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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 8, 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!


Great singles, but also lots of filler.   May 25, 2000
 10 out of 26 found this review helpful

If you grew up in the '90s, chances are you've already maxed out on this group. This was one of those groups that sounded really good on the first couple of listens but over time loses its magical charm. Especially over the course of a whole album. Ace of Base's sound, at the end of the day, is pretty limited -- somewhat flat keyboards, reggae beats, reserved vocals, droning beats, catchy but unenduring.

"All That She Wants" should've been the major hit; it's the one Ace of Base song that holds up to repeated listens, thanks to a less chirpy lyrical theme than usual and a woodwind line as an unusual hook (or keyboard-simulated?). Of the other two hit singles, "The Sign" sounds nice on first listen with both Jenny and Linn joining in on verses, but sounds awfully repetitive and juvenile after a while. Surprising how it clung like a bulldog to the top of the charts. And "Don't Turn Around" is positively awful, sounding like the worst Europop in existence, lifeless arrangements coupled with too much emphasis on the instrumental backdrop, which holds nothing interesting whatsoever.

Now Ace of Base stands mostly as a curiosity, its relevance mostly due to its baffling commercial success, and possibly as a sign of the times -- the first stage of the move towards harmless pop manufacturing, perhaps?


Ace Of Base's Best CD   May 17, 2000
 6 out of 9 found this review helpful

Ace of Base's debut CD "The Sign" is their best album to date and remains one of my favorite CDs of all time. The pop hits "The Sign", "Don't Turn Around", and "All That She Wants" are here, but that doesn't mean the rest of the album is trash.

Unlike many artists who seem that only their hits are the only thing worthwhile off an album, "The Sign" keeps the beat grooving in songs like "Happy Nation", "Waiting For Magic", and "Living in Danger", and "Dancer in a Daydream". Personally I think all the songs are downright awesome except "Young and Proud".

Impressed with the first, I bought their second album, "The Bridge", and was thoroughly unimpressed. If you liked these early hits from Ace of Base, I can guarentee that you'll like the vibes of "The Sign". A real essential recording in a modern pop collection.


The best of the best! :)   May 13, 2003
 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! :)