Happy Nation (US Version)

It's a shame [shame, shame] I still don't have AoB's second album. Must buy it as soon as possible. This one I've never really listened to, so it'll be a surprise what it'll get. After all, AoB are one of my favourite bands and possibly the second most referred-to in my reviews, right after, yes, you know it, B*Witched.

#1 All That She Wants 9

For me, "of course", the old AoB is the one on the Flowers album. I still remember what a shock it was to first hear their old material that sounded so strange to me. Time has, however, passed and acquainted me with this style. Another thing I'll hardly forget is the line from Marikan viimeiset rintaliivit, "Taustalla pauhasi Ace of Basen mahtipontinen 'All that she wants' ja tämän suurteoksen nerokas sisältö sai Marikan itkemään." Still, at the time, I was too young to understand what was it that made this so revolutionary.

#2 Don't Turn Around 8½

My opinion on most of these old hits is pretty much the same. I wonder if this was the only track on this album not written by the band themselves?

#3 Young and Proud 8½

Not bad at all, at least the chorus.

#4 The Sign 10

Is this AoB's best song ever? Might be. At least it has a significant place in my life. Every time something important happens to me, I sing to myself "I, I got a new life / You would hardly recognise me, I'm so glad". Never mind the religious undertones that helped this to be their biggest stateside hit.

#5 Living in Danger 8½

For me, this is the partner of #2.

#6 Voulez-Vous Danser 8½

I think I should allow these less known tracks onto my lists to find out if they'd find a place there.

#7 Happy Nation 7½

Never understood this.

#8 Hear Me Calling 8½

I seem to like everything equally today.

#9 Waiting for Magic 8

Well, not just everything.

#10 Fashion Party 7

This album has many tracks that have titles that make me wish the songs were better.

#11 Wheel of Fortune 7½

Oh I used to hate this. Now I notice myself beginning to accept was I once was horrified to discover as their first single.

#12 Dancer in a Daydream 7

Why did they use their good titles on these uninteresting songs and then the good ones were left with something like Beautiful Morning, Beautiful Life and Ordinary Life? Okay, OL isn't good but it's required to complete the set.

#13 My Mind (Mindless Mix) 7

This, on the other hand, couples nicely with #10 and #12.

#14 All That She Wants (Banghra Version) 7

What exactly is Banghra? Some kind of oriental mediation, maybe? Ah, it's a Punjabian dance.

#15 Happy Nation (Remix) 7

I failed to notice the difference to the original. Oh well.