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Abba
Abba - Polar 1975
Tracks:1. Mamma Mia / 2. Hey, Hey Helen / 3. Tropical Loveland / 4. S.O.S. / 5. Man In The Middle / 6. Bang-A-Boomerang / 7. I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do / 8. Rock Me / 9. Intermezzo No.1 / 10. I've Been Waiting For You / 11. So Long / 12. Crazy World* / 13. Medley: Pick A Bale Of Cotton / On Top Of Old Smokey / Midnight Special*
Comments:
On the group's third album from 1975 Abba took a huge musical leap upward compared to their first two albums, which had been somewhat uneven, though without in any way being weak.
With two of the group's biggest and most timeless hits "Mama Mia" and "SOS" is the album can only be a five star release. On top of that are other big hits, which are almost as strong as the two. "So Long" is possibly the best rock 'n roll number ever recorded by Abba. "Bang-a-Boomerang" was only released as a single in selected countries, but it is a near perfect pop production, and quite on a par with many of the group's biggest hits.
"I Do I Do I Do I Do I Do" was also a big hit in many places. A retro-inspired number (a little Fats Domino), only to a certain extent featuring the well known, the Abba sound.
"I've Been Waiting For You" is a very nice ballad that anticipates the direction the group would explore later with songs like "Thank You For the Music", an obvious musical number.
"Hey, Hey Helen" is an attempt at more heavy tones - and for once the group is quite successful with this. A little overlooked gem.
A few numbers come slightly in the more trivial department, but you easily bear with this. "Tropical Loveland" and "Man in the Middle" I will put in this category, though I would not call any of them weak. The instrumental "Intermezzo no. 1 "is exciting enough, but may seem a little misplaced on an Abba album.
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