ABBA -- A Tribute: The 25th Anniversary Collection compiles an assortment of ABBA covers recorded by both well-known and lesser-known pop and dance-pop artists; none were done specifically for this album, although some were featured on a Swedish ABBA tribute, and many were previously unreleased in the U.S. There are some missteps, as is quite common for tribute albums -- some versions stick too close to the originals, while others simply fail to make much of an impression thanks to nondescript arrangements and performances. ...
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ABBA -- A Tribute: The 25th Anniversary Collection compiles an assortment of ABBA covers recorded by both well-known and lesser-known pop and dance-pop artists; none were done specifically for this album, although some were featured on a Swedish ABBA tribute, and many were previously unreleased in the U.S. There are some missteps, as is quite common for tribute albums -- some versions stick too close to the originals, while others simply fail to make much of an impression thanks to nondescript arrangements and performances. But by and large, there's something to recommend in most of the tracks here. Original member Frida Lyngstad revisits "Dancing Queen" in a striking a cappella version with backing by the Real Group, while ABBA sound engineer Michael Tretow and his daughter Sofia splice together an intricate medley of ABBA hits on "Honey, Honey." Other highlights include inspired readings of "Take a Chance on Me" by Erasure and "Waterloo" by Bananarama, a typically campy "Hasta Maņana" by Army of Lovers, a melancholy "Knowing Me, Knowing You" from the Lemonheads' Evan Dando, and the instrumental "Bridal Dancing Queen" performed by the Wedding Band for the soundtrack of Muriel's Wedding (although it isn't the full-length version). ~ Steve Huey, Rovi
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