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Post by HOMETIME on Sept 4, 2021 10:22:24 GMT
HOMETIME , don't get me wrong. I'm not one of those who expect music for free. I just need something to hold in my hands, when I pay for it, if you know what I mean  For example I don't buy e-books either. I used to rip my CDs to mp3 to use it in the ways you use downloaded tracks. And I find something that I like on YouTube, I usually buy a physical copy afterwards. So I can't imagine a world where all music will be just streamed, downloaded etc. In a way I now understand why physical releases come a bit later - you have to stream the songs to actually hear them before your physical copies arrive - a clever move from ABBA and Universal I suppose (I play the songs almost nonstop now, hope it helps  ) I know I seem like a total scold! Honestly, I know what you mean. And I was the same with physical product myself - upload the CD to my computer, create playlists, connect to ye olde iPod etc. But I honestly believe that, since the era of the original Napster and then sites like Limewire, people's consciences began to shrink. I remember leaks of albums by big acts but people didn't care so much, claimed they were "sticking it to the man" or somesuch and wasn't Madonna rich enough already. It took the industry a moment to figure out how to monestise downloads and, later, streaming. People started offloading their hoards of physical music. First to hit the charity shops was the vinyl. Then hipsters decided it was sexy again, so a bunch more people hauled their CDs to the charity shops and replaced them with very expensive vinyl. Meanwhile, the streaming sites support the people who did all of that and either don't have a working CD- or record-player (but have the sexy merch on a shelf for show). And now we have cassettes making a comeback... That's one revival I just can't get my head around. But the good thing about the revival of physical formats is that artists are getting paid again. People support their favourite act by buying the product and playing it to death, just like the old days. So it's a fan-led market for now. The days of popping out to buy the new 7" of that random catchy song you heard on the radio have yet to return, so until somebody builds up a following, physical releases are a very expensive release route. Universal/Polar have twigged that ABBA fans love the pretty stuff. Hence the box sets and picture discs and sleeve variations. Nobody parts with cash like a superfan completist. I preordered the album on iTunes (it's got the best sound of those sites) and the two singles immediately came to me. I like that the album will come with a digital booklet too. I wonder when the 7" and CD singles will hit the physical retailers? I quite fancy popping into Tower and picking up a single like I did when Under Attack came out! Meanwhile, I have to hope that the official shop will deliver my box set near release date. I'll pick up the standard CD on release date. Maybe the standard vinyl too. My four purchases and better bloody contribute to a No.1 placing! |
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Post by catfood on Sept 4, 2021 11:23:48 GMT
As for the concerts... somebody here said that it's sort of locked, as the ABBA members performed all of the songs themselves in the studio (to get the moves right etc.) so I wonder how flexible the whole concept is - will it be exactly the same concert evening after evening? Who would bother to see it more than once or twice then? If there's no variation whatsoever, it really gets boring after second viewing (I mean, if you know, that "Frida" will move from this place to that place during the performance of Dancing Queen every evening, the vocals are precisely the same... it's not much exciting to see it repeatedly). But maybe the technology allows for more. Once they have all the moves saved to computers, the artificial intelligence can make something different of them? Are they able to change costumes? The order of songs? I think this will be crucial for the longevity of the project. That was me. I'm wondering about the same thing. The very first audiences will obviously have quite a difference energy, compared to some Monday night show in a few years. So it would be odd if the first shows had the abbatars 'behaving' in a casual way, like there's nothing special to the occassion (and vice versa). Did they film/record special scenarios for specific situations? With all the effort put into developing the production, I would be surprised if there was no way to tweak details.
Did B&B say the four went to the studio for something like 20+ days to record the movements? That probably means they have multiple performances of each song and they might also be able to do different combinations, meaning they can take Frida from take 3 and Agnetha from take 2. Maybe even so that for Song #2 the start is from Frida take 3 and the end from Frida take 2. Obviously we actually know next to nothing about the technical aspects and possibilities yet.
Is it possible for the abbatars to interact with each other in any way? Is Fridatar able to go over to Bennytar playing the piano and the two to exchange expressions? |
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Post by gamleman on Sept 4, 2021 12:11:51 GMT
I don't think many people have really commented much on the nature and quality of the two new songs, so I will start the ball rolling on that, now that I've got used to them. My feeling is that these are two strong songs - not amongst ABBA's very best, but they would be standout tracks on any album.
ISHFIY is unconventional in structure, but ABBA have a tradition of that (e.g. TNOTG, TWTIA, TDBYC), and is therefore a brave choice as a single. But it is a beautiful song, almost anthemic, and I can imagine it becoming deeply ingrained in the public consciousness - a classic for the future which will be covered by other artists and perhaps even a popular choice of song on talent shows, like X-Factor (if it ever comes back).
DSMD represents more of what ABBA are remembered for, with many classic ABBA ingredients, and I think this will be the more successful single in the long term in a commercial sense. For me, it is actually too short and I would like there to be an official extended version with an extra chorus.
The recordings themselves are perhaps less elaborate than old ABBA - I'm tempted to say less polished, but I don't think this is quite the case, as in my mind they are still masterpieces. One notable aspect of this is that they have let their accents show through - perhaps in the old days they used to record over and over again until they got it right. The lead vocals in these songs therefore have a more natural feel, an almost live feel, as if Agnetha and Frida were asked to sing the songs and did so, without further ado. Their vocals are also perhaps not as sharp as they were, but this may be more to do with production and less layering of vocals. It is a more relaxed sound and quite fitting for a more mature ABBA. It is often said that A&F's voices now sound more mature but I actually think Agnetha's voice on DSMD and her two 21st century albums sounds younger than during the ABBA years, although not the same as in her pre-ABBA years. So, there are my initial impressions of the two new singles.
Regarding the album, some of those songs titles seem quite unusual for ABBA, particularly "Keep An Eye On Dan" and "Bumblebee". I am really hoping the latter isn't the one from "ABBA Undeleted", although it could sound quite different with a proper production. I was surprised to see "Just A Notion" in there - I've always thought of it as a respectable track but not a standout track (I have a full version of it on a CD-single by a Swedish ABBA cover group called Arrival). I am a little frustrated that they have included this track and not "Just Like That", which is the one everyone (or most) wanted. I still have a hope (an unrealistic one) that they may have reworked the lyrics of JLT and included it on the album under a different title, just as they allowed "Why Did It Have To Be Me" and "Happy Hawaii" to co-exist. I'm also hoping that "Little Things" isn't explicitly a Christmas song, as I don't want to be listening to a Christmas song as track 3 on the album at other times of the year - if so, it would have been better as track 5, at the end of Side 1 of the vinyl edition, to allow us vinyl users to end the first side prematurely (it is easy just to skip a track on CD and download). If they do want to promote "Little Things" as a Christmas single, they will need to produce a suitable video for this. It would certainly help to maintain public interest in the album right up to Christmas.
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Post by abbafanie on Sept 4, 2021 12:28:45 GMT
It's only a technicality, but it is funny that those in the Voyage videos and interviews say that the show uses ABBA as they were in 1979. Yes, you could argue that Agnetha's avatar matches her appearance in the earlier part of the Voulez Vous era, but Frida's appearance is definitely more reminiscent of the 1977 tour and, most especially, the Take A Chance On Me single cover.
Just interesting to see - it's probably like the wax figures in the museum, which use 1979 outfits but earlier hairstyles!
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Post by catfood on Sept 4, 2021 12:36:53 GMT
Maybe we get Little Things / Happy New Year 7" picture disc this year?
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Post by catfood on Sept 4, 2021 12:41:38 GMT
Everythng seemz to be wel organzied to the tee, but I am a byt miffed at the typos in the pages: "Agentha" in teh shopå and "Pre-Registraion" @ Ticektmaster.
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Post by Alan on Sept 4, 2021 14:02:20 GMT
There might be yet another edition of the album… someone I know has been contacted by an independent retailer to say they will have the album in an “exclusive gatefold sleeve”. Not sure if this is the blue or black vinyl but I don’t think it’s been mentioned anywhere what the standard sleeve is. Either they’re all gatefolds or it really is exclusive to independents. Perhaps the inner gatefold might just be the alternate HMV artwork?
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Post by daronjulian on Sept 4, 2021 14:19:18 GMT
Alan, you mentioned the gatefold possiblity and the HMV edition. The HMV edition would make sense if it was gatefold, as only HMV have been allowed to sell the yellow vinyl edition. If you source of info is correct, I am hoping that inner gatefold image is like the one I have uploaded.  |
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Post by jj on Sept 4, 2021 14:50:09 GMT
ISHFIY is unconventional in structure, but ABBA have a tradition of that (e.g. TNOTG, TWTIA, TDBYC), and is therefore a brave choice as a single. But it is a beautiful song, almost anthemic, and I can imagine it becoming deeply ingrained in the public consciousness - a classic for the future which will be covered by other artists and perhaps even a popular choice of song on talent shows, like X-Factor (if it ever comes back). DSMD represents more of what ABBA are remembered for, with many classic ABBA ingredients, and I think this will be the more successful single in the long term in a commercial sense. For me, it is actually too short and I would like there to be an official extended version with an extra chorus. The recordings themselves are perhaps less elaborate than old ABBA... Wow, thanks for your review! I've really enjoyed reading your take on these songs. |
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Post by HOMETIME on Sept 4, 2021 15:24:08 GMT
I don't think many people have really commented much on the nature and quality of the two new songs, so I will start the ball rolling on that, now that I've got used to them. My feeling is that these are two strong songs - not amongst ABBA's very best, but they would be standout tracks on any album. ISHFIY is unconventional in structure, but ABBA have a tradition of that (e.g. TNOTG, TWTIA, TDBYC), and is therefore a brave choice as a single. But it is a beautiful song, almost anthemic, and I can imagine it becoming deeply ingrained in the public consciousness - a classic for the future which will be covered by other artists and perhaps even a popular choice of song on talent shows, like X-Factor (if it ever comes back). DSMD represents more of what ABBA are remembered for, with many classic ABBA ingredients, and I think this will be the more successful single in the long term in a commercial sense. For me, it is actually too short and I would like there to be an official extended version with an extra chorus. The recordings themselves are perhaps less elaborate than old ABBA - I'm tempted to say less polished, but I don't think this is quite the case, as in my mind they are still masterpieces. One notable aspect of this is that they have let their accents show through - perhaps in the old days they used to record over and over again until they got it right. The lead vocals in these songs therefore have a more natural feel, an almost live feel, as if Agnetha and Frida were asked to sing the songs and did so, without further ado. Their vocals are also perhaps not as sharp as they were, but this may be more to do with production and less layering of vocals. It is a more relaxed sound and quite fitting for a more mature ABBA. It is often said that A&F's voices now sound more mature but I actually think Agnetha's voice on DSMD and her two 21st century albums sounds younger than during the ABBA years, although not the same as in her pre-ABBA years. So, there are my initial impressions of the two new singles. Regarding the album, some of those songs titles seem quite unusual for ABBA, particularly "Keep An Eye On Dan" and "Bumblebee". I am really hoping the latter isn't the one from "ABBA Undeleted", although it could sound quite different with a proper production. I was surprised to see "Just A Notion" in there - I've always thought of it as a respectable track but not a standout track (I have a full version of it on a CD-single by a Swedish ABBA cover group called Arrival). I am a little frustrated that they have included this track and not "Just Like That", which is the one everyone (or most) wanted. I still have a hope (an unrealistic one) that they may have reworked the lyrics of JLT and included it on the album under a different title, just as they allowed "Why Did It Have To Be Me" and "Happy Hawaii" to co-exist. I'm also hoping that "Little Things" isn't explicitly a Christmas song, as I don't want to be listening to a Christmas song as track 3 on the album at other times of the year - if so, it would have been better as track 5, at the end of Side 1 of the vinyl edition, to allow us vinyl users to end the first side prematurely (it is easy just to skip a track on CD and download). If they do want to promote "Little Things" as a Christmas single, they will need to produce a suitable video for this. It would certainly help to maintain public interest in the album right up to Christmas. To me, it feels like I Still Have Faith In You is "ABBA the eclectic musical entity that yields dividends when you explore behind the surface", and Don't Shut Me Down is "'ABBA Gold' ABBA". Both are valid and it's not a value judgement for or against either track. Something about the feel of DSMD reminds me of Just Like That - especially the way the voices blend in the chorus. ISHFIY is, as you say, anthemic. I find it incredibly emotional and I still haven't managed to get though hearing it without a lump in my throat. I really wasn't expecting that. When Frida sings "I still have faith in you/it stands above all the crazy things we did/it all comes down to love" I am just aching. It's really lovely. Her delivery is gorgeous. But I agree that such an elaborate track was a brave choice for a single. I think they missed a trick by not releasing the two songs a month apart to build towards the album. ISHFIY could have swept to the summit on the excitement of the last few days. DSMD could have repeated the trick by virtue of having a "classic ABBA" sound and brought another cohort of listeners and new fans along with it. DSMD is fantastic and deserves the high-end video and 7" single treatment too (and a better sleeve!). Agnetha's voice sounds like she did on A. The bass reminds me of It's So Nice To Be Rich for some reason. The lyrics hark back to that scene-setting narrative that Bjorn grew towards, full of odd little details - just like he did in the songs for Josefin Nilsson. But the magic monent in the song is when the two voices come together - especially on the second chorus, where all the parts just sweep together in a swirl that makes you feel you're back listening to tracks for Voulez-Vous. |
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Post by jj on Sept 4, 2021 15:38:41 GMT
DSMD is fantastic ... on the second chorus, where all the parts just sweep together in a swirl that makes you feel you're back listening to tracks for Voulez-Vous. Yes, I love it when the backing vocals start calling out and repeating the main vocals near the beginning of the second chorus. So lovely, lush and elaborate! And those country-and-western style violins playfully fiddling up a storm in the background. Those cowboy-movie fiddles recall a joyous track from Kristina. |
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Post by gamleman on Sept 4, 2021 15:51:58 GMT
To me, it feels like I Still Have Faith In You is "ABBA the eclectic musical entity that yields dividends when you explore behind the surface", and Don't Shut Me Down is "'ABBA Gold' ABBA". Both are valid and it's not a value judgement for or against either track. Something about the feel of DSMD reminds me of Just Like That - especially the way the voices blend in the chorus. ISHFIY is, as you say, anthemic. I find it incredibly emotional and I still haven't managed to get though hearing it without a lump in my throat. I really wasn't expecting that. When Frida sings "I still have faith in you/it stands above all the crazy things we did/it all comes down to love" I am just aching. It's really lovely. Her delivery is gorgeous. But I agree that such an elaborate track was a brave choice for a single. I think they missed a trick by not releasing the two songs a month apart to build towards the album. ISHFIY could have swept to the summit on the excitement of the last few days. DSMD could have repeated the trick by virtue of having a "classic ABBA" sound and brought another cohort of listeners and new fans along with it. DSMD is fantastic and deserves the high-end video and 7" single treatment too (and a better sleeve!). Agnetha's voice sounds like she did on A. The bass reminds me of It's So Nice To Be Rich for some reason. The lyrics hark back to that scene-setting narrative that Bjorn grew towards, full of odd little details - just like he did in the songs for Josefin Nilsson. But the magic monent in the song is when the two voices come together - especially on the second chorus, where all the parts just sweep together in a swirl that makes you feel you're back listening to tracks for Voulez-Vous. I think you provide better insight into the songs' contents than I did, HOMETIME, but it seems that ISHFIY has moved us in a similar way. I agree that DSMD has a similar feel to "Just Like That" - for some reason, I wasn't expecting DSMD to be so good, and was expecting more of a uniform Disco sound like "Voulez-vous". I have ordered the singles and am hoping that when they arrive, the sleeves will look better than they do in the photos. I'm not sure what the hand is all about on the DSMD CD-single. While DSDM doesn't have a vinyl single, I'm wondering whether it will be on the flip-side of the ISHFIY single - otherwise, I guess the flip-side has ISHFIY again or is blank. One thing that I was expecting but hasn't materialised is a Spanish version of one of the songs. |
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Post by foreverfan on Sept 4, 2021 16:12:09 GMT
Ok I may have this wrong.....I but I think its correct... ( would be good to know how charts are compiled in other countries....)
When the Album is released, there is little control of what tracks hit the UK charts, as it will be the 3 most popular tracks that will be allowed to chart regardless of singles so we could quite easily see both of the current tracks disappear immediately.
Olivia Rodrigo is a case in point her Drivers Licence was number one for 9 weeks but once album " Sour " was released, it dropped out of the charts fairly quick, 9 weeks at number one, Album released drop to 18, because of two more popular tracks on the albums.... and decline... However it can come back into the charts if its again one of the 3 most popular....
Also I have heard that around 50,000 advance orders on day one in this modern times is huge... could end up being one of the best sellers of the year....
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Post by foreverfan on Sept 4, 2021 16:16:02 GMT
Does anyone know the various prices of the show yet ? my code has come through and Ill be there from 10 am !!!! for 2 hours plus i expect..
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Post by richard on Sept 4, 2021 16:22:24 GMT
Great to hear our opinions on these two songs. At the moment I'm trying to make up my mind about them, which itself is indicative that neither song exactly engages me as I would like at the moment. Hopefully, this will change for me. I agree with gamleman that neither song is up there with (what I regard as) ABBA's best.
DSMD has been compared to either As Good As New or If It Wasn't For The Nights. But for me it has a shadowy suggestion of Just Like That about it - I'm with HOMETIME there - but without JLT's stunning razor-sharp chorus, imo.
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Post by gamleman on Sept 4, 2021 16:37:53 GMT
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Post by gamleman on Sept 4, 2021 16:40:30 GMT
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Post by Alan on Sept 4, 2021 16:43:55 GMT
Does anyone know the various prices of the show yet ? my code has come through and Ill be there from 10 am !!!! for 2 hours plus i expect.. Did I read somewhere £21? Might have been on the BBC website. That sounds remarkably low but they’ll presumably be the worst tickets. As this is an ongoing event, the scramble will be for the first few shows. I’m actually more bothered about seeing this quite early on than I was with Kate Bush’s Before The Dawn shows. However, the fact that it could be there for years and will essentially be the same show every night does reduce the urgency. I know that at some point I’ll see it. |
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Post by Alan on Sept 4, 2021 16:51:02 GMT
DSMD is fantastic ... on the second chorus, where all the parts just sweep together in a swirl that makes you feel you're back listening to tracks for Voulez-Vous. Yes, I love it when the backing vocals start calling out and repeating the main vocals near the beginning of the second chorus. Both songs have this I think. The “we do have it in us!” section really takes that song to a different level. The magic of the two voices together is still there. [Not totally sure about the verses - accents get in the way a bit and the changes in their voices. I wish Agnetha sounded a bit more excited. “And so you should, I would!”] |
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Post by gamleman on Sept 4, 2021 16:53:21 GMT
Does anyone know the various prices of the show yet ? my code has come through and Ill be there from 10 am !!!! for 2 hours plus i expect.. Did I read somewhere £21? Might have been on the BBC website. That sounds remarkably low but they’ll presumably be the worst tickets. As this is an ongoing event, the scramble will be for the first few shows. I’m actually more bothered about seeing this quite early on than I was with Kate Bush’s Before The Dawn shows. However, the fact that it could be there for years and will essentially be the same show every night does reduce the urgency. I know that at some point I’ll see it. It looks like there are seats, standing and dance booths. I imagine £21 will be for standing. |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 4, 2021 17:10:07 GMT
Just been listening to dsmd on you tube repeatedly, reading the comments, just brought me to tears. I just thank God I am here to witness these new songs. It's so heartbreaking to know that others who love this group haven't had that chance.
Dsmd has so much going on, it just blows me away every listen and ishfiy could well become a real anthem, I can imagine it being the encore in the avatar show and everyone singing along lol!
For those among us who may not have connected with one or both songs, give it time, I liked them straight away but I also think they are growers with repeated plays. Also, some of the other 8 songs may be even better, I guess these were released first as they were the ones announced back in 2018?
I think I heard that dsmd is record of the week on radio 2 next week, that should guarantee a lot of sales!
I agree that dsmd could have been longer. The lyrics in both are great and once I've learned them off by heart will add to my enjoyment whilst singing along! What can I say about the melodies!? Fantastic! And Agnetha and Frida still sound beautiful, so relieved on that score. All the boxes ticked for me.
Won't it be great if the Christmas song ends up being in the charts every year! Can't wait for the new album!
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Post by hejiranyc on Sept 4, 2021 17:18:18 GMT
Just to add my $0.02 regarding the new tracks... I, like probably many of you, was a bit overwhelmed when they debuted the music video for ISHFIY during the broadcast. It was emotional but also a bit shocking. I may be in the minority here, but I felt that it sounded nothing like classic ABBA; I can't think of a single song of theirs that I can compare it to. And Frida hits some gorgeous, cello-like low notes that we have never heard on an ABBA recording. Given their extreme self-consciousness about the appearance of being old, I was also shocked that Frida's vocals were not pitched or somehow digitally manipulated to sound like her 1970s voice. Other than just a tiny bit of autotune at the end, I just hear full-frontal Frida with her beautifully mellowed voice, and all its imperfections and wobbly vibrato, and it just complements the subject matter of the song so perfectly. It reminds us of our own mortality and the passage of time, but also assures us that we all have that majestic Second Act within us just when we think it's all over. I initially found the song to be a bit sappy and bombastic at first, but I think it would not have been as impactful if it just flatlined after the first chorus. I don't think Benny has it "within him" to just leave well enough alone.
By contrast, DSMD is an instant classic. It slaps. It is just everything I love about ABBA in a neat, 4-minute nugget. The verbose lyrics. The catchy melody and musical counterpoints. The low-high-low dynamics. The glissando. The key changes. The lush wall-of-sound arrangements. And then the girls, who create a sound that nobody else on earth can replicate. And Agnetha has not lost a step since "The Day Before You Came." I love the fact that the lyrics can be interpreted as a woman coming back to an old flame as a new, improved person, as well as the ABBAtars themselves, who are "now and then combined" and are figments of computers/software ("And now you see another me, I've been reloaded... I'm not the same this time around"). I am just stunned that ABBA can hit this hard in the winter of their lives.
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Post by richard on Sept 4, 2021 17:35:34 GMT
[...] For those among us who may not have connected with one or both songs, give it time, I liked them straight away but I also think they are growers with repeated plays. Also, some of the other 8 songs may be even better, I guess these were released first as they were the ones announced back in 2018? [...] I have a strong feeling about that, too. I've often come to like an artist's album tracks at least as much as their singles. So great expectations for the Voyage album 5th November! And I'm sure you're right about these two songs being growers for one or two of us! |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 4, 2021 17:37:43 GMT
Great posts heyiranyc and Richard, thank you. There's a nice little review by Mark Savage on the BBC site.
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Post by Alan on Sept 4, 2021 17:49:57 GMT
Just been listening to dsmd on you tube repeatedly, reading the comments, just brought me to tears. I just thank God I am here to witness these new songs. It's so heartbreaking to know that others who love this group haven't had that chance. My brother being one of them. He died very suddenly in early December last year aged 56. He actually got into ABBA first in 1977 when I was 5 and he was 12, and I quickly joined in. His interest in ABBA had waned considerably over the decades (a few years ago he gave me his near-complete collection of the ABBA Magazine, along with annuals and his 12” of The Winner Takes It All) but he was interested in hearing the new songs. As exciting as the last few days have been, for me there is sadness that he wasn’t here to witness this and will never hear any of it. |
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Post by madonnabba on Sept 4, 2021 17:59:35 GMT
Just saw the advert for the new album on TV.
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Post by bennybjorn on Sept 4, 2021 18:20:58 GMT
The Rubber Ball Man -- ABBA's 2 Singles are also in the UK Sales Top 100 today. 'ISHFIY' is at No.9 and 'Don't Shut Me Down' is at No.11. It is a lack of Streams, that stopped either Single getting in today's Main Top 100. As well as there being no Physical's yesterday. Also, it was stupid to Release on a Thursday. You are not supposed to do that. It is called a 'Death' time to Release. Every time an Act does it, they don't do as well, as they could have. You end up with too few Sales on the Thursday, to make a Friday Chart impact. Also, you lose those Thursday Sales, when the next Friday's Chart comes around. I don't know what made ABBA Release on a Thursday. A huge mistake. Luckily, an ABBA Christmas Themed Single, ('Little Things'?), will be a far bigger Hit. Christmas Singles always get Millions upon Millions of Streams. Which is why Christmas Hits by Mariah Carey, Wham!, Wizzard, Slade, Boney M, and many more Old Acts, are Top 20 Hits again, every November/December, in the UK. So, I am certain of a big Christmas Single for ABBA. Also, I now hear that Adele may Release her New Album on the same day as ABBA's! Well, her last Album - '25', (2015) - sold UK 800,307 copies, in Week 1! Plus, what Ed Sheeran calls, his previous Studio Album - 'Divide', (2017), sold 671,542 UK copies, in Week 1! I find it incredible, that ABBA waited 40 Years, to Release a New Album, then they choose a Release Date, that is around the time that Adele and Ed Sheeran plan to Release their New Albums - today's 2 Biggest Acts! Surely, a more sensible ABBA Release Date could have been selected? (Remember - Adele and Ed are huge, everywhere. So the ABBA Album will not easily, get to No.1 - anywhere). However, the ABBA Album does not have to get to No.1 in November. There is also December and January. After all, Ed and Adele, are not forever at No.1, in the Album Charts. Besides, in the UK, 4 ABBA Albums made No.1 more than once. They were: 'Greatest Hits', (twice in 1976). 'Arrival', (twice in 1977). 'Greatest Hits Vol 2', (Once in 1979 and once in 1980). Finally, there was 'ABBA Gold' - No.1 in 1992, and 4 Returns to No.1! (3 times in 1999, once in 2008). So, November 2021, is not the only chance for 'Voyage' to make No.1. There's no guarantee that an Abba Christmas single will be a big success. It's proved very difficult for any act in the last 20 years to release a Christmas single with long-lasting appeal (i.e. radio airplay). Coldplay might have come the closest with Christmas Lights but even that doesn't get close to the songs from 70s/80s. Robbie Williams has released Christmas singles the last two years and neither made the top 100 and hardly got played on the radio. Fingers crossed, the Abba song will be a beauty (I just hope it manages to avoid most of the obvious festive clichés) and will indeed join the massively successful Christmas songs from the past, but it's not a done deal. |
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Post by Michal on Sept 4, 2021 18:24:56 GMT
It was emotional but also a bit shocking. I may be in the minority here, but I felt that it sounded nothing like classic ABBA I'm kind of relieved I'm not the only one... I must admit that on the first hearing I had mixed feelings. Yes, very emotional moment to finally hear the song we've been waiting for for so long, on the other hand I didn't recognize ABBA at all. But wouldn't it be unnatural if it did sound like the ABBA we had known? They have moved on, their voices aged of course. In the meantime both tracks have grown on me and I can't get them out of my head now. Still I think they're very different to the old ABBA recordings. Even the production is not the same and the famous multi-layered sound is not there the way I expected it to be. But I love them both. Can't wait to hear the whole album! |
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Post by jj on Sept 4, 2021 18:52:29 GMT
I think they're very different to the old ABBA recordings. Even the production is not the same and the famous multi-layered sound is not there the way I expected it to be. But I love them both. Can't wait to hear the whole album!
I guess the difference you hear in their style, sound and production equals the kind of shock we fans would have had if, after the Arrival album in 1976, they'd given us The Visitors. Come to think of it, how different did songs on The Visitors sound to those of Arrival? Were they very different? Studio soundrooms and studio gadgetry/technology wise, soundwise? Except that only five years separates these two albums, whereas 40 years separate The Visitors and Voyage.
Speaking for myself, I think The Visitors' songs sounded more lush, velvety, softer and more subdued than those on Arrival, both in their styles, tempos and production values.
I get the impression they'd pared back a lot of the bells and whistles and adopted a much more simple and straightforward approach to recording and instrumentation on their 1981 album.
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Post by jj on Sept 4, 2021 19:05:33 GMT
I'm so sorry to learn this, Alan. My sincere condolences to you. |
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For example I don't buy e-books either. I used to rip my CDs to mp3 to use it in the ways you use downloaded tracks. And I find something that I like on YouTube, I usually buy a physical copy afterwards. So I can't imagine a world where all music will be just streamed, downloaded etc. In a way I now understand why physical releases come a bit later - you have to stream the songs to actually hear them before your physical copies arrive - a clever move from ABBA and Universal I suppose (I play the songs almost nonstop now, hope it helps 
)
