Abba 'Voyage' Full Album Review - Vocal Coach Reacts
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![일상 속 기분 좋음 [Proto disco meme]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/DwmEIaZ7XGQ/mqdefault.jpg)
This album is no.2 on US billboards and no.1 on UK charts with like 120k sales in first week 😭 They're real legends
Bumblebee is a comment on the environment and how bees are at risk due to human actions. Pretty clear from the lyrics. I love it.
I love it too. We would be lost with bees.
“Pretty clear from the lyrics” GET HER JADE
I also found it VERY clear.
As a Pagan, this is one of my favorite songs on the album and makes me cry almost every time.
Yes, I have to admit that on first listen, "Bumblebee" was kinda the throw-away track. However: 1. Frida has always been my favorite. 2. I'm a passionate gardener. 3. Benny has no peer when it comes to crafting melodies that will not leave one's head. 4. Reading the lyrics devastated me: "we could be trapped inside a world where all is changing too fast for bumblees to adapt." Now it is one of my favorite tracks, I pull it up frequently, and it moves me to tears every time. I hope you will give it another chance - or 5 - and come to realize the unassuming brilliance of this song...
After listening to ABBA 's VOYAGE for the past days here's my review of the songs.
1. I STILL HAVE FAITH IN YOU
- A perfect intro for the album
- this song reminds me of THE WAY OLD FRIENDS DO in a way.
- Anni-Frid's voice aged like fine wine. Her story telling is superb and supreme.
- The harmonies of Agnetha and Anni-Frid still unmatched. It's pure magic and heavenly.
- Wonderful lyrics, it tells the story of maturity , life experience and embracing what challenges ahead.
- Do I Have it in me? --- yes they still got it!
2. WHEN YOU DANCED WITH ME
- an instant classic! Another signature ABBA sound. Props to Benny, a genius in creating such masterpiece
- the Celtic/Irish + disco/pop beat giving such punch. It makes me wanna clap, snap, and stomp to the beat!
- this is a nod to Arrival + The Piper
-story telling obviously ABBA' s strength.
-Irish people must be really proud!
3. LITTLE THINGS
- finally an ABBA Christmas song!
-another Benny's masterpiece and showmanship.
-sophisticated production. Sounded like a sweet lullaby. When a mother sings to her child. This is the song.
- children's choir in the end takes me back to I HAVE A DREAM. I wish their part was longer, can't get enough of it. So angelic. Lucky children being a part of this masterpiece, I'm so jealous.
- 2 songs in 1! Yeaaaahhhh. Only ABBA can deliver.
4. DON'T SHUT ME DOWN
- Outstanding song for a comeback!
-the ABBA sound that we fall in love with.
- great lyrics, brilliant story telling. It feels like ABBA never left.
- Agnetha on the lead is perfect. She's still got it. Her pipes is one of a kind. True voice of an angel.
- the production is flawless, the mixture of disco and melancholia
- the disco vibe is a chef's kiss. This is not a disco Voulez-Vouz, Dancing Queen, Gimme! Gimme! Gimme... This song is a league of it's own.
5. JUST A NOTION
- this particular song grown a lot on me after it's release. I don't hate it. It just take a little time to grow and process. Now, it constantly playing in my head. ADDICTIVE!
- The plain melody was awesome, Benny is untouchable.
- this is the now and then combined , ABBA's vocal from the 70's meets 2021! purely magical
6. I CAN BE THAT WOMAN
- a reflective ballad
- country influenced production, simple and lush orchestrations
- Agnetha once again delivered such moving story telling. She touched my soul with her voice.
- the lyrics is full of maturity and emotions. I felt the pain, agony and fragility
- ABBA remained consistent in giving ballads
7. KEEP AN EYE ON DAN
- another classic ABBA with a twist. When The Visitors meets Voyage. A time machine.
- an ABBA album will never be completed without name title, Keep an Eye on Dan says hello to Fernando, Chiquitita, Cassandra, Elaine, Nina Pretty Ballerina
- Production wise, this is perfect, the synthesizers unapologetically adds total flavor to the sound. Salute to Benny and Bjorn.
- leaving SOS in the end is purely genius, since the message of the song talks about trouble of marriage. Very nostalgic outro.
8. BUMBLEBEE
- Another epic song! With powerful message.
- Frida delivered a sheer, sultry vocals and strong story telling. A woman at almost 76 sounded like this is insane!
- only ABBA can create a masterpiece about a bee. The message is very timely and a reminder. There's a hidden depth and meaning to reflect upon.
- the production takes me back to FERNANDO and SOLDIERS
- the harmonies of Agnetha and Anni-Frid still so powerful and unmatched. That sound darling! Yes that signature sound.
9. NO DOUBT ABOUT IT
- a real banger. Another time machine.
- it keeps playing in my head too
- for me this is the sister of Elaine when it comes to vocal production.
- Frida's vocals also soars on this track
- the lyrics is outstanding ABBA to the core.
- this song is a masterpiece NO DOUBT ABOUT IT.
10. ODE TO FREEDOM
- I give this song a perfect 10! Excellent. I never heard this kind of music for a long time. And it's great that ABBA gave it to me, to us!
- so called the Swan Song of ABBA
- reminds me of Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake
- and also reminds me of Enya's Flora's Secret or First Day of Autumn
- Agnetha and Anni-Frid harmonizing in low notes was delicately and tastefully done. Haunting, ethereal and therapeutic.
- I feel emotional while listening to this track. It's like they're saying goodbye, and I hate goodbyes...
- they really end the album with a powerful message and meaning. I can't believe that the reach to an end. This is like a movie soundtrack.
- I'm imagining fans dancing waltz while listening to this
Bjorn is genius lyricist and a great musician. After all these years he still got it The man behind the anthems and soundtrack that we listened to, sing along and danced as well.
All in all I love VOYAGE. And I still can say THANK YOU ABBA FOR THE MUSIC. In my lifetime an ABBA album was released. I was yearning and waited since the 90's for this to happen. And I wasn't disappointed. They're here for us. The hardcore fans.
I don't mind what the critics say about the album. Critics will always be critics One thing is certain ABBA' s music, legacy will forever be celebrated. ABBA is ABBA. Agnetha, Bjorn, Benny and Anni-Frid are the blueprint. They set the trend, the standard and their influence will resonate even in the next years to come. Each and everyone of us there's an ABBA anthem.
Another fact that ABBA VOYAGE went number around the world is a solid evidence of their resilience and power. They bridge the gap among generations.
They unite the world through their music.
40 years is worth the wait. Though the sad part this is ABBA saying goodbye to their fans. Like Benny said, they have nothing to prove. This album encompass all the milestone of their career. A closure we all needed.
Brilliant you've done that x
Very accurate, great! I agree!👏👏
Well said, great review! I remember reviews in the 70s, they were mixed too. Made no difference. 🤣
Great summary! I read someone say Ode to Freedom was like a spaceship lifting off, and that will always stick with me.
I Still Have Faith in You is about putting the band back together.
I think it is one of the enduring ironies that so many considered ABBA to be 'bubble gum' pop when in reality, Benny's compositional brilliance is matched by Björn's incredibly insightful Lyrics. 'Ode to Freedom' is one example where Björn extends the thought that the concepts of freedom we all posses are necessarily fluid, a 'fleeting' ideal that alters with time, culture and politic. As such, no impression of freedom lasts and therefore has little merit in itself - the final appeal being that there is a continued wish that someone somewhere, could pen an Ode to freedom that would genuinely be universal.
The whole album is a masterpiece.
So eloquently put.🌻
Ode to Freedom is unlike anything I've heard for a very long time. It really is a masterpiece. I give the album a perfect 10. It's so beautifully complex
I think ABBA are absolutely fab, yet like this wonderful vocal coach, I would not, if I were a Pop Idol judge, give a score of 100, the Voyage concept or project just needs some local imput, true loyalty & love from the surrounding areas of Stratford, London and the East End, also younger people now, many are of a generation, not so interested in Schlager, Folk Music, or Pop of the 70s and 80s or those genres. Regarding the voices of Frida and Agnetha they are pure as snowflakes, perfect to my ears. Jag älska Agnetha bardzo, bardzo and these videos are fun to watch. I saw some while I was in Lublin. Cheers.
What ABBA has created is something completely unique and it has never happened before in music history. Not only has it been almost 40 years, but their music is a masterpiece well and you can recognize them instantly. I am now 60 years old and still have their first LP and old cassettes that I play on my old turntable here at home. I am extremely grateful that I experienced this moment. You get emotional easily and rightly so.
I have read others below commenting about Bumblebee and I thought I would chime in. I find this song to be absolutely beautiful, soothing and calming, and so sweet to sit and listen to.Incredibly visuals of peacefulness. If a song can be adorable, it is this one! Thanks for your review, loved this album!
"i can be that woman" is actually about alcohol addiction. She sings about when an addict has told their partner many times before she would get clean but this time's she is serious and the partner believes her. "You're confused when you turn to face me, Is it true or is she drunk? But it's clear that I've hit my rock bottom. I'm aware of how far I've sunk". The end of "Keep an eye on Dan" is from SOS. I think a 9 out of 10 is justified.
This is how I interpreted it too.
Source ?
I believe it refers to Tammy Wynette, hence the dog being called Tammy as homage....
Bjorn said “Tammy” is a nod to Tammy Wynette’s “stand by your man”
@@chriswhite82 ..Incorrect. The dog is named Tammy as a nod to Tammy Wynette. It’s not about her.
The storytelling of Agnetha on I can be that woman is amazing I think.
Great review! Love this album! So Bumblebee - to me it is just describing that priceless feeling you get when you are relaxing in the garden and you spot a bee flying around landing on a flower near by and then going on its way. The way you can hear them buzzing around in the air when you are relaxing. But most importantly, it is wondering just how sad it would be, if in the future, there were no bees buzzing round the garden. What if someone could never enjoy the sight and sound of this species which is so threatened today. So its an eco song and a very worthwhile one. I love it, and I'm sure as you get to know it, you will too x!
I agree it's one of those songs you just wanna have in the background, feel good, consider life, nature, the world and just be. Or maybe just be pleased by a nice day and stay in the moment. I love it.
Frida is an environmentalist and bumblebee is about climate change. My absolute favourite track!
For me the album cover with the planet and sun rising is a eternal image.
Forty years later their music is eternally the same. it always brings us happiness and lifts us up. Such a simple thing, but not easy to do. 🌟🌟🌟🌟
I actually think bumblebee is one of the tracks I liked the most! The lyrics take you to that garden where the little bumblebees fly around
I think Bumblebee will grow on you🙂 I love the dancier tracks, but listening to Frida’s ode to the endangered “little ball” amongst instruments that mimic its inimitable buzz is a glorious experience for me.
I think bumblebee is a fresh take at a pop song, doesn't have to be sappy love songs through and through. If you have a little awareness about the state of the planet atm, then you'd know how relevant this song is. I like that they have made that choice to rethink what a pop song can be. Or at least stayed true to their own instincts and sung about what they care about
its beautiful.
I’m a huge ABBA fan and was nervous about a new album but I’d give it 9/10 too! My fave tracks are Keep An Eye on Dan & Don’t Shut Me Down. I love the fact they’ve written and produced it completely by themselves which keeps it so authentic devoid of outside meddling - perfectly ABBA 🙌
My feeling about Bumblebee was similar to yours, but how quickly that changed. Now the melody is stuck in my ears. And ohhh...Frida's glorious singing - it is now my favourite song by her. How could a song about a bee make a middle age man tear up? Only Frida and ABBA could do that!
It's the one that creates the greatest feeling of calm and the one sure one that you will keep humming hours and hours later more so than the others. It had to grow on me as all their best ones have.
AGNETHA AND ANNI- FRID STILL KILL THOSE HARMONIES TO PERFECTION. THAT THIRD POWERFUL VOICE STILL SHINES THROUGH. I BOW DOWN IN RESPECT, VIVA ABBA 🤩🤩🤩🤩
At first I also wasn't struck by Bumblebee, but I have to say I love it now. It's a poignant song about the environment. It has a light and joyous tune full of peace and hope. Then we get to the lyrics: the contrast of the peace and joy of the garden while watching a fuzzy bumblebee and the dark reality that their future and the future of many ecosystems and species are at risk.
Frida is NEVER flat, so if you heard that in No Doubt About It, it must have been intentional. Agnetha's skill is emotive storytelling, but Frida's is vocal precision, clarity and strength.
yes she is. Agnetha got the best songs
At first listening, I was unsure about the album. But then I sat and listened a few more times, and it opened up for me. I remember when I heard The Visitors, having the same feelings. It was a bit different from the previous material. And then boom, it became one of my favorites, because it IS a bit different. This is the same thing. We have 40 years of hearing the hits and analyzing every aspect of the songs, and then something new comes, and it's, in many ways, different. It's uncharted territory. But when we listen and let it breathe, we get it. This album is as different from The Visitors as The Visitors is from the Ring Ring album. THere is growth. Growth in lyric content and music arrangement. And the vocals are much more expressive in their execution. You can feel the pain in Agnetha's voice in Keep An Eye On Dan. My only criticisms are that some vocals are a little too buried, and the songs are just a bit too short. But too short is maybe better than being too long and wearing out your welcome with the listener. But all in all, a great addition to the ABBA legacy.
Rather surprised at your reaction to 'Bumblebee', which is one of my favourites. Frida's vocals are amazing, the tune is lovely and the environmental message is spot on - with an underlying hint (to me) of a loneliness metaphor.. The end of 'Keep an Eye on Dan' is a musical reference to their early song, 'SOS'. Perhaps 'Keep an Eye...' is a song sequel?
I agree, but I think her point is just that, within the overall concept of the album, it seems like a break away from the songs of trauma and drama that came before. I personally think it fits, though, as its topic still is loss (fear thereof more, actually), and Benny and Björn wanted to give us a bit of rest until the energy lights up again. Also, it echoes Little Things in that it is about appreciating the little things in life and how fragile they actually are. That said, I think it is, again, a stroke of genius. For me, this album is 10 out of 10.
I've heard them talking about"Bumbelbee" it also has todo with the environment and what would happen if these little creatures would'nt be around anymore. I've had more struggles with "Keep'n eye on Dan", but you've explained it beautifully!
Keep An Eye On Dan feels like something from the 'Chess' period. If you like 'Chess', you'll like this.
I can be that woman is about someone who battles addiction and because of this her relationship is slipping away. She faces her demons and decides to try to recover and save the relationship.
Bumblebee is about how the world is changing with environmental catastrophes and how the bees soon can be gone. It’s a bigger picture here.
The piano at the end is sampled from their 'SOS' song it's an obvious nod which makes total sense considering the subject of the song. Shows the genius of ABBA!
actually, at the 2nd listening of the song, you realize that the whole melody is built on SOS progression, you can put the sos riff after each verse and sing SOS in background over it
Yes that little nod to SOS was a nice touch.
45 years later they write a sequel to SOS. In SOS the relationship breaks up, and only now we learn there's a kid. I just love this song!
Bumblebee is a perfection. I adore it. It's also about the importance of their existence. 💚
“Bumblebee” seems to be a song with a simple intergenerational message and that is to pay attention to nature .... it’s “sad” for those who don’t.
There really is only one word from me with regards to "Voyage": EXCELLENT!!!
Poor Bumblebee! It’s getting kicked all over the place, and I love it! I get the random, oddness of it, but I clearly hear the messages of appreciating the little things: being happy in retirement; watching clouds and tending a garden; worrying about a world without bees (which would collapse the world’s ecosystems and kill us). Plus, the score is gorgeous! Come on, now!
Does anyone else think the vocals at the tail end of Just A Notion are the ‘now’ voices? They have a quality that is similar to the rest of the album.
I found the songs which Frida sang were my favourites. The Agnetha songs are too melodramatic for me these days and submissive. I think it is SOS snuck on the end of "Keep and eye on Dan".
I was just trying to play along to "When you danced with me" and was delighted to find it was just D, G, A. so I'm going to have fun with it. Also, I noticed a musical link to their musical "Kristina fran Duvemala" in some of that tune, which also has folk influences (since it is set in the 1860s).
"No doubt about it" is more in the taditional, strong Frida attitude of "yeah, I'll admit blame, if it makes you happy, moving on".
I find "Bumblebee" quite moving and beautiful, a celebration of the simple pleassures of being in the garden and how we should appreciate Bees. Perhaps it is because I have an elderly mother who enjoys the bees on our lavender bushes during the Summer?
"Ode to Freedom" is a lovely drifting end to possibly the last album from them. They seem to be drifting off on their voyage, on sea or into space, as the chords go between E to Em. I imagine a human space colony drifting off into the great unknown.
Bumblebee is a stately meditation on climate change as seen in the eventual extinction of the bumblebee. So yeah, more Nordic melancholy.
Actually, it's not about climate change, it's about the ecological crisis as a whole (of which climate change is only one of many issues), and how we tend to be too focused on some things to the point that we just don't see the others (bees disappearance is not caused by climate change, but by the global deterioration of ecosystems through systemic pollution and artificialisation of habitats). Climate change is the tree hiding the forest, and all the other issues which are as dangerous and important in the end are just not assessed nor aknowledged...
The fact that people think climate change when they hear Bumblebee, while the lyrics are specifically talking on how difficult it is to think about things that we don't perceive on a day to day basis (bees are still buzzing in my garden as they always did and the clouds are sailing with the breeze, as usual) shows precisely how much the lyrics in their wording are spot on at pointing that out
Wait....you think the vocals were flat on No Doubt About it?! I was blown away by the power and energy
exactly ,I was shocked after when I heard frida's powerfull voice
I Still Have Faith in You is a song that requires a couple of listens; I agree with you there. I also agree that When you Danced with Me is superb, and a real Abba sound to it. And you're right it's upbeat with a sad theme. Little Things is growing on me as time goes on, but I hated the choir. Don't Shut Me Down is a grower, but it's upbeat with a darker message. Just a Notion sounds badly mixed, and not as clear as Abba's Voulez Vous tracks were. The A ha ha bit is fun, agreed. I can't make up my mind about I Can Be That Woman. The Tammy the Dog idea feels twee, but there are great bits in the song (though it's a bit musical theatre). Keep an Eye on Dan is catchy, and the SOS hook at the end is a masterpiece. Bumblebee isn't about a bee, but rather it's about environmental issues, and very topical after COP26. No Doubt About It is brilliant. Catchy, upbeat sound and downbeat lyrics. Clever and one of my favourites on this album. Ode to Freedom could have been so much more. It just never seems to peak. Best song? I Still Have Faith in You, followed by When you Danced with Me and then No Doubt About It. Great reaction Miss Vocal Coach. Just a notion is about the singer having an idea (having a notion) that someone has a crush on the singer.
Abba are so clever..totally musical genius. They are pop perfection. There storytelling ability is fabulous. I feel so nostalgic and emotional...LOVE IT..love your revue..as always on the money...xx
What an ETERNAL gift this album! Two beautiful details further to your review.
1. Little things, the last line "If you sing along, it could be a song that my grandma sings". The grandma can be Frida, Agnetha or any of us when we sing this song to kids.
2. I can be that woman is BIGGER than the issues mentioned. Timeless. It about second chances to any human being and knowing that we can always reset ourselves
I loved your review, I've written mine to my blog last Friday - and we've basically looked at album the same. I like that you're also paying so much attention to the lyrics and diverse topics of the album - not so many artists sing about divorce or about children and regular people family issues. Usually pop music is more about luxury and some basic feelings - love and hate, maybe friendship - very shallow texts most of the time.
Voyage is full of stories, relatable lines and has some catchy melodies. I'm sad that so many listeners only ask themselves if ABBA is still just as good, and do not actually pay enough attention to the material to see that they are not the ones we knew, they are now and then combined, and they have to have an open mind.
Okay so my wife and I are big ABBA fans. We would love to be going to Abbatar shows in London.
My question is how are these ladies in their 70's able to sing so well? How can they retain that youth sound at their age?
I love every song! My favs are I Still Have Faith In You, Don't Shut Me Down, Bumblebee and love, Love, LOVE I Can Be That Woman!
I just cried when I heard the “SOS” excerpts at the end of “Keep an eye on Dan”!
My thoughts about "Bumblebee" (Sorry for my english, I am from Germany. Hope you understand it anyway. 😀): I think the song tells about a little peaceful world inside the garden with flowers, little bumblebees and not much problems. The garden is the contrast to our modern world where everything changes so fast and and it's very hectic. And then you've got the garden where the bumblebees fly and everything is okay. You know you have also to deal with the "real" world, but for now you're in the garden and everything is okay. Because of that Frida sings "A world without him I dread to think what that would be", because when the bumblebees are gone also her peaceful little world will be gone.
When the bees are gone, we will be gone too.
Love, Love ABBA. And now My three kids. So, next stop London with My oldest. Happy🇸🇪❤️
Each song is so different and I love them all. It’s the only album I can think of where I listen to the songs in the album order.
I Can Be That Woman is not about domestic abuse. There’s no abuse in the song at all. It’s about addiction. Bjorn said so himself.
The guys background vocals at the end of Keep An Eye Dan are amazing. The ex still loves the woman. If you have Atmos you’ll hear it.
This album is a masterpiece.
"Bumblebee" is about the importance of bees, environment, climate etc., one of Annifried heart matters since a very long time. Good timing for that track.
I know where you are coming from on Bumblebee in the flow of the album order now you say, but I didn't think this when I listened to the album or did I have an issue with it. I think its a beautiful song and resonates well at this time. Frida's voice and the almost 'Piper' like instrumentation is fabulous! I'm not sure I have ever listened to an album were the tracks are in an order like a story, but maybe it sort of is, who knows?
I can recommend a VOYAGE of discovery into the lesser known ABBA tracks and the works by them individually. You will find some gems!
Hi Georgina! I’m happy to hear your comments about Voyage. I agree with you about the Bumble bee. Perhaps there will be a Mamma Mia 3 movie with the new songs. I think the album is simple and beautiful. Relaxing. Some songs make my feet move. My favorites are Don’t shut me down and it’s like no years have passed for me or ABBA. The other big surprise is No doubt about it, great vocals and beat. Can’t believe Frida still sings that good. The album is a must have and will be loved as all ABBA albums.
The mention of previous ABBA songs in a few of the new ones is true because the new songs are sequels, SOS plays in one of them and theres a few others like When You Danced With Me, is a sequel or a prequel to Super Trouper, Bjorn mentioned this in an interview that the lads were in Ireland while the girls were in Scotland at the time of Super Trouper
i hear so many links to not only celtic or country music, i hear Händel, Tschaikowski, beach boys and amanda bloom, kate bush and depeche mode (the two last in my favorite Keep an eye on dan.)
All in all It is a fantastic album .. musically very complex but ABBAs ability has no bounds. best album I have heard in years and years.
The album is brilliant!!!! can't stop listening, and it's typical ABBA!
Bumblebee is about the environment. Bees are endangered because of pesticides... It's a very nice message and a nice song.
the piano at the end of keep and eye on dan is from sos
ABBA's first greatest hits LP was the first LP I bought back in 1976! I bought Voyage virtually unheard and I couldn't agree with you more. Thanks for your talk-through through the album!
Bumblebee is, I think, about climate change. It's my favourite on the album - this week - Ode To Freedom was my favourite last week!
its not climate change that is endagering the bees. Its how we treat the nature and the whole planet.
Same here!
Loss of biodiversity with large monocultures, and pesticides are the main threats to bees.
Talent aplenty as always from ABBA, they can make you cry, make you remember, make you laugh and make you fill with joy before making you think. I just can't wait till next year, I have my ticket.
Well said I love your reaction I love the entire Album their absolute best Masterpiece
I salute you. You definitely detected the messages being sent out. It's important to listen to the album in the order set out. You go to a track, but that track links back to another within the album but also to their original era songs. I Still Have Faith In You links to I Let The Music Speak, When You Danced With Me to The Piper, Little Things actually is quite sexual. Don't Shut Me Down links to Little Things, Just A Notion-note "it's more than just a notion, your dreams are about to come true" is a pointing finger to track 6 or side 2 track 1. I Can Be That Woman, an alcoholic woman confronting the problem in her life, the man that's driven her to drink into oblivion but also knows that he is just as to blame as her, as the family dog sits by judging these pathetic humans. Keep An Eye On Dan, brings in 21st century ABBA to mix cross SOS from 1975, is she just dropping off the boy or is she taking the drastic step of leaving Dan with dad forever, hence the SOS plead at the end for help. Bumblebee is Frida's statement on the environment, its a pause in the album to make us all stop, look & change our activities. Bumblebee is placed exactly in a moment when you think ABBA is storytelling but then slaps you in the face. No Doubt About It is feminism in overdrive, lyrics are simply stunningly ironic and written for women by a man. Ode To Freedom, ninth movement Tchaikovsky, Ode To Joy, Ode To Freedom is act 9 of their repertoire. It's intended to be their farewell however recent declarations throw a new discussion out: With these poignant & strong messages, ABBA have now felt it's time to try to fix this messed up world.
Your review is just very well done. The overall quality of their new album is simply fantastic
Love the Album and it keeps growing on me.
Love it ♥ Ode to freedom is a masterpiece.
Special comment of "Voyage"
It's new to put in the right order, I"m still listening and discover new things
until now I put "Voyage" from the middle to the top
better than "The Visitors" & "Voulez Vous"
so good as "Super Trouper" & "ABBA"
only behind "The Album" & "Arrival "
About the songs of "Voyage"
favourite song: "Don't shut me down"
(masterpiece! 10pts)
only a level bellow (9pts):
I still have faith in you
Just a Notion
another level bellow (8pts):
When you danced with me
Kep one eye on Dan
No doubt about it
Ode to Freedom
another level bellow (7pts):
Little things
I can be that woman
the last level (6pts)
Bumblebee
My order could be
1- Don't shut me down
2- Just a Notion
3- I still have faith in You
4- Ode to Freedom
5- When you danced with me
6- Kep an eye on Dan
7- No doubt about it
8- I can be that woman
9- Little things
10- Bumblebee
In facts, until now:
#1 The Album (+8 pts)
#2 Arrival (8pts)
#3 Voyage (7,5pts)
#4 Super Trouper (7,5pts)
#5 ABBA (-7,5pts)
#6 The Visitors (+7pts)
#7 Voulez Vous (7pts)
#8 Ring Ring (+6pts)
#9 Waterloo (6pts)
I think "I can be that woman" is about her being an alcoholic. Love the Voyage album and the "concert" is amazing.
Dear Georgina, I am an Estill teacher from Germany and I love your videos! Actually you’re a colleague that I’d love to chat with for hours on end about singing. I give ABBA‘s album a ten out of ten. Or even eleven!! 😃 Is there a pop album out there that even comes close? I wouldn’t know… I have it on repeat and it never tires me. But I would love to hear much more about what you think of the voices? Aren’t they in spectacular shape? Frida has an amazing power though in her mid-70s and really shines in her solos. Agnetha still has that bell-clear quality but also shows more fragility which she uses in emotional moments.. Could I urge you to do another reaction just about the vocals? (And by the way: did “Bumblebee” not give you any “Fernando”-vibes? I would’ve been very disappointed if they didn’t give us a song in that tradition…)
an special comment about
Don't shut me down
the new ABBA masterpiece
the Seventh Wonder of ABBA
the sweet melody of the piano and the violins, the neat rhyme in the prose and the excellent modulation and interpretation of Agnetha as an extraordinary storyteller in that introduction is an anthology
and the last minute, with the music and the choirs growing, the voices of Agnetha and Frida in a climate elevated to incredible atmospheres, they transmit to us the light and the joy of the return and reunion of ABBA
more than 40 years later
Don't shut me down
came to alter all the rankings and Top 10 that all ABBA fans had
I feel that, shortly after the ABBA Voyage concerts begin in May 2022
"Don't shut me down" has the magic and joy of "Waterloo" with which ABBA swept the Eurovision and shock all the world
Dan and Don’t shut me down are my favourites.
I agree on everything you said except my favorite was the celtic one, 'When You Danced With Me'. Yeah, I thought it was kind of poignant when the lyrics to Bumblebees includes "erratic"....that's how the song felt to me as well. Though I do get the metaphor and think it is basically about climate change. I will say I do hope they put out more videos for the songs, beyond the golden globe lyric ones....I want more videos like the one for ISHFIY.
Thanks Georgina for doing this Abba review :). I thought the songs were good, a little different from the old Abba but still good. My favourite is Don't shut me down.
This is 40 years later, they can never be the same again
So just remember the good times we had back in the day
This album blessed my ears seriously! Also georgina Little mix's new single "No" is out Friday along with the album!
I love Bumblebee cuz of Frida. It reminds me of Enya songs. . I also love I Can Be That Woman. I think it has a country feel to it.
The end piano piece I would say was taken from SOS . A clever little tease on keep an eye on Dan .
I love the whole album. Yes bumblebee does remind me of connecting with nature and it's healing benefits. As I heard this wonderful song, it was obvious it was an important message about climate change and the fact bees are declining. I will give the album 10.💜❤️🎶🐝
very nice job.....i just love this album :- )
"Keep An Eye On Dan" the piano part at the end is S.O.S. ... Kind of seemed a little strange but as always with ABBA It just fit.
Call för help S O S
Thanks for the interesting review. As others said, the piano ending of Keep an eye on Dan is identical to a piano figure in the intro of SOS. I am thrilled by the comeback and have recorded some piano/key versions by ear, probably doing some more. BTW, in the 2nd verse of Don‘t shut me down, some rhythmic elements in the arrangement (a kind of electronic marimba sound) is quite identical to piano elements in „If it wasn’t for the night“. There are probably more references to old songs ;)
Great analys! As always. Love to listen to ure opinon. As a swede myself I have to say this group really has their own sound. A 'feel good group' even in there more sader songs. Thank u! x
WELCOME TO MY CHANNEEEEEL! What a lovely into😃😄😀
I love Bumblebee!
Bumblebee has transmuted for me, I hear it now as a lament about one's approaching death, or even (God forbid) the death of life on Earth. "Yes for now I'm in my garden..." but not forever, it might/will end. The happiness of the moment is real, but transitory... but even if it's transitory, or because of it, we need to really enjoy the beauty while it lasts.
"Just a Notion" is a song from 1978 but it was never fully released. You can find snippets on TH-cam but not the whole song. Benny added a new backing track but the vocals are the originals.
"Bumblebee" is definitely an environmental song, ABBA's "Earth song" and the message is very clear there. And this is very close to Frida who did the main vocal as she is really involved in environmental politics since 90s. She forced to get rid of the cars from her town, Zermatt in Switzerland. This is one of a few places with no cars.
Dan is SOS the sequel, so amazing, loved it. Benny hearted my comment too!
I did just listen to the album and I found it almost a goodbye present. I think the song about the bumblebees shows how they have aged and spend more time in the garden as someone of older age would do.
I found it very deep especially the being a better woman. I am not sure if it's a diary of the past but there are some very heavy memories it seems.
I can see why there was a Christmas song, if they are leaving this album as a gift, why not gift us a Christmas song as they go onto their voyage, which might be a euphemism for the next life?
Ode to Freedom is beyond sublime and ethereal, the most beautiful, exquisite and poignant end to the album ( and ABBA albums?) Is anyone else of the opinion that it will be sung by choirs and artists in the same vein as Halelujah by Leonard Cohen or Imagine by John Lennon?
the ending of keep an eye on dan is the music of s.o.s. also think this song would be good for a custody movie but if there is ever a mamma mia 3 they should incorporate this intotthe storyline
I enjoy and love your reviews! I always I feel that I learn something new.
:) somebody somewhere in the comments might have answered it already. But the piano at the end of "keep an eye on Dan" is the start of the song S.O.S :) have a nice day
Abba are Timeless Icons so so talented in so many ways I don't think they would of taken the risk of ruining their Legacy if it wasn't Perfection and I think they have nailed it in a modern classic kind of way every track exceptional on the album I agree 9 / 10 👍🏻🎧🎵🌟
I like "When You Danced With Me"
I like your emotional investment in talking about the different songs. But it would've been better if you had the songs played while talking about them, like you did with the two earlier songs.
Bumblebee I feel is a connection to nature... And Frida has a very strong connection with the care and respect of the planet... So it seems like it was more of a connection to nature through a bumblebee. Just A Notion, It's just basically about a girl who has a Notion about a guy that she thinks likes her, but she feels that he is occupied with someone else but he's not and everything turns out grand in the end with the final lyric..."Maybe more than your dream is about to come true" ... Meaning it's more than a notion, it's a reality about to come true
Agree 9/10. Docked one point for a few tracks not being long enough, esp. Ode to Freedom.
I agree 100% with your review love it
yay!!
A lot of comments about Bumblebee and how it relates to our environment. I totally agree and put that song as one of my favs in the album.
Give it 10 I play it all time
Bumblebee is my favourite!….
just a notion is just wonderful. She just thinks that the man likes her but can not exactly be sure. This is the notion :)
"Keep an Eye on Dan" ends with a riff from "SOS". From what I've read, tt would appear that this song is an interpolation of "SOS". In SOS, a marriage was in trouble. "Keep an eye on Dan" is a follow-up...the marriage ended and now it's about dealing with how to raise the children.
Amazing from Chloe from Wirral xx
I've been saying since the release of the first 2 singles, I'm ready for Mamma Mia! 3 - The Voyage Home.