When Ace of Base debuted, they were hailed as the 1990s version of Abba. Just like many other groups that have been hailed as successors to a previous group (remember Oasis being hailed as the successors to the Beatles?), Ace of Base fizzled fast, leaving the memory of this monster-selling debut CD.

What was so catchy when this came out? Well, the beat, of course. The lyrics were basically easy to remember and sing to, and the tunes were easy on the ears. Truthfully, they did sound in many ways like a techno version of Abba.

Really then, how is the music? Well, dated. It really is Abba turned techno pop. While the music sounds different when you first listen to it, after a while it is so repetitive that it can become annoying. Their style changes very little from song to song, that after a while you start to realize that you are hearing a variation on a style, and not a style that encompasses a lot of breadth. I guess you could say that this is a group that has a lot of depth and not too much breadth.

I originally thought about giving this CD 3 stars, and decided that was unfair, because their music is technically well done, and it was original at the time they came out. Furthermore, it is still relatively unique. However, their music doesn't explore its bounds, it just stays boxed up in a small area.

Even though I give this CD 4 stars, I stop short of recommending it as a "must have". The music was so incredibly popular because of its radio appeal, not because it was breakthrough or the greatest quality. If you've heard "The Sign" or "Don't Turn Around" or "All That She Wants" on the radio and liked it, and wondered whether you would like the CD, then wonder no more: The rest of the songs are similar, so by all means go buy it!


A debut with power!   November 7, 1999
11 out of 11 found this review helpful

Ace of Base's debut effort, The Sign, is probably the best of the nineties. Aside from selling 21 million copies around the globe, and from being the #1 album of 1994, it is truly creative. From the opening track "All That She Wants" that includes the feel of Jamaican beaches and features their signature reggae-pop beats, it is a non-stop tour of Euro-dance and reggae-pop! "Don't Turn Around" is a powerful lost-love song that echoes with Linn's dramatic vocals and Jenny's heartbreaking back-ups. "Wheel of Fortune", "Living In Danger", "Dancer in a Daydream", "Happy Nation"- these are the album's best tracks. The Bangrha version of "ATSW" could have done better off of the CD, maybe replaced with one of their European tracks, like "Hear Me Calling", and the 7" Remix of "Waiting for Magic" totally kills the original version of the song that is on the European album (The original version of "WFM" is very good). The standout song is the title track, "The Sign", which is a fun, poppy song that, aside from being their biggest hit, is a meaningful track that brings life to to the whole record. This is the best album of the decade, so GET IT!


Unstoppable pop produced perfection!   May 11, 2006
FizzWiz (Pittsburgh, PA)
4 out of 4 found this review helpful

An album full of fun songs with beautiful ladies' voices, Linn and Jenny. Some people may try to compare them to acts such as Britney Spears and N'Sync, but what separates Ace of Base is the way their sound is crafted, the outstanding voice of Linn and Jenny, and when the videos play, they always include producers Ulf and Buddha too. By including the two main producers, it makes the group appear more sophisticated and not fake. This appearance turns out to be purely real, and a great move on the group's part. Of course, they are compared to Abba because of their sound and because Abba also had two female singers and two producers from Sweden.

The following mentions releases based on releases done in the U.S. All That She Wants, a jazzy techno pop song that you either really like or really hate. A well crafted song nonetheless, and a bit different than you might be used to hearing. A superb first release. Don't Turn Around, 3rd release from them, partly remade from another song, I was not crazy about, but a lot of other people liked it a lot. What people liked about this 3rd release the most was that it was poppy enough for them to listen to, and not too techno like. Young and Proud, a big fave of mine, was probably good enough to be a release. A great techno anthem for young confident people. The Sign is composed of strange lyrics, but with a bright sound that many people love. Some say it was copied over from the All That She Wants formula and just mixed up. Well, if so, it was mixed really well. It sounds too different to really be considered a copy of their 1st release All That She Wants. Living in Danger, a 4th relatively unknown release, had a really crappy video just put together that didn't make any sense at all. It had a catchy techno melody and so so lyrics, but seemed more of a release of well we're going to release something not as good and it might do well anyway kind of thing. Wheel of Fortune of Happy Nation should've been the 4th release as it was released in other countries. Dancer in a Daydream has some interesting sounds and a flowing beat. Lyrics aren't bad, better than Living in Danger. Wheel of Fortune, one of my fave songs of all time, just has such cool sounds and cool lyrics. "What you gonna tell your daddy's like a wheel of fortune" is a catchy fresh line even for today. From the lush melodies to the trumpets to the produced sounds created right after Linn sings "hatched baby." All placed so well and sounds like a superb pop song. Waiting for Magic was another produced, kind of girlish song. Jenny takes over the main mic on this one. Happy Nation shows an Asian music influence, but it's not overused, but used just enough to meld in with the melody nicely. The video is interesting, with Linn as an Asian looking woman, which is quite the turn on to say the least. This song is also a bit ethereal with the chanting in it.
Voulez-Vous is a fun song for learning very basic French, and plays on a common phrase, but makes it less sleazy.
In Your Mind is a crappy song just thrown into the mix, but you can't expect every song to be great.
All That She Wants Banghra version, most people don't care for. It's a boring remix that could've been done without. Fashion party is ever better than the last two mentioned. There are not many albums where I can say I totally love the songs- All That She Wants, Young and Proud, The Sign, Wheel of Fortune, and Happy Nation. A classic not to be forgotten.


The best of the best! :)   May 13, 2003
Beketaten (Pangea)
6 out of 7 found this review helpful

I appreciate a variety of music, and I can safely say to you that this is Not dumb, brainless, forgettable, OR Cheesy pop. It is now looked down upon by numerous people who think it must be "euro-fluff" or "uncool" or all those other words...Ace of Base is still going as a band, and this is one of their finest albums, of all their history of superb music.
It is also a classic of the ninetees. It's fun, danceable, engaging, and memorable pop music of the best class. There may be similarities, but they are Not immitating Abba, as many would like to say. They have their own sound, which surprisingly never gets old, and sounds fresh to this day.
Along with major hits like All That She Wants, Don't Turn Around, and The Sign, this album is a goldmine of nonstop greatness. Songs like "Wheel Of Fortune", "Waiting For Magic", and "Dancer In A Daydream" along with more groovy techno such as "Young And Proud", is sure to have something for everyone.
Buy it as soon as you can, and discover the joy! :)


Excellent   March 7, 2003
3 out of 3 found this review helpful

This was an astonishing debut by Ace of Base, It features the hits The Sign All That She Wants and Dont Turn Around. It was in the top ten for a long time, and the biggest Swedish export since Roxette in the late 80s. I recommend this album.