June 9th2010

Posted By: Catherine

Scoundrel Days – Angela Clow

The eagerly awaited second album gave us all a taste of the versatility that defined a-ha in later years. This potent collection of atmospheric and melancholic melodies blew the lid off the misconception that a-ha were just a synth-pop band with each song perfectly capturing the essence of emotions that we all deal with at different stages of our lives. Scoundrel Days heralded a more mature and rock-based sound whilst still retaining the charm of their earlier work. The songs are all written by either Paul or Magne (or both) with Morten taking a backseat to the song writing focussing on his vocals to stunning effect, in perfect harmony with the emotional intensity of each song. "Scoundrel Days" (Magne Furuholmen / Paul Waaktaar-Savoy), the breathtaking opening track with...

June 6th2010

Posted By: Catherine

Foot of the Mountain – Celia Dick

Foot of the Mountain encapsulates everything I have always loved about a-ha: Morten’s ethereal and effortlessly enchanting vocals soaring above splendid symphonies of synth; and the wonderful paradox of poetically...

June 6th2010

Posted By: Catherine

Stay On These Roads – Richard JD Bone

Stay on These Roads is a beautiful collection of masterfully crafted pop songs, and forms perfect music to enjoy fully or provide a background sound. The pieces are delicately produced,...

June 6th2010

Posted By: Catherine

Hunting High and Low – J.D. Gillam

As we come to the end of an era, I look back at the beginning. As an impressionable nine year old boy, I was always trying to find music that grabbed...

June 6th2010

Posted By: Catherine

Analogue – Amanda Bird and David Wynne

When most people think of A-ha they think of synth heavy electro pop. It’s interesting then that Analogue should be such a pure distillation of their sound and aesthetic, considering...

June 6th2010

Posted By: Catherine

East of the Sun West of the Moon – Nicola Hunt

From the opening bars of "Crying in the Rain" it was clear that East of the Sun, West of the Moon was a very different a-ha album. Not only...

June 6th2010

Posted By: Catherine

Hunting High and Low – Emily May

Hunting High and Low is an extraordinary record which sold more than eight million copies worldwide and produced two international number one singles, both heralded by award-winning videos. Released in...

June 6th2010

Posted By: Catherine

Memorial Beach – Dino Mallas

Simply Eloquent. The album Memorial Beach, primarily written by Paul Waaktaar-Savoy, remains a masterpiece of eloquent rock. From the seductive sway of the title track to the darker,...

June 6th2010

Posted By: Catherine

Lifelines – Narinder Randhawa

Being asked to name your favourite a-ha album is like asking a chocoholic to choose their favourite chocolate bar: impossible I bemoaned! However, after much angst (and chocolate to help...

June 6th2010

Posted By: Catherine

East of the Sun West of the Moon – Anna-Clare Mumby

Once upon a time the perfect album to listen to on a cold midwinter’s morning was created by a-ha. From the moment the raindrops begin falling from heaven on...

June 6th2010

Posted By: Catherine

Foot of the Mountain – Lisandra Gomes Coelho

I was amazed the first time I had the chance to listen to Foot of the Mountain. Synthesizers everywhere. A-ha’s new music sounded like those 80’s hits, and it sounded...

June 6th2010

Posted By: Catherine

East of the Sun West of the Moon – I. Jordan Thompson

Though its title implied aimlessness, a-ha's focus on 1990's East of the Sun, West of the Moon had, conversely, never been more clear. From the opening bars of "Crying in...

June 6th2010

Posted By: Catherine

Memorial Beach – Maria Mikhailova

I have decided to review Memorial Beach as, in my eyes, it is a unique testament to how much variety of moods and styles a-ha have been able to deliver...

June 6th2010

Posted By: Catherine

Scoundrel Days – Richard Todd

Scoundrel Days starts with a tense, cinematic and moody verse with Harket demonstrating his enigmatic vocal range. The song erupts into a soaring chorus with some beautifully arranged strings throughout....

June 6th2010

Posted By: Catherine

Lifelines – Narelle Stoll

Like so many of the a-ha albums Lifelines is characterised by a myriad of conflicting emotions and angst. The first single “Lifelines” opens the album powerfully by its reflection on...

June 6th2010

Posted By: Catherine

Minor Earth Major Sky – Lucy McCaul

I always approach a new a-ha album with a mixture of anticipation and anxiety. In the case of Minor Earth Major Sky, the anxiety almost outweighed the anticipation. It had...

June 6th2010

Posted By: Catherine

Scoundrel Days – Fiona Bingham

Scoundrel Days is, and has been from when first heard on cassette in a bedroom wallpapered with posters of Magne, Morten and Paul, until the present, when the MP3 of...

June 6th2010

Posted By: Catherine

Foot of the Mountain – Monika Stolzenberger

Having listened to various a-ha albums over the past decades, a-ha has always reflected the time the album was created, but still had their style that makes it unique. Finding...

June 6th2010

Posted By: Catherine

Scoundrel Days – Hollie Johnson

This was my first a-ha album. I was 12 and I listened to the tape every night before bed. My favorite songs are “Swing of Things” with poetic lines like...

June 6th2010

Posted By: Catherine

Analogue – Jonathan Russell

For me Analogue is an album that haunts with an occasional dark mood that glimmers a light of optimism. "Celice" opens the album with the feeling of a journey, the...

June 6th2010

Posted By: Catherine

Foot of The Mountain – Ruth Jerman-Collis

"Foot of The Mountain", a-ha's last and ninth studio album, is the perfect sounding, high note ending to a musical career that has spanned over a quarter of a century....

June 6th2010

Posted By: Catherine

Scoundrel Days – Svein Sjøvold

Hunting High And Low had taken a-ha into the elite of the new romantic bands on first try. Duran Duran, Spandau Ballet, and other sophisticated, well produced acts that had...

June 6th2010

Posted By: Catherine

East of the Sun West of the Moon – Anthony Zehetner

You could be forgiven thinking this album was released by an entirely new band linked only by name. Indeed I did as this release hit the shelves of a remote...