Ring Ring
by ABBA

"Ring Ring" was Abba's first album; released in 1973 a year before their international breakthrough with "Waterloo". Although the group at this point appear somewhat immature and without the sharp profile that would later characterize the group's sound, there are nonetheless several fine pop melodies on the album.

The stand-out track is without question the title track "Ring Ring", which sounds like a song that just as well as "Waterloo" could have been a breakthrough song.

In addition to this great pop-song, there are other nice pop-tunes, some of which suffer a little from slightly weak lyrics or uninpiring male vocals. On later albums the girls took the vast majority of the lead-vocals - a clever decision.

"Disillusion" is a fine ballad written and sung by Agnetha Fältskog.

"Another Town, Another Train" is also a fine people inspired ballad - I would have liked to have the lead vocals sung by one of the girls.

"Nina, Pretty Ballerina" - is a little song in the tradition songs like Obladi-Oblada - quite enjoyable, but also rather forgettable.

All in all not a bad debut, though it does not measure up to later releases from the group.

From Boltzmann TOP 100 COMMENTER 05/06/2021 04:25 | #269400 | TOP COMMENT Vote up your preferred comments and the comments with the most votes will be flagged.

Really funny to hear what they were like before they broke through. It's not much different however; infectious as always. But you can hear that they are not aware that the rest of the world is listening. They pretty much had the same career as the Bee Gees: psychedelic pop, disco, and they even had an attempt at a more sophisticated album at the end.

I agree with Mother Nature's Son however, what were they trying with this cover art? A bit funny though. They look so innocent, like they know about the positivity of the hippy movement, but they would be shocked if you told them they were heavy drug users too.

I must listen to the Björn Ulvæus and Benny Andersson tunes they did in Swedish because it is quite clear from the word go these guys knew how to write a pop tune. Wonderful stuff. Favourties are Ring Ring, Disillusion, I Am Just A Girl and She's My Kind Of Girl.

From Listmeister 12/19/2013 14:48 | #98079 | TOP COMMENT Vote up your preferred comments and the comments with the most votes will be flagged.

ABBA's first shows their influences, there was folk, rock, and California harmonies. They hadn't quite found their sound yet, so what we have here is different from other ABBA albums.

Cute debut, but a far cry from the perfectly crafted pop that ABBA would be famous for.