Disco de a-ha: “Foot of the Mountain”

Yet another great a-ha album. This time, with a throw back to their earlier sound- but very modern and definitely not a copy of anything they've already done. Morten has one of the best voices ever in pop music and a-ha have been producing some great music for years. It's so frustrating that America considers them a " one hit wonder." I agree with another reviewer- poor marketing keeps them out of the American spotlight. I've been saying it for the past four albums-- but I bet this one would do really well in America if America knew it existed. I'm American and when I talk about a-ha, most people don't even know that they're still around. Very strange. Just keep talking about it...maybe it will catch on.

I have always been a fan of a-ha's music. Even with the roughness of their middle albums, I was always struck by Morten's amazing voice. Beginning with Minor Earth, Major Sky, the band began making a comeback with stronger melodies and soaring instrumentation. FotM is their strongest effort in a while. I absolutely love the references back to Hunting High and Low, and I think the frosty synths work wonders against Morten's vocals. Most importantly, the tracks on this album are strong melodically. My favorite album of 2009 thus far.

Since it's their "last" album, barring charity events, World Cup Football performances, 35 year reunions ... well, you get the drift, I justified paying a little more. Fans will always pay more for the "final" album. The package is a quality, double-fold opening cardboard Digipak from Europe (Germany, specifically). Why all CD's don't come this way is a mystery to me - the tactile quality of the product makes it somehow more rewarding to own. Two-disc set: one CD and one DVD, which is Region 0, and therefore plays in any machine in the world (as long as that machine plays PAL video, which this is, being German).

The DVD is the three theatrical videos from the album, plus two live videos from some 2009 concerts.

The CD is a solid final effort, no where near as good as Scoundrel Days, but more accessible than Memorial Beach - so, the boys go out on a "high" note with this release and package.

Sadly, at $36, it's about $16 more than you'd pay if it were released domestically, which, as all North American a-ha fans know, was always a sore point.

Nice quality booklet and liner notes as well.

I'm getting more than a little peeved with VH1, MTV and U.S. record keeping groups when they refer to a-ha as a "one hit wonder" for the song "Take on Me."

There is no doubt that "Take on Me" is an incredible song, but just because American tastes run hot and cold doesn't mean that a-ha hasn't been cranking out hits for the past 25 years.

Such is the case with Foot of the Mountain. The title song is an incredibly heartfelt and moving song. Throughout the album, Harket's vocals are more mature (as befits his age) and there is little need for him to prove that he is a master vocalist (he's already done that). Pal and Mags and Morten have written a more intense and emotional album here.

By and large these are love ballads, but not of the bubble-gummy type. These are mature men writing songs to their wives and to their children.

You've got to get this to see why Europe, South America and Asia have had a love affair with a-ha all these years and why they are a multi-platinum group - even if not in the U.S.

This album is simply amazing and quite a return to form after the mildly lackluster Analogue. A-ha has been a long time favorite of mine and I have pretty much everything they have released with some good, some not so great but mostly amazing. This is one of the best ever for them and it is kind of return to their roots. I love the mix of synthesizers and guitars and the melodies are still extremely strong. "Foot of the Mountain" is such a great single and one I keep playing over and over.

It is sad that this return to their roots album is going to be their last. After 27 years they are calling it quits and going off to pursue other interests. One can only hope they will have a change of heart someday but... This is a fitting send off for such an amazing group who have endured almost three dacades of musical change and done it with such style and grace, sounding even better today then they did way back when, in their first efforts.

Yes, "Take On Me" will always be on the top of my favorites list from them, but I think they are much stronger and more complete as a group today. I will continue to follow their solo eforts and can only hope for some kind of A-ha feel from them. I also will be looking to see them on their fairwell tour this coming year. Thanks for the wonderful parting gift.