!
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Post by agan on Nov 4, 2021 20:23:21 GMT
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Post by Alan on Nov 4, 2021 22:16:34 GMT
Just heard it… only the once and no specific comments yet, but it’s better than I expected. Stands up very well against their other albums. Nothing on it I don’t like.
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Post by Alan on Nov 4, 2021 22:33:07 GMT
Look on it as a nod to Super Trouper, where Glasgow was namechecked in the lyrics. Is Kilkenny really any more random? Yes. ABBA played Glasgow on their 1979 tour (13 Nov, the penultimate date of the leg), and Björn apparently was lonely when he rang Lena from there. Looks like they only played Dublin on that tour (15 Nov, the final date of that leg), so Kilkenny must have some sort of significance to Björn that we don’t know about. |
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Post by tagaytay on Nov 4, 2021 22:50:11 GMT
No Doubt About it!
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Post by HOMETIME on Nov 4, 2021 22:52:40 GMT
Kilkenny is only an hour from Dublin and it's very artsyfartsy. A lovely place to visit. Maybe the Kilkenny Tourist Board is slipping him bribes. Do we know yet whether Kilkenny is part of an essential rhyme? Kilkenny/henny/penny/Jenny?
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Post by bennybjorn on Nov 4, 2021 22:56:08 GMT
So Edward Sheeran's new album had sold under 120,000 copies by Wednesday night here in the UK.
I think the Abba album would've actually beaten Sheeran's even if it had been released the same week, but unless something very odd happens next week, it's a shoo-in!
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Post by Liebezeit on Nov 4, 2021 23:01:53 GMT
I posted the same thing on the dormant thread about Sirius XM and ABBA, but I think it's never been more relevant than ever to bring this up again:
ABBA now has its radio station under SIRIUS XM - taking the place of Channel 54 (I think that used to be Studio 54 classic disco station the last time I had Sirius XM)
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Post by breifne on Nov 4, 2021 23:09:27 GMT
Folks, Please see link below to a Rolling Sone review of Voyage ( which once described ABBA music as musak for elevators ) - this is very impressive and should help Voyage in the US. I have two sons who live in Kilkenny and they are amused that people are unsure where it is !! www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/abba-voyage-1251755/ |
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Post by HOMETIME on Nov 4, 2021 23:17:15 GMT
RELEASE KLAXON!! This is not a drill. iTunes might be a little premature, but the album is available for me here in Ireland!
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Post by breifne on Nov 4, 2021 23:20:52 GMT
Thanks for the complimentary description of Kilkenny !
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Post by HOMETIME on Nov 4, 2021 23:22:20 GMT
It's gorgeous, @briefne! I'd move there in a heartbeat.
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Post by agan on Nov 4, 2021 23:31:05 GMT
"Keep An Eye On Dan" would easily fit in a Portishead Album. I love this track.
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Post by The Rubber Ball Man on Nov 4, 2021 23:35:58 GMT
Has anyone noticed that the album cover is moving with the sunrays? I haven’t noticed this animation before. I’m not drunk or anything.  |
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