Customer Reviews

Aquarium

5 star:		(136)
4 star:		(47)
3 star:		(16)
2 star:		(10)
1 star:		(20)

 

 

I have to admit I caught the "Barbie Girl" fever when the song was a huge hit back in '97. That was when I was a big fan of hi-nrg dance music. I listenined to "Aquarium" day in and day out. I think I annoyed the living daylights out of at least one of my roommates in college with the highly addictive pop album. As I am listening to the album for the first time in a few years, I can't help myself enjoy the irresistably infectious pop melodies. The only thing that has changed is my tolerance for Lene's helium-pitched vocals. Her vocals can be rather annoying but I can't imagine someone like caterwauler Celine Dion singing this type of dance-pop music. Another flaw with the album is the ballads are so syrupy and indigestable to my ears. I have to skip them. I prefer the more upbeat songs like "Doctor Jones" and "Lollipop (Candyman)", my two favorite Aqua songs on the cd. "Doctor Jones" and "Lollipop (Candyman)" are so addictively catchy, I never got tired of those songs. I still haven't after all this time I have gone so long without listening to this album. Unfortunately I had my fill of "Barbie Girl". That song got played into the ground just like that obnoxious "Macarena" (worst song ever). Although I am not a fan of this type of music anymore, Aqua put out some of the catchiest music known to mankind. You either liked it or you did. I rank "Aquarium" as one of my biggest guilty pleasures next to some of Cher's dance music.

Aqua's debut release, AQUARIUM, fights the music scene with Eurodance beats and childish, almost nursery rhyhme lyrics and topics. The record's standout tracks are the group's hugely popular debut single, "Barbie Girl", and the follow up single, "Lollipop (Candy Man)". Both songs are a sugary (except "Barbie Girl", with the whole "bimbo" personification) and catchy. Part of this attribute is the girlie, tongue in cheek voice of lead vocalist Lene Grawford Nystrom, and the "macho" (notice how the word macho is in quotes) raps of Rene Dif. The lyrics are, in their own right, just a mix of plain corniness that adds up to the fun, whismical feel of the album. Although a few tracks, such as "Happy Boys & Girls", "Heat of the Night", and "Be a Man", can be taken off the cd, it is an overall good record. The nursery farce of AQUARIUM has a both good and bad effect on the album. When you listen to the first four or five tracks, you think to yourself 'what a funny cd this is- I love it!'. But by the time you reach track 9 (which happens to be one of my favorites), you start saying "why the h*** am I listening to this crap?!" Aqua delivers a fresh and fun spirit that sometimes makes you feel like, believe it or not, that the world isn't so bad after all. The music may be stupid, it may be cute, but most importantly, it's by Aqua. And that is the bottom line.

Aqua, the funky-looking foursome from Denmark ( actually, they're originally from Sweden ), graced the music scene in 1997 with their first single, the controversal "Barbie Girl". The happy beat of most of their songs led a lot of listeners ( myself, included ) to buy their début album, "Aquarium". Here is the track-by-track review:-

1) Happy Boys & Girls ( 2nd Single ):- Great opening to the album with this joyous song depicting happy people! Pretty much sets the mood for most of this album.

2) My Oh My:- The arrangement of this tune makes it seem like a song from a fairy tale in the medieval times. A creative arrangement carries out this strange melody nicely.

3) Barbie Girl ( 1st Single ):- The song that started it all. This club favourite has a catchy melody, funny premise, plus a funny, albeit squeaky female lead voice ( Lene Nystrøm ) playing Barbie, and a sexy male voice ( Réné Dif ) playing Ken.

4) Good Morning Sunshine:- A moderate ballad with a good beat that sounds plain in the verses but livens up promisingly in the chorus.

5) Doctor Jones ( 3rd Single ):- Another fast song with a nice beat, catchy melody that appeals to the young crowd. A very lively song that makes you want to dance.

6) Heat Of The Night:- A dance tune with a latin touch in the arrangement. The melody is so-so but is still very listenable with the attractive musical background.

7) Be A Man:- One of the two ballads in the album. This song is sometimes forgotten by listeners as they look forward to the fast songs from Aqua rather than slow ballads. Well, they are missing out! This is actually a very solid ballad with a melody that suits quite well with the touching lyrics. Definitely, one of my recommendations in this album.

8) Lollipop ( Candyman ) ( 4th Single ):- Another song that anyone can dance and sing along to with funny lyrics, and a good dancy beat.

9) Roses Are Red:- One of the more weird fast songs in the album that might turn some listeners off due to its strange arrangement as well as its irregular melody. However, still okay to listen to.

10) Turn Back Time ( 5th Single ):- Featured in the film "Sliding Doors", this is the other ballad in the album. Once again, Aqua not only excels in fast songs, but also in this slow song about someone regretting the decisions in life she's made and wishes she could turn back the hands of time to make some changes.

11) Calling You:- One of the weaker fast songs in the album with a bland melody and an okay arrangement. However, it is still above-average compared to songs from other artists.

This is a must-buy for any music fan due to versatile musical skills of the group, both in composing and in singing. Highly recommended for any pop music library.

Hi all,

I bought this album over a year ago (back in 1998). I was hooked after listening to the album at a store and some encouragement from a DJ friend who found one of the songs ("Roses are Red") club-friendly.

My opinion? A very solid album. I just like the songs. I find them upbeat and I've recently started listening to the album after not listening for a while. I rarely do this for old albums (even if I liked them before).

Note, I'm a eurodance/dance, etc fan and also slow songs. Thus the faster songs (Roses are Red, Calling You, etc.) are good along with "Turn Back Time". I'm glad Aqua can branch out and not be a "dance" act.

My favorites songs are: Lollipop, Roses are Red, Calling You, Turn Back Time, Happy People, and My Oh My. The others are decent. One song I don't listen to much is: Barbie Girl. A lot of people liked it and it's ok, but it's not a favorite of mine.

Check this album out! Also can't wait for the new album, hopefully coming soon!

Aqua used to be one of my favourite bands when I was younger. But for no reason, I just went off them. I don't listen to this album anymore, but I decided to review it for a laugh.
This album is brilliant stuff. It's one of those happy albums that everyone laughs at. Aqua are one of those bands that you either love or hate. Stand out tracks are:

3. Barbie Girl - Of course! The classic Aqua track, with the funny lyrics and catchy chorus. How could it not be a stand out track?
4. Doctor Jones - Another definite stand out. It's funny with an addictive chorus.
6. Heat Of The Night - A cool party track, with a great chorus and catchy verses.
8. Lollipop (Candyman) - My personal favourite off this CD. It's just so damn cute! It has an awesome chorus and adorable verses "I wish I was a bubblegum!" was my catchphrase for ages!
9. Roses Are Red - This track's music always reminded me of a computer game. A computer game I used to have has music like in this song. This has cool vocals too with 'Roses are red' being said backwards.

Overall, a cute, dancy happy little CD that a lot of kids probably still like. A good effort.

My favorite tunes on the CD are (of course!) Barbie Girl and Lollipop (Candyman). The beats are very good on this disc. As a Pop and R&B fan, I didn't know what to expect when I purchased this disc, but I was pleasantly surprised. If you are in a "blue" mood, I'd recommend this disc as a "pick-me-up!" Definitely a good deal (if you can get a good price!) Three stars!

This whole CD is very upbeat and poppy. It is great for dancing or working out. There is a lot of sexual themes (what music doesn't have that anymore), but there are very obvious, so I wouldn't recommend it for someone under 13-14 years old...just my opinion.

Barbie Girl...the song that got a lot of radio play in my area. After a while, I didn't like listening to this song, so I decided to explore the rest of the CD.

Be A Man..."for once in your life, be a man." How many times have you hear that?

Lollipop...this is one of my favorite songs on the album. It is just really upbeat.

This is a great album to have for a disco party of the new millenium.

according to BILLBOARD the release of the album is set to be in march

that means a month after the release of it in europe

I simply love this CD. If a person says this band has no talent, he or she obviously has never tried to write music. I find that 99% of the time, the public deems a group "untalented" if they do not find the music to their liking. So what if upbeat dance music is not your cup of tea? Then go listen to something else. When did your personal disdain become synonymous with general lack of talent? There are many people out there who hate widely respected and/or popular artists (The Beatles, Elvis, Madonna, Mariah Carey, Britney Spears, et cetera). And of course no artist or group can obtain 100% acceptance. However, do try to respect what they are doing; you do not have to like them, but at least give them credit for doing what they do. Try writing a plethora of songs and rocketing your band to stardom. Okay...enough ranting and raving. Now my review:

Aqua is a fun band to listen to. It's a great CD to put on for dancing, driving, or just to pass the time. Personally, I love Aqua's music, their style, and their innovative quality. I have the Aqua Diary and I enjoyed watching all the bandmates having fun touring around the world. :) I bought the CD when it came out and I'm still listening to it. I find that I get tired of a lot of artists after some time, but Aqua is one of the few bands that have stayed. Soren, René, Lene, and Claus are very talented people. I hope they knock 'em dead with their second album! Aqua rules!

europop was a big craze in the 90's and since the music industry was catering to kids to buy albums from spice girls, hanson and other teeny boppers, aqua did the same by making cutesy lyrics and funky videos accompanied by europop beats. The formula worked and it was an occasional fun thing to play and poke fun at but in all honesty, I was mostly listening to Janet Jackson, Mariah Carey and Mary J Blige when all of this was going on.