ABBA's Greatest ALBUM? -ABBA REACTION Video
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- Опубліковано 30 чер 2024
- This is my first Abba reaction video and my first time hearing Abba reaction of (Abba "The Visitors" album) reaction. Is it Abba 's greatest album? Featuring some of Agnetha Faltskog and Anni-frid Lyngstad, best singing and Björn ulvaeus and Benny Andersson best writing. This is Part ONE THAT FEATURES the abba reactions. It's my first time hearing abba, the vistors. Part 2 will be coming soon and will be a The Visitors Album Documentary.
00:00 Singing All is Said and Done
00:40 Intro
01:53 The Visitors Reaction:
07:24 Head Over Heels Reaction:
10:36 When All is Said and Done Reaction:
14:08 Soldiers Reaction:
18:01 "Let the Music Speak" Reaction:
23:12 One of Us Reaction:
27:30 Two For the Price of One Reaction:
32:00 Slipping Through My Fingers Reaction
36:24 Like an Angel Passing Through My Room Reaction
39:13 The Visitors Album Review
#music #reaction #abba #abbas #musicreaction #firsttimehearing
Lyric Videos-
Visitors-
• ABBA - Head Over Heels...
Head over Heels
• ABBA - Head Over Heels...
When all is said and done
• ABBA - When all is sai...
Soldiers -
• ABBA - soldiers lyrics
One of Us
• ABBA - One Of Us (Lyrics)
I let the music speak
• ABBA - I Let The Music...
Slipping through my fingers
• Slipping Through My Fi...
Like an angel passing through my room
• ABBA - Like An Angel P...
Back when pop music was still an artform..
I know and it seems like actual albums were so much more thing!
@@popcornphilosopher Fore sure, they had a thought out track order, a beginning and a end. Like a movie for ears and imagination.
ABBA has this strange ability to sound fresh and familiar, new and not worn out at the same time 🤔👌
It’s a great way of putting it!
The best album of ABBA! So moody, dark and brilliant!
It really is.. I didn’t know I was gonna like it as much as I did!
To me this is the best pop album ever. So stylish and sophisticated stuff with dark vibes. Love the synth sounds.
Definitely agree! Love this album and yes, very sophisticated
I've recently tried to list my top 10 albums of the 1980s (I'm old enough to properly remember the music scene). I have quite eclectic tastes....Sonic Youth, Talking Heads, Lloyd Cole and the Commotions, The Go-Betweens (from Australia) all feature. People I know are probably probably surprised to see The Visitors on my list, but I also regard this as one of the greatest ever pop albums. Everything is total and utter perfection.
My favourite ABBA album
I’ve only heard one so far. But I have to agree with you anyway I loved it.
Best Album Ever
So underrated!
Oh wow. It is wonderful to see such a detailed and fresh look at this classic album. For years no one paid much attention to it but it has always been a fabourite of mine.
Thanks for this brilliant review.
Glad you enjoyed it! Many thanks! I’m so glad the visitors is getting it’s due!
@@popcornphilosopher Hey!Diego is here commenting positively on this?!You've passed the test girl!He's a lifelong superfan and was present in Abba's last UK interview as a youngster also having a little 'Frida' xperience,lol.He's a 'force that counts'!
Being a newbie I had no idea. That’s so cool I’m honored!
ABBA music is an unwrapped gift that keeps on giving ❤
So true!
Nicely said! 😊
There's always an Abba album to love.This is dark and sophisticated mature Abba.ARRIVAL is earcandy.VOULEZ VOUS is shiny and funky fab.SUPER TROUPER tastes like cinammon wine with honey ,THE ALBUM a surprising anthemic step, kinda American oriented prog pop/rock progression with quite philosophical lyrics and so on.Abba never bores.
I’m so very excited to hear more! That all sounds amazing. The documentary part of this video is coming out tomorrow if you want to check it out:)
In 1981, Visitors was a massive hit in all the gay dance bars. There were DJ versions that lasted five minutes. The pounding bass, the lights, the alcohol, the sweat, the poppers....Wonderful memories! haha
Oh , I read this! It almost made it in the video. I totally would’ve gotten up on the dance floor if Visitors came on!
Best ABBA album ever !!!
I agree, but then I’ve only heard one so far!!
Oh and just look at the artwork on the album cover, just amazing, moody and melancholic again, just like the music and notice noone is looking at anyone else, reflecting where they were in their lives, both separated
I think it’s a great piece of art! I’d honestly put it on my wall. But I do wonder if that might be one of the reasons why this album wasn’t as successful. Since it’s sort of austere. Regardless I think it made it such a complete package for people like me, to discover, admire,
Slipping Through My Fingers (Agnetha's lead vocals are plain beautiful) - the highlight of a truly coherent album!
That’s one of my favorite songs from the album too. I actually did a part two on the visitors, that was a sort of documentary. There’s an ABBA if you haven’t seen it.ABBA Album PARTY!
ua-cam.com/play/PLVaDWMlhe6SFje2D8LnNORUEyB2p0-VZ_.html
Thanks for some great work on your presentations! Wonderful!
My favorite is The Album, but The Visitors is a close second.
Yeah, I feel like most people’s favorite is either the Album or the visitors. People tend to be passionate about their choice! I wonder how I feel when I hear the album?
@@popcornphilosopheryou are going to feel fine
A fantastic review of a total masterpiece of music. I love the quirky passion you've put into this. I'm from Glasgow, Scotland (as mentioned in 'Super Trooper'!!!!)...so this surely proves just how universal this wonderful music is. Thank you Popcorn Philosopher!
Oh, thank you! I’ve only ever been to Edinburgh, but I really loved Scotland I hope I get to go back And go to Glasgow especially to go to TRNSMT! Did you get to see the documentary I made after this on The visitors and I also just made one on Voulez-Vous. There’s a playlist: ABBA Album PARTY!
ua-cam.com/play/PLVaDWMlhe6SFje2D8LnNORUEyB2p0-VZ_.html
Fantastic review, very insightful! Thanks for all your hard work. I hope you can see the show in London sometime, it's amazing! Currently, it opens with The Visitors, and they do an outstanding new arrangement of When All is Said and Done (the highlight of the show for me).
Thank you I appreciate that!I would absolutely love to see it! I hope either it, or I can travel so I can see it!
Thanks for a wonderful reaction. This is a great album and, for ABBA, a rather experimental one and musically pointing in new directions, esp. in the Frida led songs, as you also mention. Unfortunately, they went on a very long break not long after finishing this album, so we never got to hear where this all could take them. The title track and When All is Said and Done are among my favorite ABBA songs.
Thanks for the info! So glad you liked it! Those are my favorite too the visitors is my second favorite Abba track of all time!
Back in the early 80's, the song 'The Visitors' was a big hit in the gay clubs. I went to a club in Ft. Lauderdale about 5 years ago, and I heard it there too. Classic song. Thanks for posting!
I saw that when I was researching the mini documentary I just posted. I thought that was so cool. It says it was probably the beginning of Abba having a strong, gay following. It’s my second favorite ABBA song of all time!
Funny I went to.a danceteria in Fort Lauderdale back in 1996 where The Visitors was playing to a packed crowd, with a puppet animation video. Fast forward, The Visitors opens their extravaganza Voyage show, such excitingly!
Abbas best album ❤ Interesting reaction. You know music.
Thank u there really is a debate about it. But I think it’s fantastic and even though it’s the only one I’ve heard so far I don’t know how they could top it!
Bjorn sang the lead on Two For The Price Of One. Bjorn was guitarist and lyricist. Agnetha just released a new single title Where Do We Go From Here ? and the animated music video drops tomorrow, Sep 6 .... you should be the first to react to it !
Oh that’s so cool and a great idea … let me think thanks for letting me know! I’ll definitely react to it I just have to figure out if I should postpone part2!
And in the demo he cleaned toilets and wished he had a knife
Hello again, wonderful to see that you are doing a deep dive into the Abba albums and interesting to start with their first final album and in my opinion their best album with 'The Album' running it a very close second. This was where Abba experimented, moving away from their usual sound into darker motifs, more melancholic music and towards the musical based songs that Benny and Bjorn would create. Of course Abba can do moody, melancholy songs but with an upbeat and uplifting chorus and they do this brilliantly on this album, with 'The Visitors', 'Soldiers' the Frida breakup song 'When All Is Said and Done' and my absolute favourite Abba song and my No.1 song through all their work 'I Let The Music Sing'. Ending the album with back to back beautifully moving songs ' Slipping Through My Fingers' and 'Like An Angel Passing Through My Room'. This is a masterpiece album from a group that define the word.
These are abs, best lyrics in my opinion, even though I haven’t heard all their albums. Piggybacking off what I said in my last comment the fact that the music wasn’t as universal as previous records and took more consideration. Lyrics need heavier interpretation. Honestly, that’s what I prefer anyway but I also love the pop of Abbas hits too. But that’s always been me. I like prog rock but it also like pop. They both have things to admire as long as a good. The more I find out more admire Abba though I definitely wanna do The album and I’m looking forward to it. I’d also like to listen to the soundtrack for Chess! Thank you I did want to start with this one. Because I’ve always wanted to hear it. The visitors is my second favorite ABBA song! And I heard good and bad things about it so that made me really want to hear it.
@@popcornphilosopher I guess the bad comes from fans being shocked at the tonal difference of the song compared to other singles, it is definitely a more mature sound and theme and maybe that turned them off. It is a pity that they never did another album a few years after 'The Visitors' just to see the culmination of their journey
@@popcornphilosopher Oh you like Prog, one of my favourite bands is Yes, do you know their work?
For once, the YT algorithm got things right, and brought me to your channel. I know this is 8 months old, but just wanted to say, this is my favourite ABBA album, and your reaction was wonderful, plus I love your personality and style. Hope you are well x
one of us is my favorite because the prettiest women who ever to walk this earth sings it Agnetha faltskog and her angelic voice
Yesss!!!!
Hi, thanks so much for your reaction of the whole album❤. I , like you and millions others, embrace and love the whole album❤ ❤❤❤
Yeah, I really wanted to experience the whole thing! And I’m so glad I did!
Soldiers is actually in 3/4 time. It’s a waltz. However the drummer deliberately made it sound not like a waltz! Very clever.
There actually is a lively debate about soldiers I read about later. But I think of it this way 3/4 and 6/8 are very similar and almost interchangeable. Generally songs that have a faster tempo are 6/8 and slower ones are 3/4. But that’s what’s interesting I counted it at 177 BPM but some people count it halftime. But IMO it’s 3/4 though because I think it’s difficult to waltz to because it’s accents are every 6 beats not every 3 which makes it harder to waltz but t’s easier to groove to which imo is very unique! But I love a lively debate!
@@popcornphilosopher really looking to part two! And hopefully other album reactions too. Really enjoyed this one.
Reacting to their discography in reverse order would make for an interesting experience ngl. Every album happier and more upbeat than the last lol. If you’re up for it of course...
That would be so fun! I can see in reverse how they developed!
U should compare the cover from Madonna , for Like an ángel passing through my room which she said she alwAys loved It and was one of her Abba,s fauvorite.
Myself i stay with the real one in Frida,s voice
Yes. ABBA’s greatest album, made even better by the inclusion of songs recorded after the album was released.
I started those yesterday those songs will be coming starting next week! I also posted a documentary about the Vistors if you didn’t see it:)
Indeed, in my opinion, is ABBA's greatest album. Thank you so much for this review.
I haven’t heard them all yet, but I don’t know how they could top it!
You should listen to abba through headphones, it's a pleasure, the problem today is that the radio stations only play the specified music titles, the little problem that abba had back then in Sweden was that they weren't played on the radio because They were too commercial, but the fans bought their singles and LPs so the Swedish radio stations shot themselves in the foot.
The song the visitors is very much sci-fi in billions of ways
Love your reaction. So joyful and different. And you have cartoonfigures in the motion. Please do some more Abba. Love it. 😍🙏👌
More to come! For sure thank you! I was hoping you guys have as much fun as I did:)
I recently learned that the "effect" on Frida's voice in The Visitors was actually just her singing in that style, and it actually wasn't manipulated at all. I'd always thought they'd used an early vocoder or something.
Well, possibly. However, about 5 years ago, I came across an older interview from Benny speaking on how he & engineer Michael did "sneak into the mix" a vocoder-ish type of electronic real time effect to Anna-Frida's vocal during the mixdown. Then he did a second mix WITHOUT it. In the end, they decided to use the version with the "vocoder sound". Lots of information and rare interviews out there. ONE THING, is that Benny has got AN INCREDIBLE, AMAZING MEMORY on ALL THINGS ABBA engineering & mixing. So which way he eventually went with Frida's vocal on this piece...I guess we gotta ring Benny's cell...and ask him?
(I wonder if he'll answer...)
Hmmm...
BolsaChicaRadio
This is a special album for me - it came out in winter time and has a very dark but also inspirational message. Even in the coldest, darkest, not violent of places, the human spirit can survive. I bloody love ABBA.
I JUST LOVE ABBA..... OVER 500 MILLION SOLD RECORDS....BUT I HAVE TO LISTENED TO THE VISITOR
I’ve had it on my list to listen to forever! So glad I did! 500 million wow!
I was a huge ABBA fan as a teenager back in the mid-80s. While their other albums were becoming available on CD, for some reason in the US the Visitors wasn't available on CD. I had a worn out copy of it on cassette tape. So I called a music store in London and bought a copy of The Visitors on CD and had it shipped to me. I was probably the only person to have it on CD in the Western US at the time.
Thanks for sharing the story! I think when Music was harder to get people valued it more!
Intelligent x
I love the extras you put in here. I can tell you put a lot of work into this. I laughed when you did your working girl musical number ! I never thought of that before it would be kind of perfect
Haha. Thank you I’m catching enjoyed it I know right? I read this song is actually about a Society wife going shopping. Which is so interesting…. Such an interesting topic!
Two for the price of one is my favorite on this album because of that rhythm.
Did you see part2. It’s so cool I found out in part two that the bass part was a happy accident when it was run through a delay pedal.
@@popcornphilosopher I can't find it miss scorpio
The "bonus tracks" from the "Remastered Editions" of this album are great as well, especially "The day before you came" and "Under attack". I can't even imagine "The Visitors" being complete without these 2 songs.
The first of those reactions are actually coming either Monday or Tuesday
@@popcornphilosopher The original album with 9 songs came out in November (I guess) of 1981. The rest of the tracks, that have been recorded in 1982, were meant to be released on another allbum. Meanwhile, the group decided to split. Some of the songs (from the 1982 recording sessions) have then been released on "ABBA - More ABBA Gold" compilation and on the re-releases of the "The Visitors" album.
The videos for "Under attack" and "The day before you came" were released.
The song from '82 sessions called "Just like that" hasn't been officially released in full. This has been fans favorite for many years, and when ABBA announced their return a few years back, there have been speculations about releasing one of their unreleased demos. They chose "Just a notion", saying that "Just like that" wasn't good enough....
Great reaction to a classic abba album. Would love to know if you might do a reaction to the comeback album from 2021. Voyage includes 2 great songs in I still have faith in you and don’t shut me down.
I'd like to do the whole discography! I was just thinking about going backwards but then I'll have to come back around to voyage! Thank you!
Funny thing about the Visitors, the Russians weren't too happy with ABBA who they felt were calling them out during the Cold War. I remember hearing that on the news when I was a young teen.
Oh, I didn’t know that interesting!
The very first or one of the first commercial CDs released, I believe... maybe even the first full digital recording...
Really? I was thinking it sounded very analog. There’s such a warmth to the mixes! Although I guess if it was recorded digitally they’re still using analog synths.
@@popcornphilosopher I found this on Wikipedia: "The Visitors was one of the first records ever to be digitally recorded and mixed, as well as one of the earliest in history to be pressed on the CD format in 1982." en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Visitors_(ABBA_album)
Loved this video, Io ❤.. Very enjoyable, both for your always interesting commentary and for the clear pleasure it brought to you, which was wonderful to see .. I absolutely love this album too, though strangely it doesn't contain any of my very favourite ABBA songs .. But as a well constructed, arranged, and performed mixture of darkness and beauty, it stands as a masterpiece.
Vistors is my second favorite ABBA song! But you’re right It didn’t have a lot of the hits. But I absolutely adore it right now. I don’t know how they can do it better album but I’m anxious to find out! Thank you so much I really appreciate it!
@@popcornphilosopher I love the "The Visitors" song too, Io .. So spooky, but so great ! .. It is my favourite from the album, and is probably just outside my Top 10 in my overall favourite ABBA songs .. And as you suggest, "The Visitors" album itself is such a work of art .. Yes, all their biggest hits came from other albums, but for consistency of quality, this one is really hard to beat.
One of my all time favorite pop albums for 40 years now, bought it as vinyl as soon as it appeared back then when i was a kid and played it so often until the LP was almost worn out 😂 a bit later i bought the CD and now i enjoy the remastered and extended version of this ingenious album. It will always be one of my most beloved albums, so mysterious, so dark, so bittersweet and yet so much artistic beauty and mastery in it, with so many different styles and so many layers of music and meanings.
It really is a work of genius! They were all at the top of their game! It’s crazy they were at the end Abba for a long time. Btw reactions/documentary to the bonus songs are oming tomorrow!
I have been listening to this album for the last few days, we're you reading my mind? :P. Loved this video, can't wait for part 2 !
Haha great minds think alike! Such a good album. Thank you! And it’s my first ABBA album but it has to be one of their best!
Hands down, the apex of ABBA's creativity. Both Frida and Agnetha gave some of their best vocal performances on this album (especially Frida). It was ahead of its time. A couple of years after its release many other 80s groups would borrow from it for influence. Example: "Do You Really Want To Hurt Me" by Culture Club wouldn't have existed had "One of Us" not preceded it. Even the intros!
Oh, I never thought of that. That’s a very good point about culture club!
The song the Visitors was about Political mistreatment of dissidents in Russia at the time. Soldiers was about Impending Apocalypse.The album was full of great songs.
I actually talk about this part two if you didn’t see it! I did a mini doc about the visitors
A great, but not the best, album from ABBA according to me! 4th place of their I think. The ones during the years 1976-79 were the generally best ones I think. If I choose one I would say ABBA - The Album. Songs like ”Eagle” and ”The Name Of The Game” are terrific! Thank you for your great reaction!
Interesting I’ll have to check that one out next! Maybe I’ll do a deep dive on that one. I’ve heard name of the game, but not eagle! Thank -you!
@@popcornphilosopherif you go for the song Eagle - please do choose the long version (which is the one at the album). ABBA is so versitale and I love the creativity which gave us new kind of expressions. ”As Good As New” which starts the Voulez Vous-album is another great example of it.
I say madam your pink hair is gorgeous
Both the tracks "The Visitors" and "Soldiers" were about the cold war between USA and Russia. Sadly, the cold war has still not ended.
If anything it's gotten scarier and less cold!
GREAT video👍🎉 The demo lyrics in "Two for the price of one" was about Björn cleaning public toilets and wishing he had a knife😆 I love this strange song - the arrangement is,💯
"Giving a little more" - a demo never finished could have been the second track with Björn on vocals.
"Like an angel passing through my room" went through major changes before the final mix with only Frida and Benny in the studio. You can listen to how the earlier version sounds on The Visitors Deluxe edition. Madonna recorded a demo of this song btw.
One can also find a demo by Benny (out there) of "When all is said and done". It started out as synthpop ✨
There were some confusion about which tracks to release as singles, so some went for The Visitors, some Head over heels, some One of Us, others When all is said and done or a combination.
Only "One of us" and "When all is said and done" had music videos (by Lasse Hallström) so it makes me wonder if The Visitors was thought as a single really...?
The B-side of One Of Us (Should I laugh or cry) wasn't included on the album.
When all is said and done/Slipping through my fingers were also recorded in Spanish.
Once again THANK YOU for such a great post. Will look forward to other videos from you.
👍from🇸🇪
What really? That’s so interesting to hear about TFTPOO! It’s definitely growing on me, but I would say it’s probably my least favorite, but like by a small hair because I just loved everything. Everything is so brilliant. Do you know if the Madonna demo is available? I totally want to hear it! Yeah you would. They would do a video for the visitors just because of how visual it is in the way and so interesting. Thank you long so glad you liked it. I look forward to getting to the the bsides/bonus tracks.
@@popcornphilosopher
Here's the instrumental first demo by Benny for When all is said and done - with the vocals from the final version put on top by a fan.
Let me know if you want more ABBA-material most UA-camrs have no clue about.
All the best
ua-cam.com/video/m-2eccLJdYk/v-deo.htmlsi=LE5PcpQFZBB3skhi
The instrumental synth backing track from the demo. With the vocals from the final version.
Hope you like it.
Let me know if you want more ABBA-material most UA-camrs have no clue about
All the best
Frida dominates The Visitors and Voyage
I know lot of people prefer Agnetha’s but I love the texture of fridas voice!
@@popcornphilosopherFrida all day long.
@@rdwulf6289 but I love them both equally. They both have their own strengths! I feel like Frida is the underrated of the two though!
How?
Whilst Agnetha is the voice of Abba
Amazing album choice IO 😎🇸🇪
Thank you It is a great album! And I’d always wanted to hear it
@@popcornphilosopher Listened to it on my way to the office today. Made my London Tube journey bearable
@@nelad nice! I lived in New York for years….I know the importance of good music on the train!
I love that you add yourself and other animations while each song is playing.
Thank you I really hoping it would be silly and whimsical!
@@popcornphilosopher That's great. I have a singer that I'd love for you to hear. She's called Faouzia and she has incredible live vocals. Listen to her singing Tears Of Gold (Stripped) on youtube.
The Visitors song is ABBAs version of The Beatles ,Tomorrow never knows ,mixed with Summer night city.
Interesting … I’ve never heard that except the SNC part
This album was released 42 years ago, it didn't chart that well in the US Billboard 200 Album Chart which should have been. It is a fantastic album and has not discovered until 42 years later.
I kind of talk about this in part two! It is a fantastic album though!
@@popcornphilosopher I suggest you May review another ABBA’s album name “ The Album “ released in 1978, songs are also fantastic, songs like The name of the game, Eagle, One Man one Woman, Departure, Move On etc.
Well, the Americans are a bit slow.But recently the woke up and realize how unbelievable good ABBA really are
I really like you videos. Would be nice to have a reaction to a released version "from Tinkle star to an angel passing through my room"
Thank you! Oh, you mean the medley? I think I talked about it in my visitors doc video if you didn’t see it.
@@popcornphilosopher yes you reminded the process...Would be nice if you could react to the whole sequence
@@popcornphilosopher ua-cam.com/video/5Pceu098Qds/v-deo.htmlsi=ERIxBcnnNY0qUG2r
9:09 it's actually "a whirl of lace" - the video maker got it right the first time round. Mind you, I thought it was "setting the world ablaze" for years lol
Ohhhhhh rhats good to know it make sense either way that’s funny. I thought it was good the wrong way too !
The visitors they talk about they are not aliens jeeje, they were talking about a possible sovietic invasion , Sweden is very close to the old sovietic republics so people used to live dreading an attack
I found that out later. I talk about it in Part 2 which’ll go up Monday… although I didn’t realize that about Sweden. Thank you!
Thank-you 😊
But of course!
Counterpoint or countermelody!
Yes, someone else mentioned this and I don’t think I ever even knew this word even though I thought I did!
Their best work
Absolutely I actually just made part two devoted to the making of it. It gave me even more respect for how great it is!
That was a wonderful review though some songs were hard to take by being exceptionally poignant. It nevertheless was like celebrating an ABBA party with you. Concerning voice doubling: As seen in a documentary ABBA was the very first group (more or less accidentally) adding richness to the sound in doubling not just the voices but the whole mix. Of course Frida additionally got applied some tiny pitch shifting on the Visitors-track but the recipe of doubling everything seemed to remain. Apropos Frida: Her 1982 hit "There's Something Going On" can never be a song of your childhood except you're a biological miracle but who knows?
Thank you that’s the best compliment! That’s exactly what I wanted it to feel like! Even though it’s though it’s a darker album for Abba it really brought out my whimsical side! That’s fascinating about the mix doubling. I had no idea they were the first to do that. I love the behind the scenes so thank you so much. I might even add that to part two. I am a biological miracle, but then aren’t we all! Haha
Oh! I almost forgot to send:💐💐💐
The effect on her voice is most likely a Cooper Time Cube.
That’s so cool I just went down the rabbit hole about that. I can totally see why you would say that. Although I couldn’t find specifically if it was used. It was used on tell me something good. I can totally see it being used on visitors and something going on. I might do a short on it. Thank you.:)
@@popcornphilosopher It was used a lot at the time because there wasn't a lot of crazy outboard gear that did that sort of thing. They did own H910 Harmonizer as well so it could be that as well. My bet is the Cooper though because it sounds like its the voice is through a hose. ;)
@@popcornphilosopherI just got back from London and saw the ABBA Voyage show. It was nuts!!!! I'm a punker from Los Angeles so people were making fun of me when I told how awesome it was lol. Have a good one.
@@ehav that’s fabulous. I’m want to go so bad! I love that you have a wide variety of tastes I’m the same way. I was in a prog rock band but I also love pop!
@@popcornphilosopher right on! I’m in a Devo influenced band here in Los Angeles. It’s so fun
Oh love the shark cushion by the way LOL
That’s SHARKEY!!!
I never bougt that album but a friend let me recorded it❤
Here’s to friends!
Prince and Kate and ABBA? You’re my new best friend. That’s a diet that could sustain me for a very very long time. Except for The Beatles, which everyone knows by heart anyway, what else does a person need to know about pop?
The Visitors is my favourite ABBA album by far, but it would be as I’m an 80s kid - (the 80s always trumps the 70s for me). It’s such a pity it kind of petered out, like the whole band did shortly after. But the backlash against them had begun by then: The 80s had arrived and new revolutionary sounds were making waves, while ABBA were in their mid-thirties and probably at their height of uncool, (at least by their own account). But if you listen to the album as a whole, I think you’ll agree it’s their masterpiece. It kind of makes sense that Bjorn and Benny went into writing musicals after it: They had reached the pinnacle of the pop format and perfected it - they needed a larger canvas. And they certainly dabbled in those aesthetics on this album, delving deeper even than they did towards the end of the previous album.
Their international audience is perhaps not widely aware that ABBA was the second act of their respective careers: All four had successful careers in Sweden in the 60s, the women as solo artists, and the men in two different but very successful bands. And so the guys getting into musicals - and the women going back to being solo artists - in the 80s was their third act, and their third decade as active artists.
About the title track: The lyrics are typical of the cold war era, and the Swedish anxiety of living next to Soviet Russia, as a neutral state. It’s about a dissident, cowering in their apartment while the secret police is breaking in, not alien abductions. There is certainly a prominent modulation effect on Frida’s vocals, but while I don’t necessarily hear a lead vocal double, I wouldn’t put it past Bjorn and Benny to double pretty much everything - (that was after all a huge part of the secret to the ABBA sound) - or Frida to safely deliver two (or more) identical vocal takes.
Head Over Heels: It was a single, they even made one of those fun-slash-slightly-cringey music videos for it. And yeah, how did this not feature in the movie Working Girl? It’s not super widely known, but Frida had a bit of classical training, and so opera singing was her party trick. I think you can hear bit of that in the massive backing vocal stacks on this one, (and the next one). In general it is incredible how those two women were able to change their voices, from mature women to girly voices, from pop to to operatic, and how that makes their backing vocal stacks sound out of this world massive. Simply stacking the same two voices over and over could never achieve that sonic girth.
When All Is Said And Done: This was Frida’s divorce song, and the companion piece to Winner Takes It All, (from the previous album). And while it is nowhere near as beloved or famous, for me it’s up there. It’s very simple musically, as you say, but man, the sound of those vocals… Agnetha rightfully gets a lot of the praise for her divine soprano voice, but let’s take a moment to admire the awe-inspiring, steely, soaring conviction of Frida’s mezzo-soprano lead. To have two lead vocalists of this caliber in one band…is there anything else in the ballpark? Not that I know of. This was also a single, with a (surprisingly non-cringey) music video attached.
Soldiers: 6/8 with groove? Hold The Line. Say what you will about Toto, but you can’t deny that Jeff Porcaro was the groove master. To me this song sounds like the guys’ heads are already in their next project, writing for the stage.
Two For The Price Of One: The male lead is always Bjorn, (he was the lead singer in his previous band). I don’t think Benny ever laid down any vocals, apart from sitting in on the occasional gang vocal. A whimsical throwback to four-on-the-floor ABBA, with very interesting phrasing in the chorus. Funny lyrics though: A guy finding a personal ad that’s reads like an invite to a threesome, but is in fact a partner + mother-in-law package. Again with the musical theatre outro though.
Slipping Through My Fingers: Bjorn’s guilt trip about his daughter, exquisitely embodied by his ex-wife and mother of said daughter. I cannot listen to this and not well up. Perhaps the most traditional number on this album, but what does it matter when it’s done to this level of perfection? If dictionaries had soundtracks, this would accompany the word wistful.
Looking forward to watching the second part of this.
I didn’t know if you saw it already. But I did already post part two! So much I learned since this video! I’ll definitely be reacting to all the videos to as well as the post singles/bonus tracks. I’m gonna react to them like the original singles ie. a side/b side which I’ve already filmed. Thanks for all the info! That’s a good point about.Toto! I need to listen to more of their music! You definitely have a lot of Kate Bush content. I think there might be 30 videos as of now we’re in the middle of a never for ever deep dive! Thanks again and welcome! Lovely meeting you!
@@popcornphilosopher I’ll definitely check it out. Sorry about the rambling, I get excited… ;)
React to Laura nyro song brown earth. She's a great singer songwriter for the 70s.. big influence and very underrated
I really need to check out more of her music. I only know a couple songs.
I like The Visitors ('I Let The Music Speak' is amazing), but it's nowhere near my favourite ABBA album. IMO The Album (1977) is ABBA at their very best, followed by Super Trouper (1980). Arrival and Voulez-Vous are also fantastic. Frankly, any ABBA fan should go through their whole discography, it's so worth it.
I feel like those are the albums people are most passionate about. The Visitors or the album. And I ended up doing a part two on the visitors though if you didn’t see it, I kind of talk about it. But I’ll eventually get through all of the albums!
Oh by the way it was Bjorn singing 'Two For The Price Of One' and yes, like you, this was my problem song from the album, it took me a long time to like it and it is the weakest by far. I wish they had swapped this out with 'The Day Before You Came' actually as tonally that song fits this album perfectly, whereas 'Two For The Price' I think does not
Oh thank you I was wondering about that! I don’t dislike it. I like the chorus groove and the bing bing bongs lol.. I also like the time signature change at the end. But it just happens to be among other more brilliant tracks!
So happy to see your fot first time with a great review to ABBA in theiir eight album "The Visitors"
"The Visitors" (1981)
is an album in difficult context due to the separation of Benny and Frida
with no bigs worldwide hits like others
and more deep lyrics
it's called the 'dark side of ABBA'
my favorite song is the most emotional:
"Slipping through my fingers"
with a fantastic lyrics and a beautiful voice of Agnetha in leads
followed by the heartbroken songs
"One of us" (the last Top10 to ABBA in UK, until "Don't shut me down" in 2021)
"When all is said and done"
(single in U.S.)
and another good songs:
"The visitors" (great opening)
"Head over heels" (funny and underrated)
"Soldiers" (with a politixal lyrics)
I don't like
"Two for the price of one"
and in my opinion
"Like an angel passing through my room" isn't like an ABBA song
For many fans here is their best album
In my opinion is 7pts, good and mature, but not in my Top5 of all ABBA albums
see you tomorrow, with the second part
My best regards from
Buenos Aires Argentina
South América
P.S.1: not included in my opinion all the bonus tracks, that are B-sides and singles in 1982, and could be part of an unreleased new album in 1982 or 1983
P S.2: my favourite ABBA álbums is the triduum: ABBA - Arrival - The Album
Thank you for the context, and will considered opinion. I thought these were some of ABBA’s best lyrics, but I can see why they weren’t as big of hits. The meanings take a little bit more analyzation and maybe aren’t as universal but I like that kind of thing! Two for the price of one of my least favorite song toO. But I do love Angel I actually liked everything here. I’ll probably definitely do a reaction to the bonus tracks too. I wanted to stick to the album to hear their vision. I definitely think it works as an album even though all the songs are kind of their own universe. No two sound alike! Thanks again Hope you have a wonderful day/night. Not sure what time it is in Buenos Aires .Haha
@@popcornphilosopher
I owed you the answer, that you deserve it for your cordiality and deference to my comment.
You're right, his latest songs are his best lyrics, deeper and more reflective because of the evolution of their own lives, and also because of Björn's greater understanding and mastery of the English language.
And it coincided with the change in the context of ABBA, that they were no longer 'two happy couples', not even one (as it was with the breakup between Agnetha and Björn at the end of 1978, since the recording of the single "Chiquitita" and the sixth album "Voulez Vous", until the following "Super Trouper" from 1980) Now they were 4 talented but separate artists, as seen on the cover of the album "The Visitors"
This is probably why their singles, far from the fresh and innocent pop of "Take a chance on me" were no longer so massively successful; "One of us" was #3 in the UK and #1 in some European countries, but the follow-up single "Head over heels" was just #26 in the UK (and thus ends a series of 18 consecutive Top 10 singles in the UK) although Top10 in some places in Europe
It would be nice if you make a complementary reaction with the bonus tracks. Let me clarify: only one of them "Should I laugh or cry" was the B-side of the single "One of us", while the others are the two singles after the album that ABBA released in 1982, as part of the Ninth Album that ABBA finally couldn't make in 1982/1983, and that in later editions of "The Visitors" are added as a bonus track
And if you're excited to hear more from ABBA, you could review their entire catalogue, beginning with their first album "Ring Ring" from 1973, when they weren't even called ABBA and weren't even fully convinced of launching as a stable quartet. Surely very different from this one, but with clues very worth seeing and listening to
Again, it was very nice to see your video and I hope you do more of ABBA
I send you a cordial greeting from Buenos Aires, Argentina, South America, at 10:45 p.m.
Björn Ulvaeus sang in The Price of One. Strange fact he didn't like his voice. Very shy about his voice.
Interesting I didn’t know that! Funnily I’m recording for part 2 about this song right now!
I am now 55. I have known and been a fan of ABBA for nearly my whole life. I remember when ABBA won the European Song Contest, Eurovision. My German relatives sent us tapes and albums. Visiting Stockholm and the ABBA Museum was definitely a highlight from my family vacation back in July/August 2022. A must-see. I remember being an ABBA fan during my high school years and being bullied for it. I wish I had seen them live in concert. I was 14 years old when they broke up in 1982. I wish too that we could listen to more ABBA music on the radio, not only Dancing Queen.
Have a feeling that you missed the "punch line" at the end of "Two for the Price of One".
I did and actually you were the only one who pointed it out. I actually talk about it though. In part two.
Respectful review… you have a new subscriber…
Oh, thank you so much and welcome!
Two lyrics going on at the same time…counterpoint?
You know, that’s not the word, I thought, but I think that’s true!
polyphonic singing ❤
@@popcornphilosopher Two different independent melodies at the same time is counterpoint. At the end of The Visitors the upper line is just a variation of the main melody and it’s called a descant.
I LOVE ... When All Is Said And Done, so deeply meaningful !! 😪 Solders is a wonderful song and gotta love I Let The Music Speak. No matter what many might say, except for Don't Shut Me Down, the Voyage album can not be compared to the Visitors for depth of richness, character and harmony.
I haven’t heard it yet. But I definitely will. Maybe I’ll do special video about it. I just made part two of this video if you haven’t seen it. More about the making of the visitors.
@@popcornphilosopher I'm also with you on Two For The Price Of One, sorry but I find the song a bit cringy, lol. Head Over Heals, is a good song, but not one for my play list, the rest of the album I totally truly LOVE!
Oh, just want to say that I enjoy your upbeat unique personality.☺
Lace not face lol
Wait did I get another lyric wrong? Oh noooo I sang passion instead of passage too! Sorry. I was trying to play piano and I didn’t have the lyrics in front of me
Great album but not their best.
Theis best , Abba the album , from 77
It's so funny I just got a comment saying this is the best album. It's an interesting debate. I wonder how I feel when I hear all the albums?
Not my favourite Album of theirs, probably 4th best for me.
Some nice songs, "Head over heels," "When al is said and done," "One of us," and my 2nd favourite track, "slipping through my fingers," but "The Visitors" is really the only stand out tune for me.
It’s so interesting I’ve noticed a lot of people have said this is the fourth favorite while others their favorite. I really loved it. I wonder what I feel. When I hear them all?
@@popcornphilosopher
I guess it depends on what flavour of pop you most like, it is all ABBA goodness though.
For glam early ABBA then "ABBA" is a great start as it more consistent than the two earlier albums and they pretty much had their sound.
I happen to like Disco, especially ABBA disco, so Voulez Vous may be my favourite, it has banger after banger although for peak ABBA Super Trouper might be ahead.
Then Arrival and ABBA the album are very close behind.
If you do them all it will be interesting to see how you feel but basically they are all classic Albums including the Visitors and Ring Ring and Waterloo aren't without their charms, especially if you are interested in how their sound evolved over the years and how they decided the girls should be front and centre and how to best utilise those perfect harmonies.
And of course the comeback Album had some great tracks with Don't shut me down being my favourite but I also loved old style Just a notion and I still have faith in you, the rest were a bit hit and miss for me.
'The Visitors' is great, but ABBA was at their peak with 'The Album' - one of the best albums of all time by any artist.
I dont agree with you
This reminds me of the Beatles parts of it I don't like it. Sorry. Its like they took parts from other people
Really? I guess I can understand it. I’ve heard this album you either love it or you hate it. I absolutely loved it.
They admired the Beatles, but even McCartney would say this is an ABBA album, :D
@@wawa2 I think i agree, because other than a handful of songs,most of these sound still unmistakably Abba.
My favourite ABBA album, too, but I find it annoying when you talk over the music. Sorry. X
Then why are you watching a reaction? I linked all the lyric videos in the description.
@@popcornphilosopher I watch a lot of reaction channels, and most of them pause the video while they speak, but when some talk over the music, I find it annoying. Maybe it’s just me. I did say sorry, though.
@@irenedownie6559.it’s really a matter of taste. I dontr care for it when people stop the music too much.
@@popcornphilosopher Dont care about that comment,he dont understand very much
I don't know I really don't like this album.
That’s the thing Music can be very personal
As they say, there is no accounting for taste. To my mind it's one of the very best albums ever produced.
Then you have to wash your ears