And yet another groundbreaking event, lets not forget, to date, a-Ha has had the most streamed on-line concert in history, the largest PAYING audience to a non-festival concert in history, the first ever Web produced video back in 2000, and not to be outdone, its lead singer has the record for longest held note on a recorded song, at 24 seconds (like to see that Adam Lambert come close).

Universal will be having an exclusive listening party of the full album on June 8th via the Universal site, you do have to join the site to get access as this is NOT a streaming event. This is to combat the numerous "leaks" that will come in the next week as the album is shipped in most countries, with the UK to follow in July. Numerous other surprises for this event are being ironed out at the moment, but the album has already be pre-ordered at the highest volume yet in their native land of Norway, and set to debut at Number 1 easily there and in other markets such as Germany,south America,Ireland and others. Look for them on tour shortly throughout 2009
[Edited 6/9/09 16:24pm]
[Edited 6/13/09 17:24pm]

I get that they are big, but they started losing me after 1988. I like my singles comp a lot, though.

I love the A-Ha singles collection 1984-2004, re-mastered:

Great pop music.

Moonbeam said:

1. Take on Me
2. Sun Always Shines on T.V.
3. Train of Thought
4. Hunting High and Low
5. I've Been Losing You
6. Cry Wolf
7. Manhattan Skyline
8. Living Daylights
9. Stay on These Roads
10. Touchy!
11. Crying in the Rain
12. Move to Memphis
13. Dark Is the Night
14. Shapes That Go Together
15. Summer Moved On
16. Minor Earth Major Sky
17. Velvet
18. Forever Not Yours*
19. Lifelines*

A-Ha had several hits in Europe after 1988 >>

* beautiful songs from 2002

Their work after 1988 has been their best actually, 1989's "East of the Sun" was the turning point, they threw out the keyboards and the re-verb as they put it and got down more with their writing and crafting the songs to make great albums not just singles. 2000's Minor Earth Major Sky is looked upon by many in the industry as their best work, and the most overlooked record of the decade, as Adam Clayton said of them "if they were bad looking guys, then they would have gotten respect, but since they were pushed as poster boys, from day one, they never got the respect they deserved, we in u2 looked up to them, still today we do consider them a challenge"

looking forward to the new record, i'm sure it will be great as always.

NoVideo said:

Oh it will be for sure. They tore up the Arqiva Radio Music Awards last night, actually did 4 songs on the show, and got such an ovation they had to do an encore. set list was

Sun Always Shines on TV
Riding the crest (new cd)
Foot of the mountain (latest single)
Take On Me

Encore:
Analogue (their top 10 single from 2006)

lastdecember said:

That's why. They sounded like a fairly non-descript soft rock band after that point.

thedance said:

That's the one I have. I was looking forward to the songs at the end because I thought they may have regained their sound from the 80s, but they bored me for the most part.

While I enjoy latter-day a-ha, especially Lifelines and Analogue, the group was definitely at its best in the '80s. Nothing they've done yet has topped Hunting High and Low.

AlexdeParis said:

Hmm have to diagree there, though "hunting" is one of the best debut albums from a band, its far short of what a strong band they are now, keboards are often an empty feeling instrument, and they have grown a million times better in the songwriting department and just being able to craft the songs, but "hunting" was the groundwork for a band with promise, but even on the new album, they have used the keyboard more than on past records, its far from being what you would have heard in the 80's, its more like a band with 25 years of work, 10 albums, 16 solo records, and a live album to their credit.

to me there have been 3 a-ha's

There was the 1984-1988 group that rattled off synth pop hits and was looked at as a "cartoon band" then there is the 1989-1993 a-ha that started to turn away from their past and more or less stripped it all down, then there would be the 2000-current a-Ha, finally respected by their peers, getting respect from critics and finally looked on as a force that paved the way for other bands of today. 1994-1998 would be the years that a-Ha did not speak to each other, worked solo, and looked back and realized that those 80's albums had some great stuff and had some shit stuff as MAGS put it.
[Edited 6/7/09 17:01pm]

And here is the confirmed tracklist for the new album due June 12th in Germany the 19th in Norway and in July in the UK and some other countries on June 30th.


The Bandstand
Riding the Crest
What there is
Foot of the mountain
Real Meaning
Shadowside
Nothing is keeping you here
MotherNature goes to heaven
Sunny Mystery
Start the Simulator



Some production notes: due to the late start of this project (it was supposed to be done almost a year and half ago, but got slowed down by MAGNE and Morten's solo work and the solo dates) ALmost all the tracks are written by Paul Savoy of a-Ha, with the exception of Foot of The Mountain and What there is and Riding the crest which are shared by Mags and Paul for music and lyrics, and are based on 3 Magne solo tracks, with new lyrics added by Paul. Morten (lead singer) has no writing credits on this record for the first time since the first album.

Foot of the Mountain is the current single and the video premiered this past week to LARGE acclaim once again. Steve Osborne was one of the main producers on the project, he has done work with New Order, Depeche and U2 to date. The most likely second single is "Riding the crest" which a-Ha have been playing for a year and a half already, and the song is based on the solo track by MAGS called "running out of reasons" the riff of that song has been turned into a retro sounding odysey.

Just experienced the first listen of the record in full!! Review coming shortly track by track new band photos

TRACK BY TRACK REVIEW:

the most relevant band of the last 25 years and the least talked about by music listeners.

With the release of a-Ha's last record "ANALOGUE" their 9th studio record, the band played a one off show in NYC for the first time they were gigging in the USA in 20 years. Possibly this could be a disaster, but was it?? No way, the show sold out in 24 minutes, and when the band opened with "Scoundrel Days" (an album cut from their second album) the audience sang it WORD FOR WORD, not bad for a group that most people think had one hit and one album. Well that may be true for america, but worldwide, sales have passed 80 million albums and records sold, and a string of countless singles some of which eclipsed the success of "Take on Me". "Analogue" showed a mature band, top of their game in writing and structuring classic songs, and member MAGNE F was moving towards the forefront as a possible leader in this trio, taking on alot of the writing chores.

Almost 4 years later though a-Ha comes back with their 10th album "Foot of the mountain", and once again a-Ha deliver the goods, but more than ever, they have delivered a classic hook and riff on every track. You will see the return of heavy Keyboard riffs, though they never really left, MAGNE F has been playing on every record, he just has been using piano more than electro sounds, case in point 3 of these songs on this album are MAGNE F solo songs (acoustic guitar) that were re-done with keys, showing that if you can do it acoustic u can do it anyway.

As for a track by track review: one thing i can say is that i dont compare albums with artists that have careers, its useless and meaningless, U will never get the feel of what you had or did a long time ago, so dont live in that bubble.

Now the tracks.....

THE BANDSTAND: what can i say about this track, an amzing start to this record, and perfect, because it throws you right in the middle of an odyssey, no big intros, just right into a track. AND what a track it is, easily could be a future single, a classic riff that sounds like Jan Hammer's "Colobia" from the REAL Miami Vice. And then and amazing break in the middle that will blow everyones mind, grreat live track for the tour!

RIDING THE CREST: what looks to be the next single, is a classic already, premiered over a year ago at the solo/together shows in May 2008. This song is based on MAGNE's "running out of reasons" which was an acoustic ballad singer songwriter type song, now its something that Erasure would kill for.

WHAT THERE IS: once again this song is based on a MAGNE F composition, a benefit single he did late last year that got alot of worldwide acclaim, another excellent song, major pop song with great lyrics (see it can be done)

FOOT OF THE MOUNTAIN: the current single is a combo of MAGNE F's "Longest night" and new lyrics by Paul Savoy, one of their best singles, and best videos ever! A freaking classic pop song that the usa needs BAD!

REAL MEANING: probably the most heartfelt song on the record, timeless lyrics about love and meaning of life. A classic a-Ha production once again

SHADOWSIDE: this song was also debuted last year and is a strictly Paul Savoy compostion. Very moody and dark, insightful lyrics, Morten on top of his vocal game as usual.

NOTHING IS KEEPING YOU HERE: one of the best on the album, could be a 3rd or 4th single easily if done right. Morten does some acrobatic vocals again, without any effort, because he has not lost a step in his range. Classic Song

MOTHER NATURE GOES TO HEAVEN: very odd piece here, haunting riff, building throughout the song, very odd is the best way to describe the lyrics and content, great song though.

SUNNY MYSTERY: could it be a 5th single?? well a-Ha hasnt had 5 singles on an album since 1989, but i would push for it with this one, AMAZING riff and keyboard and piano switch off, MAGNE is the most valuable band member in history! This guy needs to be mentioned along with other 80's icons.

START THE SIMULATOR: i love this ending, it makes you feel like you are taking off and flying away after just enjoying the greatest ride, and YOU HAVE. this record is the best thing in 2009 by far!!



Overall this record is 5 stars, without a doubt, 10 tracks, 40 minutes, straightfoward top notch music, no skits, no covers, no bull like others do on record, just straight ahead perfection from a band that deserves to be on the top of the 80's band lists
[Edited 6/9/09 17:18pm]

AlexdeParis said:

i love Hunting High and Low, but I think Scoundrel Days and East of the Sun, West of the Moon are their strongest albums overall.

I like the new album. More stripped down and has a bit of an 80s electronic vibe compared to their more recent stuff. Great songwriting, as always, and Morten's voice is as good as ever.

NoVideo said:

Im totally blown away on this record, i mean i knew that it was going to be good, they really have never let me down with a record, the only one that i rarely listen to is "Memorial Beach" which still had some classics, but overall felt like half a record. But outside of that they are always top notch, and finally in the last decade they have gotten respect from their peers (like u2,radiohead and now Coldplay and Keane) and maybe finally they will get their due and not be called a "cartoon band". I think this album should be released in every market, there is NO reason that here in the USA that this couldnt be out there.

lastdecember said:

I love A-Ha but does this record even compare with Minor Earth, Major Sky? Not from what I have heard. Foot Of The Mountain is a great song though.

OLDHATJ said:

Its a totally different type of record, Minor Earth was amazing for what it was and still is, and this record is solid throughout for different reasons that were not even touched on during Minor Earth, there is no comparison in the work.

i like the new album

Sdldawn said:

Yeah its been getting raves from longtime fans, a few un-flattering reviews from fans, but thats going to happen when you alter the sound and direction a bit. As one person said perfectly, a-Ha never stopped doing pop music, they were just doing it in a slightly different way, this time they put more of a focus on Magne F and his riffs from the Keyboards, rather than the piano.

it took quite a few spins to get into it.. but i like it. it's consistent.


only track i can't feel is Mother Nature Goes To Heaven

Sdldawn said:

Its an odd cut, this album was done really quick believe it or not, even though its been 3 and half years, this record was recorded for the most part in 2 months, they didnt really get started as a group till March.

It is a very solid record, once again, different angle of song structuring and music. Paul the guitar player did all the writing except for 3 songs mainly because Magne and Morten was doing solo work and shows. The album kicks off amazing with "the bandstand" and just glides away with "Start the Simulator" very interesting way they did that.

I think this album is on the right track.. I'm loving it so far.

oh yeah, and I hear tiny details that make it worth repeated on alot of these songs. nice production on these songs

Sdldawn said:

Yeah i agree on that, Steve Osborne was one of the main producers on it, Magne F produced 2 cuts that were his songs along with Martin Terfere who produced his last solo album and has worked with Coldplay and Guy BerryMan. Paul Savoy did most of the writing and then Mags and Paul did all the music basically, Morten the lead singer, really didnt have any songwriting on this album, which is a first, though not a major force in the band as a writer, he usually got a track or two of his own, i just think there really was a deadline and they were well past it and had to get it done really quick, but oddly, things tend to work better under pressure.

New Photos from todays press conference for the albums Germany Release on June 15th. Plus 2 more Promo album shots....


Free Image Hosting by ImageBam.com

Here is a group I have not heard about in AGES. They still looks the same only older.

what's the reason their albums aren't being released in US?

Sdldawn said:

Its not really clear. But in 92 when they did "Memorial Beach" their deal in the USA with WB was over, and then they split up till 1998 when they started working on "minor earth major sky" when it came time to release this in 2000 they only had WB for international release the USA wb was not on their agenda, and this continued through with 2002's "lifelines" and the live album in 2004, which was released as a closure to their 20 year WB deal. In 2005 they signed with universal, a 3 album 7 figure deal. This was set to be a full fledged release in all markets, a-Ha even did a show here in NYC before "analogue" was released and played a sold out show and it went tremendous, they brought a german film crew to do a tv special on their first US concert since 1986. But somewhere in there, the USA did not get this album, there was talk of them re-issuing the 3 previous albums in the USA, didnt happen, then talk of doing more shows in america, didnt happen. And then when "Analogue" the single went top 10 in the Uk and they suddenly had that market back the USA was totally off the agenda. With this new cd there is no talk at all of the USA so im guessing the universal deal is much like the WB deal was the last 5 years of that contract. When i spoke to a USA universal rep in 2006 after a-Ha had released analogue he didnt even know a-ha was on the label or together. So i wont hold my breath for anything in america once again.

Finally got around to listening to the album... I like it. I don't love it yet, but I think it's going to grow on me.