It's been 30 years since Agnetha Fältskog, 1 quarter of ABBA, went back to her solo career, and with recent rumours spreading about her return to the studio at the age of 62, it's the perfect time to tackle her back catalogue.
Other female quarter Frida was the first to release a post-ABBA solo album in 1982, and whilst she was experimenting with the edgy rock of Phil Collins and the on-trend synths of Giorgio Moroder, Agnetha was taking a middle of the road approach. Wrap Your Arms Around Me, her first English-language album, has aged badly, with the sensual strut of Can't Shake Loose and the epic, sprawling title track proving to be the standout songs.
As though her record label were trying to market her as the Swedish Olivia Newton-John, the album is a prime example of playing it safe - i.e. innocent pop with a subtle hint of sexuality. For instance, titles such as Take Good Care Of Your Children are best reserved for charity school choir specials, and the self-penned Man is an exercise in schmaltz. Wrap... was met with a lukewarm critical and commercial response, which is no surprise seeing as it didn't stray too far from the ABBA sound, at a time when their popularity had faded.
Curiously, despite Agnetha co-writing most of her Swedish-language material, the only other credit of her English career is on her second album, Eyes Of A Woman. Released the same year as Frida's sophomore album, it packs more of a punch than her own debut, but is still a lot less modern than her former bandmate's second effort. The album highlight is One Way Love - a synths ahoy, arms in the air loner's anthem.
Meanwhile, I Won't Let You Go (the aforementioned 2nd credit, lyrics by 10cc's Eric Stewart), storms in with its rollicking rhythm. Lyrics like "Some girls want to play with you" could have easily made Agnetha a star of an 80s-set Grease 3. Things trail off towards the second half of the album, as it starts to lead towards the mushy, romantic side.
She took a darker turn on her third album of the 80s - I Stand Alone - to date her last original album, released in 1987. Produced by Peter Cetera of 70s cheese rockers Chicago fame, it gave Agnetha's soft-rock leanings an American sheen. The title track recalls the brooding atmosphere last heard on The Day Before You Came, and is a prime example of mature pop.
Meanwhile, I Wasn't The One (Who Said Goodbye) - a duet with Cetera - doesn't quite live up to the dramatic flair of its title. Let It Shine is by far the cheesiest cut. Released as the third single - it was her last stab at the GB market for many years.
She returned in 2004 with My Colouring Book, an album of 60s covers, in a wave of publicity. her much-heralded 2004 comeback, album of 60s covers. It finally gave her a hit on these shores - If I Thought You'd Ever Change Your Mind peaked at #11 and even made its way onto a Now! album.
It's telling that she had her biggest success with songs written for other people, and suggests that for her upcoming 5th English-language set she ought to be more selective, or better still write it herself. Everyone is familiar with her voice, and now that ABBA are much more treasured by the general public, she owes to herself and her fans to step up her game. The new piece is rumoured to have a Springtime release date (well she's missed Mother's Day), and in a year when octogenarian superstar Petula Clark is returning, it could be the dawning of a new era of oldies. Someone call Madonna.
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