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CD
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
By A. Shurlock
Format:Audio CD
This album marks something of a transition for A-Ha, moving away from the 80's synthesized sound into something more moody. But don't be scared, it will grow on you! There's a nice mix of tracks, demonstrating Morten Harket's great vocal range - from the atmospheric 'East of the sun' to the beautiful '(Seemingly) Nonstop July'. It also features a rare outing for Magne Furuholmen on lead vocals in the short but sweet 'The Way We Talk', worth buying the album for that alone, I think!
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
If your reading this then you must know a little about a-ha.But the most who only know Take on me then this will make you realise a-ha should have been far bigger.Everything fits on this album and maybe one day soon they will produce an album again with the quality of recording this album had and thats not just in musical content.You can hear everything,piano,guitar and of course one of the finest vocalists thats ever lived.
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I've been an admittedly closet fan of A-ha since 1985 and this is the best album to date. It showcases a more mature band than the general public will remember and is all the better for it. Their cover of Crying in the Rain is dignified and a Doors-y feel runs throughout the album, significantly on Sycamore Trees and the awesome title track. Go on buy it and give your ears the treat they deserve.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Tony
Format:Audio CD
I didn't think much of some songs on the first listen- namely East of the Sun, Cold River, Rolling Thunder, Sycamore Leaves. Thought they were all very poor actually especially East of the Sun. After listening many times however ....... East of the Sun is a fantastic song. It creeps up on you slowly but surely. Morten Harket's voice is essential to its magic. Sycamore Leaves also needs several listens. I found I really liked the sort of organ crescendo on it. Rolling Thunder has a real melancholy feel with a great chorus and bridge. Again you have to let it grow on you. It sounds a little like Cryin in the Rain which is a well done cover version but unneccesary on an A-ha album- I don't want to listen to them doing cover versions. Their magic is their own songs. Cold River took a lot of warming to. Sounds like a throwaway rock song, but I like listening to it when I'm driving with the window rolled down. The live acoustic version of Early Morning is better than the version here, but its a good melody. Shouldn't have been released as a single in my opinion.
Slender Frame and Waiting for Her should have. Neither would have probably made the UK top ten, since A-ha were viewed as past their sell by date, but Waiting for Her would have gone to no 1 if there was any justice. Great vocals, Great piano. The organ works very well on Slender Frame, another rather sad and beautiful song. Come to think of it, this is probably their most melancholy album. Other A-ha albums match this melancholy in the lyrics department but not the sound. Call your Name another mournful catchy song has some great sax and piano. The Way we talk is a jazzy snippet featuring Magne on vocals. I would have left it out, but its short.... Read more ›
Slender Frame and Waiting for Her should have. Neither would have probably made the UK top ten, since A-ha were viewed as past their sell by date, but Waiting for Her would have gone to no 1 if there was any justice. Great vocals, Great piano. The organ works very well on Slender Frame, another rather sad and beautiful song. Come to think of it, this is probably their most melancholy album. Other A-ha albums match this melancholy in the lyrics department but not the sound. Call your Name another mournful catchy song has some great sax and piano. The Way we talk is a jazzy snippet featuring Magne on vocals. I would have left it out, but its short.... Read more ›
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By mattyboy
Format:Audio CD
This album saw A-ha undergo a transformation in their appearance and sound, after taking a break of almost 2 years, but was it for the better?
East of the sun is a departure from the last album, with the pop sounds almost entirely replaced by soft rock with a 60's/70's feel.
In a sense A-ha don't seem to be being themselves, so it can take a bit of getting used to, if all you have heard is what has come before.
'Crying in the rain' A great cover of a great song - it was the first single, which is an indication that the album doesn't really have any songs that are viable instant hits.
'Early morning' A catchy, unsual song, in the style of The Doors.
'I call your name' This song is a swaggering pop tune, unfortunatly the lyrics make A-ha sound middle aged and soppy - shouldnt have been released as a single - it was their first 'flop' and didn't enter the top 40.
'Slender frame' If there is one track to represent this album and A-ha's new sound, this should be it. It's a great catchy song that works really well.
'East of the sun' This one is like a western movie theme tune - A-ha as cowboys.
'Sycamore Leaves' One of the more average tracks - trying a bit too hard to be 70's rock.
'Waiting for her' The most old-style A-ha song, a pop ballad with a good melody which could have made a fair dent in the charts.
'Cold river' This one sounds a bit like a cover version but it's not. A-ha are having fun and letting their (now very long) hair down and rocking out.
'The way we talk' A strange one, a double bass and Magne singing don't add up to a good combination.
'Rolling Thunder' I think A-ha recorded this and someone must have said 'That sounds a bit like Crying in the rain' Which gave them the idea to cover said song.... Read more ›
East of the sun is a departure from the last album, with the pop sounds almost entirely replaced by soft rock with a 60's/70's feel.
In a sense A-ha don't seem to be being themselves, so it can take a bit of getting used to, if all you have heard is what has come before.
'Crying in the rain' A great cover of a great song - it was the first single, which is an indication that the album doesn't really have any songs that are viable instant hits.
'Early morning' A catchy, unsual song, in the style of The Doors.
'I call your name' This song is a swaggering pop tune, unfortunatly the lyrics make A-ha sound middle aged and soppy - shouldnt have been released as a single - it was their first 'flop' and didn't enter the top 40.
'Slender frame' If there is one track to represent this album and A-ha's new sound, this should be it. It's a great catchy song that works really well.
'East of the sun' This one is like a western movie theme tune - A-ha as cowboys.
'Sycamore Leaves' One of the more average tracks - trying a bit too hard to be 70's rock.
'Waiting for her' The most old-style A-ha song, a pop ballad with a good melody which could have made a fair dent in the charts.
'Cold river' This one sounds a bit like a cover version but it's not. A-ha are having fun and letting their (now very long) hair down and rocking out.
'The way we talk' A strange one, a double bass and Magne singing don't add up to a good combination.
'Rolling Thunder' I think A-ha recorded this and someone must have said 'That sounds a bit like Crying in the rain' Which gave them the idea to cover said song.... Read more ›
By Matt182
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
2 years after their 1988 album Stay on these roads, which was a bit of a mixed bag, the band move into the 90's with this 1990 album East of the sun, West of the moon, with a new sound and a new look. The new look is clearly represented on the front cover and in the booklet Magne looks especially different sporting long hair and a full beard. After their 3rd album the band must've sensed a change in the music scene with synth driven pop going out and with their choice to create a far different sound, which fits in with indie and alternative. Even though the sound of the music has changed, what the band haven't done, which so many bands do when they decide to change their sound/style is to write completely differently. I think it is a huge mistake to change how you write lyrically, even with respect to a new sound when that is 50% of what attracts the fans in the first place. A-ha have not done that and even though they have stepped far away from songs like Touchy and You are the one, it still has that melancholic A-ha flavour all over the songs. The songs have a more mellow and mature sound and aren't quite as catchy. The last 3 albums were produced by Alan Tarney (amongst others) and this time they've used 2 different producers; Chris Neil and Ian Stanley, which was surely a positive move for a different sound.
The album starts with probably the best and stand-out song which is their cover of The Everly brothers' song Crying in the rain. As soon as the sound of rain (which sounds like its marching!) and claps of thunder begin it transports the listener to a moody, atmospheric feeling. I think this is an amazing cover and it suits the A-ha feel and style, with Morten's vocals shining, it's very moving.... Read more ›
The album starts with probably the best and stand-out song which is their cover of The Everly brothers' song Crying in the rain. As soon as the sound of rain (which sounds like its marching!) and claps of thunder begin it transports the listener to a moody, atmospheric feeling. I think this is an amazing cover and it suits the A-ha feel and style, with Morten's vocals shining, it's very moving.... Read more ›
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4.4 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
A-ha embark on a new journey.
A glorious album by A-ha here. My 2nd Favourite after Scoundrel Days and including my Favourite A-ha song ever Rolling Thunder just beautiful. Read more
Published on 16 Jan 2011 by P.Inwood
4.0 out of 5 stars
A different sound from a-ha
I wasn't sure what to expect from this album, reading some reviews gave me mixed opinions, however i found it to be quite different to their earlier work and to post 2000's second... Read more
Published on 23 Dec 2010 by P. jeffrey
5.0 out of 5 stars
An undervalued gem
This was aha's fourth album and in my opinion an undervalued gem.... there are so many great songs on this album its hard to know where to start.... Read more
Published on 20 July 2010 by A. M. J. Withers
3.0 out of 5 stars
ok but not the best
a bit of a change in style for aha which didnt really work for me.There are few really great tracks that stand out. Read more
Published on 27 Nov 2009 by B. J. Morris
5.0 out of 5 stars
A 'pivotal' point in A-Ha's career.
This was the time when A-Ha took an 'odd' turn in their career; their Singles would no longer have the same impact upon the charts (a couple of my personal favourites 'Early... Read more
Published on 16 Mar 2008 by FAMOUS NAME
5.0 out of 5 stars
Best A ha release ever
Different style to their previous releases but a change for the better.
This took aha from average 80s noise to rock sound overnight. Read more
This took aha from average 80s noise to rock sound overnight. Read more
Published on 7 Jun 2006 by Tommy Star
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