Aqua first burst onto the pop scene in this country with their single "Barbie girl" and it was a case of either you loved them or you hated them. The single sold millions yet very few people owned up to owning a copy so there are still many closet fans out there! This, the debut album from Lene, Rene, Soren and Claus is full with predictable europop but each one is pure undiluted pop, anyway aqua cant be diluted can it?
1. Happy boys, happy girls - A very string start to the album and this is the sound of the things to come on the album. High pitched vocals from Lene and the deep, husky rapping from Rene. Completely bonkers!
2. My oh My - This has got the sound of a very old super mario game in the intro but then builds up to a disco-dance frenzy. This was released over here and reached no.6.
3. Barbie Girl - Do i really need to explain this one in any detail? I don't think so! You would have to have heard this one if you have been copable
of turning either the telly or radio on in the past 3 years. Sexy, raunchy, very tongue-in-cheek and totally addictive, a huge no.1!
4. Good morning sunshine - And shock, horror for this one, it's mid-tempo! More emphasis on the vocals rather than a frantic eurobeat and this shows off Lenes' beautiful, strong voice. This reached no.17.
5. Dr. Jones - This was the big follow up to "Barbie girl" and all eyes were on Aqua to see if they could avoid the one hit wonder status that has captured so many dance acts. It was another huge no.1 smash and was also huge all around the world.
6. Heat of the night - This is a difficult one to describe. Sort of has a caribbean feel to it, but is far to silly to be taken as seriously. Not as fast as most of the others but still excellent.
7. Be a Man - The one and obnly ballad on the album comes in the shape of this track. Good vocals make it likable but the drippy music and daft lyrics will never put Celine Dion out of a job.
8. Lollipop - This was one of their european releases that never had an official release over here. It was also huge in America. Very fast and very contagious, prepare for your mind to be taken control of.
9. Roses are red - A slightly darker sounding dance anthem here which was also given a release in Europe but not here. An irresistable chorus makes this a definate favourite of mine and is instantly lovable.
10. Turn Back time - Ok, there is one more ballad but it is rather fantastic. This song was used on the 'Sliding Doors' film soundtrack and is a good strong love song. Great vocals, gorgeous lyrics and a gentle electro dance beat helped Aqua to acheive their 3rd no.1 on the trot.
11. Calling you - And we end on a high which is where so many albums fail. This, as could the rest of the songs on the album, be released as a single but wasn't. It's too cheesy by far but always brings a smile to my face every time it comes out of my Hi-Fi. Excellent to cheer you up after a bad day.
As mention above every song on this album has the quality of a single which is what helped the album acheive excellent reviews and go on to sell millions and earn Aqua a very big army of fans. There IS atleast one song on this album that will be liked by everyone. Each song is too cathcy to be ignored but too daft to be taken seriously which is what Aqua will never be seen as. However, seriously enough to have three consecutive no.1 singles and a sell out world tour mind.
They performed a medly of all their hits at this years eurovision song contest and sounded fantastic. Each band member contributes the right attitude to making a band become so popular and so sucessful. The debut album is always difficult to follow up but was done superbly with "Aquarius" which you will have to check out if you like this one.
My fave songs on here? They are all superb but "Roses are red", "Barbie Girl" and "Calling you" are totally addictive. Aqua realise that their success mainly depends on the faster numbers and that's what they stick to best on here although the odd slower track is thrown in for diversity. If you haven't already experienced the genius that is Aqua then go out and join the millions of people who already own this album and give your ears a bit of light hearted pop in these depressing times we are all going through, every needs a little comic relief!!!
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I loved Barbir Girl when it first came out and have always thought Aqua were a good pop/dance band. I haven't heard much from in the past couple of years though. Anyway, great op ~ Dru
aliclarkson 26.09.2001 01:43
There is obviously some likeable quality about them, its apparent from your op. Can't see it myself though. Ali.
Nameless 24.09.2001 23:31
I remember Dr Jones, couldnt get it out of my head for ages :o)
Danish group Aqua arrived on the international pop scene in 1997 with their multi-million ... more
selling smash "Barbie Girl". Developing a formula pioneered by their successful Swedish rivals Ace of Base and Whigfield, this album demonstrated that the band w...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Danish group Aqua arrived on the international pop scene in 1997 with their multi-million ... more
selling smash "Barbie Girl". Developing a formula pioneered by their successful Swedish rivals Ace of Base and Whigfield, this album demonstrated that the band w...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Danish group Aqua arrived on the international pop scene in 1997 with their multi-million ... more
selling smash "Barbie Girl". Developing a formula pioneered by their successful Swedish rivals Ace of Base and Whigfield, this album demonstrated that the band w...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Sep 24th, 2001
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