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Post by Alan on Nov 4, 2021 23:38:42 GMT
I am choosing songs at random lots of Frida leads It does seem like there are more Frida leads, and she seems to be carrying the joint leads. Agnetha’s best lead is probably Don’t Shut Me Down, and I think I’m starting to understand why they didn’t re-record the vocals for Just A Notion. Frida sounds amazing on this album. |
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Post by Alan on Nov 4, 2021 23:41:50 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.  Yes, I think one of the Facebook pages picked up on that earlier. Someone sent me the mp3s this evening so I don’t have the benefit of the moving artwork. |
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Post by HOMETIME on Nov 4, 2021 23:50:42 GMT
I'm on my first complete run-through of the album now - incl. ISHFIY, DSMD and JAN - having just played the "new" songs first. The second half of the album seems to be packed with the best bits. It'll be interesting to see how it all hangs together with the singles mixed in.
Astonished by Frida's voice on "No Doubt About It" - it sounds like a track she'd held back from "Shine." She sounds so fresh. Somebody else mentioned its "Elaine" energy - it's a good reference point.
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Post by breifne on Nov 4, 2021 23:51:22 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. Bjorn's daughter ( Emma I think) studied at Trinity College Dublin and rented an apartment there so maybe thats the connection with Kilkenny ? |
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Post by madonnabba on Nov 5, 2021 1:55:44 GMT
Well that's me listened to the album. And loving it. Hard to pick a favourite . And I don't think I can compare it to any of their previous albums although there are nods to previous songs...Dan ..the most obvious. It's funny but may be it was lockdown but I can relate to the song Bumblee. I spent much time in the garden appreciating nature at work and the grand scheme of things and those busy little bees and how important their role is and indeed all species. Bit of everything on this album ....swing, country, celtic,pop, anthem. A beautiful album to end their career.
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Post by agan on Nov 5, 2021 5:15:18 GMT
Well, I think we can call it a smash... #1 in 52 countries itunes charts for now  |
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Post by tagaytay on Nov 5, 2021 5:24:11 GMT
thank you agan. i wasnt even aware there was an itunes chart in my country (philippines).this got me curious and i made my research and you are correct!
iTunes Top 100 Albums - Philippines
1. Voyage - ABBA
2. Countdown - super junior
3. = Ed sheeran
4. Prelude - Lauren Jauregui
5. Fearless - Taylor Swift
6. These same skies - Hillsong Worship
Adele's 25 at # 16
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Post by Deleted on Nov 5, 2021 5:31:22 GMT
I listened to the whole album. And it is amazing!!! Also the idea that they did it again!! After sooo many years!! I did not really know what to expect. But it is (again) one of their very best albums!
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Post by AdamDawson2003 on Nov 5, 2021 5:41:53 GMT
I have no idea why but the verses and the melody of the verses of 'Keep An Eye On Dan' is giving me serious vibes of 'The Film I'd Like To See' by Josefin Nilsson probably because of the way Agnetha sings it but for me the standout songs are 'When You Danced With Me', 'Little Things', 'I Can Be That Woman', 'Bumblebee' & 'No Doubt About It' and of course I also adore 'Don't Shut Me Down', 'Just A Notion' & 'I Still Have Faith In You' and I also like 'Ode To Freedom' but it needs more time to grow on me still a fantastic song.
'When You Danced With Me' is just fabulous love the Irish music its a whole new territory for ABBA and this was the most unexpected song for me and along with 'I Can Be That Woman' and 'Little Things' these are the songs that I really wanted to hear when the tracklist was revealed.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 5, 2021 6:12:18 GMT
Reviews are mixed..Still haven't read them just seen star ratings
The Mirror ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Independent ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Times ⭐⭐⭐⭐
NME ⭐⭐⭐
Telegraph ⭐⭐⭐
Guardian ⭐⭐
Ipaper ⭐⭐
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Post by agan on Nov 5, 2021 6:25:59 GMT
Guys ! An ABBA album, the last one, #1 in the USA at last... ok, it's only the Itunes chart and not the Billboard top 100 but still it is a #1 ! As well in 57 countries !   |
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Post by madonnabba on Nov 5, 2021 7:11:19 GMT
Surprised at the Guardian. Thought the Telegraph was the one most likely to give unfavourable reaction. And I bought the Guardian for the Abba article. Well they won't be getting my trade again. Don't bite the hand that feeds you. Mind you I've only bought it once 😃 but in the words of Agnetha....Never again.
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Post by paulman on Nov 5, 2021 7:27:35 GMT
This album is a big disappointment for me. A mixture of Irish folk and Swedish ballads. Double voices are not as dominant as they used to be. The instrumental accompaniment is very narrow and unconvincing.
The only songs where I met Abba are Don't Shut Me Down (2017) and Just a Nation (1978).
I experienced a similar disappointment with the album
Shakin Stevens - Now Listen (2006).
Nevertheless, I am grateful to Abba for their efforts to record new songs.
I'm still excited about the unfinished songs Abba undelete, some songs from the musical CHess, Agneth Faltskog's latest album -A (2013), The Rivals - 2nd Best To None (2009) and some Gemini songs.
It is a pity that Abba did not try to sing the above titles from Gemini or from the musical CHess or unfinished songs, with one exception of Abba undeleted.
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Post by HOMETIME on Nov 5, 2021 9:21:24 GMT
"When You Danced With Me" was just played on Irish radio and the presenters raved about it, urging listeners to go out and get the "amazing" album! The predictable quip followed: "all these years, we thought they were Swedish but it turns out they're actually Irish."
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Post by Deleted on Nov 5, 2021 9:30:16 GMT
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Post by HOMETIME on Nov 5, 2021 9:45:43 GMT
Has anyone noticed the glint of cheekiness in Little Things? There's the line about how he'll consider bringing her a breakfast tray - but there's a "price" #filth
The children's choir seems to gently take the p1ss out of us all, with that final sideswipe about "a song my grandma would sing." It's also a lovely way to incorporate Benny's "Red Christmas" tune. Could it have been done as an instrumental coda (a la Chiquitita)? Possibly. But the hidden nudges are a nice foil for the overall prettiness.
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Post by scaramouche on Nov 5, 2021 9:58:54 GMT
Did anyone else see the BBC breakfast interview? Benny was slightly more open to further recordings if the other three were keen.
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Post by jj on Nov 5, 2021 10:51:31 GMT
I've heard the 'Melody' to 'Ode To Freedom' in the past. I'm not sure where. It is - oddly - familiar.
This is where you've heard it. I cued it to start at 6:01, where that melody starts.
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Post by steverw on Nov 5, 2021 10:52:14 GMT
This album is a big disappointment for me. A mixture of Irish folk and Swedish ballads. Double voices are not as dominant as they used to be. The instrumental accompaniment is very narrow and unconvincing. The only songs where I met Abba are Don't Shut Me Down (2017) and Just a Nation (1978). I experienced a similar disappointment with the album Shakin Stevens - Now Listen (2006). Nevertheless, I am grateful to Abba for their efforts to record new songs. I'm still excited about the unfinished songs Abba undelete, some songs from the musical CHess, Agneth Faltskog's latest album -A (2013), The Rivals - 2nd Best To None (2009) and some Gemini songs. It is a pity that Abba did not try to sing the above titles from Gemini or from the musical CHess or unfinished songs, with one exception of Abba undeleted. The trouble with ABBA fans is that they fail to acknowledge that every album is themed and different from what came before. ABBA The Album was very American-rock influenced and then Voulez-Vous was disco whilst Super Trouper was different in style again. The same instantly recognisable ABBA sound is apparent on all albums, even Voyage, but it is not really wise to compare one album to another, each one seamlessly following on from the other. I had no expectations regarding "Voyage". I knew it would be ABBA, and I knew ABBA wouldn't release rubbish. So I stayed up last night, butterflies in my stomach through anticipation, to hear it on my Amazon Prime account whilst waiting for my pre-order to arrive today. I wasn't disappointed. I loved it. I felt it followed on perfectly from The Visitors which is one of my favourite albums of all time, giving the strange feeling of "The Visitors is no longer their last album" vibe. ABBA have always produced albums with Celtic/Scandinavian sounds. It's who they are. When You Danced With Me is a nod to Dum Dum Diddle/Arrival and Hasta Manana in my view and Bumble Bee is like Frida's sonnet to Fernando. Each ABBA album has maturity compared to the previous one and this one is no different. There is something reassuring about ABBA. Even though they have such a huge legacy, this new album has only enhanced it. It is ABBA. There is no pretence. That's why I like them. Similarities to classical music regarding Ode to Freedom are being made because never have ABBA released a solely orchestrated song in this way. Imagine the song with traditional keyboards and you'd get a totally different feel and vibe. I personally don't hear Swan Lake or such like when I hear Ode to Freedom. Sometimes, ABBA fans are the biggest enemy of ABBA because they expect what is yet to be written or won't acknowledge that if every ABBA album was the same we would only have one long album of mediocre rather than nine albums of quality. |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 5, 2021 11:06:54 GMT
Steverw - I agree. Some fans perhaps just want the more uptempo songs but ABBA have always been more than that.
I have just received my Voyage album. I am now about to listen to it. I know I could have heard it online but I wanted a physical copy. Though this physical copy is a CD and not vinyl. I have the HMV design one.
Catch you all later.
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Post by Alan on Nov 5, 2021 11:13:41 GMT
Did anyone else see the BBC breakfast interview? Benny was slightly more open to further recordings if the other three were keen. Was this today? A new interview? Once again Benny opens his grumpy mouth unnecessarily (in The Guardian interview the other week) and then relents. |
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Post by Alan on Nov 5, 2021 11:21:40 GMT
I was at HMV in Chester just after it opened at 9am. By a stroke of luck, the shopping centre it’s in is literally just round the corner from the hotel. I was the first to buy it from there. I got the alternative artwork versions of both the CD and yellow vinyl. It’s a nice yellow. Gatefold sleeve but slightly disappointed with the inner gatefold artwork (not sure if it’s standard or alternate). Plain black back cover with the tracklisting.
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Post by foreverfan on Nov 5, 2021 11:38:42 GMT
I've played the album once and totally agree with Steverw , above, each album is different and should be treated as such, ok of course we are going to compare, its difficult to get used to a 40 year gap, in all reality how would their music have progressed, so as hard as it is , we shouldn't compare to much all acts evolve.
Personally I think its going to take a couple of listens before i can say anything about each track , but so far there are a few that make me emotional, not the break down in tears and sob kind, but you know what I mean..
I hope that the 3 singles will not get lost in all the excitement, as they ALL yes including JAN fits into the feel....
PS.. travelled 25 miles first thing to get the CD.. I couldn't rely on Amazon to deliver, a friend of mine has to wait until 16th !!!
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Post by scaramouche on Nov 5, 2021 12:09:20 GMT
Ok first listen (I waited for the vinyl to arrive).
Overall I think it’s a job well done. Obviously some tracks are stronger than others, and nothing can immediately compete with songs we’ve known for years. I hear a lot of Chess and BAO in the album. The vocals are stronger than I expected, though they are sometimes difficult to make out. The only song that pushes boundaries for ABBA is Ode to Freedom which is virtually classical.
Aside from the vocal mix, my only other criticism is that some of the songs seem too short. I think they could benefit from an extra reprise of the chorus, or instrumental bridge, particularly When You Danced With Me and No Doubt About It.
Very satisfied overall.
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Post by steverw on Nov 5, 2021 12:15:44 GMT
Steverw - I agree. Some fans perhaps just want the more uptempo songs but ABBA have always been more than that. I have just received my Voyage album. I am now about to listen to it. I know I could have heard it online but I wanted a physical copy. Though this physical copy is a CD and not vinyl. I have the HMV design one. Catch you all later. Even in ABBA's early albums, there were melancholy lyrics on songs. Scandinavians are matter of fact in their interpretation of English which is why the songs tell a structured story in many of their songs. ABBA The Album is not all whimsical and light, more than half the album is centred around ballads, fame and heartbreak. The upbeat songs were primarily reserved for singles. Their Albums are like musical storybooks. |
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Post by steverw on Nov 5, 2021 12:18:14 GMT
Ok first listen (I waited for the vinyl to arrive). Overall I think it’s a job well done. Obviously some tracks are stronger than others, and nothing can immediately compete with songs we’ve known for years. I hear a lot of Chess and BAO in the album. The vocals are stronger than I expected, though they are sometimes difficult to make out. The only song that pushes boundaries for ABBA is Ode to Freedom which is virtually classical. Aside from the vocal mix, my only other criticism is that some of the songs seem too short. I think they could benefit from an extra reprise of the chorus, or instrumental bridge, particularly When You Danced With Me and No Doubt About It. Very satisfied overall. Yes, that is my only complaint - some of the songs are unnecessarily too short. I Can That Be woman would have been even better if both ladies belted out the chorus for a third and final time, possibly adding a minute to the length of the song, but it would have been worth it. That said, it is a great song anyway. |
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Post by tagaytay on Nov 5, 2021 13:09:49 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 5, 2021 13:11:39 GMT
Ok, I heard it. For me, apart from the first two singles, nothing stands out. It just washes over me. Bumblebee and Little Things are totally bland. Keep an Eye on Dan and No Doubt About It have stirrings of interest.
It may be that it needs more listens or the creativeness and quality was in the first two singles - and rest just making up the numbers.
The TV ads with the upbeat chorus of Don't Shut Me Down and Just a Notion, together with youthful ABBAtars image of I Still Have Faith in You give a very wrong impression of the overall feel.
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Post by The Rubber Ball Man on Nov 5, 2021 13:16:35 GMT
I was at HMV in Chester just after it opened at 9am. By a stroke of luck, the shopping centre it’s in is literally just round the corner from the hotel. I was the first to buy it from there. I got the alternative artwork versions of both the CD and yellow vinyl. It’s a nice yellow. Gatefold sleeve but slightly disappointed with the inner gatefold artwork (not sure if it’s standard or alternate). Plain black back cover with the tracklisting. I’ve got the HMV and Blue vinyl pressings. The Blue vinyl one has the ABBAtars heads on the left side of the gatefold whereas the HMV one has an eclipse (It uses the same cover art as I Still Have Faith In You). |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 5, 2021 13:32:18 GMT
Been listening non-stop all morning. The 'big picture' is the phenomenal feeling of having a new ABBA album to savour, wallow in, pick apart, reflect on etc etc etc. We had no right to expect any such thing in 2021.
Drilling down, I'd say the album's a mixed bag, in every sense. Some nice surprises (e.g. 'No Doubt About It' is pretty nifty and was one of the less-talked-about tracks pre-release - got a real 'classic ABBA' vibe to it; 'Ode to Freedom' actually works quite well; 'Just a Notion' works much better as an album track) alongside some less welcome ones (e.g. I think only Cliff could really try to get away with 'Little Things', but maybe it'll sound more appetising during the festive season itself; not at all keen on the verses in 'When You Danced With Me'; and surprised how many of the lyrics and themes have quite a 'clunk' to them). Not really bothered by the punchy length of most of the individual songs, although the album feels like it needs one more track.
Very early days, but for now I'd give the album three and a half stars. Highly listenable and it's ABBA for God's sake, but its bits-and-pieces feel and slightly iffy moments hold it back from a higher (preliminary) rating. But at the end of the day, I'm bloomin' listening to A BRAND NEW ABBA ALBUM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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