New Wave Outpost Forum

by **Sean** » Mon Nov 28, 2005 9:59 am

I actually don't agree that their music is better now than it was in the 80's. The entire Scoundrel Days album along with 2 tracks from the first album, Living A Boy's Adventure Tale and Hunting High & Low are masterpieces which none of the songs from their new albums can compare to. Don't get me wrong, I love their new stuff too. They are one of the bands who can still make great music but in my opinion it not quite up there with their 80's stuff. They are one of the best 80's New Wave bands.

by **TheMunDial** » Thu Dec 01, 2005 12:05 pm

Ahem.

a-ha is my favorite band, and I eagerly anticipated this album. That being said, I think that this album is radically different from the last two, and it lingers on the melancholy an awful lot. Still, I think it's a great piece of work and I can't wait for the video for "Analogue".

Oh, and you'ze guys want the album for cheap dollarazos? Go to www.bangcd.com -- I got my CD/DVD version for less than $18. Cheapest place on the Interweb I could find.

by **obs** » Fri Dec 02, 2005 10:44 am

Thanks for the tip on BangCD.com.

Q: Do they ship multiple CDs in one parcel or do they do it like CDWow and ship everything individually even if you order 100CDs at the same time? Thanks.

by **TheMunDial** » Sat Dec 03, 2005 1:27 am

I'm not sure about the whole multiple parcel thing, seeing as how I've only bought that one album.

But aren't they all free shipping?

by **obs** » Sat Dec 03, 2005 9:49 am

It's the customs and especially the brokerage fee that I worry about. Customs isn't a problem but brokerage fee is added by the post every time there is customs charges for every shipment so if everything is sent individually ...

Guess I'll just have to try to find out [:)].

by **Frau_Blucher** » Sun Dec 04, 2005 1:31 pm

Wow, I had no idea this is what A-Ha sounded like these days...it's freaking great! I'm so glad this thread made me search this album out.

Silly question...what else should I be digging up between this album and "Take On Me"?? [:I]

BTW, am I crazy to be hearing the ever slightest hint of Supertramp in some of the vocals?! [:0]

by **jaybag** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 1:43 am

Well, Blir, my biased answer to your question is "everything"! It's funny that they're really only known for "Take On Me" when that's about as cheesy-pop as their stuff gets. If you want a good sampling, they just came out with a 2nd "greatest hits" (The Definitive Singles Collection 1984-2004). Scoundrel Days and Stay On These Roads were similar in style to their first album though they gradually matured. East of the Sun, West of the Moon saw them going a little more acoustic and dark, followed by the very dark Memorial Beach (their one true "rock" album that was fantastic but wasn't really their style so their fans didn't buy into it). Minor Earth Major Sky and Lifelines found them going a little brighter, more toward "adult-oriented pop", and I read that in retrospect they weren't really happy with either album, partially due to some band discord (apparently the "Lifelines" album was recorded without the three guys ever being in the studio at the same time).

If you had to dig up a few tracks, let me recommend:
Manhattan Skyline (Scoundrel Days)
Out of Blue Comes Green (Stay on These Roads)
Rolling Thunder (East of the Sun)
Dark Is The Night For All (Memorial Beach)
Mary Ellen Makes The Moment Count (Minor Earth Major Sky)
Lifelines (Lifelines)

They also have a specially priced "3-pack" that came out today of their first three albums (amazon.co.uk has it for £10)

And yes, comparing Morten Harket to Roger Hodgson does in fact border on blasphemy [}:)]

by **MARV** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 4:16 am

Wow. I have to say I'm pretty impressed. I never considered myself an A-Ha fan outside of whatever they had on the radio back in the 80's. And all I can think of is Take On Me and it's famous video. That's it.

This album completely breaks that image I and pretty much most Americans have of them, those that even remember them. It's really good. It's like a completely different band. Good adjective 2nu, "wistful". It's got a great mellow vibe as well - I'm kinda diggin' it with all the acoustic guitars especially. Great melodies, especially on Holy Ground, easily my favorite track on the album. And I love the album title too, Analogue. It's so "now". I would definitely be into seeing them perform if they ever come stateside.

<a href="http://www.worldwildlife.org/cetaceans/index.cfm">I dig whales.</a>

by **Frau_Blucher** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 5:13 am

Big thanks Jaybag - great info. Once again, this is why I love this place. I have no problem professing my ignorance of nearly everything A-Ha. This night has opened my eyes...oops, that's another story. [:D]

by **jaybag** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 9:50 am

No worries, Blir, always glad to make a convert! I've been turned on to several great bands on this site (both the new ones and those I missed the first time around), I'm glad to return the favor ...

I didn't even go into that much detail on the songs I like. A lot of their songs really do have a lot of passion that was starting to become evident even as early as "The Sun Always Shines On T.V." and "Hunting High and Low". "Manhattan Skyline" is a heartbreaker, and "Mary Ellen Makes The Moment Count" is a really hauntingly beautiful song (great to listen to with headphones).

All three guys have done solo stuff as well. The most prolific has been Pal Waaktaar's side project band "Savoy", who have already put out 5 albums in the last 10 years (not bad considering a-ha is only on 8 albums). Savoy is definitely more of a rock band but also does ballads. Only one of the discs (Mary Is Coming) was released in the states. Most of them are only available in Norway. I got a few from www.cdplanet.no. The title track from Reasons To Stay Indoors (a ballad that builds to a great crescendo) is phenomenal - one of my 10 favorite songs ever. I'll have to learn how to compress files to share with others since they're so hard to find.

I can't wait for the concert on Wednesday! I can't believe I'm finally seeing these guys live after being a fan for 20 years.

by **LoveAngelJRP** » Tue Dec 06, 2005 2:16 am

Last summer, I found Scoundrel Days on cassette tape at a second-hand shop.....now I want to find it on CD.....

I like to find as much '80's music as I can.....

by **Spit** » Tue Dec 06, 2005 6:26 am

Does anyone know the name of the female vocalist on the A-ha song "You'll Never Get Over Me"? Her haunting voice makes the song.

by **TheMunDial** » Tue Dec 06, 2005 12:56 pm

Those a-ha suggestions are great, and the description for the albums were good, too.

I've been on my own mission trying to affect people's "Take On Me" perception.

A broad list to consider:

Dark Is The Night For All
Slender Frame
I Wish I Cared
Train Of Thought
Living A Boy's Adventure Tale
Out Of Blue Comes Green
Time And Again
The Living Daylights
The Blue Sky
Rolling Thunder
The Sun Always Shines On TV
Hunting High And Low
The Swing Of Things
Manhattan Skyline
I've Been Losing You
Stay On These Roads
Crying In The Rain
Summer Moved On
Minor Earth Major Sky
Velvet
Forever Not Yours
Lifelines
Did Anyone Approach You

This list, I think, is a good primer for a-ha's general lifespan. Check out "Locust" and "Mary Ellen Makes The Moment Count" as well.

by **Berserker** » Tue Dec 06, 2005 1:38 pm

[quote][i]Originally posted by Tom D.[/i]
<br>Does anyone know the name of the female vocalist on the A-ha song "You'll Never Get Over Me"? Her haunting voice makes the song.
[/quote]That's Lauren Savoy, Pal Waaktaar's American wife, and co-vocalist in their band "Savoy".

by **Berserker** » Tue Dec 06, 2005 1:42 pm

[quote][i]Originally posted by marvymarv[/i]
<br>Great melodies, especially on Holy Ground, easily my favorite track on the album. [/quote]That's one of only two songs that the lead singer, Morten Harket, co-wrote. I could tell right away, as it could have easily come off of his solo album "Wild Seed", which I highly recommend. One of my favorite albums of all time.

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A-ha's new CD - "Analogue"

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