Roxette Album: “Don't Bore Us, Get to the Chorus: Greatest Hits [US]”

(First of all, in case you don't know, the title of my review paraphrases the ending of the song "Joyride.") Which Swedish act has had more #1s in the U.S. than any other? No, it's not Abba or Ace of Base (both of whom only had one U.S. #1). It's the duo known as Roxette. And if you were listening to top 40 or adult-contemporary radio at all between 1989 and the first half of 1992, you've heard their music, though you may not know who Roxette are.

This CD is the U.S. release of Roxette's greatest hits album, "Don't Bore Us, Get to the Chorus," which originally appeared in Europe in 1995. This track listing is different and seems to have been tailor-made for the U.S. market. All of Roxette's U.S. charting singles, from 1989's "The Look" to 1994's "Sleeping In My Car," are here, along with other non-hit tracks that are still definitely worth a listen.

Per Gessle was once quoted as saying that he believed Roxette made music similar to what Abba would have done if Abba were still around in 1990. The comparison is easy to understand: both Roxette and Abba built their careers around catchy, hook-filled three-and-a-half-minute compositions. Despite the title of this album, Roxette were NEVER boring, even if their lyrics were sometimes (especially on "The Look" and "Joyride") borderline laughable. The songs and performances were just good enough to make you forget giggle-inducing couplets like "Now she's telling all the secrets/And the wonderful balloons." They could handle both rock and ballads with ease, and they were absolutely unstoppable between 1989-91, with (in the U.S.) four #1 singles, two #2 hits and one other top 20 hit. Then in 1992, their popularity suddenly dropped off drastically as musical tastes changed and Nirvana and grunge-rock became all the rage, and Roxette's straightforward pop-rock was apparently no longer "hip." Their first U.S. single to miss the top 20 was "Spending My Time" (#32, 1992), and in chart terms, it was downhill from there. (The fact that "Almost Unreal" appeared on the soundtrack of the forgettable "Super Mario Bros." movie in 1993 probably killed its chances for success as well - as it was, it barely dented the U.S. charts at #94 Pop and #45 Adult Contemporary.) But Roxette are still huge in Europe to this day and are still churning out great music, even if America has all but forgotten them.

Of the non-hit tracks on this album, my favorites are "Stars" (a delightful, catchy piece of club bait) and "Wish I Could Fly" (a ballad which sends chills up my spine and deserved to be a hit, but wasn't, despite receiving some airplay on Adult Contemporary stations).

In short, Roxette was responsible for creating some of the catchiest, hookiest pop songs of the '80s and early '90s, and like I said, if you don't know the name of the band, you probably know at least one of the songs. Listening to this CD is an experience that can best be summed up in the title of their last U.S. #1 hit: "Joyride."

Yes people, it's that good it's almost addicting. Come on it did have four #1 singles and two #2 singles here in the US. Those two songs were held from the top spot by two different artist/group Janet Jackson and the Bangles. Maybe you have heard of them before.The first two songs "Wish I could fly" & "Stars" really lets you know that this album is full of variety. "Wish I could fly" is a slow romantic song while "Stars" sounds like it would be played in a club. Both are good songs."The Look" the groups first American #1 hit is absolutely a catchy song and can easily get stuck in your head. "Listen to your heart" was another #1 US hit. This is a very nice ballad with a positive message."Dangerous" a #2 song in the US right behind Janet Jackson. "It must have been love" became a #1 hit after the Pretty Woman soundtrack. This has to be my favorite. ""Joyride" is one of the four number one US hits on here. I remember this song from when I was a little kid and is the one I remember the most. And who could forget the whistling? "Fading like a flower (every time you leave)" was the 2nd #2 hit on this collection of hits. This song is awesome!"Spending my time" a lot of people could relate to this song you know thinking of someone and wondering if they are thinking of you too. "Church of your heart" lets Per Gessle get his turn at showing that he doesn't just doesn't write the songs."How do you do!" & "Dressed for Success" these songs are hard to describe but that doesn't mean they are bad. "Almost Unreal" is said to be in the Super Mario Brothers movie. It's not that bad of a song either. "Sleeping in my car" & "Crash! Boom! Bang!" are totally opposite of each other but both are well written. "You don't Understand me" this is one of those songs that tells some one "Look I'm right here why don't you see that?!?!" A good way to end a very good album.So if you are looking for some good music that is full of variety I recommend this collection of hits to you.

Roxette is a force to be reckoned with! Over 40 million albums sold worldwide, and they are still as good as the day "The Look" hit the US airwaves. Check out the two new songs "Wish I Could Fly," and "Stars." Just gorgeous. Roxette has been churning out the hits and just keeps on getting better with age. "Wish I Could Fly" has a newfound melancholy to it that listeners will find themselves eating up. If you are a diehard fan, then you probably already had this collection when it was released in Europe a couple of years back. No fear, Roxette's next album will get a worldwide release (yes! including the USA) next year. Roxette, keep the music coming!

This is a great compilation by a great band. However, if at all possible, try to pick up the non-USA (ie. Canada, Europe) version, primarily for two unreleased songs that are some of the best power-pop songs of all time. "June Afternoon" leads off the album, and is just stunningly good! Also, "She Doesn't Live Here Anymore" is a brilliant piece of simple pop that's perfect for windows-down summertime driving.

Buy the US version if you must... but don't say you weren't warned!

This is what a greatest hits album is all about! Roxette has been abel to provide GREAT poptunes for 15 years and now their greatest hits album has finally reached the us!

Bye it! Listen.....and enjoy!!!!!!