Teen Spirit

To this day I still don't possess the first A-Teens album (the ABBA one). Must be some repercussion of Maria's contempt towards it. This, however, was okay with her, as it contains original material.

#1 Upside Down 9½

I bet everyone wondered when this came out, "Is this ABBA?". Turned out it wasn't, though the style is similar. Quite good, don't you think? You don't? Oh...

#2 To the Music... 9

The sticker on the CD cover advertises this, which must mean this was originally planned as a single. Well, I think this would've been better than the Sugar Rush they opted for, even if the chorus is missing development. It really really should go up into minors but no, no.

#3 Halfway Around the World 10

The real highlight of the album with its strong clanking bass, progressing melody and, let's admit it, totally headless lyrics.

#4 Firefly 8½

Childish song but just suitable for their age. Even though I'm a big fan of modulations, I'm not usually too impressed if it's done while moving into the chorus from the verse, like in this one.

#5 Sugar Rush 8

Utterly generic Swedish teen pop.

#6 Rockin' 8½

On a Korean album this would be a decent filler but here it's somehow out of place. Okay, okay, it's a decent filler here as well.

#7 Around the Corner of Your Eye 7½

I remember this wasn't a bad ballad... Did I remember incorrectly? Quite possible. This is allright, not great by any means.

#8 Slammin' Kinda Love 8

Was this bad? This is so a copy of something... can't think of it... Anyway, it seems that I've warmed up to r'n'b a bit during the last couple of years. Maybe something by Supernatural? Oh, this modulates funnily.

#9 All My Love 8

This isn't very bad either. This seems to be a very 8 album. And very unoriginal as well.

#10 For All That I Am 9½

This might have been one of my favourites. Oh yes, it is. I may be a bit generous today but let's give a good score anyway.

#11 That's What (It's All About) 7

The online review where I just checked the track titles said this is a copy of Britney's Oops! and oh yes, especially the samples but not the musical elements so much. Here we see once again how easily people are swayed by the arrangement and other superficial stuff.

#12 Morning Light 9

Wasn't this the E-Type track? Well, he knows his stuff. Not spectacular but very okay. Uh. My vocabulary has seemingly degenerated during the latest reviews. The only words I seem to use are "nice", "good", "bad" and "stuff". Must evolve.

#13 Back for More 8

Agh with these farewell tracks. At least this time they actually came back, unlike certain other acts... Once more funny modulating.