Amazon.co.uk allows you to pay for your items in your local currency. Restrictions apply. Learn More. |
Frequently Bought Together
Product details
|
Track Listings
| 1. The Bandstand |
| 2. Riding The Crest |
| 3. What There Is |
| 4. Foot Of The Mountain |
| 5. Real Meaning |
| 6. Shadowside |
| 7. Nothing Is Keeping You Here |
| 8. Mother Nature Goes To Heaven |
| 9. Sunny Mystery |
| 10. Start The Simulator |
Product Description
Review
A-Ha bowed out in 1993, usurped in teen bedrooms by Take That, and in the charts by novelty rave; it was not their finest hour. Seven years later, they reappeared with the wistful Minor Earth, Major Sky. Their ninth album Foot of the Mountain is a welcome return to the electronica of their early hits and a glorious reminder of their soaring melodies.
Since their return, A-Ha Mk 2 have distanced themselves from their 'pin-up period' with anthemic, chiming guitar pop, so it is ironic this album returns to their debut sound. For most bands, returning to their roots involves stripping back on studio polish. For A-ha, it is the opposite and dance producer Steve Osborne brings an early 80s Depeche Mode sheen to elegant, simple riff-led, songs.
The sad heart at many of A-ha songs is often overlooked, and here Real Meaning unfolds with a plaintive piano motif and brilliantly dispenses with a chorus; it's heart breaking, as is the strings-soaked Shadowside. Despite lyrics that probably make more sense in Norwegian, there's a profound yearning throughout, suggesting Scandinavian winters cut more than cheekbones. Most importantly, Morten Harket's voice, already a national treasure, has matured, competing with the late Billy Mackenzie for pop's greatest voice.
As with earlier work, Morten has not contributed to songwriting, which judging by recent efforts is a shame. However, his increasing eccentricities have resulted in songs about orchids. Their solo careers are evidenced by occasional jostling for the microphone, though Pal and Mags successfully underpin Morten with weighty melodies such as on The Bandstand, which has most in common with Take On Me.
The title track is assuredly Keane-esque, but the album is not perfect. There are moments of poor judgement such as the shaky combination of a Rough Guide to Space Travel and Bontempi organ on Start the Simulator. However, while continuing their trend for imperfect albums, this brings A-ha mk2 full circle, dovetailing so neatly with their original sound that it is difficult to see where they go from here. --Tom Hocknell
Find more music at the BBC This link will take you off Amazon in a new window
CD Description
A-Ha, Norway’s multi-million selling purveyors of instant pop gems, return with the brand new album Foot Of The Mountain. Bursting to life with soaring synths, a memorable chorus and Morten Harket’s instantly recognisable vocals, title track "Foot Of The Mountain" is an A-Ha classic that sees a return to their early recording methods and synth sensibilities, reminiscent of the tracks that made them the hugely popular band they remain today.
Tags Customers Associate with This Product(What's this?)Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
|
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:MP3 Download|Amazon Verified Purchase
Others have said what I felt initially that this album was pleasant but it maybe didn't have the 'WOW' factor of say "Take On Me" or "The Sun Always Shines On TV". They are probably kicking themselves now (if they have not just abandoned it after one or two listenings) for judging it too soon.
Like making love, there are many different ways to get one tingling. Some songs have an immediate impact while others like those on this album take their time. With each play they build up and up and up - to incredible! I listened again and again and they just got better and better. The more I listened the more I found there was to hear and the more they reached deep into my soul. I now find myself saying things like "oh my goodness" (or words to that effect!) whenever I play them.
In a nutshell, this album is absolutely gloriously brilliant. All the tracks are beautiful, mostly haunting and, as you will have realized by now, push all my sensitive buttons. If I had to choose one track it would currently be 'What There Is' - it makes me well up with a huge feeling of elation.
And finally...
I've seen other reviews comparing this album to the work of A-Ha across the past 25 years and the reception has been mixed. I feel that I am at an advantage in that for me A-Ha has only existed for a few months in my life. I have listened to their best in the here and now not passing through 25 years of my own life. I don't have memories attached to a particular song to conjure up nostalgic moments. And, I can honestly say that not one is dated - they could have been recorded in 2009 - not 1984 onwards. There are many wonderful and talented performers out there but none have impressed me as A-Ha have since my days of growing up in the aura of the Beatles.
Like making love, there are many different ways to get one tingling. Some songs have an immediate impact while others like those on this album take their time. With each play they build up and up and up - to incredible! I listened again and again and they just got better and better. The more I listened the more I found there was to hear and the more they reached deep into my soul. I now find myself saying things like "oh my goodness" (or words to that effect!) whenever I play them.
In a nutshell, this album is absolutely gloriously brilliant. All the tracks are beautiful, mostly haunting and, as you will have realized by now, push all my sensitive buttons. If I had to choose one track it would currently be 'What There Is' - it makes me well up with a huge feeling of elation.
And finally...
I've seen other reviews comparing this album to the work of A-Ha across the past 25 years and the reception has been mixed. I feel that I am at an advantage in that for me A-Ha has only existed for a few months in my life. I have listened to their best in the here and now not passing through 25 years of my own life. I don't have memories attached to a particular song to conjure up nostalgic moments. And, I can honestly say that not one is dated - they could have been recorded in 2009 - not 1984 onwards. There are many wonderful and talented performers out there but none have impressed me as A-Ha have since my days of growing up in the aura of the Beatles.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I have been a A-ha fan since the beginning so it's so good to hear the band back at their roots of the 80's. Morten just gets better and better as the years go by. Looking forward to hearing them performing tracks from the album live in November.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This album is simply amazing.
I have been an a-ha fan since the beginning and have loved all of their albums, but this one is head & shoulders above anything they have ever created. Its top of my album list already (sorry Keane, Hopes & Fears, you have been knocked off the top spot after all this time!) and I have only had it 2 days!
For those that remember the boys from the 80's, this album will take you right back. Its an eighties sound with grown up lyrics.
Track 2 (Riding the Crest)gets you tapping your feet instantly and I hope the boys release this as their next single.
Track 6 was so moving it made me cry.
Cant wait to see the boys in November to hear the tracks from the album live.
I dearly hope this album goes to number one and gives the boys the recognition they deserve.
I have been an a-ha fan since the beginning and have loved all of their albums, but this one is head & shoulders above anything they have ever created. Its top of my album list already (sorry Keane, Hopes & Fears, you have been knocked off the top spot after all this time!) and I have only had it 2 days!
For those that remember the boys from the 80's, this album will take you right back. Its an eighties sound with grown up lyrics.
Track 2 (Riding the Crest)gets you tapping your feet instantly and I hope the boys release this as their next single.
Track 6 was so moving it made me cry.
Cant wait to see the boys in November to hear the tracks from the album live.
I dearly hope this album goes to number one and gives the boys the recognition they deserve.
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Going out on a high note
Aha's final album is a befitting end to their careers togethor and is a wonderful piece of work. The ten tracks range from inventive, upbeat, foot-tapping pop to sombre moving... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Neil Fawcett
Great ending album!
Basically, a retrospective album in relation to a-ha's first works, but containing fresh melodies that can catch the ear of the modern pop listeners. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Ed D-Marz
Nothing Special
I like a lot of A-Ha's music, especially their early tracks, but they have lost the plot. Foot of the Mountain is a good tune, with thoughtful lyrics. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Ady Miles
A return to form
Recorded across 4 separate countries (Norway, Germany, the USA and the UK), 2009's "Foot of the Mountain" was a-ha's 9th studio album and marked something of a return to their... Read more
Published 18 months ago by LXIX
The last and the best
in my view this is A-ha's best album. In contrast to their previous albums,all of which contain some fantastic songs,but had a few drab ones thrown in, Foot of the Mountain is... Read more
Published 18 months ago by Tj Fouraker
returned listener
First of all i was a fan in the eighties with the hunting high and low album When i was in my late teens and was deeply impressionable. Read more
Published 19 months ago by Mr. Jp Highland
Bland offering from a-ha
I don't understand at all why a-ha contrived this enormously disappointing album. The sophisticated sound is at odds with some sub-Human League synthesisers. Read more
Published 22 months ago by Mr. Jamie P. Kitson
Could do better
Had read reviews that this was a great return to form, so was slightly disappointed as it's just the same old stuff, bit maudling for my liking but Morten still has a great voice. Read more
Published on 17 May 2010 by F. L. Lee
(H)a-ha, ha ha, funny reviews
Sorry that this isn't the most serious review ever written, but I just want to comment on some of the issues discussed between the reviewers. Read more
Published on 5 April 2010 by Johan Lonn
meeting the past
I only bought an AHA album once in the eighties, and though I play this regularly, I simply didn't think about them anymore, until I heard some of this album on the radio. Read more
Published on 8 Mar 2010 by En Hommes
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
![[Start the discussion]](http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/02/x-locale/communities/discussion_boards/start-new-discussion-sec._V192198663_.gif){kind=small}
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Listmania!
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
