Customer Reviews

Platinum & Gold Collection - Ace of Base: The Hits

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The Platinum & Gold Collection series is a great idea. The biggest hits by Arista-BMG artists collected on one CD with a detailed biographical history of the group and chart positions for each of their hits.

Let's get the only "negative" out of the way from the get-go: the first beat of the group's biggest hit, "The Sign," is missing. This was also the case with the Arista-released "ACE OF BASE: Greatest Hits" which means they are using a master or submaster with a glitch.

That aside, you get to trace the history of the group - as it played out in the U.S. anyways... which is where Arista/BMG sold 10,000,000+ copies of Ace of Base albums from 1993-2001.

The history of the group is the most comprehensive and thougthful writeup on Ace of Base by an American music aficionado in years.

We even get an acknowledgement of the mysterious circumstances surrounding the band's original lead singer, the blonde-haired Malin Berggren. Brunette, Jenny Berggren, now does a superb job of steering the group with their European music focus.

Whether Ace of Base ever have another new release in the U.S. is up in the air.

In the interim, take a trip down memory lane and enjoy the highlights of Ace of Base's American run... mega hits like "All That She Wants," "The Sign," "Don't Turn Around," "Beautiful Life," and "Cruel Summer."

And in between are the modest Top 100 hits like "Whenever You're Near Me," "Lucky Love," "Living in Danger" and also the songs that started the Ace of Base phenom - "Wheel of Fortune" and "Happy Nation."

There are also some interesting versions of songs with notable remixes like the D-House mix of "Living in Danger," the Metro Mix of "Everytime it Rains" (Metro was the team that produced Cher's mega-hit "Believe") and the original mix of "Lucky Love" that was released in Europe. [Arista had chosen to originally released an acoustic version of this song on the groups "The Bridge" album in the United States].

Words cannot describe how good Ace of Base is. No one can make pop/dance music like they can. This collection is incredible. In only 12 songs they have covered all of their megahits, and then some.

1) THE SIGN
This song is incredible. It went to No.1 for 6 weeks. I love the way they mix reggae with pop. It is their biggest hit and was also No.1 on the airplay chart for an incredible 13 weeks.

2) CRUEL SUMMER
This brought Ace of Base back to the top 10 after 4 year hiatus from it (It hit No.10 on the Hot 100). This song is much better then the original by Bananarama. AofB's version has a really good beat which makes the song so much more catchier. Great Song.

3) DON'T TURN AROUND
This was originally done by Tina Turner as a B-side on her "Typical Male" single. It was also covered by James Ingram, Neil Diamond and Aswad (who hit No.1 with it in the U.K.). This song was never a hit in the States until Ace of Base recorded it. they changed the key from a major to a minor, so it sounds different then all of the other versions by other artists. It also made it to No.4 on the Hot 100, but No.1 on the Hot 100 Airplay list for 2 weeks.

4) LUCKY LOVE (ORIGINAL VERSION)
Thank God this version is on here. I really am not a fan of that bland acoustic remix that is on the North American verison of "The Bridge" Album. This is actually the version that I always heard on the radio anyways. This original one is great. "Lucky Love" made it to No.30 on the Hot 100.

5) ALL THAT SHE WANTS
This is what made Ace of Base wrold famous. After they hit it big in Europe, they released this in North America and it exploded. It made it to No.2 on the Hot 100 and No.1 on the Hot 100 Sales Chart for 3 weeks.

6) EVERYTIME IT RAINS (RADIO MIX)
This was originally a ballad on the "Cruel Summer" CD, but on here it is a dance remix. It's good.

7) WHENEVER YOU'RE NEAR ME
This song is a remix of "Life is a Flower" from their "Flowers" album (The International version of "Cruel Summer"). It has the same melody, but different lyrics and it is in a higher key. I prefer this version better. It appears on the American verison os "Flowers" (Cruel Summer). This song got moderate airplay in the fall of 1998. It made it to No.76 on the Hot 100.

8) LIVING IN DANGER (D-HOUSE MIX)
This was the fourth single from "The Sign" album. It made it to No.20 on the Hot 100. It appears in remix form on this collection. It is a dance remix by David Morales. It has heavy piano on it and it is very different than the original. It's on here because this is primarily the version that radio stations chose to play. This is the version that I always heard on the radio.

9) HAPPY NATION
This song was written after the Swedish press found out that Ulf was a skinhead when he was a teenager. It was not realeased on the States but was an international hit. I love this song, nad it has a very positive message.

10) WHEEL OF FORTUNE
Like Track No.9, this song was not a hit in the staes but it was an international hit. In fact it was their first single ever to be released.

11) NEVER GONNA SAY I'M SORRY
This song was the third single released from "The Bridge" album. It wasn't a big hit, and it only charted on the Bubbling Under Chart. I think it's a fantastic song though. It' classic Ace of Base.

12) BEAUTIFUL LIFE
This is very fast compared to their other songs. This is one of my favorteis from them. The video is amazing. It made it to No.15 on the Hot 100.

Overall this CD is pop paradise. They are in my opinion, the best pop group of all time. If you want all of their hits in there most popular forum, then this is the album to get. It's Awesome!!

Platinum & Gold Collection of Ace of Base is Digital Remastered and has far better sound quality than their other best of cd.

1.The Sign
2.Cruel Summer
3.Don't Turn Around
4.Lucky Love (Original EURO Version) better than the acoustic!
5.All That She Wants
6.Everytime It Rains (Dance Radio mix)
7.Whenever Your're Near Me
8.Living In Danger (D-House Radio Mix) One most radio played
9. Happy Nation (Radio Mix)
10.Wheel Of Fortune
11.Never Gonna Say I'm Sorry
12.Beautiful Life

Also has rare photos, informative liner notes, Billboard Chart info.

I am a mega fan of Ace of Base...since "The Sign" I have devoured just everything with their name written on it. Maybe it's nostalgia...maybe I'm crazy--regardless this compilation is a must have. A few years ago "Greatest Hits" was released, and Arista has now seen it fit to release a more fabulous a cheaper version of Ace of Base's hits. For this price you can't go wrong.

Of the artists who were instrumental in defining my musical tastes during the '90s, Ace Of Base ranks quite high. From the Top 40 radio airwaves, to the thumping speakers of the late-night dance clubs, Ace of Base was there for quite a long time. And this particular 'best of' collection gets it just about right. They have compiled some of the best songs by this Swedish pop group, and have a created a great trip down memory lane, complete with cool photographs and thorough liner notes. It really is quite a nice package.

All of the major American hits are included here, from "The Sign" to "Don't Turn Around" to "Beautiful Life" and, of course, their US major break, "All That She Wants". They all sound great, too. The sound quality for this CD is excellent, no question about it. And the inclusion of non-American hits is also greatly appreciated. Such poppy personal favorites like "Wheel of Fortune" and "Happy Nation" make for good compliments to the other, more obvious tracks on the CD. I also appreciated the original version of "Lucky Love", as I tend to favor the more europop sound the group is known for, as opposed to the 'acoustic' version of the song, which was released for American audiences.

The booklet which comes with the CD is great. There are a few nice photographs included which seem to come from their "Cruel Summer" era (one can never get enough Ulf), and there are detailed liner notes by Bill Pitzonka, who carefully goes through the group's history, from inception to the present day. And then, for each song, release dates and Billboard chart positions are given. That was a nice touch.

What we have here is a 'best of' CD for one of europop's greatest groups, which sounds excellent and comes with nice pictures and complete liner notes. I could ask for nothing else.

I know what you want to know. Is this cd really worth it if you have the albums. Well in reality no, it is their best hits but the only real differnces are that lucky in love is the original version, not the acustic that is in the album the bridge. Also living in danger is remix in a house style which is also different than the original. All the other songs are pretty much the same as the albums. Even the sign is the same as the greatest hit version with the first second cut off which i do not understand, totally ruins the best song. Well any questions you know where to ask.

1. The sign (10/10) A great song, its the song that made them who they are. although, its a bit overplayed now,

2. Cruel summer (8/10) Good song, they covered a classic and made it their own. though its not my top favorite it still is a great song.

3. Dont turn around (9/10) Another big hit, good song.

4. Lucky love (original version) (15/10) The original is the best. the acoustic (though still somewhat okay) sucks. Its a great pop song that will get your spirits high and make you wanna dance.

5. All that she wants (1/10) Not really a fan of this song but it was a HUGE hit worldwide. I just find this song bleh...

6. Everytime it rains (8/10) Good nice slower song. this is the remix version though, still good.

7. Whenever you're near me (10/10) The same as "Life is a flower" but written differently and such. I really like both alot, but this version is somewhat better. This song was released in America.

8. Living in danger (0/10) I dont like this song

9. Happy nation (8/10) Not bad, never released in america though. has a nice dark feeling to it.

10. Wheel of fortune (0/10) i really hate this song, its bleh...and kinda silly (not in a good way).

11. Never gonna say i'm sorry (10/10) Really good song one can dance to. ashame it didnt do well, classic ace of base song.

12. Beautiful life (15/10) one of their biggest dance songs, i love this song.

this cd is great simply cuz the original version of "Lucky love" is not on the american version of the greatest hits. plus it also has never gonna say i'm sorry, and whenever you're near me. so i reccomend this cd over the american version of the greatest hits.

This compliation is AMAZING. Not only does it manage to be cheap, it also includes some rather exclusive songs on it as well.

1. The Sign- Their biggest hit to date. I like it, although it's not on my top 5 list, it's definitly worth a listen.

2. Cruel Summer- Poppy, poppy, poppy. Pure pop. But in a different way then any other artists at the time bothered to do. You'll like this one.

3. Don't Turn Around- A bit grungy. Pretty good.

4. Lucky Love (Original Version)- One of the 3 exclusives on this album, and was not featured in any U.S. release. I like them both equally.

5. All That She Wants- A big hit that made them a worldwide success. One of my favorites.

6. Everytime It Rains (Radio Mix)- Another exclusive. I prefer the regular version better, but this dance mix is good too.

7. Whenever You're Near Me- One of the downers on this album, and apparantly Hot Billbord 100 thought so too. "Life Is A Flower", the version on the European release, is much better.

8. Living In Danger (D-House Radio Mix)- Yet another exclusive, this was not release on any Album nor single. The D-house mix is on the single, but this is definitly not the D-house mix, although it does say it is. I happen to have the single and the real D-house mix is much, much, longer. This version was shortened for radio play. A nice house track. Possibly my favorite.

9. Happy Nation (Faded Edit)- This is another exclusive, although it doesn't say it is. It was featured on the first release of their first album, and it's better than the original. It has a much shorter beginning, and as you can tell from the title, it's faded.

10. Wheel Of Fortune- A good song, but not one to put on repeat.

11. Never Gonna Say I'm Sorry- One of the best from their second album. It has a phat beat, and I reeealy like it. One of my favorites.

12. Beautiful Life- This hot dance track is known by everyone! With is pulsing dance beat, it's a great song, and sounds a bit like it was remixed, even though it's not.

There's not one song on here that you will find bad. It has a downside, as most albums do, but it's so insignificant that you won't care. If you are deciding between this or the Ace Of Base: Greatest Hits, I would definitly reccomend this one over the other.

Ace Of Base ruled the early-mid 90's airwaves,if you didn't know that you were living under a rock or something.They produced some of the most catchy pop radio songs ever.Using a ABBA style mixed with a little reggae made some good dance songs,as mixes too.I think this cd is a little better than the "Greatest Hits" album.Here there's no remix double of songs.You basically get the most popular songs, American singles, as well oversea hits.The" Lucky Love" version is the best one i've heard.(being the original).The Bananarama cover "Cruel Summer" is so good that it sounds like they make it one of their own.Really they should of cut it originally.Both of the women have such beautiful voices that they just blend perfect with all the songs.Even now and then you still hear a Base song being played on the radio.Funny thing is they still sound fresh with todays music as when they first came out big.The one good thing about this cd was the price! Enjoy.

I thought that this Ace of Base album that Arista made in 2003 was just as strong as the Greatest Hits album of 2000. They kind of mixed it up, but it's very well balanced. Songs like The Sign and Cruel Summer kick the album out strong. I still like the funky All That She Wants. But there are some other surprises like Wheel of Fortune and the universal message of Happy Nation. Whenever You're Near Me was another creative song here. I especially like the funky David Morales remix of Living In Danger. I have heard that they have an album that's doing well overseas, but they need to put another album in America soon. This album really showed them as their strongest, mixing dance pop with reggae so very well during a 5-yr. period of hits.