AoB's most famous hit is of course "All That She Wants," the vignette set to a wonderful beat about a trampy woman looking for someone new. I've always wondered if "all that she wants is another baby" is meant literally -- the already apparently single mother isn't content with screwing up at least one child's life, but wants to screw up another child's life by procreation through casual sex with someone she picks up on the beach one day. Your basic Madonna scenario. Or is it figurative -- "baby" is another companion, perhaps male, perhaps female (not that there's anything wrong with that!), with whom she can engage in some sort of liaison for the evening? Certainly the figurative interpretation is bolstered by the fact that the song states that our sleazy protagonist "leads a lonely life" and already having a child would eliminate the loneliness at least. Either way, we're talking about a seriously screwed up woman, apparently sliding toward total emotional and moral bankruptcy. Not exactly the best lyrics for your teenage daughter to hear, something that has begun to concern me the past couple of years.
Most of the rest of the album is replete with AoB's trademark great beat and filled with meretricious lyrics about people, places and events that occupy the teenage mind, with, of course, the usual occasional adolescent double-entendres, e.g., "Every time it rains - I get wet."
However, not every song is morally dysfunctional. Every single one is well-crafted and all are eminently danceable. Overall, if you have a firm moral center and like dance music, this CD is for you. If the music would be played around impressionable minds, however, you might want to wait until they're out of the house.
January 6, 2008 |  | Not the song best choices, in my opinion |  |
I guess this would be a good introduction to Ace of Base. However, The best songs are on The Sign and The Bridge. There are only two good tracks on Cruel Summer; the title track (which is a cover) and Tokyo Girl. I'd buy The Bridge and The Sign, and download the two good tracks from Cruel Summer. Their forth CD is total garbage. Trying to make more money or fill out a contract, and it shows.
December 2, 2007most of my favourites were included here. More live tracks would have been appreciated and a few covers wouldnt have gone astray...gh2?
August 11, 2007This CD has their original great songs & tracks I hadn't heard prior to this purchase. It includes some great dance tunes!
August 23, 2006If you like The Sign and The Bridge, you will love this CD. It has popular tracks from each CD, as well as some other tracks like Cruel Summer.
June 29, 2006More reviews at Amazon.com ...
(67 reviews)