a-ha Album: “Hunting High and Low”

'Hunting High And Low' was released in '85. It was A-ha's first album and the only one to receive any attention in the U.S.A. Containing -10 tracks- of wonderfully original, upbeat new wave/synth-pop tunes I consider it to be one of those rare, absolutely perfect albums/CD's. Every track is unique and immensely enjoyable, complimented by the most amazing male voice (Morten Harkett) I've ever heard.

An unbeatable collection; 'Take On Me', 'Hunting High And Low' and my personal favorite 'The Sun Always Shines On T.V. Definitely one of my All-Time Top Ten CD's!

My Highest Recommendation!!

A-ha over time have been placed in the unfortunate category of one hit wonders with the hit "Take On Me" back on 1985. I hate it when organizations like VH1 and MTV do this, because they are so wrong, and yet the public doesn't know any better, so they buy into it. The album "Hunting High And Low" is a really good album. It's a pop album first at foremost, but contains very thought-proking lyrics at times, and more complicated musical orchestrations than most people will give it credit for. Songs like "Here I Stand And Face The Rain" and "The Sun Always Shines On TV" are numbers that shine and really show A-ha's complexity. I also like "Train Of Thought" and the title track. Hacket's voice is amazing. I don't care who you are, but no one can deny, he can belt out a song unlike most top 40 singers. Their follow up album, "Scoundrel Days" is just as good, if not more laid back.

...there was a-ha. For a moment in time, this trio ruled the airwaves and were the hottest band around. "Take on Me" was a defining single and video.

In "Hunting High and Low" - one uncovers a-ha's distinctive style. More than straightforward pop-meisters, a-ha wrote and executed some interesting tracks in their debut album. Morten Harket's pristine, sweeping vocals are the highlight of each song. The album veers between bright pop synth ballads ("Blue Sky"; "Love is Reason") to progressive whimsical love songs ("Living A Boy's Adventure Tale"). The band's matinee idol looks didn't hurt either and greatly enhanced their success.

Given their appeal to teens, the image aspect of a-ha did sometimes overshadow their inventiveness as musicians (this was the era where pop bands could play and compose their own music as with predecessors Duran Duran and Spandau Ballet, Depeche Mode etc), and much of a-ha's later music tried to find new ground - moving away from the bright pop landscape they create in this album, but somehow never quite recapturing the youthful charm.

But the best way to describe this album is: endearing. It's refreshing to hear the guys play with a sense of spontaneous abandon. Compared to today's over-produced boy bands who love covers and lack a distinctive sound - a-ha has held their own. There are some pop gems in here and hats off to Morten, Mags and Pal for pulling it off with oomph.

I bought the Trilogy of this, Scoundrel Days, and Stay On These Roads. So far I've only listened to Hunting High and Low and Scoundrel Days, and I'm very impressed!

I bought them because, as an artist, when I saw the music video for 'Take On Me', I just couldn't help but wanting to know more about this amazing band. This CD gave me exactly what I wanted: more fantastic music from a very talented trio!

The songs are very inspiring and sometimes a little sad, like the title track (which sounds a lot different than it does remixed on Headlines and Deadlines... I like that version better than the one on this. Oh well!) and 'Living a Boy's Adventure Tale', full of things that really make you think about life and what's surrounding you. The music in general, Magne and Pal's songwriting and instrumental skills, brings you out of this world! But then again, I do have a strong love for synthesizers and keyboards. Not to mention the angelic vocal talents of Morten! WOW! He could sing opera if he wanted to; he's that good.

Some great tracks besides the hits/singles: The Blue Sky, Living a Boy's Adventure Tale, Here I Stand and Face the Rain.

I'd definitely recommend this to anyone that wants to feel inspired and witness one of the greatest (and underappreciated) bands in history, and also to fellow artists and anyone who loves great synth music. Even 22 years later...

This is a nice album and it brings back a lot of musical memories from the time I was just a little kid. I remember "Take on me" (I' mean who doesn't remeber the great video, showing combinations of animations and real footage) But I also remember the harder "The sun alwys shines on TV". "Blue sky" was a good track, "Train of thought" and of course, "Hunting high and low" "Hunting high and low" is a collection of strong tracks. Too bad that some of them are slightly overmade with synth-sounds. It's probably one of the best pure synth-ablums made during the 80's. Another thing is that it sort of comes of as a showcase to Morten Harkets great falsetto-vocal(Take on me, living a boys adventure tale). But my favorit album from A-ha is still "Scoundrel days". This album is a "must have" for everyone with a passion for the 80's synth-sound, but also people who enjoys dark music.