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Post by rickyrocknroller on Oct 25, 2024 15:46:55 GMT
As for the strange inclusion of Hasta Manana, I can't help sensing some kind of "album parity" politics at work, already undermining the concept of "the singles" --> the Polar singles which Alan pointed out, correctly. To me, it feels like: "Oh, we only have two singles off Waterloo, the album is underrepresented. Let's add a regional single here to have it match up to the 3-5 singles rate of the other albums". That's a thing The Singles 10 got right: it focussed on singles and more so hits, resulting in just one track each of RR and Waterloo. While Honey Honey probably would have been more worthwhile than So Long, the point is: Waterloo was completed in just a few months to have the album ready in time for the Eurovision Song Contest. It's not compareable the later albums where a more or less a year of meticious work went into. That doesn't stand against the Waterloo album as such, but aiming for a more or less equal representation on such a compilation is not convincing, as the cases of TYFTM, TV and OAOAO clearly show. Anyway, I find this singles collection approach rather dated (late 90s/early 00s). I feel there are better ways to put together a collection to suit our times with streaming, Mamma Mia, the Voyage show and so on. |
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Post by matt on Oct 25, 2024 16:32:39 GMT
I saw this added to Spotify and started listening through this afternoon. Been a while since I've listened through their songs in order. Regardless of the quality of the actual release and lack of anything new, it amazes me how ABBA went from releasing songs like People Need to Love and He is Your Brother to recording The Name of The Game and Eagle in less than 5 years. The speed at how quickly they developed and improved is astounding.
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Post by johnny on Oct 25, 2024 16:47:22 GMT
^The opposite of Oasis who recorded their best songs in their first year and spent the next dozen years experiencing ever diminishing returns.
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Post by baab on Oct 25, 2024 17:41:32 GMT
So I got my vinyl copy from Amazon today. I just was not able to hear the vinyl quality yet. The package states that the whole Album was mastered at Abbey Road Studios.
I'm not much impressed. The package in book form is not very handy to get the records out or to put them back. The inner covers are plain white, a cheap solution, the covers themselves are plain red. Only the booklet has pictures. The alternative shots are nothing really special and I'm very surprised, that the "picture collection" ends with some Backstage pictures 1979 - No Pics from the Voulez Vous, Super Trouper, The Visitors or Voyage era...apart from the pictures of each single.
Very dissapointing and not nearly worth the 88 Euros I paid. The package now is priced 118 Euro, unbelievable.
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Post by johnny on Oct 25, 2024 19:29:30 GMT
iTunes Charts
#4 Sweden
#8 Australia
#19 UK
#42 Germany
#83 Belgium #148 The Netherlands
Not in Top 200 - Ireland, USA, France
#28 World
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Post by Alan on Oct 25, 2024 20:47:55 GMT
Apparently, The Name of the Game is a decent master, without the distortion in the second chorus. Eagle is the full album version, and not either of the single edits. The “wrong” mix of Head Over Heels (that appeared on The Visitors deluxe) has been used again.
The whole album as a whole is “Lovely and clear. Compressed but not excessively so. A little lacking in bass.”
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Post by johnny on Oct 26, 2024 8:35:23 GMT
Rickyrocknroller - I think you're right the inclusion of Hasta Manana was to bump up the tracks from Waterloo.
If they wanted to equalise the Ring Ring and Waterloo numbers they could have cut RR from 4 tracks to 2 (kicking out He is Your Brother and Love Isn't Easy) and kept Waterloo with 2 tracks, the title track and Honey Honey.
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Post by johnny on Oct 26, 2024 8:53:39 GMT
The Singles could be a UK TOP 10 album or Fail to make the Top 100, it depends on Streams.
Currently GOLD is on a shade under 5,000 sales (mainly streaming). The #10 album is just over 6,000 sales. Streams and sales could put it in the Top 10 (or just outside as there's lots of new entries)
If however, streaming is not included, it would need to sell at least 1,800 to creep into the Top 100.
If streams are assigned to The Singles, GOLD will drop out, not just the Top 100 but Top 200.
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Post by HOMETIME on Oct 26, 2024 10:47:49 GMT
Taking all these views into account, it highlights how terribly wasteful this release is. I hate "The Best Of" as a title in general - it's lazy and subjective at best - but "The Singles" is prescriptive, constrictive and disappointingly pedantic when it comes to marking such a special anniversary. Messing around with Gold's position in the charts is just bonkers. Admit you got it wrong and that this release is a mismanaged box-ticking exercise.
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Post by Alan on Oct 26, 2024 11:17:41 GMT
After all I said about not getting this… er… I am doing. But it’s the Japanese SHM version in 7” packaging (claims to have a 7” of Waterloo included but not sure if that was lost in translation). I doubt SHM will sound any different, and the A4 folder that comes with it looks a bit cheap, but my ABBA friend happens to be in Japan at present, was getting one for himself and offered to get me one, so I couldn’t refuse!  (Off the web, not my item. Haven’t got it yet). |
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Post by foreverfan on Oct 26, 2024 12:32:02 GMT
Ok, I'm going to predict a top 30 chart entry , if streaming has been allocated , which we guess will be... probably chart higher so Universal can say " Told you so " .
As Johnny has said it could actually reach the dizzy heights of a top 20, and not impossible to make the top 10, which would be the irony of ironies as no Abba album has made the top 10 without getting to number one in the U.K...
I guess the big question will be how long Universal allocate the streams, as I Mentioned before it's not out of the realms of permanently, leaving Gold to disappear and 50 to be the new go to. So one week or 100s....
Alas as we know it's all smoke and mirrors with these streams as reality will dictate a few 1000 real sales at the most... but hey who are we... it will go down as another Abba hit album .......
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Post by rickyrocknroller on Oct 26, 2024 13:22:25 GMT
Taking all these views into account, it highlights how terribly wasteful this release is. I hate "The Best Of" as a title in general - it's lazy and subjective at best - but "The Singles" is prescriptive, constrictive and disappointingly pedantic when it comes to marking such a special anniversary. Messing around with Gold's position in the charts is just bonkers. Admit you got it wrong and that this release is a mismanaged box-ticking exercise. I agree so much a like is not enough. Only senseful excuse I can think of is the whole thing was about releasing Hit By A Train/My Story Ends With You, but they were ultimately culled and now we're at that. Maybe the fan who wrote this bit coming from Universal Netherlands that "it went back and forth with multiple tracklists but ultimately ABBA decided they wanted no new music on it" can give us a hint if I'm thinking in the right direction?
Alan, I wouldn't have refused either at these conditions, one can enjoy it gifted. That A4 folder though... what are they doing. It's like 2005's fan art is their design department now. |
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Post by bjorenny on Oct 26, 2024 15:37:25 GMT
Imagine the different vibe on this chat (and increased physical sales) if this compilation had been released with the 2 unreleased Voyage tracks and possibly one alternative version of another track. Add JLT too and I would be happy to say goodbye, and expect no more, enjoying the Voyage concert and their back catalogue for as long as I live.
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Post by rickyrocknroller on Oct 26, 2024 16:39:48 GMT
I agree bjorenny. It feels like a complete let-down in lieu of what could have been an elevating closure. |
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Post by johnny on Oct 26, 2024 19:14:18 GMT
Itunes update
#15 Germany (42)
#20 UK (19)
#39 Australia (8)
#86 Sweden (4)
World
#20 (28)
Huge drop in Sweden
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Post by HOMETIME on Oct 26, 2024 19:50:26 GMT
For what it's worth, Gold is currently at #81 in the Irish iTunes album chart. Dancing Queen is at #40, and Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! is at #75 on the "songs" chart. Singles50 is at #183 on the album chart.
Those iTunes charts change every hour or so, reflecting the immediate state of play with downloads and streams (I think). I wonder whether these chart positions rely more on downloads? The iTunes chart in Ireland is... weird. The album chart is borderline static. For a long time, it stopped around #85 or so because sales/downloads/streams were so bad, I suppose - but they seem to have managed to get things going to allow for a Top 200 now.
An illustration of how bad things are... I had a pop project on the go for a while. An absolute nobody in the business, I released five singles and two remix packages over the last four years, and all five of the singles peaked within the Irish iTunes Top 5. My behind-the-scenes data showed that those positions were "achieved" on mere handfuls of downloads. So I can only imagine how little was behind the positions lower in the Top 10, 20 or 100 - and they included massive hits by big acts. Is it really all smoke and mirrors? The streaming numbers are at least transparent on Spotify. Not making this about me: I'm simply suggesting that we shouldn't put too much (if any) faith in the iTunes charts. An industry insider told me in 2020 that Apple were considering closing the iTunes store and shifting exclusively to streaming. Obviously, that hasn't happened yet but I can't help wondering why.
Maybe iTunes is more meaningful in other countries??
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Post by catfood on Oct 26, 2024 21:40:06 GMT
The channel reversal of "Honey Honey" is reinstated. Well, that did appear on the original single... But if that's the logic, the single edit of "Eagle" should be there, not the album version.
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Post by catfood on Oct 26, 2024 22:03:07 GMT
Imaginary Expanded "Greatest Hits" box set
Three 2xLP sets = 6-LP box // 3xCD
Original gatefold sleeves of GH and GHV2 could be reused.
GHV3 could have 1980-82 pics on the outside, Voyage avatars show pic on the inside
Original track list/order of GH and GH2 kept, with tracks added* ["Fernando" already added in 1976]
3x17 tracks [in total 51 tracks, so "50 years" theme could still be used]
All volumes include a few non-singles / album tracks, as GH and GHV2 originally did.
"Two For The Price Of One" not included for its greatness, but to include a Björn vocal track.
"Greatest Hits" [Vol. 1] (17 tracks - 53:41)
A (15:32): SOS / He Is Your Brother / Ring Ring / Hasta Mañana / Nina, Pretty Ballerina
B (12:55): Honey Honey / So Long / I've Been Waiting For You* / I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do
C (11:36): People Need Love / Bang-A-Boomerang / Love Isn't Easy* / Another Town, Another Train
D (13:38): Mamma Mia / Dance (While The Music Still Goes On) / Waterloo / Fernando*
"Greatest Hits Vol. 2" (17 tracks - 70:54)
A (15:57): Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight) / Knowing Me, Knowing You / Take A Chance On Me / Money, Money, Money
B (17:01): Voulez-Vous* / Rock Me / Eagle (Single Edit) / Angeleyes
C (19:52): Dancing Queen / If It Wasn't For The Nights (Alternate Mix) / Does Your Mother Know / Chiquitita / Summer Night City
D (18:04): I Have A Dream* / I Wonder (Departure) / The Name Of The Game / Thank You For The Music
"Greatest Hits Vol. 3" (17 tracks - 71:29)
A (17:40): The Winner Takes It All / Don't Shut Me Down / Cassandra / One Of Us
B (18:25): When All Is Said And Done / Head Over Heels / Our Last Summer / No Doubt About It / Super Trouper
C (17:09): Lay All Your Love On Me / The Visitors (Crackin' Up) [promo edit] / Under Attack / Happy New Year
D (18:15): The Day Before You Came / On And On And On / Two For The Price Of One / I Still Have Faith In You
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Post by johnny on Oct 26, 2024 22:03:46 GMT
Hometime, you're right to question iTunes. I always thought it was just downloads - which are a very small part of the market.
I posted about iTunes more for the relative performance comparisons with different countries and over a few days. The Singles did well in Sweden day one then dropped like a stone. In Germany the reverse and in the UK pretty stable.
Before release you have Amazon physical (mainly sales). Then first few days iTunes (mainly downloads- I think). On Monday we'll get first indication with UK mid week charts.
Om Friday charts out in Australia, NZ, Norway, Sweden, UK, Ireland. Other countties have later days for chart release - even though they will cover the same Friday to Thursday period. (Apart from Japan)
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Post by johnny on Oct 26, 2024 22:09:12 GMT
Catford, now there's a name! Interesting Greatest Hits suggestions but to me some no no's that crop up like Love isn't Easy and Rock Me. Two for the Price of One???😳
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Post by catfood on Oct 26, 2024 22:14:16 GMT
Catford, now there's a name! Interesting Greatest Hits suggestions but to me some no no's that crop up like Love isn't Easy and Rock Me. Two for the Price of One???😳 See my note: "Two For The Price Of One" not included for its greatness, but to include a Björn vocal track.
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Post by Alan on Oct 26, 2024 23:57:16 GMT
Catford, now there's a name! it’s actually Catfood. I agree though, Catford is interesting and instantly reminds me of Willo The Wisp. Carwash, the Noel Coward soundalike blue cat saying he was going to see a very dear friend in Catford for his holidays! I digress. I really hope Gold is left as it is and this new compilation sinks without trace. If it charts at all, it should be on its own merits. |
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Post by gary on Oct 27, 2024 8:25:31 GMT
Two For The Price Of One shouldn’t be on any album, let alone a Greatest Hits. But apart from that, catfood’s compilation looks perfect.
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Post by Michel on Oct 27, 2024 9:43:23 GMT
After all I said about not getting this… er… I am doing. But it’s the Japanese SHM version in 7” packaging (claims to have a 7” of Waterloo included but not sure if that was lost in translation). I ordered this too. I also understood that it would include the single EP Waterloo, as it said in the description. But it seems to be a replica of the Waterloo single that holds the two CD's on each side. Here is an unboxing video of the Japanese Deluxe Edition. You can see creases in the 7" sleeve on the right top and bottom. Hope my copy won't arrive like that!  |
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Post by HOMETIME on Oct 27, 2024 10:22:17 GMT
These unboxing videos are very useful.
While it's a little disappointing that the Waterloo replica is just a mount for the two CDs, it is a rather cute solution to presenting the set in a 7" sleeve. But possibly a fragile item...? This set at this size in a hardback book would have been much more attractive. The poster uses two great shots. The flicking through the booklet bit is the most interesting. I presume he skipped a fair few pages? And presumably the two blank pages at the front are among the 28 advertised... I didn't immediately spot anything that looked like CMP liner notes, and one of "the unseen" shown elsewhere didn't appear. Interesting. Let's hope the fancypants sound thingy is worthwhile.
I spotted the CD version in Dublin's HMV yesterday. Sturdy book format. €24.99, I think. Probably shouldn't be more than €20, even for a new release. They didn't have the vinyl version - I wanted to hold it to gauge its heft and see whether it was more attractive in the flesh, so to speak.
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Post by HOMETIME on Oct 27, 2024 10:30:41 GMT
Hometime, you're right to question iTunes. I always thought it was just downloads - which are a very small part of the market. I posted about iTunes more for the relative performance comparisons with different countries and over a few days. The Singles did well in Sweden day one then dropped like a stone. In Germany the reverse and in the UK pretty stable. [...] I totally got your rationale - and yours was a useful post. My post was just a bit of doom-laden underscoring of how bad things might be for this album, saleswise  |
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Post by johnny on Oct 27, 2024 10:33:46 GMT
In all my life having formal photos taken, school, family portraits, graduation, weddings etc nobody has ever said "Let's have a red backdrop". Why? Because it is horrible!
Red should never be a main colour. Yes, a splash here and there but not Centre stage. I had a friend once whose living room wall was painted red. Exactly!
Red background worked in Monroe's Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend and Madonna's copy of Material Girl. But as a rule, no.
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Post by johnny on Oct 27, 2024 10:37:56 GMT
Hometime, sales are going to be very low. I reckon most will have ordered when announced and some the day of release or over this weekend. Then sales collapse (from a low point)
After debuting in their respective iTunes Top 10s on Friday, now on Sunday morning #122 in Australia and #169 in Sweden. More stabilised in Germany and UK, #17 and #21 respectively.
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Post by HOMETIME on Oct 27, 2024 11:04:21 GMT
I've just seen a full unboxing video of the CD version. There are too many blank pages: five of the 28 being advertised are just plain pinky-red nothing. Galling!
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Post by baab on Oct 27, 2024 11:42:46 GMT
The flicking through the booklet bit is the most interesting. I presume he skipped a fair few pages? As I already stated in my comment, I can confirm from the vinyl Version, there isn't much more to see in the booklet. Some liner notes, yes. But apart from the single sleeves no pictures of the Voulez Vous, Super Trouper, The Visitors or Voyage period, nothing! The japanese packaging of the CDs is indeed cute! I'm happy that I ordered this instead of the general CD Version. Like in the CD book, the Vinyl book has way too many blank pages and cheap white inner cover. The Vinyl package should not cost more than 60 Euro! |
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