A-Ha: Classic or Dud?

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classic - manhattan skyline, take on me, the sun always shines..., living a boys adventure tale.

Poops McGee, Tuesday, 19 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

damn, I never knew they had more than one album

Ron, Tuesday, 19 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

six months pass...
I think a-ha were always a step ahead of 80s boy bands. As numerous msgs suggest, their first two albums were excellent ('Here I Stand and Face the Rain' on their debut is a pheonmenal song), and while 'Stay on These Roads' was strangled by production, the 90s releases 'East of the Sun, West of the Moon' and 'Memorial Beach' are both strong.

There comeback in the 21st century has been hugely successful. 'Minor Earth Major Sky' was their fastest selling album ever apparently and 'Lifelines' went platinum in several countries and spawned a number one single in six.

- 9L
http://www.clubi.ie/grizmond/

9lives, Thursday, 3 October 2002 00:47 (twenty-three years ago)

eight months pass...
This thread can never be revived enough. Hunting High and Low on the computer stereo at work and I'm a happy guy.

Ned Raggett (Ned), Friday, 27 June 2003 16:31 (twenty-two years ago)

yay! don't forget the love of baked goods.

Chris V. (Chris V), Friday, 27 June 2003 17:12 (twenty-two years ago)

one year passes...
Heh, I was thinking about that earlier when I put that very same album on again -- and now it plays.

"Blue sky...BLUE SKY!"

Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 14 September 2004 02:27 (twenty-one years ago)

_SCOUNDREL DAYS_ MOTHERFUCKER

Dan Perry '08 (Dan Perry), Tuesday, 14 September 2004 12:27 (twenty-one years ago)

I'm not denying that, I listened to that right afterwards!

Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 14 September 2004 13:40 (twenty-one years ago)

three months pass...
"Lifelines" - my europop princess girlfriend inconspicuously wedgded this CD into my car disc changer. Although I haven't heard much besides their innocuous 80's singles, I could't help but be impressed by it. Music and lyrics are just slightly risk-taking, in a way they're the same youngsters, it's just that the playground around them has changed.. I equate them to a much, much better Coldplay - seriously. And the singer's voice is phenomenal, considering his 20 years in the bizz. A great melancholy pop record.

deanster, Friday, 7 January 2005 00:42 (twenty-one years ago)

I equate them to a much, much better Coldplay - seriously.

Understatement of the decade, perhaps. ;-)

Ned Raggett (Ned), Friday, 7 January 2005 01:15 (twenty-one years ago)

brilliance for the first 4 albums then yuk "minor earth major sky "was a return

manhattan man, Friday, 7 January 2005 01:43 (twenty-one years ago)

2 girls called DIVA covered it :
I'd love to hear a raved up version of Sun Always shines, the intro bit after "give all your love to me" with the ascending keyboard thingy is just dying out for some syncopated acidy double-time bleeps to come in and rev up the pace. "TO MEEEEEE!". woo!
-- Alan Trewartha (alantrewarth...), December 13th, 2001.

manhattan man, Friday, 7 January 2005 01:45 (twenty-one years ago)

Has anyone heard their penultimate comeback album (1993 or something) that was supposed to be "dark" in a Depeche Mode/Achtung Baby stylee? Also I remember Fred being exceedingly enthusiastic about their reappearance last year.
-- Tim (tfinne...), December 14th, 2001.
"memorial beach -1993-
it has moments but overall disappointing if you expect uptempo-mainsteam pop -5/10
no great standout tracks but buy it for "move to memphis"lamb to the slaughter"between your mma and yourself"

a big surprise was morten harket solo album - 7/10
i also 2 x matt goss (bros)solo lps and joey tempest (europe)solo lp.

locust lover, Friday, 7 January 2005 02:36 (twenty-one years ago)

three years pass...

Just found the literal version of Take On Me:

pipe wrench fiiiight!

sparkletuna, Tuesday, 7 October 2008 13:32 (seventeen years ago)

Excellent.

chap, Tuesday, 7 October 2008 14:12 (seventeen years ago)

By the way, Take On Me is my nomination for perfect pop song.

chap, Tuesday, 7 October 2008 14:19 (seventeen years ago)

"The Swing Of Things" is the perfect a-ha song.

Geir Hongro, Tuesday, 7 October 2008 20:52 (seventeen years ago)

I equate them to a much, much better Coldplay - seriously.
Understatement of the decade, perhaps. ;-)

Coldplay are the better Coldplay. a-ha were better back when they were a-ha. :)

Geir Hongro, Tuesday, 7 October 2008 20:57 (seventeen years ago)

one year passes...

Wah!:

Pop group A-ha have announced they are to call it a day, just months after scoring a top 10 album in the UK.
"We've literally lived the ultimate boy's adventure tale," the group said in a statement.
The trio added that the split would allow them to pursue "other meaningful aspects of life, be it humanitarian work, politics, or whatever else."

Ned Raggett, Thursday, 15 October 2009 15:47 (sixteen years ago)

There is always a time for everything and splitting now may be wise.

That being said, the four albums they have released after the reformation (because they did break up in the 90s too, after all...) have all been surprisingly good. Other than the "Scoundrel Days" album and part of the debut, I'd say that the noughties may well have been their best era from an artistic point of view.

Tied Up In Geir (Geir Hongro), Thursday, 15 October 2009 19:43 (sixteen years ago)

First few albums are classic, but they should've broken up about 15-20 years ago. I'm okay with this.

I just wish he hadn't adopted the "ilxor" moniker (ilxor), Thursday, 15 October 2009 20:09 (sixteen years ago)

Someone call up the Big C, tell him it's another sign that David Cameron is bring down the European social democrat pop dream.

"i find your antics mirthful and infectious" (King Boy Pato), Thursday, 15 October 2009 21:53 (sixteen years ago)

Unfortunately, as their best work was down about two decades ago, an awful lot of people probably believe they already has broken up.

Then again, an awful lot of people don't appreciate "The Sun Always Shines On TV".

"i find your antics mirthful and infectious" (King Boy Pato), Thursday, 15 October 2009 21:55 (sixteen years ago)

Speaking of "TV," I could use an excuse to post this cover version...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTdq-tMkayo

I just wish he hadn't adopted the "ilxor" moniker (ilxor), Thursday, 15 October 2009 22:06 (sixteen years ago)

Well, their latter albums are not at all bad. They were starting to lose it in the 90s, and their two 90s albums, plus their last 80s album, "Stay On These Roads" were their three weakest albums by quite a stretch. But then, they broke up and reformed, and after that they have been great. "Minor Earth Major Sky" from 2000 was particularly good, IMO even better than "Hunting High & Low", and the rest have also been quite good if quite not up there. Of course their best album remains "Scoundrel Days" and always will, but there were a couple of more recent albums that came close too.

Tied Up In Geir (Geir Hongro), Friday, 16 October 2009 10:38 (sixteen years ago)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FRlAjPjazM

Here's another cover of "TV" by Delays.

Johnny Fever, Friday, 16 October 2009 10:56 (sixteen years ago)

Their best noughties moment:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUB9Rq8FcEQ

Tied Up In Geir (Geir Hongro), Friday, 16 October 2009 14:20 (sixteen years ago)

six months pass...

Playing North America next month! Or at least NYC, Toronto, Chicago and LA.

Ned Raggett, Wednesday, 28 April 2010 18:07 (sixteen years ago)

Sondre Lerche opening in NYC.

Ned Raggett, Wednesday, 28 April 2010 18:08 (sixteen years ago)

Texas, guys... Texas!

I just wish he hadn't adopted the "ilxor" moniker (ilxor), Wednesday, 28 April 2010 18:11 (sixteen years ago)

*hinthinthinthinthint*

I just wish he hadn't adopted the "ilxor" moniker (ilxor), Wednesday, 28 April 2010 18:11 (sixteen years ago)

"And You Tell Me" is one of my all time favorites of ever.
Hits that perfect twee pop nerve that I'm such a sucker for

rentboy, Wednesday, 28 April 2010 21:23 (sixteen years ago)

Lerche is a huge a-ha fan so no wonder. I guess Donkeyboy are too busy setting Germany on fire to be able to warmup for a-ha in the US like they did in the UK.

Tied Up In Geir (Geir Hongro), Wednesday, 28 April 2010 22:50 (sixteen years ago)

four weeks pass...

*drool*

Johnny Fever, Wednesday, 26 May 2010 05:23 (sixteen years ago)

Old news, Ned... these were announced a few weeks ago. ;-)

Brilliant albums, nonetheless.

I just wish he hadn't adopted the "ilxor" moniker (ilxor), Wednesday, 26 May 2010 13:08 (sixteen years ago)

two years pass...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urFtSadL42o

I think this is my first exposure to solo Morten material? It's not terribly different from latter day a-ha, actually. How does he hold on to that voice?

Johnny Fever, Sunday, 11 November 2012 06:46 (thirteen years ago)

There are not enough pics of Morten Harket itt.

The Most Typical and Popular Girl Rider (Crabbits), Sunday, 11 November 2012 15:10 (thirteen years ago)

two months pass...

"Stay On These Roads" is lovely!

the little prince of inane false binary hype (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Friday, 8 February 2013 01:24 (thirteen years ago)

It is indeed.

Ned Raggett, Friday, 8 February 2013 01:24 (thirteen years ago)

an amazing album too (aside from Touchy lol).

piscesx, Friday, 8 February 2013 01:26 (thirteen years ago)

"The Blood That Moves the Body" would have been a way better Bond theme than "The Living Daylights." Those strings!

Ned Raggett, Friday, 8 February 2013 01:29 (thirteen years ago)

I must buy it.

the little prince of inane false binary hype (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Friday, 8 February 2013 01:29 (thirteen years ago)

especially Bond-y here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jiEgyZeN-4

piscesx, Friday, 8 February 2013 01:33 (thirteen years ago)

two years pass...

Reuniting for an album and world tour.

http://www.classicpopmag.com/2015/03/ha-reunite-album-world-tour/

You’re being too simplistic and you’re insulting my poor heart (Turrican), Wednesday, 25 March 2015 16:09 (eleven years ago)

Currently blasting the first two albums, particularly Scoundrel Days. Superb album.

You’re being too simplistic and you’re insulting my poor heart (Turrican), Wednesday, 25 March 2015 19:52 (eleven years ago)

Indeed.

Ned Raggett, Wednesday, 25 March 2015 21:22 (eleven years ago)

Scoundrel Days is the best

DJP, Wednesday, 25 March 2015 21:23 (eleven years ago)

This is cool, but it's also one of the fastest reunions post-farewell that I can remember.

Johnny Fever, Wednesday, 25 March 2015 21:26 (eleven years ago)

Tell that to the Damned! (Or Fall Out Boy or...)

Ned Raggett, Wednesday, 25 March 2015 21:33 (eleven years ago)

Goddamn YES PLEASE

https://tribecafilm.com/films/a-ha-the-movie-2021

Ned Raggett, Friday, 21 May 2021 14:27 (five years ago)

eleven months pass...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOhiDxuOEuI

aegis philbin (crüt), Thursday, 12 May 2022 21:36 (four years ago)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rc6MumuychA

aegis philbin (crüt), Thursday, 12 May 2022 21:39 (four years ago)

the first album is great then they went downhill quick!

xzanfar, Thursday, 12 May 2022 21:52 (four years ago)

Nah.

Malevolent Arugula (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Thursday, 12 May 2022 22:00 (four years ago)

two weeks pass...

Watched the movie last week. It's a good look at the band's history, the members' perspectives, the depth of the catalog, etc. After the bruised egos and Magne's doubt there would be a new record, nice to read _True North_ is coming out later this year. Glad that unlike other long-term bands, they seem to be able to set aside issues and continue on.

Have been obsessed lately with this track, particularly its chorus.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nkn3Y7HMbkA

the body of a spider... (scampering alpaca), Wednesday, 1 June 2022 14:40 (four years ago)

one year passes...

i am listening to scoundrel days for the first time

uhhhhh holy shit

ivy., Monday, 14 August 2023 22:33 (two years ago)

Quite right, and very glad you now understand the greatness.

Ned Raggett, Monday, 14 August 2023 22:41 (two years ago)

two years pass...

Happy birthday, Morten Harket!

hungover beet poo (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Sunday, 14 September 2025 14:59 (nine months ago)


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