Customer Reviews

East of the Sun West of the Moon

5 star:		(29)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

Ever since I heard the pulse-pounding rhythm and magnificent vocals of 1985's awesome hit, 'Take On Me,' I have forever remained (and will remain) an A-ha fan. I recognize that holding onto the music of the 1980s is not always easy to prove to others as "worthy contributions." However, the Norwegian trio is in a class above the fray that is highly removed from the 'stamp&go' mentality of pop music. "East Of The Sun, West Of The Moon" is the best example I can think of to prove this statement. Turning away the trademark 'synth sounds' that had been known with their group for the last 3 albums, A-ha has now taken an adult-contemporary/soft-rock approach with this album. The result is nothing short of amazing and consistent.

From the powerful melancholic rendition (would we expect nothing less from A-ha by now? haha) of Carole King's classic 'Crying In The Rain' (originally a hit in the 60's by the Everly Brothers) to the short somber closer of 'Seemingly Nonstop July,' A-ha makes a terrific sound change that is both pleasing and fitting. Morten Harket has a simply gifted vocal range that allows him free reign to sing anything put in front of him. Magne Furuholmen and Pal Waaktaar have a unique sense of melody, arrangment and lyricism which is put to the test and mastered with this album. Not only do the tracks have a soft, groovy and sometimes dramatically-operatic tone, but they also have perceptive depth and sensibility. Check out the title track and see how one can feel lost and long for that place of serenity lying out of reach. Check out 'I Call Your Name' and notice the heartbreaking image of being still in love with your spouse while the whole relationship has fallen apart. 'Waiting For Her' may seem adolescent, but Morten's delivery makes it all the more relevant for anyone in that situation. 'The Way We Talk' is a short but pleasant gift when Magne takes center stage as lead vocals, and does an impressive job with it.

In conclusion, I would highly recommend this album to fans of A-ha or just fans of this type of music in general. As a music fan, nothing impresses me more than seeing diversity and versatility with an artist(s). A-ha made a stunning leap with "East Of The Sun, West Of The Moon" and that caused many listeners to dismiss it as shoddy, mismanaged and overall poor in nature. But I urge the interested reader (and listener) to judge the recordings for themselves, not what the critics dictate. Just because one changes their sound does not mean they have changed their hearts for the craft. After all, don't we (as individuals) have different sides to ourselves that not all totally understand? Think about it .... go out and purchase this wonderful album and feel connected for a short period of time with the themes, sound and tone of this album .... I would give it over 10 stars if I could!

East of the Sun, Crying in the Rain, and Slender Frame are the favs here. Those are great for driving through melancholy times, whether it's in a car through a thunderstorm, or when feeling low in spirits and need the music to commiserate with you. The rest of the tunes are decent in my humble opinion, thus the four star rating (though I wish four and a half was an option).

This seems to be my general opinion of a-ha's works. A few top-notch (must-have) tunes on each CD, with average material interspersed. Definitely in my top 25 favorite bands.

I personally recommend East of the Sun, West of the Moon to everyone I know that want to hear A-Ha`s best album. Sure, Hunting High and Low might be a better introduction album(More recognizable hits), but for a band on top of the game, look no further. This album is so packed of tight and sharp productions, strong melodies, dreamlike lyrics, Harket`s haunting vocal and a sound not like anything. Only one band can make music like this(At least could). Its ageless, a hybrid between their 80`s and the darker and more melancholic 90`s with a epic sound.

My Personal favorite is the really haunting Rolling Thunder, an offspring of Crying in the Rain(Try listening to Crying in the Rain first and Rolling Thunder immediately, notice how identical they are but yet different). And the sound of Rolling Thunder is totally unbelivable. Other excellent songs are "Crying in the Rain", the best cover version of the original song ever, "Sycamore Leaves" a sharp rock song while keeping the more haunting and dreamlike style of A-Ha Intact. "Slender Frame", "East of the Sun" and the sweet little "(Seemingly) Nonstop July" are all sweet songs. "Early Morning" and "I call your Name" are two A-Ha Classics, not the best but they are all recognizable good A-HA songs.

A-Ha never made another album like this. They followed up with the much darker, less epic Memorial Beach(Still hauntingly beautiful), but still neither it, or any of the next albums captured the really aweinspiring sound of "East of the Sun, West of the Moon". Not that the other albums are bad(Apart from the mediocre Lifelines), but they are nowhere near the magnifient beauty and grand of this album.

I wasnt an a-ha fan... until this cd! thats one of the best albums i ever heard!if you are a the doors fan like me,youll love it! and if you are not,youll love it anyway,its that perfect. your music background is not important when it comes to this cd.the songs are universal.slender frame is the most soulfull song i ever heard. early morning is so contagious that even my neighbours know the lyrics (and they actually borrowed the cd). east of the sun is so haunting,mythical,it can transport me to the past. and rolling thunder... what can i say? it takes me out of this world when i need(and even when i dont).Anyway,this cd is so special(and Mortens voice so full of feeling),that i could ramble until tomorrow,but i have others things to do(like listen to the cd). So,just listen to the best advice of your life: buy this cd. if you dont fall in love with mortens voice,and the songs,i eat my mouse.

This is my favorite A-HA CD. Great songs, big/rich sound, great singing. Have to say this CD is in the top 10 of my entire cd collection. Although every A-HA CD is excellent in my opinion, this one has something about it which is special.

Unless your ears have been frozen in Antartica, this album will sound melodious to you.. While A-ha have some limitations with their lyrics, the melodies in this album are haunting. The thing with these guys is, their tunes are so original, you have to listen to it a couple of times to really grow into it..

Its hard to pick out favourite tracks, they're all gems. Sounds like some real hard work went into the production.. A definite step up from 'Stay On..', and a vital link in the evolution of their sound.

This is, without a shadow of a doubt, A-ha's best album. They truly did it on this one. There is not one bad song on this album and the everything is built and constructed to perfection. The vocals, the guitar, the keyboards, it's all perfect!! I am amazed that some people refuse to listen to A-ha based on their earlier work (which is very cool too). If these people listened to this masterpiece, I am sure they would change their minds. Songs like "Slender Frame",("Seemingly) Nonstop July), "Waiting For Her", and "Rolling Thunder" make you want to listen to this album over and over again. Buy it now and live happily ever after.