MOOPY ALBUM SYNC LISTENS #4 - ABBA - THE VISITORS - 8PM TUESDAY 28/04

[octophone]

I love the somehow circular feel of the chorus on Soldiers.

It seems to turn in on itself which I think is because of the drum rhythm.

 

[AGinAg (37)]

The whole thing is a non-stop DISAPPOINTMENTFEST

WAS THIS ALL IT WAS?

 

[Beverley]

Head Over Heels is a bit of a return to the expected Abba histrionics <3

 

[AGinAg (37)]

Frida just loved every second.

 

[octophone]

Their production got so much richer on this album.

It's the pros and cons of having your own studio

Pro: there's no-one there who can say "no"
Con: there's no-one there who can say "no"

 

[dmlaw]

EVEN MORE UNDERLYING SADNESS

I feel like Soldiers has more strength than sadness underneath. It feels like one of the more optimistic songs on the album to me.

 

[lolly]

I think the fact that Agnetha has the most PLAINTIVE vocal I've ever heard just rams the sadness in those songs home.

I mean I can see why they exploited it so, but I also think ABBA never really explored the side to her voice she didn't really demonstrate until Wrap Your Arms Around Me.

 

[octophone]

My goodness, what a vocal!

 

[Loufoque]

This is a much more sedate (but not sedated) listen than Blackout. I have less desire to queen out and slam some Tina, and more to put on a velvet dressing gown and pour a glass of wine.

 

[Lucille]

The drama!

 

[GNL]

This ones a bit SPOOKY. I approve.

 

[dmlaw]

At this point of ILTMS, I feel the need for some strong German beer.

 

[lolly]

@lolly what insights do we have about the recording sessions? I imagine as a fan they're almost too much to contend with.

I was trying to dig some info out unsuccessfully. I may delve again later.

 

[AGinAg (37)]

Quite theatrical, which was often a B&B theme. Writing a musical was a constant goal.

 

[Loufoque]

My bf has just announced that he loves Let The Music Speak, which, given his affection for a good old Soviet CHANSON, should not come as much of a surprise.

 

[lolly]

My goodness, what a vocal!

I Let The Music Speak?

 

[octophone]

Both sides of vinyl start with one of the two longest songs on the album. Not making it easy for yr audience there. I approve.

 

[AGinAg (37)]

I loved that they pissed around with 6 minute tracks.

 

[octophone]

I Let The Music Speak?

Yes - that opening verse riveted me.

 

[Loufoque]

Imagine being a queen in the early 80s experiencing the simultaneous slayage and floppage of The Visitors era. Without memes.

 

[Penelope]

My bf has just announced that he loves Let The Music Speak, which, given his affection for a good old Soviet CHANSON, should not come as much of a surprise.

An Alla Pugacheva fan?

 

[Beverley]

I think Soldiers is one of my favourites. The verses are lovely. Their production got so much richer on this album.

FOR DEF. On 'When All Is Said And Done' and the production feels so much fuller

 

[lolly]

Yes - that opening verse riveted me.

As I said above, I never felt that Agnetha really explored her vocal range within ABBA. Frida however very much did.

 

[AGinAg (37)]

Ah One of Us. Only ABBA can still get a free pass for cod reggae.

 

[Penelope]

The Visitors was still a HIT wasn't it?

 

[Penelope]

Ah One of Us. Only ABBA can still get a free pass for cod reggae.

One of Us COD-REGGAE?! WASH YOUR MOUTH OUT!

 

[Beverley]

Oh I love Soldiers ALREADY

 

[dmlaw]

I loved that they pissed around with 6 minute tracks.

They could have gone for some seven minute tracks and not bothered with 'Two For The Price Of One'.

 

[AGinAg (37)]

The Visitors was still a HIT wasn't it?

#1. In and out the charts within a few months. Some of their earlier stuff spent years on the charts.

 

[GNL]

Oh I know this one! I always think it sounds like a gloomy gondola ride.

 

[Loufoque]

An Alla Pugacheva fan?

He treated me to a morning of her Greatest Hits the other weekend. I nodded along politely, but I couldn't help but think: "Yeah but Mariah could have slayed this song with her 95 vocals". Divorce incoming.

 

[Penelope]

Catching up with Let The Music Speak and goodness, such DAINTY MISERY

 

[octophone]

"One Of Us" is pretty extraordinary. Imagine being in that band, making that record and then having to make a video, promote it as a single and all that - talk about laid bare. The vulnerability must have been overwhelming.

 

[AGinAg (37)]

She was literally moving into a new flat in the video. They all looked sad and Frida had divorce hair.

 

[Beverley]

the verses on Soldiers really are FAB

 

[octophone]

Oh I know this one! I always think it sounds like a gloomy gondola ride.

Is there any other type?

 

[lolly]

I've always thought of One Of Us as cod reggae as well. It's why it has never hit my personal top twenty. Love some of the backing vocals here.

 

[AGinAg (37)]

Feeling stupid feeling small

 

[Loufoque]

One of Us. The Best Thing I Never Had of the album.

 

[AGinAg (37)]

I've always thought of One Of Us as cod reggae as well. It's why it has never hit my personal top twenty. Love some of the backing vocals here.

I liked Cher's version.