Waterloo (studio album) by ABBA

Featuring the first of their 9 U.K. No.1's and 20 top 10 hits "Waterloo". Although no other song charted from this album, other strong tracks are "Watch out", "My mama said", "Dance" and "Gonna sing you my love song". This was a taster for what was to come, in which they became the 4th biggest and most successful act worldwide during the 70's. Only Elton John, The Rolling Stones & Pink Floyd kept them out of the top 3.

From Boltzmann 05/06/2021 06:11

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The second half is a bit of a drag, but I do have a soft spot for this and Ring, Ring.

8.6/10

Top Tracks: "Honey, Honey"

From Tamthebam 08/21/2015 13:14

Was considered their Debut when it came out in '74 as no-one outside of Sweden had heard of them, then Bang they won the Eurovision and this album was released. Only later did it become clear that this was their 2nd album. There are some really good tracks - Gonna Sing you My Love Song, Hasta Manana, Dance While The Music... Waterloo & Honey Honey. Suzy Hang-Around & My Mama Said are not bad either. Overall 75/100.

Abba's second album from 1974 is in many as a natural sequel to the debut "Ring Ring" from 1973. The recipe is much the same: a handful of fine singles "Waterloo" (not least), "Honey Honey" and "Hasta Mañana" supplemented with a mixed bag of popsongs.

Among the lesser-known album-tracks there are some fine gems, not least "Dance While the Music Still Goes On." This song could certainly have done as a single, and it was indeed also included on the group's first compilation album. If I had had a say, I probably would have replaced the male lead vocals with a lead from one of the girls.

Among the other less prominent songs I would like to highlight "My Mama Said", which has a nice funky beat. "Gonna Sing You a Love Song" might seem a bit trite, but I think that the chorus has some very fine vocal harmonies that lift the song out of anonymity. On the upbeat "Suzy Hang Around" there great sounding guitars, and the song that is somewhat atypical of the group is actually a little gem - again I would have liked to hear the song sung by one of the girls.

In the "heavy" end there are also tracks for oblivion. There are attempts at glam rock with "King Kong Song" (terrible) and "Watch Out". "What About Livingstone?" is boring and sounds like an outtake from the first album, while "Sitting in the Palmtree" is only slightly better.

The album was to follow up on the big breakthrough with the single "Waterloo," and does so quite solidly. However, there is not much to suggest that the group over the next 5-6 yearswould become one of history's greatest pop groups.

Whilst not as successful as their follow up, this album has all the hallmarks of a successful band. The melodies and production are there. It even rocks a little harder. Not a weak track. And underrated classic.