A triumph for voice of Abba: Review of Agnetha Faltskog's new album A
10 May 2013 13:54
Former ABBA singer Agnetha Faltskog releases her first album of original material in over 25 years on Monday. A self-confessed ABBA fanatic, our Entertainment Editor Gordon Barr gives his ‘unbiased’ verdict on the new album, A
In 2004, when Agnetha Faltskog made her return to the music business with her covers album My Colouring Book, it became her most successful solo work here in the UK.
Fans had waited 17 years to hear new material from the woman regarded by many as the voice of ABBA, who had turned her back on the music industry during those intervening years.
It’s been nine years since then, but the blonde bombshell is finally back – this time with an album of new songs.
I am a huge Agnetha fan, but as a music critic have to be honest in my reviews. Does the album sound current, is the voice in good shape (she is 63 now after all) and has the wait been worth it? In one word – yes!
Here’s my track by track review of A – well, she was the first A in ABBA after all.....
1. The One Who Loves You Now: A mid-tempo number that wouldn’t be out of place in Eurovision. The lead-off single in other territories, lovely vocals and that Euro key change at the end.
2. When You Really Loved Someone: The current single. A torch song of love won and lost. Soaring chorus, beautiful.
3. Perfume In The Breeze: Like a gorgeous eau de cologne, this washes over you.
4. I Was A Flower: One of the strongest songs here. A tearjerker ballad – this is Agnetha at her best. You walk right through me, like an empty ghost, now when I need you the most, she sings. Incredible.
5. I Should Have Followed You Home: Here Agnetha teams up with Gary Barlow, who co-wrote the track. This took time to grow on me, but could be a potential hit single.
6. Past Forever: This is pure heartbreak ABBA-esque. Adele would have been proud to have written this.
7. Dance Your Pain Away: This has to be the next single. A dancefloor filler if ever there was one. This will be in every club over the next few months – the biggest hint of her ABBA days on the album.
8. Bubble: From disco-tastic to a stripped down track in which you immerse yourself in a bubble with those fantastic vocals again.
9. Back On Your Radio: Indeed she is – and we’re all grateful for it. A bit tongue in cheek here, but a catchy little ditty.
10. I Keep Them On The Floor Beside My Bed: Agnetha was a chart-topping singer- songwriter in Sweden before ABBA, and this is the only self-penned track on A. Personally, I’d have liked to have heard more, if this is what she can conjure up.
Overall verdict: 9/10
