ABBA Album: “Ring Ring [Remaster]”

I am upset with all of the people who don't like this DEBUT! album. Most of the songs on here are highly listenable. Except for "I Saw It In the Mirror" and "I Am Just a Girl" all of the songs are perfect. While this isn't my favorite album of ABBA's, it never fails to bring a bit of sunshine to my day. This album has a lot more Bjorn and Benny vocals than their later ones, so enjoy the male half of ABBA as much as you can now. Please buy this outstanding CD!

ABBA'S FIRST ALBUM

BEST SONG: ROCK 'N' ROLL BAND

WORST SONG: I SAW IT IN THE MIRROR

This album gets some undeserved criticism. I agree that it is not the best ABBA's album and some songs may appear immature, if to compare with their later albums (the melodies are still as good), but I can't think of any group whose very first album was that good.

If you are an ABBA fan,you will need this CD in your collection for completeness ... but most of all, to see how the band started out. Most ABBA fans agree, this is possibly their least favourite ABBA album (next might be Waterloo) - however, it does contains some great songs, just not enough of them. Comments on each track are as follows:

1. Ring, Ring - this song has an interesting history. It made no impact on its initial release as a single, but was then remixed to present a rock flavour to it, and then soared the charts particularly in Australia where it went Top 10. The remixed version can only be found on the "Definitive Collection" CD.

2. Another Town, Another Train - a very catchy tune which almost has a folk flavour to it. Quite possibly the best track on the album.

3. Disillusion - a song written by Agnetha some years back for inclusion on her solo album. The English version appears on this album. Overall an ok, but dullish song.

4. People Need Love - a big hit in Sweden, and included on their first greatest hits album.

5. I Saw It In The Mirror - totally boring.

6. Nina, Pretty Ballerina - a silly song really, but has its moments.

7. Love Isn't Easy (But It Sure Is Hard Enough) - mediocre, the album continues to lose momentum.

8. Me And Bobby And Bobby's Brother - this is where the album starts to pick up again. I like this song for Frida's vocals.

9. He Is Your Brother - brilliant song, very catchy.

10. She's My Kind Of Girl - boring!

11. I Am Just A Girl - Very interesting song, love the girls singing on this.

12. Rock'N'Roll Band - the B side to the remixed version of Ring Ring single in Australia. ABBA does rock for this one!

13. Merry-Go-Round - bonus track

14. Santa Rosa - bonus track

15. Ring, Ring (In Swedish) - have not heard this version, it is omitted from Ring Ring CD.

Overall, Ring Ring is not a masterpiece, nor is it a complete failure. It has its merits, and should still be in every true ABBA fan's collection.

at the time of its (original) release, this album provided no clues to the 300 million records they would eventually tuck under their belts (and bank accounts) 29 years after.

"ring ring" however shows their still-being-nurtured grasp of the english pop idiom. the same cannot be said of their production techniques - phil spector's legendary "wall of sound" and the beach boy-esque vocal harmonies make for a very interesting mix.

the title track is the first and last song to be co-written by persons outside the group (phil cody and neil sedaka). judging by the staggering success they'd achieve in the following 8 years, it seems they didn't have to get outside help in the first place.

Ring Ring, Abba's 1973 release, is my favorite of their first three (the other two being Waterloo and Abba). The early Abba sound is a little more folky and little less disco compared to their later music. The title track is one of my all time favorite songs, it's so catchy! Other standout tracks include Another Town Another Train, People Need Love, Nina Pretty Ballerina, and He Is Your Brother. Definitely a great disc for Abba fans who already have The Album and Arrival.