Analogue

It did not take long for a-ha's new CD to grow on me. As usual some of those songs remain in your head after listening to them and you anticipate playing the CD again and again to get that somewhat euphoric feeling. The very first track, CELICE really grew on me and I quite enjoy it. At first I thought it wasn't quite up to their usual aesthetics but I was wrong. CELICE is very good. I was also engrossed by COSY PRISONS, ANALOGUE, BIRTHRIGHT and WHITE DWARF. They all give me a little boost of the spirit and I like that feeling. At first I thought this CD was just an extension of their last two studio CDs but ANALOGUE really is in a new yet familiar sounding direction. This CD is very soothing and relaxing to listen to. The sound of a-ha is still there. It is forever present. I don't know how else to describe what I feel about this CD other than to say that I like it, it sounds very good and it is eminently soothing and relaxing and a pure enjoyment.

I only recently became a fan of a-ha's, and I am the first to admit that I am blinded by my love for them. Despite the critics' refusal to acknowledge their efforts as legitimate song writing and musicianship, and their failure to make it as big as they would have liked to in the US, they inspired faith and devotion out of just as many long time fans as recent ones. Their first studio album in 3 years brought out just as many questions as there are answers for me. In general, this album is far less edgy than their recent albums. Some have argued that it's depressing, but I find it far from. It is a little darker than recent work, but not as dark and depressing as 1993's Memorial Beach. It's softer, dare I say some tracks boarder on Easy Listening. Some songs, such as "Don't Do Me Any Favours" and "Halfway Through The Tour" are personal statements, to be sure, moreso about their experiences in the music industry. Others are about their hopes and wishes for the future. The biggest complaint is that it's not as edgy as before, but you have to take risks and experiment. I haven't taken this out of my car yet, it's a good time.

Like any group (at least the ones that survive) A-ha evolved over time yet remained identifiable (mostly through Morten Harket's vocal range and style). There are some very haunting songs on here, especially Holy Ground. Very good effort by the Norwegian trio that developed well beyond their first album. That inaugural album, Hunting High and Low blasted them onto the U.S. scene with a series of very good songs and the number they're best known for, "Take on Me." But in typical American fashion they were soon discarded, though they remained much stronger overseas, have a 25 year career in Europe. Sad they didn't get more air time b/c their subsequent albums showed a maturation of singing and composition.

A-ha is such a talented group! I wish America would realize it too! This album is different from the most recent a-ha releases but it is still a wonderful release! (For a-ha fans this album is most similar to East of the Sun, West of the Moon) The guitars and piano take a front row seat in many of the songs as the cool electronic elements still remain but are happening in the background. A majority of the songs invoke a sort of a melancholy laid-back feeling. Celice and Analogue are very catchy and will stay in your head long after you've turned off the stereo. The lead singer's voice is beautiful as ever. He truly breathes passion into every song as if he has experienced the emotions in the lyrics. I would highly recommend this CD!

Item as described,great value and service. Despatched immediately.

Love CD and the band.

I have been a fan and follower of A-ha since "Take on me" ... such a great combination of Morten's voice and Paul and Mag's musical and writing talents , always pleasing to hear .... a must have to add to your collection.

BUY THIS CD! It is true there is not a BAD a-ha song this CD is jam packed with some of the best thus far. a-ha has some how become the sound track to my life. I just wish they would come and tour in the USA. "my love and the moon take your time make it soon " make it soon. come to the USA again. Please.

Another great album from a-ha!

Pertect!

Je suis fan depuis tout petit du groupe A-ha, je rêve depuis longtemps d'avoir tous leurs albums, j'adores leur style et la voix de Morten Harket, leurs compacte disque ont un son fabuleux, le meilleur groupe de tous les temps !

Zwanzig Jahren Band-Geschichte beinhalten Auf-und-Ab's und Veränderungen - Ersteres ist normal, das Zweite doch zumindest wünschenswert.Im Fall der drei Norweger ist dies nicht anders. Nach einem recht mäßigen Album "Lifelines" im Jahr 2002, blieb dringend zu hoffen, dass a-ha zu ihrer gewohnten (nicht alten!) Form zurückfinden. Und mit "ANALOGUE" ist dieses Kunststück wahrhaftig gelungen. Anders als bei den vergangenen Alben durfte diesmal jeder der drei Musiker seine eigenen Stile und Vorlieben einbringen, ohne das dabei das Gesamtergebnis "a-ha" zu kurz käme. Herausgekommen ist ein äußerst gelungenes Album, das durch vielfältige Musikstile wunderschöne Melodien und melancholische Texte umsetzt, ohne auch nur einen Moment kitschig oder abgeschmackt daher zu kommen. Mit ANALOGUE liefern a-ha 13 Songs der Extraklasse ab.Als Anspieltipps seien das melancholische "Cosy Prison", die traumhafte Ballade "Birthright" und das rockig-nostalgische "Keeper Of The Flame" empfohlen! FAZIT: Kaufen, hören und... DAHINSCHMELZEN!!!

The title of this review is based on the second-hand CD I bought from Amazon that had obviously come from a smoker because the booklet wreaked of tobacco. This album was released in November 2005 and is the band's 8th studio album following 2002's Lifelines. The first time I ever heard this band was on CD:UK back in 2006 when the song Analogue was number 1 on their list and they played the video for it. I was 16 at the time and was into mostly pop, pop/rock and Nu metal and was struck by this different sounding music which immediately grabbed my attention and stuck with me. I then went on to buy the CD single released on 23rd January 2006. This is the standout song on the album and the reason why is that it was originally produced by Martin Terefe and mixed by Flood just as with the rest of the album's songs but was re-written and re-recorded and Max Martin (producer of songs for artists such as Backstreet boys, Kelly Clarkson and Britney Spears) stepped in to produce it. It is the album's most successful single and it became the band's first top 10 hit in the UK since the single Stay on these roads reached number 2 in 1988. The band came nowhere near to reaching that success since. The album's artwork features black and white pictures of the members with flowers and leaves in colours of greys, whites and reds. On the back of the booklet is an image of a heart. It is quite solemn, representative of the sound. Celice begins the album with strings followed by someone counting the song in, which is followed by upbeat drums and guitar - 1 of the few times we hear outright electric guitar from Paul. The song although beginning very upbeat and that rhythm continuing throughout most of the song, is mellow and thought provoking. It reached number 1 in both Norway and Belarus. Don't do me any favours follows as another mellow sounding track, which is indicative of the rest of the sound of this album. The song features plenty of acoustic guitar and a bitter chorus "Don't offer me no credit cos I do not want the blame, don't do me any favours I don't want to play that game". Cosy prisons is 1 of the best tracks. The song is about concealing yourself with what you feel is comfortable and never removing yourself from that comfort zone, essentially creating your own prison. The song features a brilliant, uplifting and equally moody piano riff and great lyrics which make you think. Analogue follows with a more upbeat sound than anything else and cleaner production. Definitely the best. Birthright takes us back to the more predominant mellow, relaxed sound. It was released as a promo single in Norway. Morten's vocals sound amazing next to the piano backdrop. The verses are slow and cool and it builds up to a more dramatic bridge/chorus. The song is 1 of 4 on the album written by Magne. Holy ground is another mid-tempo track this time being written by Morten Harket and fits in really well with the repetoire. It's also a chance for Morten to show off his vocal talents. Over the treetops is an acoustic guitar based track with a cool rhythm and effective strings just before and at the chorus, also at the very end. It features impressive high picthed vocals from Morten. Halfway through the tour is the longest track at 7:26. The song depicts a man touring and as much as he enjoys it, wishing to get back home. It's a big song with strings that lead to an instrumental interlude halfway through the song, slowing the rhythm down dramatically. This interlude finishes the song out and leaves a sombre mood. A fine blue line is another acoustic guitar based track with varying vocals by Morten and a sweet sounding chorus. The song ends with a big outro with violins and other strings. Keeper of the flame has a very moody, thoughtful sound, backed by piano, it features real drums and a folk/rock 'n' roll sound. It also features alliteration lyrics and is pretty nostalgic with a strong sense of melancholy. Make it soon is another Morten Harket penned track with a cool rhythm and is very enjoyable. The middle 8 is big and dramatic with distorted sounds and is a contrast to the earlier part. White Dwarf is 1 of the best and 1 of my top 3 favourites. It has this amazing twisted sounding acoustic guitar riff which is the highlight but the whole song sounds so atmospheric, melancholic and just amazing. I like the metaphor used for the feelings of loneliness and absence from what he desires. It's a smart song. Summers of our youth is another of the best tracks, written by Magne Furuholmen it has a beautiful sound with the main theme being nostalgia. Magne does the lead vocal at the verse and Morten sings at the bridge/chorus which mixes things up and what helps it stand out so much. The song is piano led with discreet percussion and keyboard effects at the interlude. It's a great way to end this album. A strong album with moving and effective songs that should not disappoint. Just don't expect them to all sound like Analogue (all I want) because this isn't just a pop record with catchy songs. A-ha don't need to be compared with more modern bands like Coldplay and Keane because they are credible and prominent artists in their own right and proclamation.