ABBA - The Visitors (+the 1982 tracks) Sync Listen

[GNL]

It's nice that their Xmas single confirmed they're still not too old for sex.

 

[Pingu]

4. Soldiers

 

[lolly]

10 The Visitors
08 Head Over Heels
11 When All Is Said And Done

 

[RJN]

This album definitely seems more serious than the one from last week. Is there anything “silly”?

 

[Pingu]

This album definitely seems more serious than the one from last week. Is there anything “silly”?

Head Over Heels and Two For The Price Of One are the "silliest" on there, but they always sit a bit awkwardly on there for me, like they're forcing it.

 

[lolly]

10 The Visitors
08 Head Over Heels
11 When All Is Said And Done
10 Soldiers

 

[Pingu]

5. I Let The Music Speak

 

[GNL]

I Let The Music Speak gives me spooky Victorian seance, and it is a VIBE. I don't know what it's actually about, but big POLTERGEIST IN THE PARLOUR energy.

 

[Tisch]

How does The Visitors sit among Abba fabs? Universally liked or more of a mixed reception? I'm falling a bit to the latter side tonight (although one of my all time faves is on its way!)

 

[lolly]

How does The Visitors sit among Abba fabs? Universally liked or more of a mixed reception? I'm falling a bit to the latter side tonight (although one of my all time faves is on its way!)

Definitely the former.

 

[Pingu]

How does The Visitors sit among Abba fabs? Universally liked or more of a mixed reception? I'm falling a bit to the latter side tonight (although one of my all time faves is on its way!)

I've always got the impression it's one of the favourites among the Voyagers.

 

[lolly]

10 The Visitors
08 Head Over Heels
11 When All Is Said And Done
10 Soldiers
09 I Let The Music Speak

 

[RJN]

I Let the Music Speak is a little too showtune for me

 

[Pingu]

6. One Of Us

 

[Tisch]

6. One Of Us

Takes me back a bit to temping as a hospital receptionst at age 20 where they played Heart Radio and this was never off it.

Despite this - absolutely love it.

 

[GNL]

I Let the Music Speak is a little too showtune for me

Quiet you, the music's speaking.

 

[Pingu]

I Let the Music Speak is a little too showtune for me

It did kind of stretch what B&B could get away with on a pop album to its very limits.

 

[RJN]

On the other hand, One of Us is great and devastating. And which is better, the opening line or the chorus??

 

[Pingu]

As much as Bjorn always protests that the "divorce songs" are pure fiction, they didn't half lean into it in their later videos.

 

[GNL]

They were clearly having a lovely time recording this album.

 

[lolly]

10 The Visitors
08 Head Over Heels
11 When All Is Said And Done
10 Soldiers
09 I Let The Music Speak
10 One Of Us

 

[Pingu]

7. Two For The Price Of One

 

[GNL]

7. Two For The Price Of One

Here's your silly one @RJN

 

[Iguana]

7. Two For The Price Of One

 

[RJN]

Here's your silly one @RJN

I’m finding it silly but not too silly. I like it

 

[GNL]

ABBA, looking for third.

 

[Pingu]

Still agog at the audacity of that "punchline"

 

[RJN]

ABBA, looking for third.

good thing their relationships are so drama free

 

[Pingu]

8. Slipping Through My Fingers

 

[lolly]

10 The Visitors
08 Head Over Heels
11 When All Is Said And Done
10 Soldiers
09 I Let The Music Speak
10 One Of Us
06 Two For The Price Of One

 

[Tisch]

Ooh it's quite VAUDEVILLE this one

 

[GNL]

Still agog at the audacity of that "punchline"

High pitched female vox, a general HAUNTED vibe, a song about INCEST, its basically a Kate Bush album.

 

[Iguana]

Still agog at the audacity of that "punchline"

And the way it slows down on the "reveal" and there's a pause for gasps!

 

[Pingu]

Heard this for the first time at Mamma Mia when I was 11. My mum was sobbing her eyes out next to me. Didn't get it at the time.

(I mean I still don't, but I understand in theory)

 

[Pingu]

9. Like An Angel Passing Through My Room

 

[Pingu]

I believe (correct me if I'm wrong @lolly ) this is one of only two ABBA songs to feature just one vocalist throughout.

 

[lolly]

Heard this for the first time at Mamma Mia when I was 11. My mum was sobbing her eyes out next to me. Didn't get it at the time.

(I mean I still don't, but I understand in theory)

It was a solid 8 for me until I watched it on stage with my then 9 or 10 year old niece.

 

[RJN]

I’m “working” (looking at jobs) so I’m not really paying attention to the lyrics but I found the last one very sad anyway

 

[lolly]

10 The Visitors
08 Head Over Heels
11 When All Is Said And Done
10 Soldiers
09 I Let The Music Speak
10 One Of Us
06 Two For The Price Of One
10 Slipping Through My Fingers

 

[Iguana]

Slipping is pretty awful, the way they sing it IRKS me