Disco de a-ha: “Scoundrel Days”

"Scoundrel Days" - I'm not sure many people even knew this album existed. I for one think it is as good as "Hunting High And Low". A-ha shows a little more maturity and innovation since their previosu release. There's a spiritualness to "Scoundrel Days" that was just touched upon on their first album. My all time favorite A-ha song is "Scoundrel Days". It starts low, builds and hits you hard in the chorus as Hacket belts out some of the best lyrics from any A-ha track. I also like "I've Been Losing You", "Manhatten Skyline" and "We're Looking For The Whales". I can't believe you can only get the import of this album now. That's a shame, since it is such a strong effort by a misunderstood band.

Scoundrel Days is a very different turn one would expect a-ha to take after the commercial success of their debut Hunting High and Low. while it is not a musically challenging album, it is certainly a striking and very darkly emotional one. the well-crafted music sneakily delivers some of the most aching lyrics of a-ha's career. there is an obvious artistic difference between this album and their debut-- Morten Harkett's voice is much richer and seems more involved with the words (best example of his emotional investment is the quiet moment during "The Swing of Things:" his voice during the line "an ocean between us and room in my bed" is particularly haunting) and the music sounds wider. they take their time with the songs-- nothing is rushed through. Scoundrel Days is one of the most adventurous, emotional pop albums I have ever heard, and the songs stay with you days after listening. this album gives much more than one expects from what is supposed to be a simple pop album-- it has a well-defined soul. for this reason I am giving it the highest-possible rating.

The best a-ha album by far. Every track is pure synthpop heaven. Morten's falsetto is untouchable and soars over the electronic instrumentation with such emotion. "Manhattan Skyline" and "I've Been Losing You" will tug at the heart while "Cry Wolf," "Scoundrel Days" and "Looking For The Whales" will make you dance. Eventually the band became more guitar oriented and Morten's voice deepened. If you enjoyed the first album, you will love Scoundrel Days.

By far, "Scoundrel Days" is A-ha's most inspired album. The mood is dark and pained, like the green sky pictured on the cover. But somehow, the poppish synths and sequenced drumbeats compliment the moodiness, giving an ironic sense of hope. (The opening title track is case in point). The lyrics, although abstract at times ("We're Looking for the Whales"), create a dreamscape of images -stories told brilliantly with Morten's soaring, dynamic vocals. "The Weight of the Wind" and "I've Been Losing You" sound straight out of a 007 movie, what with the dramatic chord progressions and all. (Perhaps the film producers heard these cuts and gave A-ha the theme deal for "The Living Daylights"). You can tell A-ha were trying to break away from the limiting bubble-gum pop sound of "Take On Me," and fortunately this ecclectic mix of styles resulted from their experimentation. My only complaint is for the hollow, uninspired "Maybe, Maybe." It just doesn't go anywhere, and seems rather out of place with the rest of the songs. But as a whole, "Scoundrel Days" is on the mark. Please pick it up if you can.

When I finally decided to buy Scoundrel Days on CD several years ago when my LP was showing definite signs of wear, to my dismay, I couldn't find it anywhere. I finally did find it on CD. What an album! No other band (my favorite) has or ever will have such a melodic and lyrical sound as they have. "The Swing Of Things" is sheer poetry in motion. "I've Been Losing Myself" really rocks. "Soft Rains Of April" is nostalgically haunting to me. No fluff here this music is serious stuff. I love this album.