a-ha Album: “Analogue [PA]”

I've been a long time fan of this talented Norway trio and

have watched their ups and downs since Hunting High and Low.

I can't recall a group that has been giving such disrespect

from the music critics over the years. A-ha came back in 2000

and have given us 3 studio cd's and a live set, all containing

some of the most moving, commerically accessible tunes most

bands would die to write and perform yet they are still regarded

here in the states as one hit wonders? "Analogue", the 8th A-ha

collection finds this band making the best music of their

lengthly careers. Morton Harket's vocals on this effort are

nothing but exceptional start to finish, no wonder bands like

Keane, U2 and Coldplay speak out so highly of this band, its a

shame, music with so much style and craft must take the back

seat. A-ha needs a big push from their new label Universal-Polydor, and some AIRPLAY and help from MTV and VH1, a great

video to push, some great reviews and some good old fashioned

concerts all around the country. This band deserves a chance

like they are getting in England and a fan base like they've

had in Germany. They need to push the songs "Analogue", "Birthright", "Cosy Prisons", "Celice",

"Don't do me any favors" as well as the other excellent cuts

"The summers of our youth", "A fine blue line", "White Dwarf",

"Keeper of the flame". With help from an old pro, Graham Nash

lending backup vocals on "Over the treetops" and "Cosy Prisons" this I

would agree has so many Beatles classic sounds and give this

effort the much needed credibility to promote. Music that is

written so well, sounds so good and is so heartfelt needs to be

heard.

Sometimes I like the fact that a-ha never remained popular in the US. For those of us who always liked them and the rest that discovered them along the way and stayed on for the ride, a-ha is our beloved secret. It did not take long for a-ha's new album to grow on me. As usual some of those songs remain in your head after listening to them and you anticipate playing the CD again and again to get that somewhat euphoric feeling. The very first track, CELICE really grew on me and I quite enjoy it. At first I thought it wasn't quite up to their usual aesthetics but I was wrong. CELICE is very good. I was also engrossed by COSY PRISONS, ANALOGUE, BIRTHRIGHT and WHITE DWARF. They all give me a little boost of the spirit and I like that feeling. At first I thought this CD was just an extension of their last two studio CDs but ANALOGUE really is in a new yet familiar sounding direction. This CD is very soothing and relaxing to listen to. The sound of a-ha is still there. It is forever present. I don't know how else to describe what I feel about this CD other than to say that I like it, it sounds very good and it is eminently soothing and relaxing and a pure enjoyment. A-ha seems to be the best kept secret in the USA, but that's fine with me as long as we still get the word out.

This is truly a majestic, awe-inspiring album - a real accomplishment. It's fun to pull for the underdogs, the ones who were denigrated by the American press and considered only an "eighties band." Here we are all these years later with an accomplished, enduring band that has delivered a masterpiece. This album is infinitely enjoyable.

These are heartfelt and wonderfully written songs. Each one presents a world unto itself: great insights into longing and loving; pain and loss. The past two albums were solid and found these old friends re-finding the grooves and discovering new ones. With this album, they have really found their wings and are soaring high, indeed. Analogue is the culmination of pure talent that could not be constrained or squelched by the idiotic press.

Of course, now they are flourishing in so many countries other than America, the land of the free and the banal, such as Ricky Martin and 98 Degrees. True artists such as Coldplay and Keane are properly giving it up to this delightful band from Norway, the indomitable a-ha! You don't need Americans, but we need you!

(On a side note, there are three additional benefits with this product: gorgeous packaging; bonus DVD; and the omission of copy-protection - which only gets in the way of us preserving the music we BUY. This is a completely worthwhile import disc. Both the band and the record company should be applauded.)

A-ha return with their 8th studio album `Analogue'. For a-ha purists looking for a taste of 80's nostalgia, this album will come as a disappointment. There are no 80's synch disco beats to be found here, what you will find instead is a masterclass in melancholic sentiment not seen since the exquisite Coldplay album `A rush of blood to the head'.

Standout tracks are `Analogue', described by some as a Take On Me for the new millennium, albeit with a rockier edge and the European single `Celice' a song that saw such a radical departure for the band that it led to a marked desertion from their pop obsessed German fan base.

Despite the strength of the aforementioned singles, where this album really excels is in its core material. The album has a wealth of hidden layers that demands repeat listening, songs such as `Cosy Prison' and `The Fine Blue Line' are beautiful ballads that perfectly encapsulate the raw feelings of human emotions whilst remaining easily accessible. Other songs such as `White Dwarf' and `Birthright' take longer to appreciate yet are ultimately rewarding and represent some of the albums finer moments.

The album's only failing is the dire `Halfway through the tour' a song about the toils of life on the road (although many bands feel the need to write about their experiences on the road they rarely make for great songs). Overall, against such strong material, this is only a minor indiscretion.

So is this a great album, the answer is yes and if it was released by the likes of Coldplay then this album would undoubtedly get the recognition it so richly deserves. And therein lies the problem, the media have long memories, and as far as A-ha are concerned, within the US they are labelled as a one hit wonder. Will this album convince a sceptical US audience otherwise? Only time will tell, but for those ready to take a chance, their faith will be rewarded with an album that truly delivers.

Yes they are, and thankfuly still making some of the most original music in modern times to date.Having gained respect from some of the biggest names in music today (U2,Coldplay and Robbie Williams)a-ha could possibly be the most under-rated band in the world.

The new album Analogue comes after both Keyboard player Magne F's solo album success and Guitarist Paul's side project band Savoy's latest offering of little substance titled Savoy. A-ha teamed up with the producer of Mag's solo album, Flood for Analogue which seemed to be a good idea after having three or four producers for their last studio offering Lifelines. The consistancy of Analogue is truly amazing until the songs written by Paul come in sounding like Savoy B-Sides.

This could have been possibly be the best a-ha album ever made if it wasn't for some members trying to force their own solo work into the spirit of what a-ha as band truly is. Mags was the only one in the band who managed to keep to the a-ha mould while both Morten and Paul both sounded like they wanted to be some where else creativly.

The most true tracks on the album have to be Cosy Prison,the title track Analogue and Summer of our Youth which stick out as true a-ha tracks.

On a whole its excellent music and anyone will find something in there of substance, but a-ha needs to regroup and find the same road as a band....something is still missing....!