a-ha - Hunting High and Low

 One of the best norwegian imports since vikings
Luis Mejia (son) - A-ha made a consistent but little impact in the 80s' music, and their debut itself is very representative; the music is an epilogue of synthpop, that mix of electronic music with pop stands. As of the bests, there is the massive hit "Take On Me", a soaring pop jewel, but the popular impact were Harket vocal pitch, and "The Sun Always Shine On TV", which got to be a minor hit, being consistent toward the fake media attitude, which with the song, it got interpretated pretty well. The self titled is the most serious piece of music in the album, "Living A Boy's Adventure Tale" is refreshing and perfectly flowing, while "Love Is Reason" is another top quality. "Here I Stand And Face The Rain" is obviously the most elaborate piece of the album, the songcraft is prooven marvelous. A-ha's music is really underground, that's why they were a commercial bomb in Europe and South America, and though they were first packaged as a plastified, boy-charm sluggish band, this is their most famous and maybe the most accessible. April 25, 2008

 Hunting High And Low
Hunting High And Low is a clever blast from the past that (for the most part) has while the feature song "Take On Me" has stood the test of time the rest of the album languishes in forgetable rifts.

Coming out during the infantile stages of MTV and music videos, "Take On Me" became as much of a signature for the era as "Come On Eileen" (Dexy's Midnight Runners) or The Buggles' "Video Killed The Radio Star". While A-ha were promoted (in America) as the best new thing to come out of Europe they had a pretty well established following that lent to a comfortable songwriting prowess and catchy musical hooks.

Obviously, "Take On Me" was the premiere cut but the rest of the album had comprable good songs that did not match the unique greatness of "Take". Yes, "The Sun Always Shines On T.V. was a follow-up video but the black and white imagery was oftentimes tedious and did not enhance ones desire to run out and procure a copy of the LP. Other cuts such as "And You Tell Me" and "Love Is The Reason" were okay and a nice complement to the overall compostie of songs but by starting the album with their premiere song that was akin to eating desert and working your way back to the salad. Tasty but backward.

Although A-ha went on to make numerous other albums, their fate was similar to Big Country ("In A Big Country") and the aformentioned Dexy's Midnight Runners wher a one-hit wonder does not pay the bills. For people who just want to embrace the hit, refrain from buying Hunting High And Low and instead look for a greatest hits compilation of the Eighties. April 19, 2008

 One of the best from 80s
If you call yourself a music fan, whether of general music, or specifically 80s music, this is a must own. Although 2 songs on here were big on USA radio for a while, the rest of the songs are excellent. Nice mix of pop rock, and more soft pop songs. Very addicting songs, excellent melodies and just a great album in general, you will not be disappointed. March 2, 2008

 ...for a place in America
You know how the story goes. Obscure European band labors in obscurity for years. Somehow, through sheer chance, has one track (which may or may not be typical of their work) hit it stateside and rocket up the charts. Make them megastars, a household name...until their one hit dies out and they never come close to striking gold again.

Yes, before Aqua, there was the strangely similar-sounding A-ha, and this was an otherwise perfectly ordinary album where their one shining star (which I always suspected became popular mainly due to the unbelievable range on the chorus part) came from.

Not much else to say. Typical, ordinary synthpop, what I'd call "waiting room music". The singer, despite his best efforts, has some trouble with the English language. I've heard a lot worse, but it's no surprise why A-ha never could find its niche here. July 4, 2007

 Not just a one hit wonder
a-ha is most known for "Take On Me", but that's not it. Hunting High and Low is a ten song half hour masterpiece. This is the way pop music should be done in the 80's, it's just as good as Frankie Goes To Hollywood's "Welcome To the Pleasuredome".

Take On ME had a breakthrough video, it's one of those that are probally labeled by _______ Thriller as one of the greatest breakthroughs. Train Of Thought is a song that belongs in the _______ future. A lot of the songs would be the music of the future, since it was released when the world was predicted would have flying cars and the other future ____ ala the Jetsons. There is a ballad song, a dark samba beat, some rock, and a ____load of electronic sounds, but dosen't totally make it sound cheesy. You will hear it at the best times you can. This is how pop in the 80's should sound, not that ________ Bangles or the horrid hair metal. In fact, the whole cd has so much _______ atmosphere, and it never sounds polished. IT's more like a totally _______ awesome space age enivronment.

IT's a bit of a shock to any _____head like Bjorn Everfrost (you call me a poser, you get the unfair comparisons too, you ___________. Calling Squash a metalhead? For shame!), but you shouldn't just forget about it. If this band would get more credit than they deserve, then I would be fine. This is one of the most underrated pop records ever. The 80's actually wasn't too bad. Just looked bad with some of the horrible ____.

9.0/10 May 21, 2007

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