構成数 | 1枚

合計収録時間 | 00:38:37

Personnel: Agnetha Faltskog (vocals, background vocals); Fredrik Thomander (guitars, keyboards, programming, background vocals); Jesper Jacobson (guitars, keyboards); Gunnar Norden, Stefan Ohlsson, Mattias Torell (guitars); Niklas Sunden (accordion); Peter Nordahl (piano); Max Lorentz (organ); Par Westerlund, Simon Petren (keyboards, programming); Per Lindvall (drums); Janet Leon, Jeanette Ohlsson, Linda Ulvaeus, Myrra Malmberg, Jorgen Elofsson (background vocals). Audio Mixer: Jess Sutcliffe. Recording information: Atlantis Studio Stockholm; Lighthouse Studios Lidingo; Stockholm Concerthouse. Photographer: Andy Earl. Arranger: Peter Nordahl. Agnetha Faltskog faded into a quiet retirement in the late '80s, resurfacing with an autobiography in 1996 and then a collection of covers, primarily standards, called My Colouring Book, a 2004 release loosely tied into the popularity of ABBA's jukebox musical Mama Mia. Despite these projects, she never pursued a full-fledged comeback, not until 2013 when she released A, a collection of new songs written and produced by Jorgen Elofsson, that received a major multinational push. Elofsson wrote hits for Britney Spears, including the fizzy early sensation "(You Drive Me) Crazy," but the touchstone for A is his masterwork of pageantry, "A Moment Like This," the song Kelly Clarkson sang at the conclusion of the first season of American Idol. There are hints of disco here and there, most prominently on "Dance Your Pain Away," and a bit of pure pop ("Back on Your Radio" is a terrific statement of adult contemporary purpose), but for the most part A is straight-down-the-middle Europop ballads, the kind ABBA pioneered and the kind Faltskog still feels very comfortable singing. Throughout it all, she sounds strikingly robust -- she may not hit the high notes anymore but she never sounds thin -- and part of the credit should go to Elofsson, who crafts his songs and productions to showcase Faltskog at her best. Much of this feels familiar but not precisely like music she's made before. Rather, this is stately, sweet Europop, the kind that could have been released any time over the last 30 years, but it's given a warm, reassuring quality by Agnetha Faltskog, who retains an appealing, easy touch that separates her from her successors and still resonates all these years later. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine