The Visitors

There are two types of people in the world. Those who love ABBA, and those who pretend they don’t love ABBA. I thought I was in the latter category, but this album makes me think I’m in the former. This is the first album of theirs that I listened to fully, not just the hits. I have to say it’s fantastic. I would love to listen to this again at some point.

“The Visitors” by ABBA (1981)   This one stopped me in my tracks. I was predisposed to dismiss ABBA as mindless pop (which is not to say I haven’t listened to “ABBA Gold” countless times). But this album is much better than I expected.  Don’t get me wrong, there’s plenty of silliness in the arranging. It’s still ABBA. But this collection demonstrates a maturity in their musical sense that is more fitting for their undeniable vocal talents. Here we have pioneering digital recording with tasteful backing instrumentals, making good use of ‘instants of silence’ that have now become commonplace in recorded music. Full use of 32-track mixing.  And the vocal arrangements for which ABBA became famous (or infamous) now display a willingness to step outside the conventional. Moreover, the lyrics reflect depth, cultural sensitivity, and insight into horrifying geopolitical realities—from a Swedish [!] perspective. It gets better the more I listen.  For an example of ABBA’s insight into the international scene: “The album's title track [“The Visitors”], according to [ABBA songwriter] Ulvaeus, refers to the ‘secret meetings’ held against the approval of totalitarian governments in Soviet-dominated states.”  [Wikipedia, “ABBA”] Poland? East Germany? Czechoslovakia? Hungary? Puppets of the Soviet KGB were ”The Visitors”. And they were not amused by your ‘secret meetings’. So musically, is this how it felt in 1981 when the Stasi came around?  (Or the FBI after you used a credit card to make a 1/6/21 trip to D.C.?) And the fourth track, “Soldiers” gives evidence of a political awareness that is apt for 1981–a moment in time when the less powerful western European nations began to tell the bullying Soviet Union “Enough is enough”. With the 1989 destruction of the Berlin Wall, this crisis had a temporarily good outcome before it got screwed up again in the early 21st century, but it’s inspiring nostalgia nonetheless. “‘Cause if the bugler starts to play, we too must dance.”  NATO was not then a paper tiger, even if it seems to be today. I wonder if Taiwan has a ‘pop’ group like ABBA . . . [Full disclosure: This reviewer is a veteran of the Cold War.] Less politically, the verses in “I Let the Music Speak” have melodic lines with difficult vocal intervals, skillfully executed by lead singer Anni-Frid Lyngstad, with extraordinarily creative orchestral arrangement.  Theatrical, transcendent, sweeping.  “One of Us” is a well developed song of sadness, anticipating and executing the end of a failed relationship. The third listen brought a tear. Is the “us” the man and the woman, or the two persons within the woman?  You tell me.  “Two for the Price of One” is back to more gimmicky ABBA silliness, with a hilarious ending that can be taken in more ways than one, which adds to the humor.  And anyone who’s raised a child will be drawn in to “Slipping Through My Fingers”.  “Like an Angel Passing Through My Room” is simply beautiful—melancholic, evocative, poetic, symphonic, expansive. It is reportedly the inspiration for the cover art.  I’m going to stop writing now, and just listen.  5/5

I think I managed 4 songs before the wave of pop nausea overcame me. Like aural Kendal Mint Cake.

Not abbad albbum

I like this less than Arrival, but I really love Abba so I'm having a great time.

I'm so happy this is on the list! Anyone who thinks they know ABBA and haven't heard THE VISITORS have missed a major part of the ABBA story. This was their last album before their long hiatus. It was crafted as their group and their relationships were coming apart. Through it all every song sparkles with incredible craftsmanship, creativity and variety. The cover art shows the group dramatically shadowed entirely separate staring in different directions. It's a dramatic cover and a clear signal that this album will be a bit different... and maybe signaled their breakup to come. From the first notes breaking into pulsing synthesizers and Frida's dramatic delivery there is a clear change in tone over previous ABBA releases. I still get chills hearing it. "The Visitors" is a driving, paranoid opening with a great beat. ABBA can paint detailed, interesting images and tell such vivid stories in their songs, and “Head Over Heels” is one of many examples of this. "When All Is Said And Done" brings the breakups the group were navigating at the time to the surface. It's a great song that captures a level of maturity we should all strive for when our relationships end. "Soldiers" addresses the seriousness of war and is one of my favorite songs on the album. "Soldiers write the songs that soldiers sing the songs that you and I don't sing." This remains a bit too applicable to the 21st century filled with war that went on for decades while most of us paid little attention. "I Let The Music Speak" is a tribute that shows the appreciation of music itself, a subject ABBA visits often. This song clearly foreshadows later work Benny and Bjorn would do writing the musical Chess. "One Of Us" is a heartbreaking song of the ambivalence that accompanies breakups made even more impactful when considering the circumstances of the group performing it. Such a powerful expression of regret. Things get a little lighter with "Two for the Price of One" where ABBA shows off their cheekier side in the story of a lonely man who answers an ad and gets more than he bargained for. Another exceptionally crafted song that tells a fun, delightful story. "Slipping Through My Fingers" beautifully captures the feelings of a parent seeing their daughter grow up. Really amazing song. "Like an Angel Passing Through My Room" is the last song on the original album and is a beautiful, meditative, wistful ending to the album. I love this song so much. The extra tracks released over the years have been a treat, some of them better than others. "Should I Laugh Or Cry", "Cassandra", "Under Attack", and "The Day Before You Came" are among my favorites of the new tracks. They've been some sustenance over the years... I also enjoyed the inclusion of "From A Twinkling Star To A Passing Angel" on the Deluxe Edition that gives a peek into the evolution of a song. For newcomers, though, the album has more impact with its original ending. I have loved Abba since buying the Super Trouper album back in 1981 and remained a huge fan even as most of the world moved on. Abba has created some of the greatest pop music ever so it is a great relief that they are represented on this list. There are still plenty of music snobs who ignorantly dismiss ABBA without ever considering the intricacy of their arrangements or the emotional depth in these songs. I'm glad to see much of that has faded away. For me personally this is a particularly special opportunity to opine on THE VISITORS as part of this project a week before the release of their next new studio album - 40 years later! I am thrilled to share my deep feelings for this album knowing that this isn't their last and that ABBA will continue to enrich us with new music.

Wow I have been missing out with ABBA! What's up with these moody synths on the title track? Head Over Heels blew me away with its spooky, plucky synths! One of Us is a soaring, emotional masterpiece. I keep being struck by what sounds to my untrained ear like some truly inspired chord changes. What is happening! What a joy to discover this band and why did I never make an attempt to find them out before. I feel like when I watched the Ken Burns Country music documentary and heard a whole genre open up before me. As good as so many of these songs are, one stands a cut above the rest. The Day Before You Came. Sweet Jesus this is a lyrical masterpiece. Listening absentmindedly to this song the first time it is just a list of mundane everyday tasks and activities with some anecdotes atypical enough in pop songwriting to catch your attention: "I stopped along the way to buy some Chinese food to go." This Chinese food line piqued my interest, and looking up the lyrics my immediate impression was oh ok, this woman was living a boring existence before this man showed up in her life, transforming her days of watching Dallas and reading the morning paper into something unbelievably beautiful. Since the man plays such a small and mysterious role in the song, this would be an interesting enough concept on its own. But it's not the whole story, and there is more written between the lines. Why? Because if that's where it ended this would be a happy song. Instead, the vocals are tinged with sadness and there is a soft wailing over minor chords after every chorus. The narrator wouldn't be so fixated on what she used to do before the man showed up if he was still around. But he's left, and she is confronted with the lonely life she had before. For me, the saddest part of this is that she was once content with the things she used to do, but after this love, it all just seems like filler. Listening to the song with this interpretation, you hear a broken-hearted woman who is wracking her brain, retracing the steps of her life to how things ended up here, trying to piece together how she ever made it through the day at all. So much is left unsaid in this song but conveyed through Agnethaʻs gorgeous and evocative vocals. So much is left up to interpretation and speculation. It is a haunting, spellbinding song. I will cherish this song and this record. 4.6/5.

It's just more ABBA. Which is a great thing in of itself. There's really not much to complain about in this album as it's a fantastic pop album. It's got a nice, powerful bass and synth chords that'll make you swoon. In addition, classic ABBA chorus is there. Favorite track: The Visitors

One of the better ABBA albums, but it may be because I just like ABBA. I might be biased because I'm gay, but it's just one of those things. I love how the album comes together and her voice is something that I can never turn down. The orchestral touches to this album are also quite nice. Highlights: 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, and 8.

ABBA bringing me all the feels.

ABBA 4 lyfe

My favorite ABBA album thank youuuuu

I never give ABBA enough credit and dismissed them because they are so popular. But they are popular for a reason.

Score: 85 Almost every song on this album is an upbeat turn about being invaded, the inevitability of war, being on the brink of a breakup, the guilt of not spending time with a daughter, feeling alone, domestic abuse, the regret of not helping someone more after they commit suicide.. And the one song with a dark and atmospheric tone is one about how life was a miserable routine before they met someone, which you think would be a happy song, but the lyrics never once mention life after meeting the person and it's implied their life got worse instead. The music on this album isn't the absolute greatest thing but a lot of it is catchy or memorable, but you wouldn't call them hit songs. The lyricism and storytelling is what makes this album for me as it's fantastic

ABBA write some of the best pop songs out there

This might be their big serious breakup album, but it still sounded like clunky Europop musical theater to me.

One stand out track. Poor album. Not worthy of the list.

ABBA is definitely not in my wheelhouse. Was kind of dreading this. Then I heard the synths at the beginning of the first song and started reading the wiki article that this was a change in direction for them. That gave me some hope that it might be more interesting... but no, it's still syrupy sweet pop music. I mean, it's not unlistenable and I can appreciate that it might be perfect pop music for some people. It's just really not for me. "I Let the Music Speak" was particularly difficult to get through. So slick and overproduced. At least it was only 37 minutes long. But this isn't offensive to me. ABBA are what they are and they have no pretensions about being a pure pop group. A 1 for me personally but bumping up to a 2 in recognition that this is really just not my type of music and it's probably not that bad.

It was pretty much over for ABBA by 1981, and this album doesn't do anything to dispute that fact. They seem to just be going through the motions at times. The magic of "Dancing Queen" is but a memory. "One Of Us" is the only real standout here, and it just underlines the fact that both couples, along with the band, were no more.

Opzich wel een goed album van ABBA, maar toch wel een hoog boomer gehalte

ABBA is awesome and they'll always be awesome. The production on their albums is fantastic and Frida's vocals are amazing. ABBA was all over the radio when I was a kid and I have fond memories of hearing the hits. There aren't any of the hits on this album but it doesn't matter to me. It's pop music and it doesn't pretend to be anything else. 5 stars from me.

You know, it is Abba.

The Visitors I’ve been wanting to listen to some ABBA albums for a while, but I knew there were 2 on the list, so I was waiting for one to come up. I’m glad it did. The title track, what a post-disco pop banger - absolutely fantastic, not sure why I’ve never heard it before. Went to No 1 in Costa Rica, and who am I to argue with that. I’ve been a bit obsessed with this song today. I’m not always that keen on some of the Spanish elements of ABBA’s music, and Head over Heels, combined with some non-specific central euro sounds, has some of that Spanish feel, but it actually is great with that killer chorus, great track. When All is Said and Done is one of those ABBA songs I’m only vaguely familiar with, but again it’s a great track, I love the synth in particular. Soldiers is a great tune, fantastic harmonies. I Let the Music Speak veers too close to musical theatre to me. I know that is a big part of their music, but this is one of the occasions when its too much and is probably the only real misstep on the album. One Of Us, again some of that Spanish sound, but it’s an undeniably great bit of pop music. It’s a bit nuts how many great choruses they can write that use Anni-Frid and Agnetha’s voices so well. Two For the Price of One - basically the bit in the middle of a Venn diagram of Video Killed the Radio Star, Everywhere by Fleetwood Mac, Escape (The Pina Colada Song) and an Oompa Loompa band. I didn’t think I needed that but I love it. I’ve never been that keen on the verses of Slipping Through My Fingers, but it is rescued by an absolutely superb chorus; those minor chords in the middle are great. Like An Angel Passing Through My Room is a nice oddity, perhaps not their strongest melody but I love the spare arrangement and sad sentiments. This was great, and got better with each listen. It may not have many of their top tier well known pop classics, but there is some absolutely fantastic music on here and cranking it up on my headphones it sounded fantastic, the warmth of the sound is remarkable considering how synth based it is, and there are some brilliant little music hooks and motifs in pretty much every song, speaking to their skill as melodicists and their sense of craftsmanship. Thematically it’s pretty interesting too, with the cold war allusions, as well as references to their interpersonal dynamics, and an overall slightly downcast feel. There’s always an underlying sadness to ABBA’s music, it's one of the things that makes them great, but on here it feels like a more mature reserved sadness, rather than the more immediate melancholy of say Knowing Me, Knowing You. It’s a 5 from me - I thoroughly enjoyed it and didn’t really want to stop 🇸🇪🇸🇪🇸🇪🇸🇪🇸🇪 Playlist submission: The Visitors

I am a fan of ABBA, and I wasn't actually familiar with this album. I loved it...A LOT!

This would've been the perfect swan song had ABBA not made a comeback this year. Easily their best album

Una ópera pop en donde todo te suena, porque los has escuchado por todas partes sin darte ni cuenta. Qué sería de todos nosotros sin ABBA...

Definitely not what I expected, much sweeter and passionate tone than a lot of abba stuff because it feels more personal

there some really good synth pop here

Interesting, an Abba album without, to me at least, a recognizable single. Overall a great album, despite the lack of a familiar hit. Gotta hand it to this group, they never skimped on production quality or musical arrangements. It pays off here for me. Really listenable, catchy, with fantastic hooks throughout.

The one true ABBA maven I know stabs his finger at this as their best, the ABBA record for the ABBA cognoscenti. It’s such a lurker. Listening to it carefully today I was surprised by how catchy most of it is, as I’ve owned it for years - to be in with the ABBA cognoscenti - and thought it off-kilter, creepy. It is, but the choruses and disco melancholy and yearning remains. The sounds are all clean in the way that fake leather upholstery is easy to wipe after a swinger’s party, the aesthetic of randy people trying not to offend. The communal sing-a-long wholesomeness of ABBA surely felt comfortingly dated when they were current and with this material is pleasingly queasy: Divorce, The Musical. The intoxicating whiff of dodgy uncle that lingers around ABBA crests here. “Two For The Price Of One” would be seedy if it wasn’t deranged and earworm.

Enjoyable - not their most popular but man, they do have talent. Voices like angels!

Pop de Abba. A veces parece un músical.

I don't think there were any bad songs, but also no songs that hooked me in. Just ABBA doing ABBA things

Really interesting pop album. Not at all what I was expecting from ABBA, some really well crafted and thoughtful songs, it sounds nothing like their earlier hits and yet you can tell its the same band. Suffers from a lot of the same pitfalls of 80s pop in its lack of diverse sounds and what are now considered somewhat cheesy synth sounds, but even then theres a lot of depth and intrigue to some of the songs, some great production choices. Favourites - Head Over Heels, One of Us, Two For The Price Of One

I'm definitely a fan of ABBA, and this album was nice to listen to. I liked the first two songs, and of course the popular ones like "Slipping Through My Fingers" and such. Overall a good one to listen to, but as a whole album it could've been better. I think with ABBA I prefer to pick and choose songs from their albums, not listen all the way through.

I don’t get why this is important.

The Swedish Pop powerhouse ABBA already had a couple of really big songs including 'Dancing Queen', 'Mama Mia' and 'Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!' but with their album 'The Visitors' they not only got another big song in the form of 'Slipping Through My Fingers' but they also made their possible biggest artistic statement by going into a more progressive and art focused direction away from trying to stay as popular as possible. I personally like ABBA for a few songs but albums like this pretty much prove that the are good at making a couple of really good songs but pretty much fail to make a full artistic project. The album starts with the spacey and New Wave inspired title track 'The Visitors' which does show their aspirations of making a more Progressive Europop sound while still keeping it easily enjoyable. And I am sure that many people enjoy this song a lot but I think that it's pretty average. Not in terms of ideas but in terms of songwriting and performance. It sounds stale, boring and like they don't really know what they try to do. It often feels like it goes nowhere at all and changes sounds just for the sake of it. To be fair, some moments are really enjoyable but others simply aren't. Some parts of the mixing and the production also definitely needed more attention. With the length that isn't really used to its full potential and repeats itself way too often, the final result is a below average Pop song where you could easily find more interesting songs in the charts today. Luckily, 'Head Over Heels' is much more interesting. The vocal style is very theatrical nearly like a Cabaret and the chorus is incredibly catchy without feeling like it comes too fast or goes too early. It's a perfect mix of styles and ideas and the result is an incredible song. Simply phenomenal. This is what ABBA is about, not full on albums. The synths are used well, the songwriting and the structuring is great and if the bridge was done a little more interesting this would've been a perfect song. 'When All Is Said and Done' follows with something that at first sounds like an 80's version of a christmas charol but sadly this isn't really added to. And the song that actually emerges is much less of a cool idea. The song as a whole definitely isn't bad but it lacks the interesting moments or a catchy chorus. The song is pretty okay but nothing special at any point after the intro. I'm just happy that they didn't strech it much longer than the average 3+ minutes. The guitar on 'Soldiers' is definitely my favourite part of the song, sadly they don't appear a lot. The song has a somewhat okay chorus and the production definitely tries to, again, go a more Progressive Pop way. I do think that they executed it here much better than on the title track but it's still a little bit bland at a couple of points. Other moments like the vocals and lyrics after the actual chorus, have enough power to elevate it into a pretty okay song though. The albums second half starts with 'I Let the Music Speak' which returns to the theatrical vocal style and this time it pushes that even further by pretty much just being a more modern version of early to mid 20th century Contemporary Show Tunes with influences from something like movie Sountracks (like Disney) and even Theatre songs (like maybe a Bertold Brecht piece). While I do appreciate the ideas and the result, it isn't really all that interesting. It feels unfocused and like it doesn't really know where it wants to go or even where it is going right now. There are way too many ideas and influences packed together that don't really know how to harmonize together. The result feels odd and not good. 'One of Us' comes along with slight influences of Raggae together with the still very Europop sound. Pop from Europe mixed with influences from a Jamaican style of music. If done properly, this would sound great but sadly it doesn't. It feels not just odd but simply bad. The chorus is quite okay but the production ruins a lot of what might be good about this. This is pretty much what cultural appropriation is. Again, if it's done properly and with enough respect towards the original culture, something like this "might" work, this just doesn't. The slight Pop Rock influences on 'Two for the Price of One' are quite interesting and the switch of the lead vocals are not a bad idea to mix things up but I can't help but feel like this is nothing more than an Ad song. Not just from the title but the chorus feels like the catchy finale for an ad except the ad is played for three minutes and is finished off with a marching band. It's not totally bad but I don't like the idea or the execution much. The soft Adult Contemporary Pop song 'Slipping Through My Fingers' might be the albums most recognizable track. It has a beautiful and wonderful chorus that is easily my favourite one on the album but... the verses and the songwriting as a whole is not that great. Not bad, the song is still good but it's pretty boring and harms the overall enjoyment a lot. The result is okay, even good but not much more, sadly. The album closes with 'Like an Angel Passing Through My Room', a song that is much more relaxed, nearly Ambient and brings in strong similarities to a Lullaby. That does make it sonically a fitting closing track but I personally am not a fan of hearing them do a three minute Lullaby instead of just doing their average Pop song maybe a little more relaxed. The song is just boring, even a little bit corny and sounds straight up bad with the repeating clock rhythm pattern. favourites: Head Over Heels, Slipping Through My Fingers least favourites: Like an Angel Passing Through My Room, One of Us Rating: decent 5 https://rateyourmusic.com/~Emil_ph for more ratings, reviews and takes

I approached this with some trepidation as I'm not the biggest ABBA fan. I recognised none of these tracks, even though ABBA Gold was my mother's housework soundtrack for a few years back in the 90s. Credit where credits due, I liked this. The production and mix itself is sublime, the opening title track is a fucking banger, and I enjoyed the theatricality of I Let the Music Speak as well.

Some great songs and amazing synth work, but “The Visitors” was a little too upbeat for the shit day I had.

What else can there be said about ABBA...

The ABBA album that didn't get hammered into the Australian psyche. Beautiful in parts it heralds Benny & Björn's shift to musicals. The album is hampered by some of sameness between some songs and feels flat in places

Tried listening to this objectively rather than just dismissing as int'l pop. First, the synths for 1981 are excellent! It's hard to put in context that synths didn't really penetrate pop music until the very late 70s and early 80s. Even then, they were mainly reserved for Prog Rock and Punk/New Wave. ABBA's earlier albums were more BeeGees disco, while this sounds more like Ultravox's Vienna. So, credit goes to ABBA for bringing 70s soft rock together with disco beats and polyphonic synths. Some experimentation with genres here and there. Harmonies are strong. Melodies and lyrics are often cheeky, but let's give them the benefit of singing in a second-language. Never heard "One of Us," which is the most played song on Spotify. I'll chalk that up to the continental listeners. Only song I recognized was "Cassandra," and that's fairly complex with almost a waltz beat. So this one doesn't have all the popular hits, but maybe that's why I liked it a bit more than I had expected.

Don't think I've heard a whole ABBA album before, only heard the singles. The first track is very different from what I'm used to from them and I really like it. Almost like a Gary Numan feel to it at points. Second track kinda breaks the mood and is closer to what I'd expect. The slight Swedish accent is kinda endearing. Very clean and spacious sounding. As this is goes on, nothing is living up to the promise of the first track and it kinda goes downhill for me. "Two for the price of one" is a runner up though. Listening to the deluxe edition and I definitely like some of the b-side bonus tracks more than most of the album tracks, especially "I am the city" and "you owe me one" - way more fun and infectious.

Very pretty and syrupy - I got quite bored and was politely waiting for it to end. Very competent musically, arranged well, lyrics were good. Just didn't do it for me, I don't know if I'd like the same music more with less overproduction, but It wasn't for me. I'll give it a two, as three stars usually is "I get why it's here, it didn't tickle me, might come back to it", and this veers a little south of that into "actively avoid in future"

I felt every minute of that hour. 2.5

Not the best slbum. One or two good songs.

From our first ABBA album on this list, I got the impression that they are good for a couple flashes of pop music brilliance per album, and they are not an album band. On this album the flashes of brilliance are more like... twinkles of pretty good. "One of Us" is clearly the best song on the album, and "Slipping Through my Fingers" has a pretty nice hook. There are some minor chords and it's maybe a little more varied than classic ABBA fare, but it's also just.... not as good.

I rated arrival *only a 3* thinking it missed slower more emotionally deep songs besides Fernando which was my fav Turned out I was wrong , abbas synyhpop melancholy album just missed the mark with me

Went with a private Spotify session. Turns out it was a good call because I found this album to be very bland without the upbeat hits I had come to know ABBA for. I can't imagine ever wanting to listen to this again, it didn't annoy me, so it's not getting 1 star, but came awfully close.

Barf

really having a loser of a week aren't we. this may be the most annoying album I've ever heard. sing-songy children's choir faux adult pop music. do people actually listen to this shit? FUCKING AWFUL. if the next few albums are anywhere near this level, i'm done with this project. I wish I could give negative stars.

Swedish Chef’s kiss.

visit veni vidi vici voyage

I love ABBA but really only when I know the songs. I knew at least 4 here so that was great.

I'm actually not very familiar with most of the songs on here. But boy was I pleasantly surprised! This album slaps! It's a bit dated production-wise but otherwise a very strong group of pop songs that is still recognizable as Abba.

Epic pop music.

Contains one of my all time favourite songs 'when all is said and done'

WHAT an album. Yes, yes, we all know sugary-pop ABBA with the ridiculous stage costumes and overly cheerful demeanour. But those long winter days with no sun and too much post-divorce schnapps will do something to your mind. The opening 40/45 seconds of "The Vistors" is just stunning. All synth and then Frida's haunting vocal kicks in. Goosebumps territory people.

wow did not expect this side of Abba, so good

WOW I LOVE THIS!!

Brilliant end to their career

cum

Banger

el revòlver d'abba

ABBA doing ABBA things. Just wonderful.

Thank you for the music, and giving it to me.

Шикарно

Really enjoyed this. More emotionally laid bare on this album. Very well strung together lyrics along with the usual brilliant harmonies. Good production and arrangements throughout. Excellent. Then again, it is Abba.

I could not rate ABBA anything other than a 5.

Finally. Some good fucking music.

Fabulous

Already listened to, and by far my favourite ABBA album, while voulez vous has some of my all time favourite songs on them, this is their most cohesive album imo.

i mean cmon it’s abba mama mia

Omg I need more abba in my life, I felt like I was in a silly movie for the whole hour I listened to this. Two for the price of one was ridiculous and hilarious

I wasn’t aware of this ABBA era and boy, have I been missing out. What an album! Perfect pop, no notes.

Loved it!

Favorite Track: The Visitors

Great albm

I was initially worried by this because, while I’m not a massive ABBA fan, everyone knows at lease a few of their hits, so it seemed ominous that none of these were on this album. However, this turned out to be a good thing. I much prefer this darker, more political iteration. Two For The Price Of One, Soldiers were my personal favourites, but the whole album was good.

5, increíble

I rate one of us a 5 star because the beat is awsome and the instuments are good the lyrics are butle but still good. I rate slipping through my fingers a 3 star because the setting is not the and I dont really like this song. I rate head over heels a 5 star because the beat is awsome and the instuments are good the lyrics are butle but still good.

I love this album because the singer's voice is very beautiful. Slipping Through My Fingers is genuinely such a literary piece of art.

I like this album because their voices fit well with the becground music. I don't like how the lyrics are sad but then the background music is loud and their voices are cheery. I like the sad music and the lyrics are nice. I definetly like the second song more but iv heard these before and I like them. I would def reccomend to people.

Do you know who "ABBA" is? I do, I have listened to many of their songs and I have liked them all. So, I also like this song. The beat is catchy and I like how they use their vocals.

Stunningly great album

ABBA never disappoints. I haven’t listened to a full album in a long time bc Blair has a playlist she keeps on repeat and of course Mamma Mia is watched like 4 times a year in our house so I don’t get outside of the core tracklist a lot. This album delivered and I’ve got another 3/4 songs to add to our ongoing playlist. There's passion, storytelling, talent, fun, and variety and it’s just sounds and feels good. I couldn’t really ask for more.

I have always considered myself an ABBA fan, but I have really only been exposed to greatest hits. I had never heard a single track from this album and all I can say is…amazing. Everybody loves ABBA. Full marks.

You can tell the group is winding down on his album. Interesting reading the wiki on the album, and following the rabbit trail, reading about the members and what they're doing now. I've always loved ABBA and enjoyed the different sound of this album.

No notes

ABBA-solutely amazing!

ABBA präsentierte in Ihrem letzten Album der goldenen Zeit einen großen Entwicklungsschritt und nutzen das damals neue digitale Potential mit Synthesizer und Computern aus. Erst trennten Sie sich von alten Zöpfen um sich einige Zeit komplett zu trennen. Großartige Songs sind „Head over Heels“ sowie die Hymne die Album “One of Us” und als Finale der Deluxe Fassung „The Day before you came“. Es ist nicht das einfachste aber sicherlich das spannendste Album einer großen Band 😊.

This is ABBAs best album and i am tired pretending that it's not. The day before you came is a masterpiece.

What happens when a pop band breaks each others hearts and implodes? You get this! ABBA’s “Rumours”. I love this album. Mature song writing (except Two for the Price of One which is fun but kind of off putting), beautiful vocals, so much emotion. “Slipping through my fingers” is the best song about parenthood… I say as a dink. Just a great album top to bottom

Well, it's ABBA! They were part of the soundtrack of my childhood. Their voices, the harmonies, and the typical arrangements prevailed over time, even on this much more mature album, with all the changes in the production equipment. It's still the easy listening one is used to (and if you ignore the lyrics). But this is so much more.

It's Abba along with Ikea, and the Chef make up some of our favorite friends from Sweden. So to them I So I say thank you for the music, for giving it to me!

Love ABBA

5/5. An interesting release from Abba, known disco experts. There is a more serious and darker tone throughout while still maintaining catchy and accessible songs. I thoroughly enjoyed this one, with something new to hear on different listens. The instrumentation and vocals are more complex with a steady beat. It's honestly hard to find a bad track on here, not that I should be looking. This was awesome. Best Song: Head Over Heels, Let The Music Speak, When All Is Said And Done

Such a spirit-infusing album. It's goofy and fun but also deeply honest and heartfelt. A real achievement, especially considering barely any of their hits are on this. Best Track: Slipping Through My Fingers Worst Track: The Day Before You Came

If Rumours is for children of divorce, then The Visitors is for the disowned queer children of the most god-fearing Boomer couple you know, who have been “happily” married for 30+ years, mainly because they sleep in separate beds and rarely talk to each other, a habit they picked up as soon as they realized that neither of them actually wanted to have kids somewhere around one of said kid’s 3rd birthday, which ironically only got worse after they kicked their gay daughter out of the house, probably because they still need to support their intensely straight son who lives in “his own apartment” in their basement. And while that description is only ~75% accurate to my personal experience, it’s accurate enough for me to find The Visitors flawless. And it’s still not my favorite ABBA record!!

this is dope, a fun listen that kept my head bopping.