Flowers

Unlike most other people, this was my first contact with AoB. I had apparently mentioned quite a few times that I should buy this, as I then got it from Kati. Oh, I'm already saying that in the comments for AHAW copied from Singles.

#1 Life Is a Flower 10

"The first few times I heard this in the high school computer club I thought "What an annoying song!" but quite soon I came to my senses and started liking it. Those were about the same times I listened too much to One for Sorrow and Solid Harmonie's I'll Be There for You. And also the time when everyone seemed to spend a lot of time on the Altavista starting page... And all the good people like Widow-wife..."

#2 Always Have, Always Will 10

"My first contact to this was naturally when I got the Flowers album from Kati. She had listened to it before handing it over and commented, "The second track is SO you." And so did I like this from the very first listening."

#3 Cruel Summer 9

How suitable can this be at this weather! "Hards on my streets and the penguins are burning / I sit alright" as I used to hear but all in all, it definitely is "too hot for comfort". I like the remix loads better but this isn't bad either. I still think about Vaakka and Kuusamoon with this one...

#4 Travel to Romantis 9½

Without the god reference this would be even better. The way it changes into majors at the start of the first part A is very good. The chorus is quite traditional but hey, when have we minded? ;]

#5 Adventures in Paradise 8

Weirdly digging tune.

#6 Dr. Sun 8

About this I always remember Jenny saying that when this was first played at a club, everyone was saying, "this must be Ace of Base!". And yes, this definitely follows their old style, of which I still was mostly unaware at the time of hearing that saying, because for me AHAW represented the "traditional AoB"... It was said somewhere that this song (as well as the previous one) is quite explicitly themed or how would you put it in English.

#7 Cecilia 9

Ah, good old oldies style.

#8 He Decides 7

One of the weakest tracks, with some rather neat details though.

#9 I Pray 7

Horror no. 1. And not only musically, as might be guessed. In fact, musically this is not so bad but I still can't stand the lyrics, got much left to do in "neutralising" myself...

#10 Tokyo Girl 8½

Doesn't surprise me a single bit this was included in some anime series, like ATC's So Magical and of course Smile.dk's Butterfly.

#11 Don't Go Away 9½

I always confuse this's title with Don't Turn Around. I should listen to this more nowadays as this used to be one of my favourites. The part D is absolutely beautiful.

#12 Captain Nemo 7

The deep sea sound effects are no doubt the best offering of this, not to say anything about the part A we nowadays better know from Beautiful Morning...

#13 Donnie 9½

More retro spirit as a very charming package. The "Donnie, Donnie, Donnie!" choir sections are especially influential. Wow, I almost gave a 10. This album definitely is better than I remembered.

#14 Cruel Summer (Big Bonus Mix) 10

And a perfect closing. "I'm not the slightest bit surprised that this remix was made by the people behind Aqua. One of all-time best covers and the second best Bananarama one. A problem is that in the chorus there's a strange guitary synth riff that I always tend to start following and forget the rest of the song."