Abba - Gold - Polydor

Review by: Jennifer Perkins

I blame the land down under for my affection towards the kings and queens of Swedish pop. Seems like all at once there was this huge influx of music by ABBA in Australian cinema. First I remember there was Muriel's Wedding, Toni Collette before she was famous. It was a story of a girl who wanted her life to be as good as an ABBA song - needles to say you can guess what the soundtrack was like. I had never paid ABBA much mind until that film, but then the seed had been laid. Next came The Adventures of Pricilla Queen of the Desert. We all remember the ABBA terd the one guy held so sacred, and ABBA's "Mamma Mia" graces the soundtrack.

Between these two flicks and a road trip across the US where I was forced to listen to ABBA somewhere along the line I was hooked. I had been reeled into the dark underbelly of white spandex and glistening sparkly knee high boots. I had two choices: I could deny these strange feelings and repress them or I could rush right out and indulge my urges with the purchase of a greatest hits record. I never did have much will power when it came to cheesy music, so I am now the proud owner of ABBA Gold.

Well the CD starts right in with their big hit "Dancing Queen". The minute the song starts and there is that slide down all the piano keys you are suddenly moved to flip your hair and don a polyester jumpsuit. And the party is just getting started. One hit after another ensues "Knowing Me Knowing You", "Take a Chance on Me", "Waterloo". I am sorry this quartet of cheese balls rival The Beach Boys in the masters of harmony department. Plus they never went through the bad drug faze.

Apparently I have a real soft spot for Swedish people trying to make music with a Spanish flair. My favorites on the CD are "Chiquita" and "Fernando". Although ABBA is strongest when they are bright eyed and bushy tailed ("Super Trooper"), they also make a convincing power ballad on songs like "Winner Takes it All" and "The Name of the Game".

ABBA is for more than drag queens and people who still go roller skating at age 45. ABBA is for you and me and everyone. These songs are timeless and classic. The melodies are perfect, their voices are beautiful and they are better than a prescription to Prozac to zap you out of any shitty mood.