Gold

The music of ABBA flows and thrums and surges and oozes with excitement, life, joy, and bittersweet love. The lyrics cannot be overlooked, as they address all the themes addressed by most musicians: love (unrequited, lost, newly begun, in full bloom), grief, triumph, and heartache. I'm sure everyone has a favorite, but "Fernando" was always mine. It tells the story of love amongst revolutionaries and dreams that made it, and dreams that died. To me, it's haunting.


Outstanding   June 15, 2005
17 out of 17 found this review helpful

Every track a gem. Clever, clever songs where every element (vocals, lyrics, music, production) work in harmony to deliver 'the hook'. Poppy but never disposable, camp but never tacky, Abba are arguably the greatest pop band ever. Abba Gold leaves almost every other pop Greatest Hits redundant by comparison.


A sheer classic   October 12, 2004
J. McKay (Falkirk, Scotland)
40 out of 42 found this review helpful

I'll give you one word to describe this album: phenomenal. Abba are one of those rare groups that never lose their appeal - I was born fifteen years after they won Eurovision in 1974 with "Waterloo", and even though I wasn't around to witness any of their single releases, they are one of my favourite pop artists of all time. "Gold" represents exactly why Abba were so successful in the seventies and early eighties, and why they still have such a wide fanbase of all ages around the globe.

I don't believe anyone can fail to adore Abba, and Polar Music must have been incredibly hard-pushed to select just nineteen of their best singles to compile onto this album. However, the majority of their UK releases are included on "Gold", which is enough to make any pop lover (or even a dance music worshipper or die-hard rock fanatic, for that matter) jump at the chance to buy this album straight away. Every Abba single contains the elements of total pop perfection - memorable melodies, breathtaking vocals from Agnetha and Frida, and most importantly, astounding lyrics.

Bjoern Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson are complete idols for writers and composers of pop music the world over, because of their amazing ability to express any type of feelings or situations through incredible songs. All nineteen tracks on this album show just how superb Bjoern and Benny's songwriting partnership was, notably "Lay all your love on me", "SOS", "Thank you for the music" and "Chiquitita". In my opinion, however, the strongest lyrics are those of "Fernando", my favourite from this album: "In the firelight Fernando, you were humming to yourself and softly strumming your guitar, I could hear the distant drums and sounds of bugle chords were coming from afar". Everything in this beautiful ballad still takes my breath away when I listen to it, from the afore mentioned lyrics to the girls' perfect harmonies during the verses.

Not to be left out were the classics "Mamma mia", "Take a chance on me", "Super trouper", "I have a dream", "Money, money, money", "Does your mother know?" and "Gimme, gimme, gimme!", all of which are pulled off brilliantly by the group. One of the things I like best about this album, though, is the very appropriate introduction and conclusion. Arguably the most famous Abba single ever, the incredible "Dancing queen" sets the standard for the remaining tracks to follow, and I'm delighted to say that they all meet or exceed the dominance of this song. And what better way to send us off than with "Waterloo", Abba's debut UK single and Eurovision breakthrough? No words can describe the greatness of this track - catchy, happy guitar chords from Bjoern, energetic piano playing from Benny, heartfelt vocals from the girls... what else can I do but be bowled over?

I cannot urge you more strongly to buy this album. "Gold" confirms Abba's place at the very top of pop's all time greats, and they will no doubt remain there for a long time to come. If you appreciate pop music at its absolute best, or even if you aren't keen on the pop genre, I guarantee that you will benefit enormously from listening to "Gold". It will put a huge smile on your face and keep it there for the rest of the day.


what can you say?   February 28, 2007
Mr. Ian A. Macfarlane (Fife, Scotland)
8 out of 8 found this review helpful

It's all been said about Abba, but I love the band so I'm going to say it again! It's summed up by a discovery the Sex Pistols made. At a gig, they played a tape of 'Dancing Queen' ironically before they went on stage - they disapproved of Abba and wanted to ridicule them. It backfired. Their audience cheered, danced and clapped. I've been hearing the band on and off ever since 'Waterloo' and, unlike most pop music, it really doesn't seem to age or date. There's a freshness, a vitality and (sometimes) a poignancy that is really very attractive. So three cheers to Abba and to this excellent compilation.


thank you for the music - the joy its bringing...   May 24, 2006
dan the fan (england,uk)
7 out of 7 found this review helpful

The chorus of one of the most beautiful songs ever written,sung by one of the most beautiful singers you could hope to see or hear.The quality and originality of the 19 songs on this cd were probably not surpassed by the Beatles.In the 25 or so years since Abba split up as a group I have yet to hear the equal of Agnetha Faltskog and Frida Lyngstad when they sing together.Everyone laughed at how they dressed - nobody laughed at
how they sang:buy this recording,and you'll understand why.