Rock the World

This should provoke a decent amount of text. We'll see how this "classic" fares compared to the much more recently actualised E.M.M.A. [UPDATE 060131] I just found out there were five singles from this album: Happy Girl, My Boyfriend, Rock the World, X-Mas Time and I'll Be There/Regnbågens barn. Wow. After that they've only released four more, Somewhere and Round 'n' Round off Inbetween and their two MF entries.

#1 I'll Be There 9

The beginning always reminds me of (our last) my first summer at CNX, when I tried to have cultural exchange with Mikko but he couldn't make it past the very first seconds of this album. So sad. I still haven't decided whether the middle part with "Jennifer"'s call is wonderful or horrible. Probably both.

#2 Rock the World 9

Why is this their biggest hit? Don't get it. It's okay all right but by far not their best.

#3 My Boyfriend 10

Oh wonders, this is the best. It was such a great idea to include it in BNM. The swingy arrangement reminds me of A*Teens' One of Us, with the exception that this is a composition in which it fits.

#4 I Have a Dream 9½

I didn't remember this was so good.

#5 Happy Girl 9½

For this my primary association is the amusement park version "Sicky Girl" that has to be sung on the rockiest rides. I also vividly remember the video where the classroom awakens, especially the pig.

#6 One 2 Six 8

Here begins the less known part of the album. For a reason.

#7 Disco San Fransisco 8½

Yes, that's the way they spell it. Even better are their ways of pronouncing the foreign greetings, like "Au revour".

#8 Most of the Time 8½

I actually like this ballad.

#9 New Generation 7½

Oh steelpans, you should've stayed with Lolly and not gone running around upsetting innocent child bands.

#10 Viva the Sun 8½

Mixing language in titles should be banned by law. This is actually so much fun that I might want to have this on my playlists. The absolutely best part is the last time they chant the countries: "Barbados, Brazil, Africa, Sweden! Sweden?"

#11 X-Mas Time 9½

This Christmas song is very good, even among my favourites in that theme.

#12 I'll Be There (Karaoke)

#13 I Have a Dream (Karaoke)

#14 Rock the World (Karaoke)

Remind me never to include instrumental versions on a album... On singles is where they belong.