I cannot claim to be a huge fan of the highly successful pop group ABBA. When I hear an ABBA song on the radio, very often I will switch it off (unless its Fernando — that song rocks). But recently a special was on some high number cable channel about the super group and from a pop culture standpoint I found it really compelling. So I decided to look at the band more closely and pick up a copy of The Complete Abba – 40th Anniversary Edition
Sheridan has done a great job compiling a book that is nearly encyclopedic. I say nearly, because the book is comprehensive information-ally, it not organized by subject (although it does contain a decent index). Instead the book is organized chronologically, so you can follow along from the founding of ABBA through its breakup and beyond. Watching ABBA’s career unfold was a really clever way to present the info and it really sucked me in and by the end after reading about their music, tv shows the Momma Mia!, I was left wondering, just like all those ABBA fans out there, “why don’t they re-unite??”
If your a fan or just have a passing interest in pop music The Complete Abba – 40th Anniversary Edition
Zerbinator
2 Aug 2012I don’t know why, but it’s hard to admit to being an Abba fan. Maybe I had a crush the girls when I was a kid? I really have no clue. I am a fan though. I think it’s because my sister would blare the records and it would’ve been something more “thumpier” than my dad’s collection of John Denver and Jim Croce records.
Ahhh! I know why, because of the palindrome!
Badwolf
2 Aug 2012“Waterloo” is a very catchy tune. It’s my favorite and makes for a great YouTube video.
Doug
2 Aug 2012Palindromes make everything better. Blonde Swedes don’t hurt, either. Just ask Ace of Base.
Atari Adventure Square
2 Aug 2012The sounds of Abba filled the air in my days of 70s radio.
My youthful ears twitched agreably to their harmonies and a blondish peace would fill my soul as the poppier tunes played endlessly on AM stations (and just happened to be the better ones).
Mebbe that’s why I grew fond of their easy listening selection and still let it wash over me, the rare times I hear it anywhere nowadays.
I found it kinda fitting, though, when one of the Son of Sam movies (the Spike Lee one?) used Fernando as its timestamp.