The Visitors - star ratings

It's five full-fat stars from me.

I've gone 4 stars, it is a fine album sonically different from their earlier work. Due to my liking of 60s music I am one of the few around that likes listening to the Ring Ring album so as a generalisation it is less to my taste. But even with that bias I recognise the quality of it.

The great part about the Visitors is that they experimented and came up with some quite different sounds. Like an Angel is brilliant and one commentator in the past has said that they wished that ABBA had offered more 'stripped down' songs. Slipping Through My Fingers is a beautiful tune and perhaps the band's most wistful, reflecting their ageing (love the music box playing it in the Mamma Mia movie). One of Us has received some acclaim for its bass work.

I think ABBA missed a golden opportunity with WAISAD for a hit breakup song. The boys overengineered this track in some ways drowing out a superb melody. It could have been as big a hit as TWTIA if the recording was stripped down as I think the tune is superior and catchier. Listen to the version performed by Kylie Minogue and Benny, it is brilliant. I am rarely critical of B&B's work but in this case they got it wrong (as they did with the engineering in Voyage).

So for me the Visitors doesn't quite hit the peaks in performance as found in Arrival but there is better consistency and flow compared to some of the other studio albums and some quite different offerings. Like Ring Ring they were experimenting and taking risks but with better recording equipment and a wealth of experience under their belt.

I too like WAISAD but just think a different approach may have been better, but that is just my opinion. Much prefer the tune to TWTIA.

I've never been a huge fan of TWTIA, it comes across as a bit of a musical number, though recognise it as one of their best recordings. Benny has said the lyrics are more powerful than the music which he indicated is fairly simple by his standards. I agree with you on the drumming and stripping down.

I think the big appeal of TWITIA that sold it was the clip where people could directly relate to Agnetha's pain. Yes, if WAISAD was released earlier it would have done better. But I can visualise a slower version with a clip focussing on Frida's emotion, Benny at the pianno, that would have tugged at people's heart strings like TWTIA did.

WAISAD is a beautiful song. I think Kylie was sincere when she said at the end of this some dreams come true, it was clearly a privelage to perform it with Benny:

I don't think that's true, johnny - for TWTIA, there are earlier lyrics called The Story Of My Life and, before that, there were dummy lyrics in French to mark out the vocal melody. I think some of the more maudlin aspects of the final lyric (which Bjorn says came all at once) can be blamed on the bottle of whiskey consumed by Bjorn when he was writing. I'm not the song's biggest fan either, but I'd struggle to deny that there's a lovely melody there. Same with TDBYC, which is probably my favourite track on Benny's piano album. I think it's a gorgeous melody. What both of these songs seem not to have is a chorus. 

Tony, my measure of a pop song is how well it sounds played on the piano and I agrre the basic melody of the TWTIA while simple is nice. The same can be said for WAISAD but I prefer its melody. Both relatively simple songs compared to some the band's other works.


Out of curiosity as a melody played on the piano which would you prefer?

Re: The Winner Takes it All.

I did hear Bjorn say the song's lyrics were quickly written
Perhaps he should have said 'parts' or possibly it was the way the interview was edited.

Both TWTIA and TDBYC sound lyric dominated. That doesn't mean they necessarily came first.

A stylistic departure for the cover and design.

1 When All Is Said and Done - a fave then and now - in my top 3
2 One of Us - beautiful recording - video was odd though. Those costumes !
3 The Visitors - love the backing track
4 Soldiers - does much with the depressing theme
5 Head over Heels - throwback to happier times ? video is hit and miss though
6 Slipping Through My Fingers - thoughtful subject - mature theme
7 Two for the Price of One - throwaway party song perhaps - not sure it needed the 'Chiquitita' style ending though
8 I Let the Music Speak - can you tell CHESS is coming ?
9 Like an Angel Passing Through My Room - in my bottom 5 - different story with the faster disco version - probably not released (in 1981-2) as it was too close to LAYLOM ?

Can't believe I didn't give a ranking for my favourite album. Here goes:

1. The Visitors - my all-time favourite ABBA song. Dark, stark, punchy and brilliant. Utterly superb vocal by Frida. The whole thing undermines all lazy stereotypes and preconceptions. Its theme rings as alarmingly true today as it did in 1981.
2. Like An Angel Passing Through My Room - a very close second. That melody and the weary resignation in those lyrics. Beautiful on every level. Classical music dressed up in pretty electronica.
3. When All Is Said And Done - The lyrics are every bit as strong as the melody. And, oh my lord, that delivery! I love the Voyage version too. A hit that got away.
4. Slipping Through My Fingers - another beautifully true and personal lyric, elevated by a sublime chorus.
5. Head Over Heels - this has come right up the ranks for me. Agnetha's light-as-air lead vocal is delicious and the third voice is in brilliant shape. The song's brightness might be a little at odds with the album's overall feel, but a great little tune.
6. I Let The Music Speak - Grand and grandiose, this pulls the very best out of its writers and singers.#
7. Soldiers - I love how the drums and guitars lend some real bite to an otherwise pretty waltz. That chorus has some massive muscles.
8. One Of Us - I still love this (but just a little less than I used to). The bassline is creamy and the hooks are made of superglue.
9. Two For The Price Of One - This one is a lot more organic, in terms of instrumentation, than the rest of the album. The production is much more pared back too - it almost feels like a live recording. The "Rule Book" suggests that I should be harsh and dismissive, but it has enough daft charm to keep me on board.


If the bonus tracks were to be slotted in here, The Day Before You Came would come between LAAPTMR and WAISAD. Should I Laugh Or Cry would come between WAISAD and STMF. Cassandra and Under Attack would come between OOU and TFTPOO.

I have an iTunes playlist version of my "ultimate" version of this album. The running order is basically the same, but TDBYC replaces HOH, and SILOC replaces TFTPOO. It's a bit darker than the original album, but oh-so satisfying.

When " The Visitors " was released in December 1981 I saved up all my pocket money as you do to buy a copy. I couldn't wait. Little did I realise it was to be the band's final studio album until 40 years later with " Voyage ". This is a more bleaker, darker and introspective collection. " Slipping Through My Fingers " is my ultimate favourite from the album. Love Agnetha's plaintive child like vocals and the chorus is emotionally beautiful. A jewel in ABBA's back catalogue. I love " One Of Us " too. Catchy yet moving. The majestic " Soldiers " I enjoy listening to. " I Let The Music Speak " is pure theatre with poetically poignant lyrics. " When All Is Said And Done " cleverly exposes Frida and Benny's marital turmoil. A great song. " The Visitors " stunningly different. Eerie, spooky and very " unABBA ". I loved the " Voyage " performance of this spine-tingling track.

My album ranking,

9. " Two For The Price Of One " A quirky tune saved by the beautiful backing vocals from both ladies.
8. " Like An Angel Passing Through My Room " A very moving and profound reflection of the inevitable. Frida delivers a very moving solo. Unfortunately, it has never really grabbed my attention to be honest. Maybe because of the song's theme or the fact only half of ABBA were in the studio.
7. " Head Over Heels " A humorous pop romp featuring playful vocals from Agnetha and Benny's jingling piano.
6. " I Let The Music Speak " Very grand and sweeping with a powerful chorus.
5. " The Visitors ( Crackin' Up ) " Such a contrasting track. Dark, sinister and brooding exploding into a dynamic chorus. " Do not listen to this without the light on " !
4. " When All Is Said And Done " Another superb ode to a failing relationship. Very catchy.
3. " Soldiers " So underrated. Love Agnetha's vocal narrative and the funky guitar.
2. " One Of Us " A gorgeously reflective song dealing with conflicting love yet a glimmer of reconciliation.
1. " Slipping Through My Fingers " Pure emotion emanating from Agnetha. The chorus is sublime especially the part where you can hear Frida singing in unison. Fleeting childhood has never been so skilfully put to use as within this beautiful ballad.

My ranking of the extra tracks featured on the deluxe edition.

" You Owe Me One ". Disappointing. Such a wasted effort. I would rank this as the very last way above " Two For The Price Of One ".
" Under Attack " Although the chorus is quite catchy, the song fails to excite me. Again meriting a very low position.
" Should I Laugh Or Cry " Sadly not one of my favourites. Just above " Like An Angel Passing Through My Room ".
" I Am The City " Great vocals from Frida and Agnetha. However another low placing from me.
" The Day Before You Came " A theatrical epitaph featuring a mournful recollection of events from Agnetha and lovely backing vocals from Frida. A placing just above " Soldiers ".
" Cassandra " A splendid vocal from Frida recounting a tale of impending doom. Lovely harmonies from both ladies. In between " Soldiers " and " One Of Us " I love this song.
In an ideal world, if Benny and Bjorn decided to release " Just Like That " I would rank this as another ultimate favourite. A vastly underrated gem and such a missed opportunity. All in all " The Visitors " is a very grown up album touching on contrasting themes and emotions. A work of art !

I have enjoyed reading your ABBA studio album reviews, Rickyrocknroller. You have the knack in expressing your thoughts and views. I look forward to read your review of " The Visitors ".

Most of the time, The Visitors is the album I name as my favourite. I love the autumnal tone to it all, reflected in the artwork. The songwriting and production (again, with befittingly chilly digital technology) are of the very highest order. It's just pure quality, in a distinct tone and style. After ABBA having had a final late blossoming with Super Trouper, and before falling apart in 1982 with a new ABBA pop style not really taking shape and the members taking onto different directions, The Visitors is an album that's completely with itself, set at golden ratio within B&B's travel from pop to musical. To me, a complete success with all tracks recieving a positive rating, and the whole album rated 5/5. The rank:

1. One Of Us - late ABBA ballad pop perfection with an exceptionally great bass line even by ABBA standards
2. Slipping Through My Fingers - a true classic that was established as such with the 2008 Mamma Mia movie. The March 1981 recording date, on analogue tape, links it more towards earlier ABBA, rather than much of the album which more seems to look ahead to Chess and late 80s solo Benny
3. When All Is Said And Done - the lost single to stand next to Agnetha's TWTIA
4. Head Over Heels - this is like a look ahead to mid and late 80s B&B. The non-pop style (tango) with the intricate tunes, the cool, airy production, the theatrical lyrics and performance - it's all there and a full success as an ABBA track, albeit not really suitable as a single A-side
5. Like An Angel Passing Through My Room - despite the sparse arrangement and heavily filtered production, it's a very strong, emotional and heartfelt song. A sad one of course, but also one with a sense of comfort and calmness unlike most ABBA songs. Here we really benefitted from the various takes in the From A Twinkling Star To A Passing Angel medley, culminating in the more natural run-through, which makes the highly produced album version shine again in contrast.
6. The Visitors - iconic, chilly 80s post-disco ABBA, looking ahead to B&B's political writings of the decade
7. I Let The Music Speak - a masterpiece at #7, a perfect musical song about music itself
8. Two For The Price Of One - yes, I do like it. It's like a B&B Paul McCartney song, more natural and band-y in production, narrative and with A&F backing vocals that elevate it to another level. It's not only a showcase for Björn, but also for Benny as music director (visible in the DCMA live) with its Cirkus outro that looks ahead even onto BAO.
9. Soldiers - atmospheric and strong, with great chorus harmonies. One track has to take the #9, but it's not a negative rating in any way.


I'm not a fan of the 1982 tracks being added to The Visitors. For me, it's a distinct, new ABBA era of its own, with a different attempt at style, direction, look and sound - albert one that couldn't sustain and remained unfinished. Yet, with 6 tracks, which is more than half an album by ABBA standards, there is enough substance to appreciate 1982 ABBA on its own. These tracks, nice to look at together, don't constitute a unity as, let's say, an EP though. From the first batch of tracks, Just Like That and I Am The City were shelved for the 1983 album that didn't materialize, and You Owe Me One was put aside and would have remained unreleased if they hadn't needed a B-side later. The second batch of tracks was intended for The Singles The First Ten Years plus a supplementary B-side. That's why I won't rank the songs, but comment on them in order of release date. I like this era a lot though and will rate it 4/5.

* The Day Before You Came - yes, it's a late classic to me with the distinctly empty soundscape, making it one of ABBA's most modern tracks, and the radiant melancholy.
* Cassandra - very underrated, always had the quality of almost a double A-side togeher with TDBYC for me. Love the maritime and atmospheric verses, also with what Benny does on the synths, lovely Frida lead vocals, stunning Agnetha harmonies and chorus - what's not to love?
* Under Attack - I see this not being so popular, to me, a great, slightly chilly and moderate, very late ABBA pop song though
* You Owe Me One - sunny and bright, real fun - a throwaway B-side in the best sense. I'm glad we have it, nothing to be ashamed of for B&B.
* I Am The City - amongst the most modern, most looking into the 80s ABBA tracks, with a sense of urbanity and brightness, a really good one. It could be a template for a synth 80s pop ABBA that never materialized. Yet, I can see late 80s Gemini songs like Nearly There or TLC drawing on stylistics first established with I Am The City. I was shocked to recently learn from CMP it was first tried out as a demo in 1981 already and that it evolved into The Arbiter from Chess. That places it alongside Just Like That and Another You Another Me, which also started out as ABBA songs (AYAM as a rumoured Agnetha demo from 1982, which isn't public if it really exists. I really hope it does, since it would round up the 1982 ABBA chapter with one of the strongest B&B tracks of the 80s.)
* Just Like That - not easy to judge with all the mystique and holy grail associations surrounding it. I particularly like the Slow Version for the whole song as a melancholic, beautiful, autumnal recording, and the Undeleted snippet for the goosebumps harmonies with 1982 digital echo. This gets lost in the full length bootleg versions and the saxophone tends to get obstructive too.