East of the Sun West of the Moon [Import]

a-ha | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 21, 1995)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Warner Bros UK
• ASIN: B000006SA4
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (44 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #78,143 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #92 in Music > World Music > Europe > Scandinavia > Norway

Editorial Reviews

Out of print in the U.S.! East Of The Sun, West Of The Moon was the Norwegian trio's fourth album and was originally released in 1990. Although they had fallen out of favor in the U.S., the band remained extremely successful in Europe and Japan. The album is far more upbeat than the darkly beautiful Stay On These Roads (released in 1988) and features the hits 'Early Morning', 'I Call Your Name' and their stunning remake of the Everly Brothers' 'Crying In The Rain'. Warner.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Vanished Act., February 22, 2000

By 

Jason Stein (San Diego, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: East of the Sun West of the Moon (Audio CD)

By the time East of the Sun, West of the Moon was released in 1991 in the U.S. a-ha had faded from the limelight. I bought East/West spontaneously thinking that it might be interesting to hear from them since they had disappeared. I was blown away. I didn't think this band was more than a synth pop band. I didn't think they could evolve and play. After East/West I went back and bought Scoundrel Days and Stay on These Roads (already had Hunting High and Low). In 1993, a-ha released Memorial Beach which continued down the road they started with East/West. Of the 5 studio albums, East/West is their most original and daring. They changed their sound drastically and it worked. Not many bands can do that. I hear a-ha is releasing a new cd in parts of Europe in April 2000, and I am looking forward to hearing some new material. In 1995, Morten Harket released his solo album Wild Seed, which was okay. Hunting High and Low is just as good as East/West, but the latter is more original and interesting. It's a shame a-ha faded all together in America. Buy East/West and keep an open mind. You won't be disappointed, it's worth the money. It's just as good as Hunting, just in a different way.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Let musicians make music, June 29, 2005

By 

Payeyo (Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic) - See all my reviews

This review is from: East of the Sun West of the Moon (Audio CD)

This is my favorite A-ha CD, and I have all of them. This one proves they're real musicians that don't need to hide behind technology. I'm sure that a lot of people are gonna be put out by this transitional work, specially if you have only heard "take on me".But this eclectic mix of Pop, hard rock, jazz, and ballads accentuated by a beautiful haunting cover of "Crying in the Rain" is just perfection.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My personal favorite!, August 15, 2004

By 

Pål Amundsen (Tønsberg, Vestfold Norway) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: East of the Sun West of the Moon (Audio CD)

It's beautiful, it's haunting - I'm no Norwegian patriot, not at all, but this is one of the greatest bands ever, and as mentioned above I personally think that this album is their absolute greatest effort ever. I agree with one of the viewers who hears a clear similarity between one of the best cover-songs ever done Crying In The Rain and the haunting, yes, Rolling Thunder. Perfectly written it seems for Harkets' melancholic and beautiful voice, it's one of a kind isn't it? You recognize it immediately, just like when you hear Sting, Phil Collins, Dave Matthews and other of the great personalities of rock and roll. If you haven't already heard this album, then give it a chanse. It contains almost everything a good album should : a little ruff rock and roll(Sycamore Leaves), sweet ballads (Waiting For Her) all combined with the twist of an epic "sound-picture" - it's only missing the typicall A-ha 80s' synth-sound, but are you like me you wont miss it - they sound grown on this album. Highly recommended.