a-ha Album: “Headlines & Deadlines (Hits Of)”

I was 14 when a-ha stepped onto the scene in 1985.

Definitely the idea for the TAKE ON ME video was stuning, all that cartoons/live mixing was fresh stuff.

Plus the song was catchy and fast became a # 1 hit on both sides of the atlantic.

THE SUN ALWAYS SHINES ON TV did just great here in Europe but failed to repeat success in the US - although the mannequins storyboard for its video was just as good.

And the musical bridge boasts a great violin section.

A-ha proved to be polyedric artists: HUNTING HIGH AND LOW, TRAIN OF THOUGHTS are just nuggets, THE BLOOD THAT MOVES THE BODY and THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS (from the 1987 James Bond original soundtrack) border closely to high-class pop.

MANHATTAN SKYLINE and I'VE BEEN LOSING YOU are possibly the best tracks off their second album, while STAY ON THESE ROADS is a simple, well-crafted, radio-friendly tune.

The unreleased track MOVE TO MEMPHIS is stunningly poly-rhythmical, sensual and sung by a dark-voiced Morten Harkett.

The guys are long gone from the top of the charts but they're definitely not from my heart!

I remember when I bought this album a long time ago. It was way back when I was a junior in high school. I hadn't really heard much by A-Ha other than their classic hit "Take On Me" at the time. But when I got this album it totally blew me away. I listened to it over and over again until I realized that every single song on here kicks. It's a shame that so many people have written off A-Ha as one-hit wonders because they are really so much more than that. In addition to this awesome collection they have four great albums that are not to be missed by any music fans. On this collection, songs like "Cry Wolf", "Train of Thought", and "Touchy" are upbeat songs that are a lot of fun to listen to while songs like "Hunting High and Low", "Stay On These Roads", and "Manhattan Skyline" are more poignant, passionate, and let the listener in on A-Ha's sensitive side. Overall a truly awesome collection. "Take On Me" is NOT the best song on here. In my humble opinion, it's not even the best. I highly recommend this compilation, because all the songs on here range from good to great!

Wow. I looked at the track listing, and thought

I maybe recognised four or five of the songs.

Putting the CD on, I found I knew maybe four or

five by heart, knew the first verse of four others,

and liked the rest.

My favourite has to be "The Blood that Moves the

A concentrated hit of 80's nostalgia that won't be

The version of "Move to Memphis" on this album really makes this album stand out. What a song and a rendition. This is much different than the version on the MEMORIAL BEACH album. This version seems to have a lot more movement to it but it gives you a feel of the direction their music was heading on MEMORIAL BEACH. "The Living Daylights" is the version heard on the soundtrack album and not the one from STAY ON THESE ROADS. "The Sun Always Shines on T.V." and "Hunting High And Low" (Remix) are fantastic. This is a good collection. It could have been better depending on your taste, but a-ha is so esoteric I don't think you can ever please any of their fans with just one CD. Somebody's favorite song (s) is always going to be left out.

Chances are if your reading this then you already have an interest in the band,so theres no point going over the fact that they are one of the most underated band of the 80s.

This album is exactly what it says on the cover, a hits album. This must not be confused with a best of. Even if you already have all their albums, this is still must own due to the remixed tracks and alt. versions such as The Living Daylights as tampered with by John Barry. An essential buy.