dbarila
4
This set me on a journey exploring their music. Only knowing the hits and Gold coming into this, I was surprised by the tone (which upon further examination shouldn’t have been the case, their very first big hit was based on Napoleon’s defeat - darkness was always there). Knowing now of some of their folkier origins and the almost Carpenters nature of their first album (at least the first half - you kind of see ABBA born on Ring Ring), the sophistication here is also unsurprising. A beautiful send off for the band. Possibly their most accomplished album and honestly far more deserving of a place on this list than The Arrival (the other hit laden album represented)