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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Hard Rock Fan's Honest Review, February 21, 2007
Being primarily a lover/collector of heavy metal, hard and progressive rock music, how can I explain why I still have a soft spot for this Swedish music machine. First of all I can say that ABBA was a big part of the music I grew up on. I especially remember being fascinated by the constant presence of the song 'Chiquitita' (among others) pouring out of the radio as well as from stereo and music shop speakers in the late 70's/early 80's. As a 12-year old kid, I amassed most of their albums on cassette before discovering more serious media such as vinyl and eventually CD's. Now when I listen to their output on CD with a more mature mind it has taken on a whole new meaning for me. I would say their most mature, consistent and standout album would be 'Voulez-Vous'. From the opening reverbed vocal onslaught on `As Good As New' to the powerful controlled screams on `Lovers (live a little longer)' it does not disappoint. Agnetha's and Anni-Frid's stirring and exquisite vocal harmonies are at their finest. After a typical listen to this album, every one of the tunes on this recording reverberates in my head constantly. Although the songs that went on to be hits (`Chiquitita', `Angel Eyes', `Does Your Mother Know') are top-notch, the remaining tracks such as `If It Wasn't For The Nights, `Lovers...', `The King Has Lost His Crown' etc. are just as good if not better. Without going into in-depth analysis of each song, I would say that IMHO, every single song on this album is memorable and extremely catchy. Whether you consider Voulez-Vous as influenced mainly by disco, funk, or whatever, it doesn't matter. Even though it is a bit dancey, the bottom line is that it's just plain brilliant music!. (interestingly enough I actually consider many 'disco' songs of that era to be of much higher musical quality than a lot the latest rock/pop crap being 'manufactured' today). The bonus tracks, `Gimme Gimme Gimme', `Summer Night City' and `Lovelight' are an especially nice addition to the remastered version (the first two I remember hearing on a long gone cassette copy of `Greatest Hits Vol.2' I had back in the day). If you dig ABBA for whatever reason (don't be ashamed to admit it!) you will not be disappointed by this album, especially the remastered version.
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6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Pop way beyond anything pop can do, November 28, 2005
I'm no ABBA fan -as you can tell by my other reviews, I'm a big Depeche Mode fan-, but I know a good record when I listen to it. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that my parents brought this back from Europe in 1981 and I would listen to it every sunday or so, but this record kicks major butt, and I love the remasterized version. These guys could do anything musically and turn it into brilliant pop tunes. I still don't know the reason ABBA is such an underestimated band amongst a lot of so-called-music-lovers. Voulez-Vous features rock (Does Your Mother Know?), disco done righty-right (title track), beautiful ballads (Chiquitita and Angeleyes) and even brilliant lyrics by today's pop standards. Please pay attention to the brutal production gimmicks of this think, guys. It will blow you away if you truly know what music is about. You will dance, you will sed a tear, and you will even sing along, which is something modern pop tracks don't allow to. This is too brilliant to be true.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
THE BEST POP ALBUM EVER MADE, November 10, 2004
Too much filth has come from the Pop spectre of music as of lately.Repeated formulas, looks, songs and even "singers" that sound very much alike from one another(!)abound in radio stations for our discomfort.Yet, we have albums like this to remember us of how Pop should be.But i'm afraid that there's nowhere in the scene to be found who can do it at this high level of songcraft.
In the context of time, when this album whas released Abba embraced the Disco Music of that era and made it their own, making a masterpiece that can very well be used to dance but should always be viewed as a perfect combination of soaring melodies, choruses and awe inspiring, catchy, memorable music for years to come.Otherwise it can not be explained how we delight ourselves nowadays with it.
I will take the opportunity to talk about some jerks who say that Chiquitita is ridiculous and sugary-sweet crap..WHO on earth
could say that? A stylish folk-like ballad, high spirited and with several instances of conterpoints and classical played piano a piece of crap? Don't be ignorants, dudes!
Buy it for state-of-the-art melodic music entertainment.
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