Reviews (page 3 of 9)
The Good: Finally, a SciFi related album! The Bad: The planet ABBA is a little monotonous… The Ugly: Realizing that ABBA stands for Anus Boob Boob Anus, and now I can’t get that out of my head… I’ve given the album a second chance after I was reading the reviews of several fellow pilgrims on this 1001 journey… they all swear that this is, probably, the best ABBA album, like everrrrr… My opinion, for what it's worth, is that you come to realize that certain harmony vocals should only be listened to once, and then the album can be shelved… I find that this album, aside from making one wonder if the drum machines were being used on this album, proves that the ladies had reached the end of their trick… It’s like an opera singer trying to do grunge music. I don’t believe that I will want to listen to this album ever again, so, after giving their other outing on this list a 4* for the massive hits it included, I will sadly have to give this album a 2* as it is better than listening to rap music… but only by a margin… My apologies to all those ABBA fans out there!
Great album
Good
Don’t particularly like ABBA, but I’m happy that this album didn’t really have any of their huge hits
A fun title track And then nothing and nothing And some more nothing
the title track is a really strong opening, i love the synth, i love the energy once the drums kick in. never thought i'd hear abba telling me to crank it up. but unfortunately it turns out their call was unwarranted, as the next track immediately reverts to standard abba fare and the album stays this way pretty much throughout. as expected, it's all very "musical number", which isnt necessarily bad, but it is also pretty toothless. really can't think of a better way to describe it than "white people music". ultimately all the tracks i particularly enjoyed were the ones that moved away from how i'm used to abba sounding. other than "the visitors", "two for the price of one" feels like the only track that really comes close to managing it, and the jaunty style and dueling vocals have it tied for my favourite. honorable mentions go to "soldiers", which seems to be an anti-military song, a bold move for a band that's usually kinda lyrically fisher price, and "like an angel passing through my room", with vocals which made me think of "science fiction/double feature" from the rocky horror picture show. but otherwise.... it's just kind of fine to me. inoffensive pop with no subgenre. not really something i'd bother picking back up. at least "head over heels" made me consider what it'd be like if a swedish man was italian, i guess.
I was raised on ABBA Gold album so this feels somewhat like a nostalgic homecoming, even if "One of Us" and "Soldiers" were the only tracks I was intimately familiar with. That said, the album context as their eighth (!) production amidst a double band divorce explains a lot about what I heard: focused main vocals, subdued backups, and transitional, darker lyrics. "Two for the Price of One" is the silly and catchy track of the album, but fixates on some messy threesome drama, which feels somewhat on par with their other goofy tracks, but definitely less lighthearted so it barely feels like an outlier in the total album mood. Overall, not my favorite of ABBA, but very interesting.
I failed to connect emotionally with this one
The album was ok. It felt dull and a little bit boring from time to time. Can't say I hated it but I wouldn't specifically choose this album as something to listen to. Would rate this 2,5/5 but as that's not an option I go with 2.
Good.
soa como abba
I'll never understand why some people dislike abba
Kinda sounded a bit like early-mid 90’s Madonna. Not bad.
This was an odd choice. Post-prime ABBA, without any real hook? Anyways, it was nice enough, and at times sounded to me like a musical. Someone should make an ABBA musical.
I am NOT an Abba fan, but this... this is a little different. It feels deeper than their normal saccharine dance pop sound. Yeah, the Abba melodies are still there, so are the danceable beats, but this time they're supported by a more complex sense of musicality. There are even some (dare I say) darker tones mixed in. Also hearing some new wave influence creeping in here and there. Not sure I'm ready to say I like this, but it's not as easy to dismiss as some of their earlier work was for me.
3 out of 5. As usual good production and harmonizing.
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.
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).
Somber and different as any other ABBA record, it leans more into the synths and sound of the 80s. It still brings memorable songs but it doesn't feel like the ABBA we know. Good record anyway.
Hm, Wikipedia Artikel gelesen und kann dem nur zustimmen. Wirklich ein Album vom absteigenden Ast der Band
Abba ist immer top, mag den leicht melancholischen Stil, gemischt mit lebendiger Popmusik.
Gedudel aus Schweden
Genuinely surprised by this one.
As usual I just don’t get why people like ABBA. It’s so overly theatrical, to the point of pageantry
The Visitors by ABBA was quite different to what I expected. Like most people, I’ve heard the hits countless times, but I’ve rarely listened to a full ABBA album from start to finish. What stood out here is how well it works as a complete piece of music. It may not be packed with the big, instantly recognisable hits, but it feels more cohesive and tells a stronger overall story. The production is fantastic, really polished without losing any warmth. Frida’s vocals are superb throughout, and there’s still plenty of those catchy, classic ABBA melodies. It’s a really strong album that surprised me in a good way. Favourite tracks: Slipping Through My Fingers, One of Us Least favourite tracks: Like an Angel Passing Through My Room is a bit too slow and didn’t quite do it for me Album artwork: Cool album cover
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.
Good jams. As always. Kinda reminded of children’s music. But still good.
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.
Not all bad but not the ABBA album i was expecting, or hoping for....
Lyrically slightly darker than the earlier ABBA but they can write some tunes! And the vocals blend together perfectly
Not bad by any means but it makes sense this the last album as a lot of the sparks clearly gone at this point
6.5/10
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
3.5 - My ex didn't like Abba so I never really gave them a real shot past Mamma Mia stuff. Some absolute hits though but definitely a few I dont care for much
Favorite Song: When All Is Said And Done
Hard not to have fun listening to ABBA 3.5/5
I don’t care much for ABBA but the women’s voices are pretty impressive.
I gave this a chance, I really did. It wasn't as bad as I feared, but I was bored within 5 tracks. I gave it two more tracks to recover and it never did. It's just a snoozer.
What I'm learning from these is that ABBA is completely mid outside of their banger hits
I was previously familiar with ABBA but not any songs from this album. This album sounds very much like the other ABBA songs I do know. It is very pop-focused and upbeat. While there's nothing particularly wrong here, it's not really the sort of music I would typically choose to listen to. I would have to be in the mood to hear this again.
I’ve known ABBA, it seems, my whole life. I remember hearing their songs on the radio as a kid. And I’m talking about a young kid. They broke up, as couples, before this album, and this was their last album before reuniting and releasing a new album a few years ago. ABBA was made up of two couples, Agnetha and Bjorn, and Benny and Frida. Going into this album, both had split up and divorced, so the vibe of this album was a bit different. ABBA was usually upbeat, effervescent pop music that made you happy and, at times, was goofy. The music was written and produced by Benny and Bjorn, but the girls were what got most of the attention. Agnetha was a beautiful blonde, and Frida was a beautiful redhead, and they both sang like angels. That’s not to say the guys didn’t sing well either. In fact, when they all came together in harmony, you could understand why they were so huge. So, they come into The Visitors sessions to record, and the music is still incredible, moving into a synth-pop direction. The vocals are incredible, but the lyrics are more personal and a little bit darker than on other albums. Which was to be expected as the couples had just split. The recording process was also hindered because this album was among the first to be recorded completely digitally and one of the earliest to be released on CD. So, the producers and engineers had to learn the new technology as they went, which wasn’t easy. Track 1 is The Visitors and it’s got a creepy feel. The lyrics make it seem as though the singer is about to have her home invaded by strangers? The government? Aliens? It’s quite vague on who the visitors are, but the music is very foreboding leading up to the chorus, and then it turns into an ABBA song, just pure pop bliss. I love this song. By this point, ABBA knows how to craft a hit. I think all Swedes do, really. The Visitors was released as the last single on the album. It charted, but not very high. I think by 1982, when it came out as a single, radio had moved away from disco, even though I wouldn’t say ABBA were disco. But, radio was becoming more rock and new-wave at this point. I think ABBA were a victim of circumstances. Track 2, Head Over Heels, was the third single off the album, and has a more classical bent. It’s more ABBA from days of old. The song is about a woman who is always on the go, and her partner is lagging behind, exhausted. Such a good song. The song wasn’t released as a single in the U.S., but was in Europe, charting in the top 10 in many countries. Track 3 is "When All Is Said and Done," and it sounds like it’s about two people who realize they’ve come to the end of their relationship, but instead of breaking up badly, they celebrate what they had together and move on with their lives. Like all the songs on this album, it’s a pop bomb going off in your ears, but the lyrics aren’t the happiest. Track 4, The Soldiers, is about how leaders and politicians write their own narrative about war or conflict, but it’s the actual soldiers on the ground who really know what war is about. It’s pretty powerful. Not your usual ABBA subject. This song sounds incredible, but it’s not a pop bomb like the previous one. Speaking of not being a pop bomb, track 6 is One of Us, the first single off the album. This song is a ballad about a couple who broke up, with one having moved on with their life, while the other can’t let go and wishes they’d never broken up. You can clearly hear how the band members’ breakups influenced this album. Great song, but not the happiest you’ll hear off the album. Like the other singles, it didn’t really make a big dent on the U.S. charts. Now, Track 7 is called, Two for the Price of One, and features the lead vocals of Bjorn. The rest of the songs are sung either by Agnetha or Frida. This song reminds me of Jim Stafford’s My Friend Bill with a dahs of the Pina Colada Song by Rupert Holmes. Bjorn sings about looking through the personal ads for a "date" and finds an ad for “two girls for the price of one.” Each verse builds upon the last until we get to the twist ending. It’s a cute little novelty song. Track 13 is called "Under Attack," and it closes the album with a feel-good-sounding song musically, with dark lyrics about a stalker. It’s so strange because you want to bop along to the song, but the lyrics are “Under attack, I'm taking cover He's on my track, my chasing lover Thinking nothing's gonna stop him now Should I want to, I'm not sure I would know how.” That’s crazy. But it’s so good to not to bop. The album has 13 tracks and is right around an hour long. It feels like they knew they were going to be putting the album out on CD, they had more space to fill. I think they could have trimmed the fat and released a tight 10-track album and not really lost anything. But that’s not to say this album wasn’t great. I loved this album, mostly because it wasn’t what I was expecting. The album featured darker vibes with an even more synth-pop musical bed from a band that usually made upbeat pop songs. Is it a must-listen? Maybe for those ABBA fans who never heard this album, yes. It really is a beautiful-sounding album. For pop fans it should be heard. However, you’ll be fine if it's not at the top of your list.
When listening to these albums I try to read up a bit on the artist, to get context to their work. I find it hilarious that Spotify has paragraphs and paragraphs of introduction and history for some one-albumed artist, and yet for ABBA there's barely anything. On a musical note, this was pants. Did not enjoy it in the slightest.
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
Not my thing really, and I think I prefer the earlier poppier stuff, given the choice. But it's very distinctive. Listening to it in the context of this list really highlighted that this is unusual in being full-on pop music that isn't really rooted in rock n roll or R&B.
🇸🇪🇸🇪🇸🇪🇸🇪🇸🇪🇸🇪JAAAADÅÅÅÅÅÅÅ🇸🇪🇸🇪🇸🇪🇸🇪🇸🇪🇸🇪 🎼⚔️✝️VÅRT DAGLIGA ABBA GIV OSS IDAG OCH FÖRLÅT OSS VÅRA MUSIKSKULDER ✝️⚔️🎼
Maybe I am too literal, but that "I Let The Music Speak" is not an instrumental is a deal breaker for me.
It would have been weird not to get *any* ABBA albums in this collection, but I'm not really sure that the patron saint of Eurovision deserves two albums, nor this particular album that ended the band's run. I guess it's nice to get a somewhat more introspective and brooding sound from them, and there are a few interesting songs along the way--the opening track "The visitors", their breakup anthem "When all is said and done", and the somewhat creepy musical number "Two for the price of one"--but overall this doesn't feel like an essential ABBA selection (although the very dated videos for their singles are pretty fun to watch 45 years later). I'm also not much of an ABBA fan, so there's that too.
This is the only ABBA album I've ever listened to and wtf is happening? It sounds like the cast recording to an AI-composed musical. The prompt was "write a bad musical." So strident and earnest, you imagine a Swedish milkmaid singing with a single tear welling in her eye as a bunch of villagers goosestep along, torches in hand. No drum more regular! No beat more electronic!
8/1❤️
Listen did I expect to hate this completely and approached it with that mindset? Yes. Was I moved by a chunk of the songs and ultimately surprised that I was tapping my foot and moving my shoulders? Also yes.
A bit more rock than what I'm used to hearing for ABBA. The songs are sweet and danceable.
It’s ABBA ! So good
love abba
Pretty good interesting pop album.
The Day Before You Came really caught my attention. The purity of the vocals is mesmerizing. I Enjoyed the 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.
I mean it is quintessentially ABBA! The problem is, I don’t like abba!!! They are good songs, melody’s, arrangements, vibe, but it just isn’t my thing. I also think that’s partly the musical feel (as in broadway). Just not my bag and can feel a bit cheesy and dramatic. If you are into that, or abba, I can see why this is a great album (even without the big hits), but for me, it just doesn’t do it (3.5)
One of Us
Buen disco de ABBA, aunque no se si para uno de los mejores discos. No lo se, me gustó porque pues es ABBA su música es muy buena, pero igual y hay mejores de ABBA, que bueno seguro están dentro de la lista. Como siempre con ABBA, me encantaría destacar su trabajo coral y lírico, uff eso es joya en cualquier canción/disco de ABBA. Grandes arreglos instrumentales y progresiones armónicas muy originales. En fin, buen disco.
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
Classic Pop
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
Slipping through my fingers all the time :’(
Such a beautifully crafted album. The writing and song construction is genius and the performances are perfect.
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 mellow, it’s poppy, it’s chilled it’s Abba
I mean its abba, they always get a 5 idc
It’s not my fave of theirs albums but its still fun
I fucking love pop and for that reason i love ABBA! i'm sick of the pop slander from people who think the only real music has to be dark, contemplative, and in the rock-realm (you guys have some misogyny to work out lol). Sometimes you just wanna dance. With that said, this album had more substance and drama then some other ABBA I've heard and i liked it overall. The whole thing kinda felt like being on the edge of a full breakdown where you're like half concious. I don't think i would revisit the album as a whole and wasn't invested the whole time which lowered my rating a bit. Top 3: 1) One of Us (new hyper-fixation song unlocked) 2) Head Over Heels 3) Under Attack
Sick!
I will never complain about ABBA being on and I fully support the ABBA lifestyle. But while interesting, doesn't seem to have the hits and the hooks.
Worth listening for the incredible title track alone, some other good songs but nothing quite matches
Not a whole lot of hits, but a good album.
its a decent album, although I was surprised 'slipping through my fingers' is way more streamed than 'the day before you came' which is way more popular as far as i had known.
Nett - nicht schon gut. 2,7
Nice
Actually enjoyed it. A much more modern and mature album.
Strong start but the saccharine sweetness of this album got to me about halfway through.
ABBA er bra, men det er best i mindre doser. Mye heller en låt her og der, enn et helt album. The Visitors synes jeg unngår dette problemet ved å være mindre poppa og mer progressivt. I grunn høres det mindre ut som ABBA, selv om de helt klart bevarer ABBAismene. Bra album som jeg sannsynligvis aldri ville hørt ellers. Dog er det litt kjedelig i lengden. Jeg var rimelig klar for å høre på noe annet da det var over.
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
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. 💃🏻🪩
I like ABBA, this album doesn’t do it for me tho.
# 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
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
Not their best mas ABBA é ABBA né Daria um 3.5
Go visit someone else. Heard before ❌️ Listened this time ❌️ Revisit ❌️ No ★☆☆☆☆ (1/10) Total reviewed : 238 Already owned : 54 Purchased : 12 To buy list : 3 Nope : 169
Familiar voices, familiar instrumentation, just no familiar songs to sing along with.
Ok
The opening of Visitors filled me with Dread, as an ABBA sceptic it sounded like an even more eighties version to the more popular ABBA sound. Once passed the initial intro i was quite surprised to find an unexpected enjoyable track with more depth than i’d associate with ABBA . Unfortunately this was not continued and the next couple of tracks just feeling like the band’s normal yhrow away pop. Let the music speak sounds like it was written more for a musical than this album and doesn’t work for me. I had thought i didn’t know any of the tracks on this album, but i did recognise One of Us, which was enjoyable enough even if you can already hear the beginnings of I Knew Him So Well. The remaining songs are frankly dull
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.
The title track, which I'd never knowingly heard before, is great. The backstory is also fascinating: I'm no ABBA expert, but I'd certainly never considered them a political band. Given that I was 1 at the time, I don't remember the documentary Let Poland Be Poland (which apparently got ABBA banned from the USSR) but the idea that so many world leaders would speak to a country's people direct, in a film broadcast to 185 million people in 50 countries around the world feels incomprehensible now. Admittedly Poland didn't show the whole documentary until 2011, but countries at least tried to act as a bloc to push back against martial law being installed. Not sure the world is capable of that anymore. Anyway, back to the album: I Let The Music Speak is enjoyably theatrical and Two for the Price of One is very funny (and I love rhyming "trivial occupation" with "local railway station"). Their voices are still great. I think I'd prefer a greatest hits though. I think this should get a 2.5, but I'm being generous. 3/5
Nice. Not a lot of hits but it's ABBA and fun
Ihan ok. 2,5/5.
Very professional, but somehow lifeless record. I very much prefer the earlier ABBA records. I can appreciate it as a good bye album though.
Top tier album trully thr storytelling the musicality everything gosh do I love ABBA and this album is a masterpiece
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.
It was pretty good. I think if it included Dancing Queen, I would have given it a 4.
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.
Don’t feel a big need to relisten. Fun but nothing drawing me back like their other album
Abba Silver but still great
i realized the big negative for ABBA for me is the cheesy "musical theater" vocals. the big draw are their huge hooks, which this album is lacking. however, i liked the synthpop production and a glimpse into an alternate-reality 80s canon (one that existed outside of the US)
amazing wow i love you abba. thank you sweden!
I quite like ABBA and their whole vibe but i felt like this album skipped for the most (slipping through my fingers the exception) all the absolute bangers that ABBA has. Good album for sure but I kinda understand why every grandparent has the greatest hits ABBA in their glovebox cause that prob would be a 5
For keeping this album for three months before listening to it, I wouldn't say my expectations were satisfied, as it is not their best, but it is certainly an ABBA album. The hits are classics for a reason, but the rest are fine songs. Even my girlfriend, who loves Mamma Mia! and ABBA, agreed with my assessment of the album being just fine.
Coming out with abba deep cuts here. Not bad, but I certainly did not recognize these songs, and I feel like I know a decent amount of ABBA songs.
Didn’t know any of these songs - I’ve never been an ABBA fan and these more obscure songs didn’t make me change my mind.
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.
Abba's 8th album. 8th!
The album summary notes “the album is often regarded as a more complex and mature effort.” With all due respect to ABBA, I do not come to them for mature and complex, I come to them for bops, and this album is sorely lacking in bops.
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
I feel like I’m being punked. ABBA has plenty of classic hits. But somehow none of them ended up on this album! I don’t understand why it was chosen. It’s too fluffy and pop-y to give a bad score to it- It would be like kicking a kitten- But nothing stood out. Odd choice.
Not the best ABBA album but five stars none the less
Ich würde ne solide 3 geben aber wegen One of us müssen es 4 sein
If this was a list of 1001 great artists of all time ABBA would be near the top. But that doesn't mean their albums need to be included on this
..
Yesss ABBA
I don't know most of these songs but I like how they sound.
Sounds like a very mature version of ABBA. I was not familiar with any of these songs. Good music. Great harmony. Overall an enjoyable album.
Not bad, Don't know what I expected, but I kinda enjoyed it. I read that it was different from earlier 'poppy' music of theirs. Glad to hear, cause it was still pretty 'poppy'.
Huda naslovnica. Prvi komad, "The Visitors" mi je všeč. Začel se mi je zelo ne Abba-like, čeprav se poj razvije v komad, ki zveni kot Abba, ampak se mi je še zmer zdel tak, inovativen. (Ok, zj ga še enkrat poslušam, proud hud je.) Naprej pa so far: eh. (Pri drugem poslušanju mi je še "I Let the Music Speak" kr kul.) Eh, indeed. Sam taprv je pa res dobr.
Not normally an ABBA fan but I enjoyed hearing their less commercial songs. Developed an appreciation for them!
Would rate this 10 stars if I could!! Every song is a banger!
This album was an absolute vibe! Lot of songs I hadnt heard, but banger after banger sent me on an ABBA spree
I thought ABBA were long defunct by the time the 80s came round. Some of this is really interesting but there’s a few bland ones that sound like the worst of the worst of their stuff (I like abba generally so it’s not a low low floor)
I liked this a lot. Still the same Abba knack for melody but not just super cheesy disco. I'll go back to this
ABBA is a greatest hits band of the highest order for me, but this surprised me in its flow. It took a second listen but there's a lot of great songwriting and skill as they made a go at a newer sound while also working through all of the interpersonal drama. It suffers from sameness and length but there's a lot to enjoy here too.
2+ Stars (6/15)
I don’t think I like ABBA very much
63. slipping through my fingers
Possible to really like Abba...no
ABBA bores me.
Sounds like Scandinavia's answer to Rumours. But easier to listen to.
Truly odd. As if some quasi modern dance synth band made an album in the style of an ABBA parody. I mean, this isn't bad, but on the other hand, everything in it is cliche, and there isn't even a major single with a earworm hook.
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.
This was pleasant but just not really my bag.
Started great and special and then slid back to Abba cliches. Abba are great musicians but their style can get a bit overplayed and over dramatic for my taste. This album is better than the typical Abba album for me, but it's still, not for me.
Darker than expected. But it's Abba alright.
abba doing abba stuff
would’ve been a 5 without the second and third to last songs
PERFECT PERFECT PERFECT
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 love ABBA. Very few skips. This feels truly nostalgic.
That was pretty boring. I thought there would be a Dancing Queen or something.
Appreciated it more than I expected, but still not a fan.
ABBA is a palindrome and if you listen to their albums backwards you hear secret messages
I have heard some of ABBA’s more popular songs before, especially those featured in Mamma Mia, and I even heard a cd by Teen band (A*Teens) with their versions of Abba Songs. This album was enjoyable. Favorite songs were: When All Is Said and Done, Soldiers.
I thought The Visitors was a pretty good album. I was initially thinking that i wouldn't enjoy this album due to it not really having any of the ABBA songs that i know and due to that, would lose a lot of it's accessibility in my eyes. But as i listened, I started to appreciate the direction that this album took. It takes a far more mature direction than a lot of ABBA's prior works. And i thought that it sounded pretty good as it still had quite a fair bit of the good stuff about their earlier works combined with the more mature sound which makes it quite enjoyable to listen to. I did think that this album started to drag towards the end, which prevented me from giving this 4 stars but still, all in all, i enjoyed this one. Best Song: The Visitors Worst Song: Slipping Through My Fingers
ABBA! Great album and use of synthesizer off get go. Uniquely ABBA!
Swedish Pop, man, goddamned ear worms. Not a memorable or great record but you can listen to it.
I think I know 1 ABBA song so I was surpassed to find that I quite enjoyed this.
I liked this less than Arrival. It’s not a bad album by any means, but it just didn’t really connect with me the same way.
Nothing offensive, a bit forgettable to me, nothing I was super into. Some nice poppy tunes throughout.
I didn’t recognize most of these songs, but it was undeniably ABBA.
Nydelige toner fra svenske ABBA.
First DNF Boring, plain, lazy. Sounds like they copy-pasted the same song 13 times with small variations. It is difficult to justify labeling this as an album, let alone its inclusion in 1001 albums.
A pleasant listen. Not the biggest ABBA fan but don't mind them.
I was surprised in two ways. First, that I had never heard of this album or any of its songs, given how ubiquitous ABBA hits were in my household. Second, how good this album was, given the first point. This is a clear extension of ABBA's sound while remaining catchy, interesting, and high-quality.
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
It’s abba, so yes, but earlier work is more fun!
Fave songs- when all is said and done, head over heels, two for the price of one, slipping through my fingers
Love a bit of ABBA ! Excellent listening Too hard to pick a fave
Not the abba I’m looking for
I ended up liking this more than I expected.
ABBA has a sound that they own. The performances are very good and the songs are fun sounding. The lyrics are kinda simple but they work.
I’ve never listened to much ABBA; probably this band is a little before my time to ever pay much attention. But I do generally enjoy pop music when it’s done well, and everyone seems to rave about ABBA as pop virtuosos, so maybe I’ve missed a trick. I’m not too far into this one, but two things are standing out. One, there are some pretty big pop hooks already. I don’t love (or hate, to be fair) the vocals, but I like the hooks. Two, I wish this band wasn’t so tied to the cheesy synths. I’m sad, cause I can imagine what this record might sound like with actual instrumentation, and I imagine it could be glorious. I hope there’s an ABBA record out there somewhere where they’re backed by a symphony, cause I bet that’s super fun. Anyway, this record is more fun than I anticipated, but the synths drive me a little nuts. 3.4/5
Not unpleasant
Good
Love ABBA, it's probably a 3.5 rounded up.
A fun album, let down only slightly by the odd sound effects on some of the songs. Sounded like a mobile phone alarm.
It was okay, definitely not the best of ABBA.
Pleasantly surprised by this one compared to Arrival. Still a little bit of cheesiness but overall enjoyable.
I’m glad I made it through this album because I very much enjoyed my time with it. Not really my thing and probably won’t go back to it, but it was an enjoyable hour.
Started off strong but then got so boring
Amazing!
That sure is ABBA. Enjoyable harmonies and theatrical melodies
Exactly what I thought it would be
Ok…….meh
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
I loved the opening The Visitors which I had not heard before. A few mawkish songs in the middle, like I Let The Music Speak. But The Day Before You Came might be my favourite ABBA song, incredible song, then the last track Under Attack was a bit of a wash. I can't deny I was gripped by a few of these songs in a way I very rarely am by other albums from this list, and I feel it deserves more of my attention.
Meh I listened
This was a pleasant, easy listen!
Very good! Probably one of my favorites so far
It's a solid three from me, I wouldn't buy this album, but I didn't mind listening to it. A nice memory for me with the song I mentioned, but other than that, nothing spectacular.
Synthy moody ABBA. Great songwriting and some interesting twists and arrangements. Didn't wow me, but enjoyed exploring this one.
Lol
More enjoyable than I expected. I'm not really into pop as a general rule, but the songs are well put together. Some surprisingly fun bass lines in there, too.
Quite good
hmm
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.
This is one of the ABBA albums of all time
My first long exposure to ABBA. Each song has some hook or riff or melody that is really catchy. I like it but it's not an everyday type of album for me.
Perfectly nailed the skating-rink vibe…the glitter, the groove, the disco-ball magic.
Cool, meticulously layered arrangements built from icy synthesizers, restrained rhythms, subtle guitar lines, and clear yet emotionally guarded vocals about isolation, regret and seperation move this pop album like walking through a beautifully furnished house in winter—elegant and impeccably ordered, but filled with rooms that echo with quiet unease rather than warmth.
Amazing. Their harmonies are absolutely incredible and the storytelling is immaculate. I’ve loved this album for a very long time.
so fucking good i love this album i wish people would still make music like this
Better than Coldplay
Later career and very weak for them.
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
Clairement pas un des 1001 meilleurs albums ever
It’s ABBA - enough said
Ugh. Who actually likes this?
Off to a solid start with the title track. Much less of the disco-vibe that I've come to associate with ABBA. This album is beautifully produced with a lot of neat electronic elements, satisfying vocal layering, and song structures that pay homage to traditional structures while innovating (e.g., Head Over Heels, I Let The Music Speak). I really enjoyed the experience and can't pick a single "bad" song out of the bunch. Slipping Through My Fingers is a solid song, and immediately made me think of Lana Del Rey. One of Us is also familiar, but I can't tell you where or when I last heard it. Surprisingly high 4 for me.
ABBA has an unmistakable sound. Hard to really complain unless you hate the bubbliness. Not the strongest of 4s, but it's just such an easy listener.
Sounded like I was listening to a musical. The first half was really cool with some really nice basslines. All around good probably a pretty low 4
Kinda nice to not see any hits on this one. Seems like it was one of the darker albums because both couples were divorced. There were parts I really liked in this album (Slipping Through My Fingers, Should I Laugh or Cry) and then some songs that put me to sleep (Like an Angel Passing Through My Room) Overall this is shaping up to be a middle of the road 3.
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.
Good album
This is ABBA at their best. Much less poppy than their other albums, but no less enjoyable. It doesn’t have the immediacy of Arrival, and Two For the Price of One is insane, but I love the heavier, darker feel and the fairly complicated vocal lines. This is definitely an album you should hear before you die. You don’t have to like it, just hear it, because it’s sonically and emotionally so different from other ABBA albums.
I’d never heard this album or any of the tracks before. It was surprisingly mature songwriting and structure. Still it’s ABBA so not my cup of tea.
I like a bit of Abba, they have a huge catalogue of great songs. Unfortunately this album only contains one of them (One Of Us) and one other good track (Head Over Heels), the rest of the album is instantly forgettable. I don;t feel like one track can elevate an album significantly, so it's only 2 stars for me.
Abba Rules. This album was weird AF and not as poppy as I was expecting more operatic. I don't think I'd heard a single song from this record before listening through this album for this.
I know ABBA to be a great band, but this album fell flat for me. None of these songs were bad, they none of them stood out to me.
12/31/25. Might be my favorite ABBA album that I've listened to, especially containing songs I'm not familiar with. Loved the incorporation of 80s style groove and a more mature sound compared to the sugar filled pop that I'm used to by them.
Abba are strange in that they're interesting and incredibly uninteresting at the same time.
Interesting
The title track took me by a complete surprise. Sounds absolutely like something off a late-70s krautrock album. Easily the best Abba song I’ve heard. Shame that the rest of the album is more of their usual material, which doesn’t really do all that much for me.
It wasn’t actively bad, but never pulled me in.
Never heard this stuff before. Wasn’t disappointed
I listened to like 6 hours of ABBA when I was going through the 500 Rolling Stones albums list…I’m forever done with ABBA.
The essence of ABBA without the overplayed hits of ABBA
A good album with some well written songs
Nope
One day I’ll come around on ABBA, too many musicians I admire specifically for their way around pop melodies swear by them, but all I hear are overly sentimental, saccharine melodies/production, the Swedish version of Schlager.
I've never listened to this album (79).
Consistently fantastic
❤︎ 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.
perfect music for an early spring stroll through the park
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA My music <3 4.9 because i know what needs to get a 5
Master song craft - and even when I didn't know the song... I knew the sound.
I don't get it. Some good songs overridden by so much synthy crap. The guitar tone is distractingly terrible.
ABBA is very hit and miss for me but, when it slaps, it slaps.
Classic!
It's got more depth and better songwriting than you'd expect from a Europop album. Feels like this was one of the pioneers for a more Art influenced piece of pop on the European continent. That said, I don't care for it much and I don't care for ABBA much. This doesn't really have any of the songs they are known for, so it gave me the opportunity to listen to it with new ears. I liked it but probably won't return. The title track was pretty good though.
2/3. First half of the album aside from The Visitors was a drag, but the second half really picked up. They just really know how to write a chorus, and there's such a sense of fun and music to what they do. The 80s instrumentation of it all is really great to hear too, some really iconic synth, guitar, and bass sounds. I'd buy a vinyl and only ever listen to side 2. P.S. Guess I was listening to a deluxe edition with bonus tracks on Spotify, which kinda puts a damper on what I wrote above. Seems like most of my favorite tracks were the bonus tracks, but I'll leave what I wrote above all the same.
I thought I was going to dislike more as ABBA without the most well known hits. But it surprised me. That said I think it felt too long. High 2 low 3
I have never really liked ABBA. So an album minus the hits is not going to be for me
This album is quite good. Although I'm not the biggest fan of musical theatre, abba seem to have perfected the format albeit in album form. Fabulous production adds a gloss to everything.
The Visitors delivers a true “album” experience. Despite having some stand outs (the title track, Head Over Heels and Two For the Price of One) it moves beyond feeling like more than a collection of singles. I found the album really motivating, fidgety and fun. There are moments, including the title track, which reminded me of Sparks! It sounds like they've really got the hang of synths and how to turn them into a bubbling symphony.
So I am not a fan of the ABBA sound it turns out, when they’re not giving me undeniable hits I’m just not particularly interested and actually find their signature moves a little irritating, I appreciate the production values and some of the instrumental choices had me interested but overall this one was a solid 2 for me
never really listened to abba in their entirety, but enjoy this! very different than the songs i've listened to before from them in comparison to the album's entirety. fun!
Album review 026 The Visitors by ABBA (1981) Rating 2.5/5 I find ABBA to be a band that are almost universally liked, but that most who like them never move beyond ABBA Gold (similar to Bob Marley with Legend, or Queen’s Greatest Hits, etc., etc.). Whilst this is in no way a criticism of others and how they “consume” music, I do feel that having The Best Of as the only go-to means, at the very least, the listener is missing out on so many excellent songs tucked away in studio albums. I mention this especially in regards ABBA as each of their studio albums generally has some nuggets that are on par with most of what’s on their BIG compilation. Unfortunately these nuggets are few and far between on The Visitors. Here, ABBA are sounding tired and regretful, and largely out of ideas and with Agnetha/Bjorn now divorced and Frida/Benny mid-divorce, it’s no surprise in retrospect that this was their final album (until their return 40-years later with 2021’s Voyage).
7 - GOOD
Strange and unexpected, especially the title track, but in a good way. After reading the wiki article, I realize my impression wasn't far off the mark, as this album is known for being a bit darker and more experimental. Accidentally listened to the deluxe version, but the extra songs are good enough that I didn't mind the length. 3.5 rounded up, maybe even a legit 4.
Two For the Price of One chorus is fire. Sounds like Everywhere era Fleetwood Mac. Most of the rest not doing much for me though. Fave Tracks: One of Us, Two for the Price of One 3/5
It's ABBA so I like it but there weren't many of the classic bangers on this one
Not heard this ABBA album before, it's a bit different to the rest of their stuff, interesting enough for another listen, not total dislike ⭐⭐⭐
I've never really looked into ABBA's discography before, mostly just being aware of their hit songs that became public knowledge through things like popular culture, most notably the Mamma Mia musical franchise. That being said, this was a great album that I could see myself revisiting. "The Visitors", "Head Over Heels", "When All Is Said and Done", and "One of Us" were standout tracks for me. The album is like a pop-opera in some ways which makes it for a good listening experience all the way through.
7/10 the album is good and i see why it was really popular. my favorite song is definitely head over heels.
kindheitserinnerungen, jedenfalls die singles. sicher nicht das packendste ABBA-album.
Wow, eine riesen Band mit einem Super Album, wenn auch nicht ihr bestes.
Is there a minus star rating available? Why any Abba album would be anywhere near this list blows my mind. I thought this was about GOOD music?
Niet mijn favoriete album van ABBA maar zeker geen slecht album. Wel veel meer filmisch en verhaal dragend. I’m a sucker for Some good pop music 4/5
Was ok
I seriously hope that this is not the only ABBA in this list, as this record is the most depressing one. No wonder, as the other couple had already divorced and the other couple was about to get divorced. The album is okay, but it’s not THE disco ABBA people appreciate.
I've heard plenty of ABBA, perhaps the most-requested band of all time for wedding DJs. But it's always been the same set of songs. So I was excited to listen to them in a new context, since I had never listened to a full ABBA album. The first couple tracks were very promising to me, wielding synths like Kraftwerk or Neu!, with Kate Bush-level theatrics, and riding the dangerous line of a Kenny Loggins-like twangy pop sensibility. The rest of the album was hit or miss for me, with excellent production throughout but sometimes favoring heart-wrenching vocal performances at the cost of a groove, or sometimes, even a hook!
This was a bland listen for me. Don’t get me wrong, there’s a lot going on and the sounds are far from bland. Every track sounded like a movie soundtrack and felt a bit over the top. For this listener the album felt almost as if it was “too much”. Two For The Price Of One was the only track I found myself enjoying.
Synth pop abba 👍 Ballad abba 👎 The opposite problem that I have with queen albums. They need more songs where they’re taking themselves less seriously.
Pre-listening reaction: Like everyone else in Europe I am subject to an overwhelming amount of ABBA. The music is ok. Just ok. But I end up fucking hating it for the overexposure and wonder why such utter 5/10ness is revered by an entire continent. It baffles me… Why have they sold eleventy billion albums? Why are they played in every shop/ sports event/ advert/ wedding/ birthday party/ works do. Just fuck off you boring bunch of c… Looking at this tracklist none of the usual ‘thank you for the music’ / ‘money money money’ shite is here. Expect I’ll still hate it all the same. Post-listening: Well this wasn’t nearly as horrible as I expected…I even found myself enjoying it at times. Still a bang average 3/5 but I’ve had many worse albums so far.
Thoughts before listening: Abba were really good at crafting catchy as hell pop songs. Sometimes the production of the songs tips over into cheesiness that makes them unlistenable for me, but it's hard to deny that the songs are great. I don't recognize this album cover, but chances are I'll know some of the songs. Review: So I notice this album was released in 1981 which feels late for Abba who I consider more of a 70s band. Turns out this was their final album for 40 years and was released as the group was breaking up both personally and professionally. This makes it a pretty questionable inclusion for this list, especially considering the fact that I'm not hearing any recognizable hits. That's not to say it's bad, these are still very catchy songs, it's just not an Abba album I'd expect to be celebrated. I was going to give this 3-stars, but at an hour long I'm growing tired of it quickly. I'll go with 2-stars...I just don't think I'm wired for Abba.
I'll admit that seeing an ABBA album pop up didn't fill me with joy. Imagine my surprise when this didn't turn out to be a bunch of corny wedding reception anthems. There are some A #1 grooves to be found in here. Favorite track: The Visitors
Not a fan
Not as good as Arrival but Abba is Abba
****A great album, easy listening
When they say it’s Abba’s “more mature” album but what they mean is it’s the one without any tunes
Not bad, better than other ABBA works
Me acerqué, con desconfianza a todo un LP de Abba. Conocía, como todos, sus grandes éxitos, pero se me escapaba este álbum de 1981. Pese a su sonido metálco y su producción ochentera, ya superada, consigue que sus melodías chicle se te peguen y acabes enganchado muy a tu pesar como rockero de pro.
Klart bättre än jag förväntade mig. Känner inte igen nån lät. Och överlag låter det inte som den Abba man känner igen sen tidigare. Men trots positiv överraskning så är det inte mer än ok, kanske lite mer än ok bitvis. Men jag går inte igång. Kommer aldrig lyssna mer.
Inte hört en låt på denna sedan innan och får konstatera att jag helt klart föredrar detta synthiga och lite mörkare ABBA framför det glättiga och discodansiga ABBA. Även om det inte räcker till mer än en svagare fyra för mig så var det ändå en kul överraskning!
Best Abba album indeed, yet it is a 5/3 for me
Lindo pop y cositas disco. Saben hacer el hit los tipos. La tapa es buenísima 6/10
It's ABBA. It's impeccably written, performed and produced. This one's a little less bright and happy than their previous work. Worth a listen to gather a sense of their artistic abilities. 4/5
This was an actual rock opera (light on "rock"). It's pleasant, but not extraordinary in any way. Not one of the big hitters from Abba's collection, but a decent change of pace. End of day, this is about as mediocre as it gets. Influence 2. Quality 4. Intangibles 3. Hits 2. I mean, I listened to the whole thing 3.
Oooh I like dark ABBA! Remember kids, you can't spell Black Sabbath without ABBA.
Light poppy fluff kind of catchy
Pretty awesome, which surprised me!
Slow pop. Nah
not really an abba fan
ABBA really was a singles band weren't they. You can clearly hear them making a move to musicals but man when those singles hit they hit HARD. Probably the only band that I would prefer a greatest hits on this list. Beautiful wy to end an era, just wish the songs that weren't meant to be singles had more care.
ABBA goes to the orchestra
Ye it's cool
as i have stated before, i believe it is impossible to be in a bad mood when listening to ABBA. the harmonies, impossibly upbeat.
I don't like this, at all. I get that it appeals to some (many) but this is an irritant. Musically uninteresting, vocally bland. I don't challenge its place on the list, but this was a miss for me.
Really wowed by this project, great moves on this you can feel the marital strife and tension fs fs
There weren’t any real standout singles on this. But as a collection, it really works. Showed me a depth to ABBA I did not know existed.
As always, the vocals are good. A slightly more sophisticated composition than their previous albums makes for a more pleasant listen. Easy to round up.