A-Ha - Analogue

International pressing of their 2005 album for Universal. 13 tracks in all including the first single, 'Celice'. Some 20 years after their heyday (commemorated recently with their Singles: Best Of 1984-2004 album), and after solo albums by leader Magne Furuholmen, and fresh off their Berlin concert as part of Live8, a-ha return with this brand new album. Album Description

Amazing record with a couple clunkers...

This record really surprised me... I have always loved Hunting High & Low but never looked further into their career... Strangely, the first 6 songs could be any band's dream-start to a "best of"... then there is a song that sounds like a completely different band... "Over The Treetops" sounds more like Neil Young or The Jayhawks and throws the cohesive feel off quite a bit... this is then followed by an amazingly bad song, "Halfway Through The Tour"... but then... back to amazing songs with "A Fine Blue Line" & "Keeper Of The Flame"... then 3 forgettable songs to close it out... May 23, 2008

Song from the Analogue era!

I've been an a-ha fan since the first time I heard "Take On Me" on the radio. I have bought and thoroughly enjoyed each song on every album these guys have made. Except this one. Who's idea was it to make a CD with half the album dedicated to reliving the 60's. At any moment I was expecting the next track to be "White Rabbit". These songs could have easily been sung with the a-ha chemisty we all know and love. But the psychedelic channeling of John Lennon, Jim Morrison, and Grace Slick just doesn't work for a-ha. The whole love affair that Paul has for the 60's sound works for his other band Savoy, but completely fails for a-ha. The first 6 tracks are the a-ha signature sound, but the last 7 tracks are just a "long strange trip" to the 60's. I understand that a-ha's sound needs to progress and evolve, but this CD is de-evolution. That's why it's named Analogue. Guess we'll just have to chalk this album up as a bad one amoung seven good ones. Hope the next is better. May 7, 2008

another great sound experimentation for a-ha in the new century

Luis Mejia (son)- I don't wonder why I always mention A-ha among people they look back in the 80's and sing Take On Me in their heads, but come on, they're still young and they're stil singing! I can say that Analogue shocked me a little bit, and I won't exagerate saying that the've always been geniuses but the word for this album is "exeptional". It's also the first time that I've heard the term "alternative pop" in my life.

Talking about the songs, it seems that A-ha takes always a little bit of every album in their next one. Their's a lot of pop around them still, and that is shown in the songs like Halfway Through The Tour, The Summers Of Our Youth, Birthright and Analogue (All I Want). Guitars and alternative moods in rock are also shown, a little bit alike with Minor Earth Major Sky, like in the songs Celice, Don't Do Me Any Favours and The Fine Blue Line. As well as they're completely new rythms never seen in A-ha but wich they apply them so beautifuly and organized, such as Cosy Prisons (the best track), Birthright, White Dwarf, Make It Soon and Over The Treetops. Talking about Keepers Of The Flame, it assimilates all of the album's moods.

In conclussion, the album is wonderful and leaves us with a question about their new musical direction, but the bad aspect is that the accessibility of the album is truly poor, I mean, it will be appreciated by we loyal fans, but not for those who listen to A-ha the first time. June 29, 2007

Very good

It took me a few listen-throughs, but I really have come to appreciate this album. The title track, "Analogue," would be an excellent candidate for mainstream radio. April 20, 2007

An album to listen to very closely ...

A-ha has always had their own unique style, raging from the poetic illusionism or at times romantic impressionism. They were once a group with a potential for very dramatic dynamics (Morten's being at his pick with a unique operatic voice as one can recall in songs like "The Sun always shine on TV"). At such, many of their recent albums had the feeling that they've were trying hard to regain this market audience. But through the years their sound changed more to a somber, at times decadent and obscure sound, which included their own palate for psychedelic.

Now with this new album they seem to sound more like 70's songwriters. Hence a more cohesive, realistic and at times reflective sound. They have parted ways with their 80's style pop synth music. Now they have opted for a more conservative sound that at times seems reminiscent of the Beatles. Songs like "The Fine Blue Line", "Birthright", and "Keeper of the Flame" are examples.

Songs like "Celice", which is reminiscent to early A-ha repertoire and "Don't do me any favors", are among the more upbeat tempo though keeping their somber tone due to their subject matter. "Halfway through the door" is definitely a song that reminds anyone to the Beatles "Magical Mystery Tour", specially the long instrumental section closing the song. Even though it has a cozy feeling to it, turns out to be the least effective effort on the record.

More interesting songs found are "Cozy Prisons", perhaps the best song of the record, and "White Dwarf", with its mellow and reflective mood somehow reminiscent to the 70's songs like David Bowie's "Major Tom" and Elton John's "Rocket Man" but in a different perspective. The title track falls in the category of pure pop brit-style song in which seems to be another effort for commercial radio.

It is an album to listen to very closely. The thematic style is one mature in nature. For those looking for a pop-songs album it will disappoint you! This one though has more substance than perhaps their previous ones. March 21, 2007

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