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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
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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.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
By englishheather
TOP 1000 REVIEWER
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.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
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.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By Lou-lou
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.
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4.4 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Walking down the mountain for the final climb
Foot of the mountain is the ninth and final studio album by Norwegian trio A-ha. It was released June 2009 and follows 4 years after their comeback album Analogue. Read more
Published 2 days ago by Matt182
5.0 out of 5 stars
BRILLIANT BUY
Really pleased with this album great buy you cant help but buy other albums after hearing this. get it and you wont be dissapointed
Published 3 months ago by lee farmer barnsley
5.0 out of 5 stars
Just awesome Aha...aaaaaa
This is a brilliant comeback CD by the boys.
Think of Keane 'Hopes and Fears' and then some....brilliant harmonies and tunes, great rich production.
AHA.. Read more
Think of Keane 'Hopes and Fears' and then some....brilliant harmonies and tunes, great rich production.
AHA.. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Mickey G
5.0 out of 5 stars
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 14 months ago by Neil Fawcett
4.0 out of 5 stars
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 18 months ago by Ed D-Marz
3.0 out of 5 stars
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 on 27 Jan 2011 by Ady Miles
4.0 out of 5 stars
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 on 28 Nov 2010 by LXIX
5.0 out of 5 stars
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 on 26 Nov 2010 by 00700
5.0 out of 5 stars
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 on 18 Oct 2010 by Mr. Jp Highland
2.0 out of 5 stars
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 on 23 July 2010 by Mr. Jamie P. Kitson
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