Reviews (page 2 of 8)
perfect. i'd never heard some of these songs before!
Mature, serious, sophisticated, so an opposite of the ABBA stereotype. Really like every song, even the bonus tracks.
the thing about ABBA is that for as much as people dismissively deride them as "just pop", there's nobody else that even really comes close to capturing what makes them so good. they ARE the blueprint! every track on here is gold. it's not just the beauty of the arrangements that makes them so delightful because the impassioned angelic vocals and emotional depth of the lyrics. like this album is HEAVY when you sit down to soak it in for a minute!! you're getting that with gorgeous heavenly synths that make you feel like you're floating. to me what's especially remarkable is just how ahead of the times this feels. unreal that this is right at the start of the 80s when there's still nothing else that sounds like this.
Oh let's go. The Visitors was ABBA's final album before their breakup and represents easily their most mature and developed phase. It is probably my favorite Abba album, and I am a huge fan. Generally I see ABBA as more of singles band, shown by the fact that the by-far most popular ABBA album is Gold, the compilation album, but I think this works great as an album piece. So I'm going to highlight 3 of my absolute favorites. First: When All is Said and Done. Easily one of the most mature and interesting breakup songs due to its very unique choice to be about a romance that has fallen apart due to no fault of either person. I've experienced breakups like that and its often the most common breakup I've seen others experience too, and yet its so rarely sung about and the song does so much justice the concept. I also love Anni-Frid's voice so much. If I have one complaint about the album its that her voice can be sidelined a little especially because of the number of songs with only Agnetha singing. Second: Slipping through my fingers. A Lovely and incredibly sad song that I inexplicably connect to me coming out as trans. Really this is a song for parents, but the message is so melancholic that it makes me tear up a bit listening to it. Also one of my favorite songs from the musical. I've seen the movie in cinema 2 or 3 times (actually I've even been to the singalong version of the movie) as well as the musical twice. Third: The Day Before You Came. This is an almost 6 minute synth heavy song without a chorus absolutely propelled by Agnetha's beautiful singing that almost gives me a Tom's Diner vibe in the way in which it explores the mundanity of a day. I think this one has really grown on people, its one of those songs which so many fans think is underrated that it has become properly rated. ...Can you tell I like ABBA?
This version goes on a bit to long, but the original was only 37 mins, so I can't fault them for that. Instantly recognizable even if the big hits are not on this record, but damn, they are good songwriters... I also live the bass 😅
The extraordinary final act of the extraordinary ABBA. Every note, word and nuance lovingly crafted and perfectly delivered. And almost as an afterthought, The Day Before You Came, not even on the original album but quite possibly the finest song ever written.
ABBA brings it!
As a Swede I believe I am contractually obliged to give this album a 5. I was initially surprised to find such a "late" abba album on the list. But the first track immediately impresses, it has far more interest than any of the classics.
This album raised me. Favourite tracks: One of Us, Slipping Through My Fingers, Should I Laugh or Cry
This is borderline classical at times, and I love it. So much more haunting and powerful than the typical ABBA big hits (which I also enjoy).
💃💃💃💃💃💃💃💃💃💃
It’s ABBA ! So good
The Visitors - 3.5/5 Head Over Heels - 5/5 When All Is Said And Done - 4/5 Soldiers - 4.5/5 I Let The Music Speak - 4/5 One Of Us - 4.5/5 Two For The Price Of One - 5/5 Slipping Through My Fingers - 5/5 Like An Angel Passing Through My Room - 3/5 Should I Laugh Or Cry - 3.5/5 The Day Before You Came - 4/5 Cassandra - 3.5/5 Under Attack - 4/5
cannot tell you how happy i was to get an abba album, such an easy 5 stars. personally i judge an abba club night on whether head over heels and under attack get played
Such a beautifully crafted album. The writing and song construction is genius and the performances are perfect.
I mean its abba, they always get a 5 idc
Jeg trodde Abba var utelukkende et grestest hits band, men så feil ka man ta! Ingen mega hits på dette albumet, og jeg tror det står seg bedre på grunn av det. Et overraskende sterkt album
Yes. 💃🏻🪩
Here we go, one of my favorites and most listened to albums of the last year. This is simply ABBA's best and the stuff on this album (and on the deluxe) are very good. If the group didn't make anything else after this it would still be a fitting conclusion to their run. While some of the lyrics are cringy, the sound is still very well produced and is the main reason why I like this album so much.
Great
I just love this album; it has my favourite ABBA song (“One of Us”), and is full of moody synth and typical new wave era influence. Even the more schmaltzy tracks mostly work; I’m not a parent, but even “Slipping Through My Fingers” makes me choke up, and I largely can ignore THAT line in “When All Is Said and Done”, as well as the image of Pierce Brosnan “singing” it. There are a couple of tracks where it falters in my opinion, particularly in the last third, but it picks up again with “The Day Before You Came” and sees itself - and ABBA’s albums -out strongly. It’s probably a 4.5 for me, but I love it more than “Arrival”, which I have 4* too, so it gets a lesser-spotted 5* from me.
Top tier album trully thr storytelling the musicality everything gosh do I love ABBA and this album is a masterpiece
This is an amazing album, it blew me away you can really hear the 80s on this record. It encapsulates the music from that era. It's also really fun.
Abba Silver but still great
amazing wow i love you abba. thank you sweden!
Not my favorite ABBA album, nor the most fun, but ABBA is always ABBA, and therefore always deserve a 5. They may unabashedly be my favorite band. One thing I’ve noticed about ABBA: when I was working at a bar, we’d have metal night, country night, dance night, and all sorts of different styles of bands would come through. For every crowd, for all age groups, if you put ABBA on, nobody is ever upset. 42 isn’t the answer to the mysteries of the universe. ABBA is.
The way everyone has been talking about this made me think that ABBA released a goth album. As great as that would be, this is quite a while away from Sisters Of Mercy. The lyrics are darker than what you would expect from them, this is still polished pop music - not that there is anything wrong with that! These guys know how to craft a pop hook. 'Head Over Heels' will be stuck in your head after listening to it. They do take a few creative U-turns. The slow build up and use of synths gives the opening track a spacey vibe and 'I Let The Music Speak' is straight up musical theatre. They sure can sing, but the emotion in their voices give the feeling that they are tired and just a bit fed up despite the upbeat music. This all gives the album a darker edge. There isn't a bad song here and I even ended up listening to the bonus tracks, which is something that I rarely do.
Not the best ABBA album but five stars none the less
Yesss ABBA
Would rate this 10 stars if I could!! Every song is a banger!
PERFECT PERFECT PERFECT
I love ABBA. Very few skips. This feels truly nostalgic.
Love a bit of ABBA ! Excellent listening Too hard to pick a fave
so fucking good i love this album i wish people would still make music like this
It’s ABBA - enough said
I love the unsettling atmosphere, the arrangements, the abrupt dynamic shifts, letting texture carry more weight. politically charged as heck. this is their most mature album. just pure pop perfection.
I mean, who didn't loves ABBA? A pop reference for every new artist. But i wish "The Visitors" to be a little shorter because at some point, keeps repetitive. But still a great album.
This album wasn't what I expected. Sure, it was ABBA but it had a lot more depth than some of the early bubble gum sound.
❤︎ coups de cœur: When All Is Said And Done, Under Attack
Not a band that I would normally listen to, but this was pretty cool.
Classic!
Oooh I like dark ABBA! Remember kids, you can't spell Black Sabbath without ABBA.
Really wowed by this project, great moves on this you can feel the marital strife and tension fs fs
This album is regarded by some as ABBA straying into Prog Rock. Prog is very much up my alley way so this album has always been of interest to me even if so far, I don’t own it. I wouldn’t say it was Prog for the mainstream but for ABBA it certainly strayed into a new and experimental phase with the result of this being a great album and well worth its place on the list. It was the last (until very recently) album coming at the end of their astronomical working career. It bookends what a tremendous talent they were and how varied their music really was when comparing this album to their first. There are two sorts of music lovers in this world -those who love ABBA and those who are liars. I belong to the former but whisper it! 5/5 9/11/25
My first foray into ABBA's music. I was sort of under the impression that this would be a disco album, which the song 'Dancing Queen' (to the only song I've heard by them) was. But this seems to fall into a more traditional '80s new-wave style, which works shockingly well for the group, especially given the group's very interesting and addictive group-vocal drive style. But even the synth work here remains consistently interesting all throughout; they are European after all. The backing music gives off this theatrical vibe, sort of like you're watching the most dramatic part or coda of an opera show, with my favorite moments being the sort of ominous piano part in 'I Let The Music Speak' or the dramatic string-esque hits of 'Head Over Heels', my favorite song here. But let me just talk about the songs here - 'cause Jesus, this sounds like a greatest hits record. Every song here is so good in its own way - say, for maybe the opener, which honestly scared me because it really didn't click with me at all. But so many of the subsequent songs here were so earwormy, so heavy-sounding, so powerful, so ambitious and grand, and so unique from one another. If anything, it's a bit too much at times; I'd say overproduced, almost? But not quite, just super layered, and the group vocals are always so dense and textured. I don't really care, though, as long as the songs are good, and they are. It makes me overlook the over-sentimental and over-dramatization here that I would usually despise - it's just something about this album. Such a sweet album from these Swedish legends, I really did not expect to enjoy the songs here as much as I did. Will be listening to this bundle of absolute joy in the foreseeable future.
Abba is way more than dancing queen!
Pure pop perfection, loved this from the first time I heard it many moons ago, still love it now. Edit: I've come back 6 days later and changed this from a 4 to a 5, because I've listened to this album every day for the past week. Slipping Through My Fingers made me cry in the car yesterday.
yessssssssss!!!! I LOVE ABBA!!!!
Lemppari abba albumi😘 Varmaan parhaimpia abba lauluja on tällä levyllä(head over heels, soldiers, i let the music speak ja slipping through my fingers) ja ei oo niitä kaikista ylisoitetuimpia biisejä joten jee. Loppua kohden pari biisiä vähän sellasia abba-ärsyttäviä mutta toisten biisien mahtavuus kumoaa sen.
Pretty inarguably one of the best bands of all time for a reason. All of this is incredible even if it's not what I'm going to reach for all the time. I'm glad to get a dive in their discography other than their greatest hits album, but of course the hits on this are just perfect. Great band, great album, easy 5.
schon nich das beste abba album. slipping through my fingers und head over heels habens auf die 5 sterne gezogen
Why haven't I listened to that much ABBA before this (other than Dancing Queen, obviously). They kind of do a little bit of everything that I love about music. Really great heavy but tight harmonies, different and interesting instrumentation, and slick bass lines. I didn't recognize what Wikipedia is calling the hit on the album "One of Us", but I did recognize "Slipping Through My Fingers". Everything else was new to me on this listen. The only thing that I genuinely dislike is fade out endings. Give me a firm ending to a song, dammit. Favorite Song(s): Head Over Heels, Two for the Price of One, Slipping Through My Fingers, Under Attack
Perfecto
love it
Wow, I didn’t realize I was going to like this as much as I did. Glad this is on the list, have no idea if I would ever have heard this otherwise. Not a mediocre song on this, just all synth bangers with pulsing bass and rich vocals.
i’m swedish and have never really listened to ABBA other than the hits, so i have been curious if there’s more to them than just a hits band. it’s a pleasant surprise to me that i absolutely love this album. it’s grown on me since i first listened to it half heartedly a few months ago. the production sounds nice and clear, even if it feels a bit dated sometimes i really don’t mind. i love the songs so much. i did try to listen to the deluxe versions as well but it sounds so much worse. more tinnier and weak sound. (Arrival will be a nightmare to try listen to on spotify as it’s awful on there. i desp need the ABBA gold remasters for the whole Arrival album) what i immediately got obsessed with is the insane vocal riffs in Head Over Heels. what an absolute banger of a song! amazing. the songs i knew before were One Of Us and Slipping Through My Fingers. the latter is probably my fave ABBA song. just amazing album all around. Cassandra is such a beautiful song as well. I Let the Music Speak is such a great example of their musical theatre writing. this was an early example of the path Benny and Björn would go down, writing musicals like Chess. the title track hits so hard in the chorus, it sounds a bit like Roxette, but without the heavy guitars. Soldiers another amazing song. i’m happy to give this a 5. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
ultra geil. d rhythme gönd mega ab, d lyrics sind hilarious oder gfühlvoll und d melodie sind catchy.
I adore abba
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.
I can't give less than 5 to ABBA. it's a rule that I just made up. But I love them
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.
I should not like this. Nearly cheesy. A bit showbiz musical. But damn it's good. First song is so cool. Aged like a fine wine. One Of Us is undeniable. Everything is so well crafted and performed. Brilliant. Nice cover art as well.
For me, when it comes to the UK charts and famous pop/rock singles, you can't get much better than Queen, Robbie Williams (yeah I said it, don't come for me) and ABBA. Quality AND quantity. There's a reason 'ABBA Gold: Greatest Hits' is the second best selling album in the UK (behind Queen Greatest Hits). So how would full album fare? Particularly one with no recognisable tunes or big hits on. It turns out I needn't have worried, it's very good. The two B's of the group, Benny and Björn know how to write a catchy pop song that's for sure. It's slightly darker and moodier in tone than you'd perhaps expect of ABBA at times, but still has its lighter moments too. I feel like they could have released any track from this album as a single in their heyday and it would've been successful. A joy to listen to, an easy 5 stars and I hope there's more ABBA to come.
Seated
Sonorous Melodic varied exquisite pop perfection.
peak music 10/10
Nobody does it like Abba. This is darker and ads more hurt, stepping away from the eurovision style.
A bunch of abba songs I don’t know and they slap
Well, this starts off unexpectedly. Space pop-rock in my ABBA?! Somehow my disco boots still suit the vibe of the opening track. Great start! I was genuinely expecting a lot of slop intertwined with the classics but this is a delight! _looks at release year...._ 1981, that explains it! As I progress through this generator journey, I am surprised at how much tight vocals and harmonisation matter to me in a pop context (the stabs of "For the Price of One" is a hook). This is a group who know who they are and who find wonder in intermingling. Reminds me of Fleetwood Mac around that era but with better self-editing. "I Let The Music Speak" is definitely a precursor to Benny and Björn's musicals. "Two For The Price Of Video Killed the Radio Star" I'm surprised how many influences they wear on their sleeves. 5 stars!
Fyrsta hlustun í lélegum hljóðgæðum var lítið meira en fín, en nú erum við á fjórðu hlustun. Titillagið er fáránlega töff, og Head over heels líka. One of us og Slipping through my fingers eru fallega ljúfsár og miðaldra. Restin þroskaðar lagasmíðar, svolítið söngleikjalegar og dramatískar. Æði.
Fucking 💙 ABBA!! Brilliant! 5
Not what I expected from ABBA. Every song is impeccable, and reading about the history it’s a surprisingly deep and emotional album. I somehow loved this album front to back.
Brilliant pop, opening track set a high bar that was consistently met afterwards.
Excellent album. Can never go wrong with ABBA lol. Not my favourite of their albums, as I don't really like the darker tone that it takes, but it's still very enjoyable. The opening track did a good job of setting the mood, and the rest of the album was cohesive without being monotonous. 5/5. Favorites: Head Over Heels for the interesting instrumentals, When All Is Said And Done, One Of Us, Slipping Through My Fingers (obviously)
Slipping Through My Fingers makes me sad. Hadn't heard the majority of this album before, but even though these aren't their biggest or most famous hits I loved pretty much every song. I love ABBA. 5, saved to library
sure there are some songs I don't love (namely Two For The Price Of One which is terrible) but on the whole this is just very fun, very well made and actually fairly interesting pop music. Arrival is more fun, but this is the better album
ABBA is just wondrous. Good for the soul.
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.
So good! The production is 2nd to none.
I saw the album and thought it was a shame that we didn’t get one with any hits on it. What an idiot I was. I listened, loved it and then listened again. This was such a great album.
truly an excellent, underrated album. didn't fully love a couple of the slower songs, but the singing and the synth sounds always worked well together. high energy with deep lyrics, maybe a little too pop heavy for some but definitely a hidden gem
This was an amazing discovery!
Deras bästa album. Låten The Visitors är fantastisk.
Hirbmat buorre.
Abba slaps
They sure can pump out the hits
5/5 great songwriting and a good change from the big fluffy pop hits. the songs develop and take interesting turns. the vocals are darkly emotive.
2025 edit: 5 stars
This album is a masterpiece. Right up my alley. It’s like a genre that I’ve never heard, but always knew I wanted to hear. ABBA stands for Always Been a Banger Artist. The first song “The Visitors” was a good choice for the title of the album because it is the best. However, every subsequent song was unique and unexpectedly good. I’m going to listening to this album again and again. 9/10
Awesome
This is, hands down, ABBA's best album. It was also meant to be their last - that is until their 2021 reunion. Musically, this is pure pop, but of the good kind. There are plenty of remarkable hooks that will stay with you for the forseeable future. But ABBA are not only masters of writing songs; on here they have also matured as producers and arrangers. All the instruments are played very tastefully - just listen to the bass on One of Us. The title track is pure late 70s, early 80s synth goodness. Like An Angel Passing Through My Room is sublime. The production of this album is also top notch and innovative for its time. With this album ABBA managed to go out with a bang - before being reborn 40 yeas later, also in top form. 5/5
Pretty much perfect grown-up pop.
You know, even an album of lesser known Abba is pretty damn good. I wasn't sure about the Bjorn vocals on "Two for the Price of One", but when it hit the chorus it really worked. Judging by play count, this is the least popular track on the album, but I loved it. The bassline in "Should I Laugh or Cry" is amazing. The only song that lost my interest a bit was "An Angel..."
When ABBA does their swan song, the swans do sing. Great stuff.
I unashamedly love Abba. The greatest pop songs ever recorded. This album is less poppy though (better produced and musically deeper) with more adult themes. I would have marked it down slightly but it has my favourite Abba song (The day before you came) so it has to be 5/5
naïve moi qui pensais qu'ils avaient peak sur gimme gimme
I'll start this off by saying that ABBA is my favorite musical artist, so this will be more biased and analytical than any previous review. While I wished there were more than 2 albums on the list, I do admit that ABBA isn't really an album-strong group and is much better when just listening to singles and Best Of collections. As far as The Visitors, their true "last album" before Voyage, I used to avoid it like the plague. Whether it was the album as a whole or the singles off of it, it seemed beneath me as an early ABBA fan. I would relish in the saccharine nature of their older songs and wince at the notion that anything could be dark and moody without being a melodramatic power ballad (The Winner Takes It All). I suppose Arrival is a logical inclusion on the list - after all, it would be hard to pass on the album that birthed Dancing Queen. I do think that Super Trouper is the best representation of the band's hit singles and overall sound, but Arrival is still a decent choice. The disco-laden Voulez-Vous is my personal pick, but I acknowledge that it carries a pretty dated sound. Even then, when I saw that this was one of the sole inclusions for an ABBA album, I was stunned and even confused. How could the album that I had looked down upon for years be one of the most essential for not only the group, but for all of modern music history? And then it hit me. Well, for the most part. It's still not my favorite ABBA album and probably doesn't even scrape top 3, but I have a new appreciation after finally listening to it in full in this setting. The Visitors is the perfect opening track, with such an impressive arrangement. I never paid too much attention to the lyrics and dismissed them with some of ABBA's cheesier excerpts, but they ring clear in a world that is becoming more paranoid and tense. It's still not one of my favorite singles, but the instrumental climax is classic. Frida is also likely my favorite vocalist in the group and her delivery here is impeccable. Head Over Heels is one that I've liked for a long time but has become a guilty pleasure that I often skip on shuffle. Hearing the full synth intro and slick melodic downward progression really made me appreciate it again though. When All Is Said and Done has to be my favorite track on the album. A bit lyrically clunky now and then, but it does what it's supposed to do and excels at it. The bass synth coming back in after the dropout in the third verse gets me every time. Soldiers is..... not good.... don't get me wrong, I appreciate the message here and how timely it was, but it's hard to justify it sonically. This is part of why ABBA is tough to appreciate in album listens - even with hard-hitting tracks, there's always going to be some obvious skips. I will say that I always viewed this at surface level of advocating for soldiers for risking their lives etc., but it's very interesting to view it from a metaphor of a troubled couple (thematic to the album) not being in sync and willing to sacrifice for each other like soldiers are. I don't remember ever hearing I Let the Music Speak before, so I had to pay closer attention than I did to the others. The intro is so dark and glorious and I can't believe I am usually so quick to skip over it. I understand why it hasn't broken through as much, but it's a real treasure and I'm glad I got to relish in it here. It feels more raw in a heavily-produced album and lets Frida's technique shine. The chorus does make it feel a bit too dramatic show-tuney though. One of Us is the biggest hit here, and for good reason. What else is there to say? Two for the Price of One is hilarious, but hard to deny that it's one of the weakest ones here. Similar to Soldiers, though, not quite as cheap as I remembered. Maybe I'd disagree if I was sober. Slipping Through My Fingers isn't my favorite, but I completely understand how it's become a favorite of the masses - it has to hit hard with any parent. Beautiful chord progression too. Looking at the Spotify streams, I'm really surprised that Like an Angel Passing Through My Room is so low. Yes, the production is a bit odd, but it's really special. It's perfect cover material as well, as evidenced by Celtic Women's effort. I listened to the bonus tracks but didn't count them in my review - but I will emphasize to any listener to check out The Day Before You Came. After listening to this, The Visitors still isn't my favorite album, but it has to be ABBA's most consistent. A worthy inclusion, and I appreciate any opportunity to explore their art.
The first 4 songs blew me away. I love how the chorus hits in head over heels. Cool drum groove in soldiers. “I let the music speak” is so theatrical. I feel like it’s whole story in 4 minutes. The phone call sounds in 2 for price if one is great. So smart and well done. I feel like it’s one of those perfect albums where every note in every part is exactly where it needs to be and you could listen and notice something new to appreciate everytime. It has a lot of what I love from the Beatles best recordings but in a totally different direction/ context. I don’t know what to call their style “post prog synth pop”, but they do it so well. Great sounding record it has the best of the 80’s punchyness and crispness but with the 70’s warmth. The rhythm section is so great- every time a groove comes in it feels so good. Such a unique sound with their songwriting and harmonies . Love all the instrument and synth sounds . Also really nice to listen to following “Scum” by Napalm Death.
Wow. What a journey. Never listened to ABBA much before but this is a definite masterpiece. The songwriting, harmony, layering, everything is just perfect. What a ride
I really love ABBA. This started off alright and just got better and better. Slipping Through my Fingers and Like An Angel Passing Through My Room were the best. I love that they have a sound that’s so uniquely their own. Would def listen again
Вы не слушали ABBA такими. Но такими вы будете рады услышать их ещё раз. Не с первого раза меня пробрало, скажу честно. Но в какой-то момент наконец-то ты можешь сконцентрироваться на текстах и таки понять, о чём они и в какой момент были написаны. А, точно: это более текстоцентричный альбом, чем все остальные.
This album just hits different
I see abba i click 5 stars
Contains my favourite Abba song
I LOVE ABBA
If you don't fuck with Abba then I don't fuck with you
ABBA rocks. Both infinitely nostalgic and infinitely fresh. Their production is always unparalleled and their band cohesion is top notch, a great album on all fronts
i can’t believe i’ve never listened to a full abba album before. this is just excellent, i’m going to listen to more now
I love ABBA! Mamma mia is a classic fun movie I love to watch when I’m down. There music is so lighthearted and fun- even when dealing with more serious topics like breakups.
Love love love! I mean, I thought Abba Gold was where it was at, but this little gem was hiding! (FYI, I have not, nor am I inclined to watch Mama Mia, so there).
My partner has listened to all of ABBA's discography and didn't seem to think too much of this album compared to their other albums, so my expectations weren't super high. I expected to give it a 3 or a 4, but I really enjoyed almost every song on this album. Other than the first song, I liked everything. Some of the themes are interesting and I appreciate the tonal shifts on the album. I assume I'm going to give their other album on here a 5 as well, but I guess we'll see. My favourite songs were Head Over Heels, The Day Before You Came, and Under Attack.
This is wonderful. From the incredible title track to One of Us to best song The Day Before You Came, this is a brilliant singles band making a brilliant album. And the holograms are great too.
Mhmm.
Two ABBA albums almost one after the other? Love it! There's a lot of songs I've never heard on this album, so let's see. Didn't particularly like the titled song. Loads of really good songs, but some serious misses as well imo (You Owe Me One). Saved tracks: Head Over Heels, Soldiers, One Of Us, Two For The Price Of One, Should I Laugh Or Should I Cry, Under Attack, The Day Before You Came
If Disco died in 1979, this feels like the elegy for the day Disco died. I honestly am baffled by how much I liked it too.
Banger after banger. Very well aged. Had so many musical components
Fantastic album, will definitely be diving back in frequently. Incredible musicality, melodies, and lyrics
Rating: 9/10 Best songs: The visitors, Soldiers, I let the music speak, One of us, Two for the price of one, The day before you came, Cassandra
Fun songs, lots of variety
I literally grew up on Mama Mia. I have loved ABBA since I was a tiny child. There are very few songs that make me shiver and Head Over Heels has now been added to that list.
Class
always a favorite
Going into this I thought this would be some shitty juvenile stereotypical synth pop, I've already heard all the praise for ABBA, but this is actually quite mature. Though this spotify link sends you to a quieter version of the song, so idk which version to listen, I went with the quieter version. I HATE IT SO MUCH IF THERE ARE MULTIPLE VERSIONS. Ok actually this is really good, idk if I should give it a 5/5 or a 4/5, maybe I'll be generous. Fuck it I'm generous. 5/5, it's a very mature and sad album. It shows the band breaking up and is a fitting end. Sike, most fans said in 2021. Yeah, 5/5.
Man, I was not familiar with ABBA's post-disco sound. This was fun!
Was sceptical about late model ABBA but this was an easy five stars. Would love to see a theatrical adaptation of this, seems very well suited to the stage. Moody and eccentric with some interesting song concepts
When All Is Said And Done, Cassandra, . The Day Before You Came
I love this album. For four decades it was ABBA's swan song and it is fantastic. Such great tunes. When All Is Said And Done is my favourite ABBA song.
abba's music is beautiful! i suppose this album isn't considered as good as their other albums, but i fell deeply in love with this album. it has everything from tender songs to their signature fun, pop-y songs. "one of us," a deeply autobiographical track, hurts me even as i sing along. "head over heels" is such a standout that it's shocking it flopped as a single. with every listen, i loved this more and more. easily five stars, with the hope more abba is on this list of albums.
If there's one thing I know about music, it's that I fucking love Abba.
This album is so great! It really holds up!
ABBA seems only capable of doing one type of sound but that sound is wonderful.
This album is incredible. Very layered and catchy. I highly recommend it.
Pop perfection. I simply did not want this album to end. I'm a sucker for a good melody, and boy did this record deliver that in spades.
This was surprisingly really good. I've never been a big fan of ABBA but this a major departure from their previous work.
A ABBA album that, despite lacking huge hits and being less light in terms of lyrical content, still entertains massively and doesn't have a bad song over a great runtime of just shy of 40 minutes They never fail to bring good mood and cheer up
look, i wore out my parents' CD copy of Gold like any obliviously queer teenager, but damn, i've been missing out on a whole discography!
Great!
idk yet
Great album, full of hidden gems.
What a vibe. So many great songs on here with a good variety of moods.
I think I only knew ABBA's hits, so I thought of them as super poppy, sing-along band, but still very talented. This was unexpected and such an enjoyable listen.
holy shit, it’s been a while since I’ve heard an album where EVERY song slaps like a mother fucker this is a 12 out of 10, it’s honestly beyond perfect, good fucking golly
The first cassette I ever bought for my new tape recorder was ABBA Greatest Hits Vol. 2 with money from Christmas 1979 in 6th grade. My mom helped me pick it out. I listened to it a billion times as I couldn't afford many other tapes and thus ABBA was my jam. When "The Visitors" came out in 1981 no expense was spared and I excitedly bought the new album (on cassette, of course). I remember being taken aback somewhat by the different tone of this music, which was a little less infectious than the compilation. The opening title track had a long, moody introduction, for example...but then 2 minutes in...oh yeah! Like a number of the songs on this album it has a cool build-up and transition. "When All is Said and Done" is a favorite and is the song that sounds the most classic ABBA, maybe, despite its theme of maturity (they were more than 15 years younger than I am now when they recorded it. Dang.) For forty years I've thought the voice on the phone in "Two for the Price of One" said "Al is waiting." It's still a fun song, nevertheless. Having listened to this album over and over in my youth, there's no way I can't love the whole thing to this day.
Already listened to this album in full before. I enjoyed it a lot but there are some tracks that I don't revisit as much. My favourites are Head Over Heels, One Of Us, When All Is Said and Done, Slipping Through My Fingers and The Day Before You Came. 4.5/5 stars but will bump it up to a 5.
I fuckin love ABBA
Clean, pop perfection.
Perfect album if you discount 'One of Us'
Don't know his album as well as Arrival - but it's very good
They’ve only been a singles band for me. I was very impressed by this album. I understand it’s a bit of a departure from their other stuff.
Ух ти))) Послухаємо)
This is real good and I suspect that it grow on me even more.
Abba is always fun, and i don't think I have ever heard any of these songs before, so this was doubly pleasureable.
I think some of the more beautiful songs from the ABBA catalogue found on this album, also interesting because I would say none of these are among their big hits and the few songs I knew (Slipping Through My Fingers, When All Is Said And Done) I had possibly only ever heard in Mamma Mia and never the original. I do think the arrangements of those songs and One of Us were lovely and quite moving, but the songs I loved the most were You Owe Me One and I Am The City, and their more experimental use of synths and more electronic based instrumentation. Some real underrated gems in the second half of the album Also I love that album cover
What makes the Visitors special is the sense of weariness and unease that's only slightly present on previous albums; the melancholy that people attempt to read on Dancing Queen is on full affect here on tracks such as The Day Before You Came, arguably the centrepiece of the album. An oddly tuneless song that works in its favour, with Agnetha's distant and matter-of-fact vocal performance helping convey the numbness of the final moments of ABBA's golden period. Elsewhere, tracks such as the title track and Under Attack are the most sonically and lyrically adventurous they've done today - I absolutely adore the legnthy instrumental start to the Visitors, slowly amping up and only getting to the (fantastic) hook around two minutes in. There is still some fluff and standard ABBA tracks that do stifle the impact of thr album (Two for the Price of One and When All Is Said and Done), but overall a defintie artistic high for ABBA.
Beautiful music. As ever.
Muy buen disco! Algo extraño desde su portada, mucho más conceptual cada track de lo que ABBA venía haciendo y en general un muy buen rato. No mal disco para cerrar la carrera de la banda (hasta 2022 que lanzaron uno nuevo).
pretty good
🪩 This was almost a 4. I really liked it but I don’t know how much I’ll come back to it. And the more I right this the more I’m inclined to go 4. So I will leave full text here as evidence of the journey. 4 (not 3) it is.
I remember when the NY Times did a piece celebrating this album's 40th anniversary and now I understand why. This album has tons of complexity and interesting turns. I can see how influential it was to modern pop and indie rock. It's an album that makes you want to lean in and listen because there's so much you might miss if you don't pay attention.
I like ABBA but idk why this one was on the list Relatively mediocre 4/5
they may be German but that doesn't mean I don't like them
Kinda bias bc I love ABBA
When it comes to ABBA, I always think I’ll find their music cheesy or melodramatic, but having grown up listening to the Mamma Mia! soundtrack, I don’t think I could ever feel that way and I’m more than glad not to. This album’s so consistenly good all the way through. I can’t say it’s as good or packs as many heavy hitters as Arrival, but it’s so solid throughout. I listened to One of Us much later than their other songs, and it’s gotta be one of my favorite songs of all time now. Great album.
It's a band that's just been a joke my whole life, and they're amazing. One or two of these are a bit more boring, but my goodness these are some fun and interesting songs that are just....entrancing.
Reminiscent of Sarah Slean. Pretty good.
sehr fun zum kochen
I think it’s impossible to not at least have fun with ABBA.
The melodies, harmonies, and exuberance… just pop perfection. 4.5 stars.
This was obviously a departure from their lighter and airier ABBA-ness, but there was a beautiful depth to this album and it was a moving reflection of where their lives were at that point in time. The songs still felt very “them” as they started to wrap up the end of their original time together. Slipping Through My Fingers was a tear jerker!
listened to it with my bf and it was very good; ive never been too into abba but it surprised me for good. fav: slipping through my fingers
This is a well written and crafted album and certainly surprisingly solid. I don't feel the need to hear it again as it's not my cup of tea necessarily. But it's a worthy entry. 3.5 rounded to 4.
Yay, ABBA! A real live Eurovision band! I didn't realise they had so many albums (this is their 8th), although I guess that explains how they made so many Mamma Mia Movies (2 going on 3). The album cover looks like Clue, so I like that. The songs all sound the same, even if they're about different things. Which is good. I enjoyed it, which I guess passes for a 4 these days!
How can you not have a good time with this stuff...
Good album full of pretty little ditties. Not your average karaoke ABBA songs.
Love ABBA. The melodies and harmony they used are always interesting and distinctive, and it’s no surprise they had so many hits derived of infectious ear worms. I didn’t know anything about this album, but enjoyed it and it felt fresh to me as a result.
Não é o top álbum, mas Head over heels é ótima
4/5
Bit odd this is on here instead of Voulez Vous, Super Trouper or The Album, isn't it? Still a great album though
i’m having fun and then i start listening to the lyrics
not my favorite ABBA album, still great tho <3
Really love ABBA,
More ABBA! Didn’t know any of these songs. Seemed less dancy and more emotional. Enjoyed it. 7/10 Quite Likeable
I am only mildly ashamed to admit I think ABBA is one of the all time greats. this album falls just short of the five because Two For The Price of One is a godawful song and, worst of all, a punchline song. There's never been a good punchline song! stop making them! otherwise this is a lovely album with beautiful vocal harmonies and fantastic instrumentation. I could listen to Agnetha and Anna-Frid sing together all day. ultimately I think this slot on the list should have gone to Voulez-Vouz or Super Trouper but it's fine, we love ABBA here, good four of an album
Talented as hell. Slower than my ABBA expectations, but beautiful
Love it
Good album.
Every so often, a perfectly good silly pop act decides it's time to Get Serious. They'll always imagine themselves pivoting like the Beatles did with Revolver, and it'll basically never be as good as their more frivolous work. ABBA didn't come up with the next Revolver here either, but their play for credibility actually worked out decently well!
Who doesn’t love ABBA?
Pretty great. Having grown up only listening to a Greatest Hits compilation (and attending many an Abba bottomless brunch at hen dos) I was unfamiliar with their back catalogue. It's great obviously, but feed me the hits 😋
I'll echo a lot of other comments here and say I was absolutely not expecting to enjoy this as much as I did, but as a lover of songcraft I couldn't help but sit back and admire the masterful work going on here.
Great pop album. It's ABBA. Can't go wrong with ABBA.
Fun snappy, my people
Bloody ABBA. Incredible songwriters and producers. And this is an album that isn't quite so happy-sounding - et voilà, I actually enjoy this. I gave Arrival 3/5, and enjoy this more, so that has to make it a 4/5, but it does feel weird.
I like darker, latter-era ABBA though also respect their hit-writing chops too. One of Us is probably my favourite song but the title track was good too. The Day Before You Came is an interesting one too, is it a romantic entanglement or about a post-apocalyptic world?
Do love Abba
Strong songs with lush and interesting arrangements
Surprisingly good album.
really really liked. probs a 4.5 but will give 4
ABBA generally just seems to know the right chords and melodies to make the dopamine in my brain go brr. This isn't their best outing though. A shame Voulez-vous and Super Trouper are not on the 1001 list, but I have to judge this album on its own merit. Faves: The Visitors, Head Over Heels, When All Is Said And Done, One Of Us
What can I say? I like ABBA a lot. Even the songs of theirs that don't do a lot for me are still really well put together. The title track is a different sound for them, but wasn't a bad listen. Of the tracks that aren't in the musical, "Head Over Heels", "Soldiers", and "Should I Laugh or Cry" were the standouts.
Great album
Good.
I'll never understand why some people dislike abba
I'll search for comprehensive information about ABBA's "The Visitors" album to provide you with an in-depth review. Based on my research, here is an in-depth review of **ABBA's "The Visitors"** (1981), the band's eighth and final studio album before their 2021 reunion with *Voyage*. --- ## Overview & Context Released on November 30, 1981, *The Visitors* arrived at a tumultuous time for ABBA. Both couples in the band—Björn Ulvaeus and Agnetha Fältskog, plus Benny Andersson and Anni-Frid Lyngstad (Frida)—had divorced or were separating. The recording sessions were strained; Björn later recalled that "it could be frosty sometimes" . The album would become their swan song for four decades, capturing a band at the end of their first chapter, channeling personal pain into art while simultaneously exploring Cold War anxieties that permeated the early 1980s. --- ## Musical & Production Analysis ### The Sound *The Visitors* represents ABBA's most sonically ambitious work. The album marked a decisive shift toward **synth-pop and art-pop**, with synthesizers dominating arrangements where guitars once reigned. Engineer Michael Tretow faced significant technical challenges with the band's new 32-track digital recorder, which initially produced sounds that were "too clean" and sharply cut off. He had to develop techniques to transfer tracks between digital and analog to achieve the warm, pristine sound that ultimately characterizes the album . The result is what many critics consider ABBA's most **layered and crisp production**—remarkably full-bodied for its era, with a sound that would prove perfect for the emerging CD market . The synthesizer work was genuinely forward-thinking; tracks like "Head Over Heels" feature bright synth brass stabs and tight, Human League-esque grooves that place ABBA alongside New Wave contemporaries rather than their disco-era peers . ### Standout Musical Moments - **"The Visitors"**: Opens with processed, almost dissonant vocals from Frida over an apocalyptic synth soundscape before exploding into a glam stomp—a jarring, uncharacteristic opener that signals this is not business as usual - **"I Let the Music Speak"**: A theatrical showstopper with trilling woodwind, sweeping strings, and tempo changes that essentially served as Benny and Björn's audition for Broadway (leading to *Chess*) - **"Soldiers"**: Built around a spellbinding drum motif and fat guitar lines, with a skulking fretless bass groove that critics have noted "cries out to be sampled by a hip-hop group" --- ## Lyrical Themes ### Personal Breakdown Where previous ABBA albums hinted at romantic turmoil beneath catchy melodies, *The Visitors* confronts it directly. The album functions as a **divorce record** in the truest sense: - **"When All Is Said and Done"**: Explicitly documents Benny and Frida's separation. Frida later stated, "All my sadness was captured in that song" . Unlike the victim narrative of "The Winner Takes It All," this presents an amicable, mutual parting: "Neither you nor I'm to blame when all is said and done" - **"One of Us"**: Agnetha sings about the aftermath of heartbreak with a resolve that masks deep pain—what one critic called "tears on the dancefloor" - **"Slipping Through My Fingers"**: Björn wrote this after watching his seven-year-old daughter Linda leave for school, realizing "what have I missed all these years?" The song features childlike vocals in the second verse and has since become a *Mamma Mia!* staple - **"Like an Angel Passing Through My Room"**: Frida delivers a moving solo reflection on mortality and memory—reportedly the inspiration for the album's cover art ### Cold War Paranoia Interwoven with the personal drama is a **political dimension** unique in ABBA's catalog. The early 1980s atmosphere of Soviet tension manifests in: - **"The Visitors"**: Lyrics describe the terror of political dissidents facing persecution: "I hear the doorbell ring and suddenly the panic takes me... they must know by now I'm in here trembling in a terror ever growing" - **"Soldiers"**: Originally titled "Peasants," this "bleak-yet-catchy" commentary on cannon fodder features explicit anti-war messaging: "If the bugler starts to play, we too must dance" The juxtaposition of military and relationship conflicts throughout the record creates a cohesive thematic vision: **instability, whether geopolitical or interpersonal** . --- ## Influence & Legacy *The Visitors* has grown significantly in critical estimation since its release. While it underperformed compared to ABBA's 1970s commercial peak—topping charts in seven European countries but marking a noticeable decline —it is now regarded by many as their **most artistically substantial work**. The album pointed directly toward Benny and Björn's future in **musical theater**, with *Chess* (1984) expanding on the theatrical ambitions first tested here. The sophisticated synth-pop production influenced later Scandinavian pop, with Ace of Base's "The Sign" (1993) bearing clear echoes of "One of Us" . Critics have drawn parallels to **The Beatles' *Abbey Road***—another final album created by a fractured band that transcended its circumstances to become a fitting artistic farewell . The bonus track "The Day Before You Came" (added to later editions), with its ambiguous dread and narrative sophistication, is now considered by many fans as one of ABBA's most underrated masterpieces . --- ## Pros & Cons ### **Pros** | Aspect | Details | |--------|---------| | **Artistic Maturity** | Most sophisticated and emotionally honest work in their catalog; tackles middle-aged concerns and political themes with nuance | | **Production Excellence** | Pristine, layered sound that has aged remarkably well; innovative use of synthesizers and digital recording techniques | | **Vocal Performances** | Frida's emotional delivery on "When All Is Said and Done" and Agnetha's nuanced work throughout represent career highlights | | **Thematic Cohesion** | Cold War paranoia and personal dissolution intertwine to create a unified, haunting atmosphere | | **Songwriting Depth** | "The Day Before You Came" and "Like an Angel Passing Through My Room" demonstrate narrative complexity beyond typical pop | | **Historical Significance** | Perfect swan song that captured a band's end with dignity and artistic integrity | ### **Cons** | Aspect | Details | |--------|---------| | **Accessibility** | Least immediately catchy ABBA album; melodies are sometimes less hook-driven than their classic hits | | **Inconsistent Tone** | "Two for the Price of One" (Björn's comedic ménage-à-trois narrative) feels incongruously frivolous among the album's serious themes | | **"I Let the Music Speak"** | Some find this theatrical number unfocused—"way too many ideas and influences packed together that don't really know how to harmonize" | | **Commercial Decline** | Relative underperformance signaled waning public interest, though this reflects changing tastes more than quality | | **"Head Over Heels"** | While catchy, it breaks the album's darker mood and some critics find it less substantial than surrounding tracks | --- ## Verdict *The Visitors* stands as **ABBA's most grown-up record**—a farewell that traded the endless Saturday night of "Dancing Queen" for the Sunday morning after, as one critic poetically noted . It is an album of spectral unease and spectral beauty, where professional perfectionism met genuine emotional rawness. While not as immediately gratifying as *Arrival* or *Super Trouper*, it rewards deep listening with its layered production, complex themes, and the courage of a band willing to evolve even as they dissolved. For fans who discovered ABBA through *Mamma Mia!* or greatest hits collections, *The Visitors* offers the revelation that beneath the glittering pop surface lay artists capable of profound, melancholic depth. It remains essential listening not just for ABBA completists, but for anyone interested in how commercial pop can transcend its limitations when personal stakes are highest.
Abba ist immer top, mag den leicht melancholischen Stil, gemischt mit lebendiger Popmusik.
I really warmed up on this one. This song do you have a lot of magic. A lot of theatrical, joyous passion. It’s so romantic.
If you don't like ABBA then there's something wrong with you and we just can't be friends. Their final album for decades was less joyous than their previous efforts, but there are still plenty of songs to sing along and move to. Probably my favorite record by them.
I be dancing to this, queen. Likes: The Visitors, Head Over Heels, When All Is Said and Done, Soldiers
this is an interesting counterpoint to their 70s work. more serious, more downcast, more.. bitter? evokes the end of innocence. makes sense that this would be their last, well, until it wasn't anymore. but it's still ABBA, and it's ultimately still sweet and hopeful. plenty of bops on side A as well. deserves to be one of the 1001? it's pretty good but nah, swap this for Voulez-Vous
Sort of an almost ideal mix of 70s disco and 80 electronic, with nice harmonies.
Lyrically slightly darker than the earlier ABBA but they can write some tunes! And the vocals blend together perfectly
First time listening to a full ABBA Album, (Only exposure being stuff in the zeitgeist like Mama Mia and Money Money Money) and i have to say, it's pretty good!. Not really my thing, my kind of music preference, but i can understand how it's so popular and people like it so much. Highlights are: Like an Angel Passing trough my room and Under Attack
Favorite Song: When All Is Said And Done
Hard not to have fun listening to ABBA 3.5/5
This album is cool. It's different, it's ABBA. There is a theatrical, cinematic feeling you get listening to this record that I really appreciate. You don't get that often form very many musical artists. I don't think it's flawless, but it's made incredibly well and I really enjoy it. 4.1/5
🇸🇪🇸🇪🇸🇪🇸🇪🇸🇪🇸🇪JAAAADÅÅÅÅÅÅÅ🇸🇪🇸🇪🇸🇪🇸🇪🇸🇪🇸🇪 🎼⚔️✝️VÅRT DAGLIGA ABBA GIV OSS IDAG OCH FÖRLÅT OSS VÅRA MUSIKSKULDER ✝️⚔️🎼
8/1❤️
A bit more rock than what I'm used to hearing for ABBA. The songs are sweet and danceable.
love abba
Pretty good interesting pop album.
This is an interesting album by ABBA - I usually only know the hits, and this is an album without them, but it's still very good. I liked "I let the music speak" the most.
El pop como debe hacerse. Concuerdo con el dicho, hay dos tipos de personas: los que les gusta ABBA y los que les gusta ABBA y lo niegan
Extremely solid pop album, has a bunch of huge 10/10 tracks - not quite a 5 for me just because I think it is sequenced a bit funny, I need to relisten!
Not the best ABBA album. But it's still a good album. It's got a darker, more somber feel to everything, from the instrumentals to the album art. It's darkly beautiful.
It’s not my fave of theirs albums but its still fun
Worth listening for the incredible title track alone, some other good songs but nothing quite matches
Jeg sa nylig at jeg er ferdig med Abba og solgte CD-ene med Arrival og Gold. Men så er jeg visst ikke helt ferdig, for det viser seg at Abba er best når de ikke låter så… Abba? Istedet for danseband så er det progga pop og knapt en hit i sikte. Overrasket rett og slett
# Album Name: The visitors # Artist: Abba # Rating: 4/5 # Comments: Another good one from abba. Not quite the stand out hits as earlier work but very well developed and some good music. # Top Tunes: Visitors / head over heels / all said and done / one of us # Would I listen to it again? Yes
Familiar voices, familiar instrumentation, just no familiar songs to sing along with.
It's fun! ABBA's a band that's been in and around for basically my entire life, though I've not really spent a ton of time listening to them. They're really good. The beats and backing tracks are really groovy and the singing harmonizes with it nicely.
I cracked open The Visitors after a tough day. Right off the bat.. this.. isn't your typical bubbly ABBA fare. It's got that bittersweet vibe going on. Like trying to make yourself midnight snacks in the dark. Just me? Anyway, it hits different knowing this was their last album for a few decades. Not every song is a hit, but when they land it's like finding a vintage toy you loved as a kid but forgot existed. Solid 4/5. Spins: 1 Playlist Additions - Head Over Heels - When All Is Said And Done - One Of Us - Slipping Through My Fingers
Ich würde ne solide 3 geben aber wegen One of us müssen es 4 sein
This album was an absolute vibe! Lot of songs I hadnt heard, but banger after banger sent me on an ABBA spree
I liked this a lot. Still the same Abba knack for melody but not just super cheesy disco. I'll go back to this
Sounds like Scandinavia's answer to Rumours. But easier to listen to.
Great album, I heard some songs i hadn't heard before mixed with favorites from Mamma Mia
For a former musical theater kid, it’s hard for me not to like ABBA. I wasn’t familiar with any of these tracks before listening, but I enjoyed them. Did I feel blown away? No. But I didn’t find much to fault. It’s a good time, slickly produced, well performed.
abba doing abba stuff
would’ve been a 5 without the second and third to last songs
Love ABBA. There are a lot of bops on this one but overall it might be hard to listen to cover-to-cover, so it comes a little short of five stars for me.
I never actively listened to ABBA but I still feel like I know their whole discography. This was great! Liked every single song, some I would listen to again for sure. The album Start to finish is also a great listen
I ended up liking this more than I expected.
Not unpleasant
That sure is ABBA. Enjoyable harmonies and theatrical melodies
Some great tunes here and gets an extra point for “slipping through my fingers” as it reduces me to an emotional wreck every time I hear it.
Solid
This was a pleasant, easy listen!
Very good! Probably one of my favorites so far
Quite good
The hits here are so incredible, Cassandra .. Slipping Through My Fingers .. lot of fun, but the slower tracks keep this from being a 5 for me. ABBA will always be a blast to listen to though, so these jams get a solid four.
The weaker tracks on the album (Cassandra, Like an Angel Passing Through My Room, Two For The Price of One, Should I Laugh or Cry) take away from the rest of the album, which features some of the best but least-known ABBA tracks, namely "The Day Before You Came" and "Slipping through my fingers". The singles (One of Us, Head Over Heels, Under Attack) are characteristically great.
Better than Coldplay
Enjoyed this one more than I expected. Was going to do Gove it a 3.5 but I'm going to bump the rating to 4 because Ma loved her some Abba. 4/5