The Daily Roxette

Roxette World Tour 2011 schedule

Per comments on fan’s disappointment with RoxBox

Written by Per_G_ on September 2, 2006 to .

STOCKHOLM - Here is a message from Per regarding the RoxBox controversy.

Dear Daily Roxers, hope all is well in the real world!

I’ve noticed, reading on my own and thru various mails, that some of you are unhappy, furious, hurt, suicidal and even displaying a very unpleasant attitude regarding the upcoming Roxette releases.
Roxette has been around for 20 years, this particular year we have decided to release 1 compilation album with our biggest hits + 1 box set which should give a more complete picture of the band and our ambitions. All for a wide audience of old + new fans and people who perhaps didn’t even know they were fans…

We have recorded 2 new tracks which we feel are up to the same standard as our best material. As well as these new ones the box will include 14 tracks that most folks living on this planet aren’t that familiar with. And they’re pretty good too. Yea, that’s about it. No, I forgot the extended version of MTV Unplugged recordings which will also be included in this mighty box.

It has never been our intention to have a box-release leaning heavily towards demos, remixes, song sketches or live material. Like I mentioned before the idea with this particular item is to present the big picture of what Roxette is all about. We don’t want that flow of quality productions to be interrupted by 7-minute remixes or lukewarm demos. Quality over exclusivity has always been our choice.

By the way, talking about demos: Most artists (that I know of anyway) don’t release demos at all. Just so you know, the demo is made by the writer or the artist to try out the song, to find out for oneself what it’s all about. It’s not necessarily meant to be heard by the public. It’s work in progress. Some of you seem to think that these, often primitive, recordings or rough sketches are made for your ears. They are not. They are made for ours. You can’t take for granted that the demoversion of every Roxette-song you like has to be released. That won’t happen.

So…I really can’t understand the dissatisfaction among some of you. If you don’t like it, don’t listen to it and certainly don’t buy it! Marie and I have to be the prime judges of our own music, our own lyrics and our own productions. That won’t change. It’s a beautiful day out there. Enjoy it.

P.
Sept. 2, 2006

350 comments

ally77 said on :

Oh I can comment first! :)

Oh I have to laugh at Per’s response, always the comic! I am not suicidal, takes a lot more that the upcoming Roxette release to put me in that frame of mind!

It’s true what he says, the Rox Box does contain songs that some people won’t have heard before, those who have not got the entire back catalogue of cheap crap sounding bootlegs!

I personally can’t wait to get my hands on the box, as I sold most of my crap bootlegs on eBay yonks ago and it will be nice to have some of those demo’s on official release!

But Per, I’d still like to know if it’s being released in the UK…. Can anyone confirm this?

…. And I still a tad miffed about no The Big L demo as we get to hear and see in the “Making of Joyride”, that was and sounded like a great demo! But hey I am not gonna spit my dummy out over it!

It’s a nice day where you are? Jeez it raining non stop here… ;)

rox-kuryliw said on :

mmm ok fair comment. I must have got the impression this ’MIGHTY’ rox box was like a raraties thing. Not like a best of from each album. ow well . (im not a fan of demos anyway, your right there) What about this monster hanger etc ? They must have been other songs recored for each album aswell. i can understand if u think they suck though its up to you . PS alot of what u thought sucked doesnt but your choice not the fans i guess ( although we do buy it and listern to it lol ! ! ! ! and realisticly kept you going) would have been great to have a more raraites theme on the rox box , b sides remixes LIVE tracks. more like a tourism thing.

Sorry mate but the standards of that one wish cover is horrid still . Im sure the 2 new songs are great though. The video looks very interesting which im looking forward to. jonas works great visually with per and marie ( hope he does cover shoot)

Mikalex1 said on :

I´m with you ally. What did the people think that´s comming? A brand new album? We knew that we will get a collection. I find it good for all new fans.....

I can´t wait too since I have the Box. Two new songs for the anniversary are great. Maybe this can be a new step into the next 20 years with a lot of Roxstuff!!HA!HA!

Bunio said on :

i must say that i agree with Per (especially about remixes and demos), but still... more live tracks, maybe some from RS Tour, should be included. Roxette live is great!

rox-kuryliw said on :

Roxette live is great i agree totally.

freddyhardest said on :

Well, this text doesn´t answer my personal question.

They included some really unreleased demos in the box. One? two? three? more or less.

Like “Myth”. Who is the target people?

The newcomers won´t have any interest in those. They want the hits and the back catalogue.

Why to include these two or three demos in the pack?

To make the fans buy the pack. To make the fans pay another time for the lot of songs they have already bought several times.

P.D. : However, I´ll buy the singles the first day.

I know this is business. Just don´t try to cheat anyone, Mr. Gessle.

Just like any greatest hits, songs that everyone has but, oh, they include one or two songs, to “obligue” fans to buy it.

ttmo said on :

It’s a fair response. Maybe one day we get to see some demos on bad hair day project again. Which we have to remember is free and got us a lot of rare demos. We can hope,right.

rox-kuryliw said on :

sad but true thats business. Ill pass on rox box me.

ally77 said on :

@ freddyhardest, he’s not cheating you.....

As the last lines goes, you don’t have to buy it!

erweetiran said on :

Fair...BUT

1. The ONE remix that pops up the most is COY....so his comment about a bunch of remixes does not make sense

2. This box has 2 songs I never heard before so they are releasing stuff over and over

3. The comment about the “Don’t listen to it or dont’ buy it” was insensative...

anyway he can do what he likes but why compile a box meant for hardcore fans...and then its not stuff that they would be interested in...cause the box is oing to cost a bunch and will not be on the christmas list of the average joe

steven said on :

>>So…I really can’t understand the dissatisfaction among some of youIf you don’t like it, don’t listen to it and certainly don’t buy it!

Krischan said on :

Thanks for bothering, Per!

It is indeed the answer one could expect as to the contents - not that i expected one at all.

You left out an major issue - the compulsion of having to buy tracks for the n-th time in order to get the really new songs. This is what annoyed a part of the community. But I believe now that you just cannot understand this. Whatever the reason may be.

freddyhardest said on :

To ally77

Yes, he is cheating, because he is not completely sincere.

I know, the Rox Box is for newcomers and nostalgics. OK. Like the greatest hits.

And, like the greatest hits, contain those few, few but interesting for the fans, songs which makes you buy the entire lot.

That´s not fair. In my opinion, of course.

P.D.: They can release next year two CD with all the demos we all have AND one or two new demos. How interesting !!
What will you do?

“Most artists (that I know of anyway) don’t release demos at all”

Yes, and you insert one or two in the pack, so many more people than expected will buy it only for them. You (or EMI) are a genius.

Sascha said on :

Thanx for your comment, Per! I hope you differenciate between many fans’ disappointment about the RoxBox and the fundamental joy about Roxette’s comeback and the 2 new songs! We can’t wait to hear One Wish on the radio and see you both back on stage... Hip hip hurray, Roxette is alive! :-D

But, please... just change that horrible single cover! ;-)

LookSharp81 said on :

Well said Per, that’s the reality.
So i’ll buy all of the new releases!

I say thanx for all of this new stuff and i’ll enjoy it.

Hope to see you soon!
David

Kiwein1 said on :

I agree with Per about the demo thing but also would have liked to hear more live tracks. Whatever..I am “so and so” at the moment but still looking forward to the “comeback”. Won’t buy the box though.

But thanks to Per for commenting and justifying somehow. Nice to read. Thanks for your time.

whateveriam said on :

Yeah, I’m going to throw myself off a bridge cos I don’t like whats in the box. Really, you flatter yourself.

Thanks for taking the time to try and rationalise this though. Even if I don’t buy it (I’m still undecided), I know a person who will.

EDIT-won’t say the last comment, I don’t have a death wish.

sabrina59 said on :

well, first of all, it’s so easy to complain...
i must say per’s words couldn’t be more accurate: if you don’t like it, don’t listen to it or better, don’t buy it!!!
i think they’ll always do things that way, for the simple reason that it’s impossible to make everybody happy. and of course, ’cause THEY ARE roxette, and i think they’ve done a great job so far.
so, for those who feel dissaponited, wait till you see the new stuff in stores and then decide whether you’re happy to have roxette’s brand new material in your hands (after all we’ve been through) or not.
me? i already am.
love you guys! keep on roxing... for years to come.

ncurran said on :

Nice that Per has taken the time to comment on this. However, I have to say that sometimes I do find his attitude a little insincere and arrogant. Firstly, it wasn’t ’some’ of us that were unhappy with the tracklist, it was the vast majority. I don’t particularly like demos either, but the ’flow of quality productions’ is already going to be interupted by crap like ’love spins’. The tracklist is very bizarre, and who does he actually think is going to buy this box set? It would be very naive to think that it will be ’new fans’, Box sets generally are collectors items for more hard core fans, and that what makes the situation more sad.

’All for a wide audience of old + new fans and people who perhaps didn’t even know they were fans…’
Funny that, i thought you told us it was for the fans who thought they had everything.

’If you don’t like it, don’t listen to it and certainly don’t buy it!’
Well we can listen to it anyway without buying it, because we already have it all.
’Have a nice day’

Sanglof said on :

Per, you do have a point about the demos, but, we would still like to have som live-trax and also the new video for One Wish.

Also, you could’ve included rare videoclips from tours and stuff, in the end, you told us (as far as I remember at least) that this box was for the Harcore fans.

joserox said on :

I agree with Per!!!!

Steffen78 said on :

Well i must say, i always felt me being a real rox-hardcore fan with having the most of the releases. And i am with per and that there are some songs on the box which at least i dont know or havent in my hands at that moment:
Love Spins
Always Breaking My Heart
Help -> ok, heard it on the net, but still
I Love How You Love Me
Myth
New World
Every Day -> where was this to find???
All I Ever Wanted

So together with the two new ones there are 10 songs i havent heard before, kind of a new album for me.

So I am happy with that.

See you in Hamburg at Brawo-Event Per, thanx...

:-)

And to all the others, interesting that you know an have these songs already. I have them not, still a hardcore fan with so many concerts attended and material bought...

Chears,
Steffen

Visitor1982 said on :

Hi all...

I don’t understand why Roxette fans are so negative about this boxset. I’m an ABBA fan as well and I can tell you that B&B from that group are really stubborn about previously unreleased songs... They have never released complete demo’s, only small snippets more than 10 years ago. There are some wonderful complete ABBA recordings in the archives, but they refuse to release it. I’m glad the members of Roxette are more considerate to their fans!

Marnix

ally77 said on :

@ freddyhardest

I would!

Kiwein1 said on :

Steffen: So, you don’t mind paying more than (probably) 60 Euro to get 10 new songs? That’s what I really call “hardcore fan”. :-)

Neil: Agree with you! I think I couldn’t have pointed it out myself. But you hit the nail on the head.

Arlanda said on :

Dear Per,

Thanx for your statement. You are so right, it’s your and Maries own choice what will be released or not. My best friend and me are so looking forward to the new releases. We are proud to be your fans! Hugs from Switzerland.

GT_85 said on :

I like the straight answer. Just straight forward, nothing unnecisary. BUT, mr Gessle himself said it would be for the fans who belived thay’ve heard it all, or something. That’s the weird thing.

And I would also like to hear his comment about that songs like Always breaking my heart (demo) is unreleased.

whateveriam said on :

“It’s four CDs, a DVD – a little bit of this, a little bit of that – outtakes and demos and stuff. It’s like a coffee table thing, and it’s really, really big [with an] 80-page booklet and stuff.”

See, he didn’t lie to us, he just witheld certain truths...

No, honestly, I’m looking forward to new singles, thats as far as my enthusiasm will stretch today.

chrisjankunas said on :

I can agree up to this point “14 tracks that most folks living on this planet aren’t that familiar with”

We were told 14 unreleased songs. My only gripe with this box is that they couldn’t even manage that.

Viewtiful said on :

Interview published on TDR 4/8/2006

“Otherwise it will be a mix of Roxette’s material, excluding the hits”

“Most of the demos will be from the well known songs, like ’The Look,’ ’Listen To Your Heart’ and ’It Must Have Been Love.’ Famous songs that Marie is singing, I will be present in the demos. I want all the demos to be enjoyable, and not being there just for the sake of being there.”

“We did eight, nine demos for the ’Look Sharp!’ album. ’Silver Blue’ was there, ’One Is Such A Lonely Number’ was there. We have a couple of tracks from those sessions that are fantastic, like ’Sleeping Single’ and ’Dance Away.’ And there’s a demo for ’Cry’ which is totally different from the album version. I want to have those demos on the album because they mean so much to me and they are enjoyable to listen to.”

Rox20 press release:

Roxette’s 20th Anniversary is also celebrated with the release of “The RoxBox ’86-’06,” a real goodie for all fans who thought “they had everything.”

Nothing more to say...

whateveriam said on :

Mines from that Canadian radio interview...

mikeyt said on :

AMEN MR. GESSLE! we’ve all been posting for the past several years “where’s Roxette?”. Ive seen several posts that actually said “Roxette is over”. Now we BITCH about a new release?? I can understand some disappointment, I had some too, but MY GOD. As William Shatner would say, “Get a life!”.

Per, I cant wait for the Rox Box, cant wait to see some promo tour stuff, and there are a bigger number of fans appreciate you and marie, and look forward to possible new album. If not, we have the Rox Box to cherish all our Roxette memories.

coyboyusa said on :

well i have to say if the intent was to include only production qulaity material why are alot of the songs from the ballad and pop hits copilations omitted......no offense but box sets are usually only geared towards hardcore fans not the general public.....if the intent was to maket their entire published catalogue, then remaster each album with some goodies and re-release them. I understand pers assertion with demos....and live tracks, but seeing as fan demans is so high fro these items, especially LIVE material seeing as half the fan base rarely ever gets to see them live, i for one haave only seen them once in 20 years...i don’t see why including some of htis material either in the box or in seperate releases would cause such trouble.....perhaps we’re all pissed off becuase in order to get a few goodies we have to buy the same 5 songs a thousand times:( oh well now i know why i’ve had this gloomy feeling all week, i am excited yet totally bummed, here’s to hoping the packaging is worth it

chrisjankunas said on :

Will probably copy the new stuff onto a single disc and just play that - about 8 songs !!! Wooooooow !!

tomos85 said on :

“I really can’t understand the dissatisfaction among some of you”

Dear Per,

To be honest with you, I wouldn’t have been so dissapointed with the Rox Box if you hadn’t told us that in this box we’ll find so many treasures ( bla bla even fans who thought that they had everything bla bla bla)...

And then, when the tracklist appeared, I felt that I was cheated. It wasn’t very pleasent feeling. I cannot put into words my emotion concerning this. I’m still happy with Roxette’s comeback (hope to see you in Hamburg!), but the celebration is much more smaller than I expected.

Yeah, it’s beautiful day, but it doesn’t change the fact that the RoxBox IS NOT sthg I would spend XXX euros. Sorry.

Still luv you all :D

P.S. And Per, it’s the 4th (or even 5th) compilation that Roxette’s releasing, isn’t it too much? :)

rox-kuryliw said on :

its not new ! its newly packaged with a few new songs , I wouldnt call it a new release at all personally

whateveriam said on :

Thats precious, hope the packagings worth it too! And the booklet...

*goes and warms up photocopier*

stanislava said on :

PER U R THE BEST EVER!!!that’s all i can say..älskar dig

thenicekai said on :

The quotation was: “for fans who thought they had everything [in their collections].”

Those who complain, do you consider yourself as thinking to have everything? Certainly not cos you as a hardcore fan know that there is more somewhere. Read between the lines. Don’t feel cheated by Per, you’d rather feel cheated by your own wishful thinking.

Remember, there still is this institution called BadHairDay on sonofaplumber.com which I hope will be revived now that the tracklist of the box is decided. At last, even this is up to the artist.

Of course, this all has nothing to do with your good right to feel disappointed. ;-)

mbatalla said on :

All this subject is because Per said about the RoxBox previously. That’s all.

BTW Thanks for your posting Per

whateveriam said on :

P.S. And Per, it’s the 4th (or even 5th) compilation that Roxette’s releasing, isn’t it too much? :)

Talk Talk average about 2 a year, Human league have about 6, but Depeche are onto their 3rd (Singles 81-85/86-98, Remixes 81-04 and the new one)
Strange no?

tomos85 said on :

@thenicekai

I know what’s the ’BadHairDay’ :) And I hope that this time I won’t be wrong with my feelings :D

@whateveriam

e.g. ABBA had more than 20 compilations (or even more through all this years...), but it’s not a normal situation for me. I would prefer 1 EP with new songs, that would be really nice of them.

Spending my time... and money :)

GT_85 said on :

You can’t compare this with Bad Hair Day. This is a collection which the fans could have forever. Listen to in 20 years. Bad Hair Day is something you download to you computer.

whateveriam said on :

cheated by my own wishful thinking eh?

Oh, and Per didn’t do anything to add to my ’wishful thinking’ did he?

There was a lot said about this box, loads of conflicting things, so no wonder everyone was hoping for it to be great, and now that it isn’t so grand it kinda feels like the rug has been pulled out from under us.

whateveriam said on :

ABBA had 20, jeez!

OK, back to the topic...

Eloy said on :

Dear Per:
First, It feels great hearing you! thanxs for your words.
Personally I think that we´ll get a very good and mighty box and I´m really anxious and happy for that.
The box, at least to me, looks great with extremely complete stuff. Ok, ok, the stuff is known for us all but what the matter with it? it´s about a really heavy stuff!
Almost all the people that show controversy here don´t seem to understand that the roxbox is called 86-06 and it´s about a stuff showing to roxette through 20 years old and frankly this box shows in a perfect way the quality of the roxette´s music. it´s so plain to see.
So let´s join who are happy for the 20 anniversary and let´s celebrate! roxette is back and we are happy for that. Great thing!
It´s a beautiful rainy day over here. Lots of luves from Argentina to you and marie :-)

whateveriam said on :

Yeah, its a good thing...if you wanted a Rox starter kit, but thats it.

JRox said on :

Mr Gessle, I couldn’t agree more!
Personally I can’t wait for any new Roxette releases so I am only too happy to accept whatever you may offer, whether it be old stuff or new!
Bravo I say!
Luv Jayne x x

chrisjankunas said on :

The funny thing is that everyone laughed when someone on TDR suggested (back when only only 3 cds were known about) on the RoxBox as being:

Cd1 GH Volume 1
Cd2 GH Volume 2
Cd3 GH Volume 3
DVD All The Videos Ever Made And More !

Not completely off though was it ???? DVD + MTV Unplugged.

I have to ask if Roxette are selling MTV as the reason to get this box ??? Perhaps the “demos thing” would only have been if they couldn’t have got the MTV unplugged. Now they can give us the MTV then the cds could be less exclusive - seems that way to me.

Hotblooded said on :

Thanks Per.

I’m kinda over the whole controversy anyway. The Rox Box isn’t great but then I don’t have to buy it if I don’t want. I’m looking forward to the new songs and if I can scrape some money somewhere I’ll get the box.

But really I’m just happy that Marie is well and that today there is a chance of a Roxette future four years ago we could never have said that.

All the best :)

chrisjankunas said on :

Yeah, its a good thing...if you wanted a Rox starter kit, but thats it.

@ Whateveriam

They deleted DBUGTTC to pave the way for TBH / TPH. Perhaps with the RoxBox every one of their previous studio albums will be deleted. :S

ncurran said on :

Amazing to see that the attitude changes from about 95% of people being pissed off about it to about a 50/50 balance, and just cos Per opened his mouth. Well I am not a blind fan, and am not fooled by his empty words. After the outrage over the last few days, all it would have took was an apology from the man himself to say he was sorry that they have disappointed the fans, but instead we get this response which annoys me even more as the tone is quite condesending and rude.
His words are contradictory and his argument doesn’t add up. If it was true that the box was to present the big picture of Roxette, then there is a lot missing, and a lot that is on there that shouldnt be. Touring was always a massive part of Roxette, and the hundreds of live dates and the world and european tours are represented on this release by a one off accoustic performance.
The problem is that i dont think they had any idea of what this release was meant to be. It has been put together sloppily and it is shameful that this is the celebration of a 20 yr career.
They had a couple of choices in putting this box together. To be honest I would have been happier if they had just remastered all the albums and added extra tracks/bsides, something like maries boxset. Even if this meant we were not getting any new material apart from the 2 new tracks on the GH, this release would have looked and sounded much better.

Or they could have gone the other way and made the release totally geared towards fans with rare tracks/demos/live tracks. I also would have happy with this, though i doubt EMI would have backed it.

Another thing that they could have done was release a singles boxset, something like has been done for elvis and michael jackson, and i think kylie is also supposed to be doing it. It gives the fans the chance to collect all the old singles and pick up any they missed out on the first time around. This also would have been a great release.

Roxette would not have been around for 2 yrs never mind 20 yrs if it wasnt for us, and i take pers arrogant attitude with real offence.

whateveriam said on :

Well MTV is a USP for them... theres only a few Unpluggeds around, Eric Claptons for example

RJ1976 said on :

Jesus.... Ok... That’s it for me... He wants more money,
and we the fans are SSSoooOOooOooo UNimportant to
him...... Now im really dissapointed !

whateveriam said on :

’They deleted DBUGTTC to pave the way for TBH / TPH. Perhaps with the RoxBox every one of their previous studio albums will be deleted. :S’

OMFG Please don’t let that happen!

whateveriam said on :

Ok, nows a good time to put my comment I left off

Honest question Per, yeah you’re gonna get the money from the Box no matter what, but do you even care from who it comes from? (I mean, how would it feel to you if the hardcore fans refused to buy it?)

chrisjankunas said on :

No - more likely that the Box will be discontinued after some time and the 14 “unreleased” songs will reappear on a future compilation of some kind !

whateveriam said on :

’Well I am not a blind fan, and am not fooled by his empty words. After the outrage over the last few days, all it would have took was an apology from the man himself to say he was sorry that they have disappointed the fans, but instead we get this response which annoys me even more as the tone is quite condesending and rude.’

GO NEIL! This isn’t an apology, but a ’remember your place’ letter. Even if he had apologised, it wouldn’t have changed the tracklist. And why did it take him 4 days to fester on this one?

Room_service said on :

Well, what can I say? I was expecting a very different answer for him... He sound’s very ungrateful, something I really dislike.

We all knew the box-set would be plenty of album tracks and hits, but he also promised 14 “unreleased songs”. The problem is those 14 tracks were not previously unreleased at all. Some were available on bootlegs before (Cry, Love Spins, New World, All I Ever Wanted). Others were also officialy released (Always Breaking My Heart (demo), 7Twenty7 (demo) So, the 14 *supposed* new tracks were a lie from the beggining.

If quality has been always their choice, then I wonder why they choosed something as lousy as “Love Spins”. That one is among the worst demos I ever heard. “All I Ever Wanted” is not brilliant either, it makes me fall asleep.

He could avoid all this controversy including those 14 unreleased songs he promised in the set. We don’t want more than that.

He also said “(demos) is work in progress. Some of you seem to think that these, often primitive, recordings or rough sketches are made for your ears. They are not. They are made for ours”.

But that’s pretty contradictory, ’cause he made all the Mazarin demos available for the public. And also released the so-called “Plumber in Progress” medleys. Then, demos are not so confidential after all.

@Visitor1982:

I’ve got the ABBA box-set, and let me say it’s better than this. It included all the B-sides, many appearing on CD for the first time (like the “Folk Medley” and “You Owe Me One”), some live tracks from “Dick Cavett meets ABBA” TV show, 3 new songs “Put On Your White Sombrero”, “Dream World” and “Thank You For The Music” (Doris Day Mix). Plus a 23-minutes medley of demos and outtakes (snippets of 15 songs in total). Conclusion: it was 100 times better than the “Rox-Box”. At least they put more imagination into it.

So, dear Per, you are right. It’s my prerogative to decide whay I buy. And certainly I won’t waste any money in the “mighty” box. I won’t buy the single either, because the sleeve makes me feel embarrased. Probably I’ll but the GH, ’cause I am sure it will be available locally, in order to get the 2 new songs. And last but no least, I’ll get the ultra-rare material included in the set from the P2P net. That’s all. But, of course, all the completists will get the set, one way or another, to get “Love Spins” in great quality. A great investment.

chrisjankunas said on :

“Love Spins” in the version that I have heard is indeed AWFUL !!!!

whateveriam said on :

Thank God I’m not a completist then!

gesslefan said on :

Well said Per! Personally, I am looking forward to the RoxBox release as a celebration of Roxette’s evolution during the past 20 years. I hope that you and Marie are able to make a few appearances in North America in honour of your 20th anniversary celebration releases.

tomos85 said on :

@Room Service

I wouldn’t say that ABBA box is much better than Roxette’s one. Okey, it includes all ABBA’s albums, one rarites CD and one DVD with all the videos and few songs from Dick Cavett Show :-) ’DC show’ case it’s quite similar with MTV thing - they didn’t put whole concert from that programme... as Roxette won’t put the whole MTV Unplugged :D Sweet Swedes :D

I bought all ABBA albums before (2001 edition). On ABBAbox you can find every bonus track from those edtions plus (more or less) 5 songs that I don’t have on orginal CDs... Hmmm... Sounds familiar? :D:D:D:D:D

So the ABBA box didn’t bring anything new for hardcore ABBA fans. It was dissapointment in the same way as the RoxBox :) Luckily, Bjorn and Benny didn’t told ABBA fans that they can expect “14 unreleased tracks” lol

*smiling*

Jud (moderator) said on :

@ Neil:
“Amazing to see that the attitude changes from about 95% of people being pissed off about it to about a 50/50 balance, and just cos Per opened his mouth.”

Did you expect anything else? And of course, Per knows it ;)

Ramas said on :

I think that this is the first time Rox are critisized by their hugest fans. I believe that Per was shocked, when he found out about fan reaction. It is new thing for him, and so he reacted in such way.

But there’s always the first time. We love you, Per, for you superb music, for sense of humor that you show during interviews. Believe me, noone has betrayed you. But even if it is hard, please accept those words of critisism from your most faithfull fans.

Demos are great ! Try to be in fan’s pants. We are collectors, we are interested in a way how song could have sounded. It is like pre-history for “The Lord Of The Rings”. Let them be of “not good quality”. So what ? Everyone understands, what “demo” means. But it gives a lot of fun. In a film “Making the Joyride” - the process of creating “The Big L.” is 10 times more interesting than interviews.

I guess I will love every song you create. That’s my taste of music.

daniel_alv said on :

No, I forgot the extended version of MTV Unplugged recordings which will also be included in this mighty box.

Does this mean that the MTV unplugged will have more on it then the version that was aired? “extended”

PS! Almost unreal demo is much better then the album version. DS!

whateveriam said on :

Unplugged was 14, right? theres 15 spaces... so not THAT extended, unless they’re doing the rest in one block...

freddyhardest said on :

To Neil:

It´s sad, but it´s true.

Per is a great musician for me, I love his songs and the whole Roxette´s project, but I don´t like to be cheated.

GT_85 said on :

You know, Per won’t come home to you for a cup of coffee only cos you write that you love the box. ;)

Now Per has said what he thinks. Fine. Now we would just like to know everything lots of us have asked in all thread about this subject.

It’s still the same box. And Per doesn’t seem to want to have fans. As long as people buy his records he’s happy. If they like it or not is not that important. That’s what i read between the lines. Anyone else who agrees?

whateveriam said on :

I do, I don’t think he cares who buys it.

Room_service said on :

tomos85, at the time the ABBA set was released (1994), the CD albums were not remastered and they didn’t include any bonus tracks (only the songs originally released on the LP).

So, as it included all the B-sides, 3 new songs and a 23-minute medley of outtakes, it was not a disappointment. Also, the multilingual version of “Ring Ring” featured the Spanish version, that was not revealed until then. Of course, if you already got the new remasters (that, indeed, include the B-sides as bonus tracks) the set doesn’t seems so impressive. But you have to remember it was released in 1994.

RobS said on :

It’s great to see Per has taken the time to reply regarding this. Although i’m over the whole RoxBox tracklist, i still find it quite annoying/strange that Per is now playing down the whole aspect of the demo’s, especially as others have said, that he has released quite a few in the past not mentioning those thru BadHairDay.

He did say the RoxBox would be an intro to Roxette, but he also mentioned he wanted to include certain demo’s which didn’t end up happening. Considering you would think Per would have a major say in the tracklist, it is quite surprising to see that it didn’t turn out how he was initially describing it.

Per, if your reading - Please release some live tracks at some stage!!

missmaja said on :

Well per i don’t mind at all i’m excited as hell to find some new stuff in the stores soon i like the idea of the demo’s i love it that there is still roxette and not the least Marie.

why are fans so outrage i don’t get it why complain so much be happy they are still around and doing great things and i can’t wait for the roxbox and the greatest hits .

Dear Per and Marie just go and do what you want i won’t stop you why should i be mad it’s all great what’s comming .
and the mtv unplugged great on dvd that’s what i was secretly hoping for.

but it wasn’t me .

I LOVE WHAT’S COMMING . AND I CAN’T WAIT.

whateveriam said on :

’Another thing that they could have done was release a singles boxset, something like has been done for elvis and michael jackson, and i think kylie is also supposed to be doing it. It gives the fans the chance to collect all the old singles and pick up any they missed out on the first time around. This also would have been a great release.’

So long as they did like Mute did for Depeche Mode, and have the boxsets which had everything in them (songs, b-sides, 12 versions, the lot), but made sure the singles were available seperately too (so if I just wanted Stripped single, I could get it, without having to buy the entire box)

daniel_alv said on :

I think Per have misunderstood what we are angry (dissapointed) about. All the fans had got the idea of the RoxBox as a box with a lot of rarities on it, and when you said that there were 14 unreleased songs we had the best hopes for this. That 2 or 4 of the songs accually aren’t even unreleased was a big dissapointment to us (maybe this songs are different version, what do I know, but if it isn”t, they are not previously unreleased).

I think all the fans are really happy that you give us demos from time to time beacuase some of them are better or as good as the albums tracks. Almost unreal demo for example is far better then the album version according to me. It’s also nice to hear you sing the songs that Marie sings on the album.

We don’t want take the right away from you to decide what will be released. I also can understand the greatest hits and I think this box is a great box, but we thought it would be more rare, that’s the problem. Finally I am so looking forward to the new single and the fact that you are back on the musicstage. I am very thankful for the new songs, it’s just that we had got so much hopes out of your comment that this box was for the fans that thought they had it all. We just got really sad when it looks like we accually almost had it all. Will be nice to have it on CD anyway.

Really hope for a great success with this releases and I really hope that One Wish will become your 5th US #1!

PS! I don’t dislike the One Wish cover, I think it’s pretty nice even if it’s not as good as the Mazarin cover

PS2! Myth and unplugged will probably make this worth buying anyway

mbatalla said on :

As I said before, there would be no problem with this RoxBox if Per wouldn’t said so much lies about it... And I think there will be one more lie : ¿Extended MTV Unplugged? We’ll see...

For me, Per is the best composer of the world, but he’s a good liar too talking about some releases... If we could read some interviews from 1999 we can see that this RoxBox is not the same one of what we’ll get it the next month.

That’s all folkssss

tomos85 said on :

@ Room service

Aaaa, you were talking about “Thank you for the music” set from 1994? I assumed that you refered to the 2004/2005 BoxSet(s) :)

I’ve got this one from ’94 and yes, it was treasure for fans, because it included over half an hour of unknown songs :)

whateveriam said on :

’Lies lies lies yeah (They’re gonna get you),
Lies lies lies yeah (They don’t forget you)...’

GT_85 said on :

And btw, hasn’t Per always complained about that the record companies decides what should be on a record and not? Now he seems to have decided it all by himself.

Good or bad, decide yourself.

Falco said on :

Tomos85: I guess Room Service talked about the 4CD box Thank You For The Music released by ABBA back in 1994, which was (well, it still is after all those years) really great. The new box The Complete Studio Recordings really brings almost nothing new, however, from the very beginning we were being told it would be compiled from previously released material ;)

Back to the topic. Per seems to forget very quickly what he said about the box before we got to know the tracklist. Being an ABBA fan, I’m quite used to getting the same stuff all over again, still I expected this box would bring some more - where is Crazy About You, where is Entering Your Heart?! Per’s comment is in direct contradiction with his previous statements about the new box...

whateveriam said on :

Yeah, and he wonders why we’re annoyed?

Kiwein1 said on :

I still agree with Neil - you rock! I am totally on your side, especially when it’a abou his attitude in this little message.

tomos85 said on :

@ Yepp, Falco, I know it now :-)

hehe I’m ABBA and Roxette fan but it doesn’t mean that I got used to those zillions of compilations.

kodzume said on :

“Marie and I have to be the prime judges of our own music, our own lyrics and our own productions. That won’t change. It’s a beautiful day out there. Enjoy it.”

firts... yeah it´s a beautiful day here in argentina!!

second... GRONW UP FANS!!! seems to be fans of BSB or something like that.... all you wanted is Roxette at the top of the charts... enjoy the music! enjoy your fanism! Per (or marie) have to do that he wanna do, they must don´t hear no one (included fans). what do you think? is per an artist for you? or a seller of a market place ( that you come in and request what you wanna buy)?

if you don´t like that... don´t buy that! YOU ARE NOT ROXETTE!

all my luv...

tomos85 said on :

@freddyhardest

hahaha :) Well said Freddy :D

shaolinda said on :

Well. All I Know is that I’m not “nhappy, furious, hurt, suicidal and even showing a very unpleasant attitude regarding the upcoming Roxette releases”.

I really, really hope that EMI Brazil to release it here, and in the same format that EMI Sweden will, so I won’t need to import it.

By the way, Per is right... the people who didn’t like it, don’t need to buy it! I know I will :)

Oh, and Roxette are Per and Marie... they decide what to release... not the fãs!

Hey Per, keep doing your nice job and that’s it!
Best Regards from Brazil!

whateveriam said on :

Unpleasant attitude? How were we meant to say we didn’t like the box? Sugar the pill?

GT_85 said on :

To make things clear. Yes I talk for everyone who “complains” now. We Love Per, we love Roxette. It is this release we don’t like.

If it will be some kind of (promo?)tour many of us will probably be in the front row. But, we won’t spend lot’s of money on this Box.

JoyRidErno said on :

Thanks Per :)

“Quality over exclusivity has always been our choice.”
But still the picture quality on Rox DVDs is not-so-good...

But but... Ok, I’ll buy some stuff... All if I’ll get money, but I’M STILL WAITING FOR LIVE RECORDINGS AND COY RMX!!! ;)

Room_service said on :

I think all the fans from Argentina were brainwashed or something. They all like the set and wanna buy it... but me. I am the only one that thinks different, haha.

animalkingdom said on :

I can understand Per’s point in a way (he seems to be somewhat of a perfectionist, after all).

ANYWAY, I still don’t get his earlier comments about other demos like “Dance Away” which he himself said liking very dearly. Also, the box will most likely be bought by FANS who have ALL those album tracks already. We don’t need any introduction to Roxette, in my opinion. Also, didn’t he say the box would NOT include the hit singles in some earlier interview?

I have calmed down in the past few days, and will definitely buy the box (am mostly interested in the thick booklet and MTV unplugged, Help!, Staring at the ground demo and New World). Still, I am very disappointed. I could now go on about the bad selection of album tracks (where’s Crush on you, why Cooper/ where’s Fireworks (the single!?), why Never is a long time etc, etc.) But just can’t bother ;)

Also I must add that the whole MTV Unplugged isn’t that great - FLAF sounds pretty bad, but they could just include Perfect Day and Surrender!

The day is grey here, by the way !

Edit...Somewhere along the way, it all turned fairly miserable again. . . :/

secrets_that_sh... said on :

Dear Mr Gessle,

Listen to my advice, from a business man to another business man. If you don’t care if people buy your product (in this case, recorded music) you will be out of business in no time.

I’m furious about your comment. Could you imagine, for instance, Tesco’s managing director saying : “If you don’t like our food don’t buy it, we sell it because I like it” He would get stonned by the share holders.

Anyway, talking of being out of business, you already practically are, with EMI refusing to release your records in many countries.

Think of your income, in a competitive market, if you don’t deliver quality, nobody will buy your music.

Finally, don’t be so arrogant and listen to what your customers (“fans”) have to say, and try to learn from our feedback.

Many thanks,

David

PS: It might be a lovely day where you are, but it’s bucketing down in England. And yes, unlike you think, we do have a life. Go and patronise someone else.

RJ1976 said on :

The day is grey here to, sooooo that fits Pers ignorant response to his fans...

David -> Youre comment is quite good, and I agree...

I stick with -> He promised soooo much and kept nothing... Rox is over for me I Think... Well, the Box ;)

Room_service said on :

Well said, Secret Man! *Claps*

whateveriam said on :

*APPLAUDS AND WHISTLES*

freddyhardest said on :

To secrets_that_she_keeps:

Good answer.

IV_ROX said on :

Yo Per,
forget about the box! :) Just come to perform in Chicago, because I have no money to buy tickets to Europe. Mentioning Europe, half of it is already here so don’t worry even if you book Soldier Field (60,000)it will probably sell out. Plus, I’m addicting people to your music very actively too, so come on! :P

Take it easy now! :)

whateveriam said on :

This is what today is like here Mr Gessle

http://www.btinternet.com/~robwheeler/Lyrics/GreyDay.htm

I don’t like the song much, but the lyrics fit.

dbarwi1 said on :

I never thought I’d live to see the day that I say this, but “Go to hell Per!” What an insensitive response to those who have supported you for years and have been expecting something great from this box. For a group that has led many to believe that this “might” be it, why generate a box of readily available demos and album tracks for newcomers when there might not be anything else for them to follow? Why not put together a box that was geared towards the fans who have stuck by you through the years. What an arrogant response! Regardless of whether this was your idea of “quality” over exclusivity, what a terrible way to respond to your fan’s disappointment.

“If you don’t like it, don’t listen to it and certainly don’t buy it!” and then you won’t get paid. It’s called good business Gessle.

Stockholm-Syndrom said on :

First of all i’m not a hardcore fan. But I really like the Band. Maybe that’s why I understand both sides. I took the time and read almost everything you wrote about the RoxBox.
After reading the comment from Per – i’m quit sure that he only read a little part! And that’s the Problem. I think everything he said is correct but he missed what the Fans are really dissapointed about.

The Box is great “for a wide audience of old + new fans and people who perhaps didn’t even know they were fans…”.
But if quality goes over exclusivity I don’t understand why there are demos on it… so i think this is just for YOU - the Fans.

If I could ask him a question it would be: why did’nt you released something interesting for all kind of Fans. Like a Book or a look behind the scenes or something like that and leave the demos just for hardcore fans on bad hair day?
Nothing against the demo thing don’t get me wrong…

muc_ben said on :

Dear Per,

first of all, thanx for your statement. Maybe you’re right about your Demos: “It’s not necessarily meant to be heard by the public”. But how come, that some demos made their way to the black market, so to say on bootlegs or internet. Some fans are privileged to hear them, but the majority isn’t. That’s not fair in my opinion.

Like someone posted here a couple of days ago, that he got the Demo of “Sweet thing” via the internet. I also would like to hear that one. Thats for sure. But I don’t know how to get it.

When you want to keep your Demos for your “work in progress”, then please keep it, and don’t let a few of them find the way to an exclusive public, while most of the others are not intended to hear them.

Best wishes!

GT_85 said on :

Someone should send Secrets that she keeps’s comment to Per in a letter.

whateveriam said on :

@dbarwi1- Harsh! A lot of people may be thinking it, but don’t have the guts to say it outright. You’re braver than I am.

@GT 85-Definitely, and I’ll countersign!

alchemiste said on :

Did I get something wrong or is he saying “Piss off if you don´t like the stuff we release”?

whateveriam said on :

No, you haven’t, thats the vibe I’m getting from this statement!

dbarwi1 said on :

@alchemiste I don’t think you could be any more correct. Classy Mr. Gessle... classy.

Zargo said on :

Um, are we still not over this yet?

freddyhardest said on :

Per really knows how to mend errors... ;)

GT_85 said on :

alchemiste: It seems to be so. Strange that he’s saying so to the people who’s paying his salary.

If it would have been this easy in school I would have been happy. If the teatcher didn’t like my essay I could say, if you don’t like it, don’t read it. ;)

whateveriam said on :

@Zargo- well no, cos he’s just made it worse by being insincere

whateveriam said on :

Some people don’t take criticism well

Zargo said on :

Well, it’s hard to say really... only Per knows if he’s being sincere.

Per: “And I close my eyes - will you leave me fans? - Then I realise - it’s a crazy world.”

missmaja said on :

well i haven’t shouted at all hell is not shouting or curssing

so stop telling me what i can’t use i just agree with mister Per

so stop complaining then tomo and fredie harvest or what ever youre names where

Santi said on :

Mr. Gessle:

Whatever you say the track list won’t stop sucking. It’s a dirty little trick you’re playing with us fans since the Gyllene Tider days, to include 2 unreleased songs and let us buy “När vi två blir en” for the 5th time...
Now’s again “Listen to your heart” and “It must have been love” and so. Whatever, with GT you were at least sensitive enough to release EPs and Konstpaus’s and stuff. But what’s up when it comes to Roxette?

Does the size of the cake blind you or you’re not really in control like you love to keep us thinking?
Because for a collector like yourself, you gotta acknowledge that it’s a big burden for me to buy all the hits I have several times, plus many B-sides I have, plus a DVD of “video hits” I bought twice already... I can’t believe you’re in charge. I do know business executives get blinded by big cakes, but come on, you’re a music lover too, show some respect for your fellow fans... please...

Room_service said on :

The truth: the 14 unreleased songs were a LIE from the beginning. I wonder why he mentioned them, knowing it won’t come true. Now, he gets what he deserved.

whateveriam said on :

@miss maja- You’ve edited it now so it isn’t in capitals, so whats the problem? You are entitled to your opinion, as much as I am, you’re excited about this, good for you hun! I’m pleased there’s new material, yes. I’m not happy with the Box, but new material is more important to me at the end of the day.

Santi said on :

Oh well, I forgot to complete the sentence!!! :DDDD

I mean, it’s a big burden in order to get 4 songs (that’s what I think I don’t have from the whole mega-box...)

I hope you make all this available through iTunes or some other downloading stuff. In no way I’m paying 60 euros to get 4 more times It Must Have Been Love (I’m starting to dislike that song, I’ve notice, must be because it’s becoming sooo expensive :D lol)

freddyhardest said on :

Good answer Santi.

To missmaja:

It´s “freddyhardest”, “harvest” is a different thing.

mjliberatore said on :

The way I look at it is that things change.......and whatever the reasons were (business or personal) that he and Marie decided not to put as many demo tracks on the Rox Box is up to them.

How many out there complaining are musicians? If not.....then you have no clue......if so then you must realize that maybe as they were listening to some of these demos.....maybe there were parts that just sucked and they decided not to put it out there for the public to hear. To me, if they would put some poor quality music out there....that would be the ultimate rip-off. (ecpecially this group who obviously expects nothing but perfection) And if it was a business decision.....it is their business.

Hey, I would like to hear the demos also, I would also like them to come to Pittsburgh USA......but we don’t always get what we want. I think that Per’s comments are right on......and everyone should be happy that he takes the time to communicate with his fan base. I would rather hear what his intentions are, even if for some reason he cannot follow completly through.

I typically do not take the time to comment on here....I just check in to see whats new with Roxette and if any new material is coming out......but I just had to say something regarding this.....I am looking forward to the release......and I am sure that it will be quality material.

MJL

Jud (moderator) said on :

the shouting comment from Maja was not edited but deleted (by TDR mods) ;) If you want to discuss, do so, but without shouting around :D

whateveriam said on :

Room Service, if you’re writing in a hurry, capitals ain’t that important, who gives a crap about whether she editted or not? I edit mine all the time!

missmaja said on :

oh that you mean watervern i was looking for it but what have i writen down than only hell i mentioned

or was it that i put the comment in captive .
well sorry but i didn’t noticed that that was not allowed in here sorry

why are some not happy with the box i don’t seem to get that part well complain after it’s been released and you have seen it then i can understand maybe but i’m excited and waiting for the roxbox to be out i wonder what the price will do bey the way ?

any idea what it does in sek?

love maja

Santi said on :

I’m a musician, and I love the demos. It helps me out to see the creative process of a successful song.
I know is working material, but is the kind of working material you never get a hand on and you’d love, because you know, these are professionals, and they were very successful. It opens your mind to see how the whole process works. It may not be interesting for fans, but for musicians is a real treasure, I swear.

At least I can see that my demos don’t always sound much worse than his, and I’m happy for that!! :DDDDD

whateveriam said on :

’oh that you mean watervern i was looking for it but what have i writen down than only hell i mentioned

or was it that i put the comment in captive .
well sorry but i didn’t noticed that that was not allowed in here sorry ’

What? What do you mean? What have you got to be sorry for? Maja, you have NOTHING to be sorry for!

Santi said on :

@missmaja: In SEK, like in Euro and $, the price is much more than what any sane person would pay for 14 songs they don’t have! :D

I’m not sure, but I think it equals the price of a gold-coated CD :P

whateveriam said on :

...wrapped in a diamond crusted case!

Room_service said on :

if they would put some poor quality music out there.... they did: Love Spins and Cry (demo) are not “brilliant” (to say it politely).

But it’s not all about demos. What about the COY remixes, I Want You (w/ Ratata & Eva Dahlgren), remixes from Dance Passion, Chances (Dancehall remix), the Spanish version of YDUM... Also Crazy About You and COY (album version) were not included.

whateveriam said on :

OK, point taken Maja. You might want to put your pro-Per comment back on though, its getting a little unbalanced!

EDIT If you don’t think you’ve shouted, you haven’t OK?

missmaja said on :

what do you mean with pro-per comment i think i do not understand any think of this

swedish heh

Room_service said on :

...wrapped in a diamond crusted case!

So, I suppose I can pre-order it in Tiffany’s! This is what I call a *deluxe* edition.

whateveriam said on :

@miss-maja You were positive about his comment, does that make more sense?

@Room Service -’and I said, what about, Breakfast At Tiffany’s...’

venomthefat said on :

Guys... don’t overreact. We are disappointed, but most artists don’t give a damn about their fans. Roxette is different.

Per, it’s not that bad. We’re expecting your next album. :D Thanks for the new singles.

Txiqui said on :

why don’t we ALL stop discussing about something that none can change, the tracklist wont get changed. Instead of waisting our time in it we should all be happy about the fact that roxette has recorded again 2 new songs. That Marie has had the stregth to do it, and that they are performing live angain in germany in october.
Come on do we have to continue throwing shit between us???
Lets all forget all this shit an continue enjoing the music that this two swedes have given us!

missmaja said on :

ok point taken watervern but can’t i just say what i want if i agree with someone that’s my oppinion and if i can’t place my comments on my way why should i still comment here on the tdr if it was deleted .

everybody can write down there comments why not me heh why not me .

So i have to be dissapointed about the comming releases of roxette no i am not dissapointed i’m happy something is coming our way.
and thats my oppinion and i will not comment again here for the time now .
Maybe some time later around the releases.

tomos85 said on :

@missmaja

Although you cannot (or don’t really want to) write my nickname properly, I respect your point of view.

And you are allowed to post your opinions but NOT in capital letters :)

daniel_alv said on :

secrets_that_she_keeps >>> IKEA doens’t have any shareholders since it’s ownd by a foundation in the netherlands and controlled by Ingvar himself.

Rox1_4ever said on :

Well said, Per... I really agree!!

tavo said on :

this answer just makes me feel worse. i won´t buy that box coz i already have 95% of the material. i will download the rest. you won´t get any money from me per! no more! release new stuff if you want money from me!
and i will get the coy remixes someway, somehow!

HummingBird said on :

I just think some people out there maybe need to rethink their definition of “fans”... it’s clear that you hardcore guys have EVERYTHING already and the tracklist is boring for you - but even people who aren’t hardcore enough to, like, spend ages finding every singe demo which has leaked out of the studios, even they can be considered fans if they just like the band enough. And obviously that’s the target group for the rox box (for those of you who’ll say that group doesn’t exist – I know of several people who were positively thrilled with the thought of a rox box in the format that’s being released....it’s just not those people who hang out on fanpages, but they still like roxette). Honestly, don’t you think it would be impossible to release an entire box just for the really, really die hard fans?
I also think Per’s just so right about it being him and Marie to decide what they ought to release and what not...they’re the artists. If this is the rox box as they imagined it, they have every right to release it this way. In the end it’s what all of you are arguing for: They have to like the tracklist, not the buyers...otherwise we’ll be straight into assembly line music business next.

PinkBlond said on :

Mr Gessle is true.
I can’t hardly wait that Rox Box is released.

RJ1976 said on :

Pers comment is only ignorant...

Im tired of his moneytalk.... Be an artist again...

That would be sooooo nice

Room_service said on :

Putting 14 “real” previously-unreleased tracks in the set is not THAT difficult. They have a lot of material still in the vaults. So, getting 14 of those tracks in the set *as promised* would keep all the people happy: both the fans and Average Joe. We don’t pretend all the tracks being rare stuff.

You can support Mr. Gessle as much as you can. But he’s not a trustworthy person anymore (at least for me).

RJ1976 said on :

@RoomService.... msn is [email protected]

alexandre100 said on :

“We don’t want that flow of quality productions to be interrupted by 7-minute remixes or lukewarm demos. Quality over exclusivity has always been our choice”...

Those lines remind me the “Rarities” album, where we can find these tracks:

1 - “Dressed For Success - Look Sharp! U.S. mix”;
2 - “Almost Unreal - Demo/ February ’93”;
3 - “Fireworks - Jesus Jones Remix”;
4 - “Spending My Time - Electric Dance Remix” and
5 - “One Is Such a Lonely Number - Demo/September ’87.

Yes, Per is getting old, and not in a healthy way, since he’s losing his memory... He forgot that album...

ncurran said on :

secrets_that_she_keeps, Spot on!

Pers patronising attitude is ridiculous!

venomthefat, “most artists don’t give a damn about their fans. Roxette is different.”

Really? his message seems to imply the exact opposite!

To be honest, i had really got over the initial disappointment, and despite my initial frustration was planning to buy the box just because i normally buy everything that they release, and because I wanted Myth.
After Per’s message today I dont feel like buying it at all out of sheer principle.
Hundreds of us wrote about our disappointment. I did want a reply from Per, but not a reply like this, where he is basically telling us to ’sod off’.

If he couldnt write a decent reply, he should have kept his mouth shut. As Santi said, I hope they will at least have the decency to release the Box on I-tunes, so that i can download the one or two songs that I want for a couple of pounds.

alexandre100 said on :

I would like to read a comment from Marie...

RJ1976 said on :

His replay just made people even more sad and dissapointed... Anyway... He dont deserve that we buy this joke of a box... Praise the net for the 3 songs we dont have...

78 songs total
3 unheard
—————–
3,85% New and unheard stuff
—————–

3 songs for 50 euros ?? I Dont Think So...

GT_85 said on :

If I’m not completely drunk and my memory is on deep water I think I’ve read that Per supports this site. Still TDR claims to be independent. That’s strange. If it is as i remember i understand that TDR don’t criticize this release.
Anyone else remembers that article, were it says that Per/Roxette/EMI/whatever supports TDR?

EDITOR’S NOTE: Maybe not drunk, but certainly a little tipsy. How do you think Per supports this site? Monetarily? We’ve not asked for, or been given, even one öre (a Swedish penny, as you know) from Per or EMI. The only thing we’ve ever received were items we’ve given away as prizes, or the same advance listening CDs sent to other media outlets. Like you, Per is a subscriber to this site. Also like you, he’s not made a donation to to help defray our operating expenses. Per and EMI support Aftonbladet more than they do this newspaper. Who gets invited for behind-the-scenes coverage of studio recordings and video shoots? Is Aftonbladet also not “independent”? Finally, the fact is we were critical of this release. You seem to have missed the fact that we published Neal’s opinion piece on our front page as an adjunct to our own editorial. – LEO

The questions in the paragraph above are rhetorical only. An actual resonse is not requested.

HummingBird said on :

@alexandre100: isn’t the difference just that “rarities” was supposed to be just that, a collection of a lot of stuff that was hard to get – whereas the rox box is obviously supposed to be more like the summary of their carreer?

ncurran said on :

“I would like to read a comment from Marie...”

Marie probably doesnt even know the Rox box is getting released.

Jakubek said on :

I don’t like demo version and completly understand Per that he doesn’t want to publish everything. It might sounds strange but listenning demos is for me like watching meal which is being prepared. It takes my will to try it away.
When i listen to demo, the final version doesn’t sounds for me so fantastic as previously. It spoils my pleasure. I understand different point of views but I would rather have 1 normal song coming from RS or HAND session, then even 10 demos and I’m surprised they won’t include it.
Besides, I think the main problem is that some fans got used to releasing some unheard materials by Per, but considering whole carriere of Roxette we are in much better situations then fans of other artists and we should appreciate it.
I’m very happy Rxette really came back and hope that One Wish will be success and encourage Marie and Per to record brand new album... That’s what I really want...

ncurran said on :

kodzume
“second... GRONW UP FANS!!! seems to be fans of BSB or something like that.... all you wanted is Roxette at the top of the charts... enjoy the music! enjoy your fanism!”

Exactly, I am not a fan of the Backstreet boy. If I was still 12/13 yrs old I probably would have bought this blindly, because i thought that Roxette could do no wrong. I will turn 30 years old this month though. I am not a groupie or a teenybopper, and I dont like being ripped off, or being spoken to like I am 13!

alexandre100 said on :

@Hummingbird: yes, that’s exactly what you said... but I didn’t understand your point...

plectrum said on :

Well i agree with per on this,he has said this before (if you don’t like what you hear then don’t buy it) seems a fair comment to me.After all this is a celebration of 20 years of roxette & like it or not it’s got to include their greatest hits it’s part & parcel of being a box set the rest is a bonus, anyway i’ve had my say & i give it a big thumbs up.

thanks again per,marie & the gang your music is well appreciated

mark.

GT_85 said on :

Okey if he doesn’t wanna release demos and remixes, but there are so many other songs to release. Like The Centre Of The Heart HAND-version etc.

But it seems that we will not have a new tracklist. So I guess it’s just to forgive and forget.

tevensso (moderator) said on :

OK, so if TDR is SO biased, then why is it that we have around 500 negative comments lately? So far as I can see, all of them are still here?
But yes, we are independent. Independent doesn’t mean stupid though, does it?

Room_service said on :

RJ1976, I added you but still waiting...

Yes, the tracklist won’t change. At least we have saved 60 euros. Let’s buy a book or some clothes. What about 60 euros in chocolate? :-)

daniel_alv said on :

I wrote on the TDR about that EMI Spain had registred sonofaplumber.es, and that message was deleted because EMI wanted to tell about it a week later, is that to be independent?

PS! TDR is a great site, but not 100% independent according to me!

Starrox said on :

I can’t decide what I’m more disappointed about - the fact that Per apparently really didn’t get why we are disappointed about the tracklist or the arrogant and condescending way in which this message is written... *sighs*

Guess “What do I care what I said yesterday” really fits in this case!

secrets_that_sh... said on :

***daniel_alv*** Thanks for the information, unlike Mr Gessle, i value your feedback and i’ve amended my comment accordingly.

I am not going to buy the Rox Box or the Greatest Hits album. I think it’s a waste of money, and I encorage everyone who reads this to do the same.

It’s time to teach Per a lesson, this is going to be your worst selling album ever.

Zargo said on :

No doubt Queen Marie would say “sod off” as well.

ally77 said on :

Per is loving this, all this fan attention on TDR! I am sure he has no trouble sleeping at night.... :)

Come on Per comment some more for us! :)

ally77 said on :

I can’t wait till I reach 30! :) same day Roxette hit 21!

whateveriam said on :

’Per is loving this, all this fan attention on TDR! I am sure he has no trouble sleeping at night.... :)’

How can he love it, it isn’t exactly ego massage is it?

lilla_gumman said on :

I find Per have absolutly right with his words. Thanks Per of you statement. We can be glad, that Roxette still exists. The last years was not easy. And we can glad, that Marie and Per want give us a collection of thier wonderful works after the last 20 years.
You don’t have to buy the new releases. You all are free, what you make. I will buy the releases. I can’t wait for buy it.

whateveriam said on :

All I’m going to say is that it is up to the individual, and I’m not going to criticize anyone that does. Partly cos it’d be hypocritical if I bought it anyway (I’m undecided, but not happy)

roxing-doctor said on :

hej i,m new but want to know what is so bad with the roxbox what went wrong and what has per done to be called a lier.

GT_85 said on :

If this release turns out to be a flop there is less chance that a record company (EMI) wants to spend lot’s of money on videos, promotion tours etc. So I don’t think this is so “great” for Roxette’s future.

But hopefully the general public will love the box so it sells alot.

whateveriam said on :

Thats if the general public even get to hear about it...

Zargo said on :

@roxing-doctor

He got confused about the difference between “unreleased” and “not widely available.”

whateveriam said on :

Confused is putting it lightly.

xarrrr said on :

GO PER!!!

i totally agree...”If you don’t like it, don’t listen to it and certainly don’t buy it!”.....

some people are just never happy *sigh*

cant wait for it :D

miss-misery said on :

Mr.G. thanx for your response. It’s nice you show your face after all the complains, but the awful truth is that people has many reasons to be upset for the box. The box it’s not what you promised. As simple as that :)
Have a nice day you too!

roxing-doctor said on :

I,m gonna buy it anyway but i have been reading about what had happend but not the full picture.
My new question is what ends up in roxing box then?

I,m kind of curious now.
And what will this all cost must be around 50 euro’s atleast , i think .

whateveriam said on :

’The box it’s not what you promised. As simple as that :)’

So, he wonders why we have this ’unpleasant attitude’?

ally77 said on :

I don’t care about the cost... I am still having it! :)

whateveriam said on :

Have you seen how much EIL are charging!?

substitute said on :

Per:
When i read by the first time the Roxbox tracklist i felt,oh i’ve been waiting so long for this box to find the same trax as in the normal albums?!Maybe i had a wrong understanding about a BOX.As a fan and especially as a collector,i wanted to find in the box “rare” stuff or stuff that haven’t yet.
But the MOST IMPORTANT here is Roxette’s back!!I’m EXTREMELY HAPPY with that!!
Your words sound if u are angry,most fans feel the same about the box tracklist.
But if the demos are for your own ears,why are you releasing them?
You say about 14 unreleased songs,i only count 12!
Don’t be angry!!WE LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
ROXETTE IS BACK AND WE MUST CELEBRATE!!
With all my love from the botton of my heart!
Lionel from Argentina

whateveriam said on :

The sad thing is, he has every right to be angry, because he has told the truth in places

’Yes, it’s not like it’s mostly hard to get stuff and b-sides, things like that. It should be like an introduction to Roxette. I think it’s almost 60 songs on there. It should be like an enjoyable ride on these CD’s, as well as some hard to get stuff – if they’re good. There are two songs we really loved, “See Me” and “Weight of the World,” which we didn’t include because we didn’t want to lose the tempo of the album by having these acoustic tracks, even though we loved them. So both of them are included here. So it shouldn’t have songs which are inferior to the others, it should have songs which are hard to get but really good.’

Well, the box looks like an introduction... but then again, he did say a lot of things.

ernes said on :

It’s a pity we all get through this .....

I thought it was clear weeks ago what was going to be in the Box. Per never tell lies and what he says here is the same he already said before.

I find the box exactly as he always said it was going to be.

I don´t know were all you guys had been reading the news, not in Daily Roxette I suppose.

The best thing after all is the confirmation of an Extended MTV Unplugged. That, and many of the songs worth the money for many people.

Cheers.

(Someone once told about the “real” fans .... one of the more critics with this ...... funny)

whateveriam said on :

No, he said a lot of different things, loads of conflicting statements. What we chose to listen to, we did. So when it comes down to it, we’re dissapointed, cos we were blind to what was coming...

Yeah, I may be a critic of this, but I like to see it from the other side

Room_service said on :

ernes, the news were published here. Here is where we heard about the so-called 14 unreleased songs for the very first time.

GT_85 said on :

Yes, but it seems like the “extended” MTV Unplugged has 15 tracks, the original MTV broadcast had 14. So I don’t know about that either.

Hopefully TDR can get more info about the Unplugged part of the box.

erweetiran said on :

Just to show he is talking a load of .....

Crush on you is NOT in the box but still....

1. Crush on you was going to be a single.
2. Crush on you was the opening track to their live performance
3. Crush on you is one of the most talked about songs

how can you leave off such an inportant song!!!
helloo? but we just wanted the remix

just shows they add what THEY want.

We did not want a box with a bunch of remixes? We wanted COY? Love spins?!?!?! How is that a good choice!!!

AND TO MAKE MY POINT EVEN CLEARER... NEW FANS OR AVERAGE FANS WILL NOT BUY A BOX SET! HARCORE FANS DO! SO WHY RELEASE A BOX SET THAT HARDCORE FANS DON’T EVEN WANT?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?! DOES NOT MAKE SENSE... WHO DO THEY WANT TO BUY THE BOX?!?!? CAUSE THIS IS A BOX SET FOR NEW FANS BUT I DON’T SEE A AVERAGE JOE SPENDING THAT AMOUNT OF MONEY ON A BOX SET

IT’S LIKE ME WANTING TO BUY A BRITNEY BOX SET, IT’S NOT GONNA HAPPEN!!!! SO WHY BOTHER CATERING FOR A GUY THAT IS NOT GOING TO BUY THE THING IT THE FIRST PLACE!!!

Again... Love Spins the qualtity you want on!!!!!

whateveriam said on :

The 15th track may be the cut bits squeezed to one.

ernes said on :

well, I am afraid you can´t count bootlegs and leaked songs ...

An artist can not take those as oficial releases, specially because most of people can not buy them and, well, it is illegal.

GT_85 said on :

ernes; http://www2.dailyroxette.com/article.php/2084
There you can read;
Per Gessle reveals upcoming releases/.../The ROX BOX with 78 songs including 14 unreleased ones.

There is not 14 unreleased songs. Some of the “unreleased” songs are released on singles and EP’s.

That’s what is so weird.

Zelda said on :

Uh, Per sounds very angry!

I love your work Per! Thank you for everything. I hope Roxette will celebrate 40 years one day.

Don´t be angry! WE LOVE YOU!

ROXETTE FOREVER!

whateveriam said on :

He sounds angry, cos this hasn’t gone the way he wanted it to go.

Room_service said on :

That’s OK, but Love Spins? Why? Sort of a punishment after all our moans, I suppose. But very very cruel.

whateveriam said on :

’Sort of a punishment after all our moans...’

...or some power game.

EtterStormen said on :

Hej Per I´m here to say that I support YOU and MARIE NO MATTER WHAT YOU BOTH DO

I´M LONGING AND CRAZY ABOUT TO LISTEN THE NEW SONGS AND THE DEMOS

AND THIS SONG
20 Staring At The Ground 3.50 (Demo) *

03 Anyone/I Love How You Love Me 4.22 (Demo) *

04 Myth 4.24 (Demo) * SPECIALLY THIS SONG EVERYONE HAVE TALKED ABOUT IT BUT I HAVE NEVER LISTENED TO IT

AND I WANT IT AS FAST AS IT´S POSSIBLE

05 New World 4.33 (Demo) *

06 Better Off On Her Own 2.48 (Demo) *

AND OFCOURSE THE NEW SONGS

MAKE SURE I´LL BUY ALL THE NEW RECORDS AS SOON AS THEY ARE RELEASED

I LOVE ROXETTE
YOU PEOPLE ARE A IMPORTANT PART OF MY LIFE

Ramas said on :

Anyone demo was officially released

Better Off On Her Own was officially released

New World - available on the bootlegs, so ok, we may count it as “never released before”

Groovalicious said on :

I wanna say thanks for answering the fans concerns on this important issue Per!!!

Anyone who feels entitled to more from Roxette this fall needs to realise some perspective: We’re getting 2 brand new tracks from a band whos existence was in question for the last 4 years, and yet some of you can only complain that Per is trying to rip you off??? Please consider these 2 new tracks and a few demos is what we’re getting cuz this is what can be managed at the moment. Marie’s very life was threatened, we’re lucky to have Roxette doing a release at all in 2006.

That we get greatest hits after greatest hits can’t really be helped. Should Roxette rather just release a 3 track CD of One Wish, Reveal and Myth? What attention would that get from anyone? It would look like a first tentative and pathetic release from a new band, not a world class act like Roxette. I say thanks Roxette, for recording and releasing any new songs, and whatever that they throw in with it is great. At least they are still actively making music and according to published reports on here, future projects such as a whole new album have not been ruled out.

roxettevsoasis said on :

that’s sooo cool Per has responded to all the negative feedback to the ROXBOX. I have to say, I’m with him 100%. Just be glad we are all getting another taste of our best POP-ROCK band. I don’t care if it was (1)-30second clip of a new Roxette song-I would buy either way. No, they don’t need the money, fame, etc...they have that already. They had all that even before ROXETTE came along with their solo careers. Can’t we just stop the negative feedback for atleast one day and enjoy the awesome news!?! Like Per said, enjoy today- it’s beautiful here in Chicago, Illinois. I think I might go for a ride and pop-in “Wish I Could Fly” the weather and scenery is PERfect for this song. If you drive a faster car than let me suggest “Joyride!”

ogeid said on :

12 Cry 5.05 (Demo) *
VEREDICT: previoulsy unreleased (available only low quality in bootlegs)
=> 1st new track

05 Love Spins 3:31 (Demo) *
VEREDICT: previoulsy unreleased (available only low quality in bootlegs)
=> 2nd new track

07 Always Breaking My Heart 3.05 (Demo) *
VEREDICT: taken from “do you wanna be my baby” cd single; any fan has it

08 Help! 2.56 (From The Abbey Road Sessions) *
VEREDICT: previoulsy unreleased (available only low quality in bootlegs)
=> 3rd new track

20 Staring At The Ground 3.50 (Demo) *
VEREDICT: previoulsy unreleased
=> 4th new track

01 7Twenty7 3.25 (Demo) *
VEREDICT: taken from “stars” cd single; any fan has it

03 Anyone/I Love How You Love Me 4.22 (Demo) *
VEREDICT: previoulsy unreleased
=> 5th new track

04 Myth 4.24 (Demo) *
VEREDICT: previoulsy unreleased
=> 6th new track

05 New World 4.33 (Demo) *
VEREDICT: previoulsy unreleased (available only low quality in bootlegs)
=> 7th new track

06 Better Off On Her Own 2.48 (Demo) *
VEREDICT: taken from “stars” cd single; any fan has it

14 Bla Bla Bla Bla Bla [You Broke My Heart] 4:36 (Demo) *
VEREDICT: taken from “the pop hits” bonus cd; any fan has it

18 All I Ever Wanted 4.25 (Demo) *
VEREDICT: previoulsy unreleased (available only low quality in bootlegs)
=> 8th new track

19 Reveal (Single A-side/Recorded 2006) 4.00 *
20 One Wish (Single A-side/Recorded 2006) 3.30 *

It’s great to have 8 new tracks (eventough we’ve already have heard 5 of them, but that’s not Roxette’s fault!!).

But they are 8 PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED TRACKS, NOT 14.

It’s ironic that the tracklist doesn’t include: LIES. But it includes I’M SORRY, and.... BLA BLA BLA.

sille-rox said on :

Hello Per

Thanx for your answer. i can both sides understand.

but for me is that important that Roxette come back. And Marie is back. That is great. i´m not more disappoint because of the ROX-BOX.

Sorry for my bad english

I love Roxette forever

i buy the ROX-BOX and the GH Album!!!!

And i´m very excited for the new 2 Songs!!!

ogeid said on :

If these tracks are marked as previously unreleased, even tought they’ve already been released as B sides or bonus tracks:

07 Always Breaking My Heart 3.05 (Demo) *
01 7Twenty7 3.25 (Demo) *
06 Better Off On Her Own 2.48 (Demo) *
14 Bla Bla Bla Bla Bla [You Broke My Heart] 4:36 (Demo) *

Then Why aren’t these ones marked as previously unreleased:

06 Seduce Me 3:56 (Single B-side/Demo)
02 See Me 3:48 (Outtake from: Crash! Boom! Bang!)
17 It Hurts 3:54 (Outtake from: Have A Nice Day)
19 Happy Together 3:55 (Single B-side/Outtake from: Have A Nice Day)
12 The Weight of The World 2:52 (Outtake from: Room Service)
13 Every Day 3:24 (Outtake from: Room Service)
17 It Hurts 3:54 (Outtake from: Have A Nice Day)
19 Happy Together 3:55 (Single B-side/Outtake from: Have A Nice Day)

This way it could have been a bigger LIE: “you’ll get 22 PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED tracks”

14 + 8 = 22

whateveriam said on :

Some of them are on TBH/TPH, ie WOTW. I mean the 19 track editions, or the 15 track ones with the bonus EP

ncurran said on :

Groovalicious and Roxettevoasis,

Our gripe in this particular instance is not about the GH. I am delighted to get 2 new songs (actually 3 including myth). The problem is the Roxbox which is separate from the GH release. The Roxbox has been talked about by Per and fans for 10 yrs or so.....a highly anticipated release that we have waited for for years.....and we are given THIS.

That is the problem. Maries illness/recovery has nothing to do with it. We are all delighted that she is back.

Ramas said on :

List of heard but officially unreleased tracks could be larger. Eg.:

Reaching High
You Turn Me On
Drowning in You
From Head To Toe
Under Your Magic Spell
Dancing On The Nightwire

At least they could have been released “officialy” with this Box

substitute said on :

Per u say:
Marie and I have to be the prime judges of our own music, our own lyrics and our own productions. That won’t change. And you’re right,but u don’t buy your own music!!WE DO!!!!!
So,pay atention to most of fans are asking for!

whateveriam said on :

Thats just encouragment NOT to buy it heeheehee, I don’t think anyone is going to pick the Box off the shelf, read that and go ’oh, I will buy it’. Most would think they were taking the Michael.

Viewtiful said on :

“03 Anyone/I Love How You Love Me 4.22 (Demo) *
VEREDICT: previoulsy unreleased
=> 5th new track”

I think this is just the Anyone demo that we all know. Wasn’t it released with the Anyone single?

whateveriam said on :

www.roxette.se

Pay the Price/Anyone (CDM)
Released: 1999-05-10 // EMI / TOCP-40118

01. Pay the Price
02. Anyone
03. Cooper [Closer to God]
04. Anyone (T&A demo July 29, ’98)

So unless theres more than 1 demo, I guess so

roxtexanet said on :

It’s unfortunate that Roxette are trying to tie the Rox Box in with the 20th anniversary stuff - to me it looks like there’s a GH, a deluxe GH, and then a super-deluxe GH. I think that’s the reason the tracks were chosen as they were - so that the box would serve as some sort of hallmark of the first 20 years of Rox.

I think it’s worth noting that Rox USUALLY do better than this (the poorly named “Rarities” is an exception, and was equally disappointing in its day). When “Pearls” was re-released it was packed with bonus tracks that were either never released or never available on CD - pretty cool, I thought. The first DVD had quite a few goodies, too (alternate versions of the LTYH and “The Look” videos, etc.). I’ve always thought Roxette’s concert sets were quite generous too - few bands regularly include more than 15 songs in their set night after night, but Rox often did 20 or even more.

I’d still rather have this box than a collection of all of the albums with a few bonus tracks (like Marie’s set, which I still haven’t bought)... at least it makes for an interesting listen! In any case, there will be many releases in the years to come - let’s hope there’s something for the hardcore fans next time round.

daniel_alv said on :

ogeid >> It’s 10 new, you forgot to count one wish and reveal

“03 Anyone/I Love How You Love Me 4.22 (Demo) * accually looke like it’s anyone with different lyrics?

Emil__BG said on :

I wanted some live shows ,but Per and Marie can’t take all diffrent wishes of peoples here in mind..

200-300 people writes here lets say –..1000..(most of negative ones didn’t write here last 3-2 years when the future of roxette was in clouds )

roxette has sold 50 000 000 albums and single...
Get real !!!
8-14 song for the fans–that’s GREAT ..the other one is for other millions ..

Go to the music store and look how many GH are sold there!!

Do you think that anyone else will buy box just becouse of demos????

Do you know how many new fans got Roxette after Pop hits for example??
In my contry - i know a few NEW fans ,who just love that compilations...
And say–“all this goood song –just from one band???-They a really good””

AND THIS IS HUGEEEEEEEEEEE succsesssss in these days!!
with few demos and bla-bla you can’t do it..!!
That’s ROXETTE. not a one hit wonder!!

write your comments,write what you want ...but don’t write like mad dogs ...

ally77 said on :

At the end of the day people can either buy it or leave it on the shelf!

Emil__BG said on :

I bought a Box set of another band as a gift to my friend–and look very carefully if all hits were there..
To tell you the truth–most of box set are like this one–if you get an Unpllugged or live show you must feel lucky :-)))

per_mson said on :

Brilliant comment, Per!! You couldn’t have put the words better!

ThePopHits said on :

Per I still love you and your music.

“some of you are unhappy, furious, hurt, suicidal and even showing a very unpleasant attitude regarding the upcoming Roxette releases.”

suicidal?!? :/

kokoroxette said on :

Before 3 years Roxette future was uncertain,but now we have at least 2 new songs, this is great news.The rox box include mtv unplugged and some unreleased songs ,not bad for me.I,m happy because Roxette are back,that is the point.

Roxvet said on :

First of all, Thanks for bothering, Per!

Well, i didn’t thought Per would answer in this way......I’m a little sad.

PER!!, ALL WE ARE HAPPY ABOUT ROXETTE’S COMEBACK. Believe me!!!

I think the REAL PROBLEM is the fact of a new GH release. Maybe Per is bored reading us protest about it, but.........we are bored with lot of GH too. *****All us though RoxBox could be a reasonable way to get something like a “new album” with unreleased material***** So the published tracklist made us to be really annoyed.

POP and BALLAD Hits had bonus CDs with unreleased songs so I was happy with it.

This comment said it all: “”I am very thankful for the new songs, it’s just that we had got so much hopes out of your comment that this box was for the fans that thought they had it all. We just got really sad when it looks like we actually almost had it all.”“

Demos...I understand they could be boring to new fans but I agree with Santi:
“”I’m a musician, and I love the demos. It helps me out to see the creative process of a successful song.
I know is working material, but is the kind of working material you never get a hand on and you’d love, because you know, these are professionals, and they were very successful. It opens your mind to see how the whole process works.”“

And as Txiqui I think WE MUST END THIS DISCUSSION. There is nothing else to say. We have given our point of view and Per has asked us.

WHAT MORE DO YOU WANT????

My point of view is that I’m a little annoyed but I’M GOING TO ENJOY with the really FEW new material they are going to give us.

ONE WISH!!!! come truth –> Roxette’s comeback

colinvdbel (moderator) said on :

yes, that Anyone demo is partly different so it can be regarded as 1/2 new track....so its actually 4,5 new tracks :P

ImALiar said on :

Well, it seems that Roxette is not able to offer to its fans something grander than five funny-rare-stuff tracks. I’m so sorry. Two new songs are of course great, but the Rox Box should have been full of rarities, live tracks and remixes, demos. I’ve longed for this so many years. Per promised this kind of rarities box in the past. He called it rox box. Everyone expected this I think. This is a big dissapointment.

Gionela said on :

i really don’t understand all of you who are dissapointed with this roxbox. i am happy that roxette is alive, i mean...this past few years i wasn’t sure that i would see anything new from roxette on the market. yes it’s true...there’s nothing new about the demos or about the unreleased songs....the only one that i don’t have or even heard about is ’Myth’, but that doesn’t make me feel unhappy or angry on roxette....i mean for God sake.....they are my favorite band....and the fact that they still exist after so many years and after so many things that happend, that they made those 2 new songs (which mean a lot to me) and that they even give a damn about their fans....not like other bands....remind me why i love them. i don’t understand why you are so angry about the fact that there is a greatest hits cd included in the box...it’s roxette’s 20th anniversary and i find it normal that their best songs, the songs that made them popular, are included in this roxbox that it’s ment to celebrate these 20 years of roxette. i consider myself a roxfan, i listen to the same rox songs every day....and i don’t get bored...i am sure that many of you do that too....so what is the problem?..well it may be a problem for some..but is it so big that it stops you being happy about the fact that roxette is back? Jezz...i dont understand you people....i can’t wait to see the roxbox in my hands, and i am sure that more than half of you people who are so angry about this will buy it too...’cos...once you have the roxvirus in you...you can’t get it out ;)

ImALiar said on :

Do they really exist?

veneziano said on :

Per, thank you for your time.

Well, you say if we don‘t like the box we shall not buy it. Ok, but the point is: most of us WANT to buy the box as we adore Roxette, but we were expecting the box to be - everything but an extended GH-collection, and in fact it‘s nothing but this.

It really IS disappointing for a fan to have to buy the same songs over and over again only for getting the little new material. Is that so hard to get?

Of course I am overwhelmed by the fact Roxette is back, and I think nearly a 100% of us do feel the same. But try to understand that this box is not what we were waiting for, okay?

The bad vibe around here in my opinion comes from the emotional rollercoaster we are riding with: first the sensational news about Roxette‘s comeback, then the sad tracklist of the box.

So please accept our criticism and keep it in mind for a - hopefully - future release.

All the best for Roxette‘s comeback
Johannes

cgvazquez said on :

BRAVO PER!

Zelda said on :

Not EVERYONE was against this box!

Remember: Few of us are really looking forward to this release!

I´m very happy that Per and Marie are back.

eltarm said on :

I read it differently:
“...this is my garbage. If you are my fan, you’ll buy it and I’ll get your money. But if you won’t buy it, then you’re not my fan...”

RIDICULOUS!!!

In the world of digital technology we have thousand ways to get the music without buying it. This is exactly what I’ll do. I’ll just download those 5-8 songs, instead of paying 10 bucks for each of them...

If Per really wanted to give “more complete picture” you could have released a box set with old hits only. And a single CD with 8 new songs just for hardcore fans... Oh well, we all know you’re just making money on us... I am not buying. Neither of my friends is buying...

nate said on :

Dear Mr. Gessle,

I appreciate that you took the time to respond; although, I’m a little taken aback by the arrogance displayed, and the patronizing tone of your response. Perhaps you may have forgotten that it is your fans (who have supported you throughout your successful 20 year Roxette career), who have made it possible for you to reach this milestone. Quite frankly, your response comes accross as a slap in the face!

On the positive side of things, let me say that I’m absolutely thrilled you and Marie are performing together again, and that you have put together some new material. Marie is also looking healthier than ever, and I think that’s absolutely wonderful.

You say you cannot understand our dissatisfaction - it comes when promises are made and are not fulfilled. When this happens, it should not come as a surprise that a good number of your fans feel let down. At the end of the day, most of your fans have been patiently supporting you - even after releasing greatest hits compilation after compilation with only a few new/unreleased songs each time. Now we have the Rox Box Collection - a much larger package, considerably more expensive, with again very little new/unreleased material included - certainly not the 14 tracks expected. I hope this helps you at least understand where I’m coming from.

You’re right in saying I don’t have to purchase the Rox Box. Personally, I think I’ll skip this purchase, and if enough of your adoring fans do the same, perhaps you will finally get the message, and maybe even show us a little respect.

Sincerely,
Eric

marcusvandeursen said on :

Interview published on TDR 4/8/2006
“Otherwise it will be a mix of Roxette’s material, excluding the hits. Most of the demos will be from the well known songs, like ’The Look,’ ’Listen To Your Heart’ and ’It Must Have Been Love.’ Famous songs that Marie is singing, I will be present in the demos. I want all the demos to be enjoyable, and not being there just for the sake of being there. We did eight, nine demos for the ’Look Sharp!’ album. ’Silver Blue’ was there, ’One Is Such A Lonely Number’ was there. We have a couple of tracks from those sessions that are fantastic, like ’Sleeping Single’ and ’Dance Away.’ And there’s a demo for ’Cry’ which is totally different from the album version. I want to have those demos on the album because they mean so much to me and they are enjoyable to listen to.”

Rox20 press release: Roxette’s 20th Anniversary is also celebrated with the release of “The RoxBox ’86-’06,” a real goodie for all fans who thought “they had everything.”

ANYWAY, just a fewlast comments... sales of the ROX BOX will probably (as the general audience will hardly be interested in buying an artist/group’s entire back catalogue) and hopefully (from a view of all disappointed fans) be very disappointing to see you what many people here meant when commenting on the trakclist. At the same time WE’RE ALL LOOKING FORWARD AND HOPING TO SEE ’ONE WISH’ and ’ROXETTE HITS’ IN THE UPPER REGION OF THE CHARTS wherever it’ll be released. AND, of course to see you and Marie back together, will we do are thankful for the few new tracks. Have a great autumn and hope to see you around!

Best regards,
Marcus

NOW JUST LET’S GET OVER THIS NASTY TOPIC AND START CELEBRATING ALL THE OTHER - NICE AND PLEASURABLE -ASPECTS OF ROXETTE’S COMEBACK...

daanmarie said on :

You go Per!
I can’t believe fans are unhappy. They should be happy to get some new sfuff AT ALL!
Why always complain about everything???

Wicf said on :

I hate the comments “you should be happy they’re back and releasing new stuff.” Of course we are. But are we not allowed to be dissapointed with the Rox-Box or what?

Kiwein1 said on :

daanmarie: It seems that you’re comparing apples and oranges. We’re not complaining about the NEW stuff. ;-)

Well, some time has passed and I can say: I am not so disappointed about the tracklist anymore. Now I am disappointed that Per isn’t able to deal with criticism and even more that he reacts in such an arrogant way! That’s just WOW.

seven27 said on :

It’s a fact, almost all that stuff is available on the web. In the case that there is probably not enough exclusive stuff remaining to make an interesting release for the real fans, maybe it’s time to relase an all new album, don’t you think?

In any case, Marie appears not to be very interested in Roxette anymore. Maybe time is coming to take a decision about it and pull the plug on Roxette.

For sure, Per and Marie, your fans will be sad about a decision like this, but it’s probably the best thing to do to keep us saying that “we will never quite got over the fact that Roxette broke up”...

Electra said on :

@Per, thanks for doing this!!! Big up to you!
Goodness knows, somebody had to remind them what they’re place is as fans (if you can go that far!)
I dont know where people actually get off, COMPLAINING about this great BOX SET you and Marie have done for us, YOUR FANS!!!!!
I mean, I am as gobsmacked as you....they obviously think that they OWN you and mf and what they say should go.....shame, sad world they are living in!!!!
So, I hope they got the message, LOUD AND CLEAR!!!! but I just wouldn’t count on it.....
Cant wait to hear the new songs and get the box set, plz release it in South-Africa!!!!!!
Hugs to Marie!!!!!
@Daanmarie.....you go girl!!!!! Electra’s got ur back!!!

Debora said on :

Dear Per,

I have been a Roxette fan for 17 years. I have bought every single album, I have cried because I couldn’t go to see Roxette live the first time you played in Argentina. I have been waiting for so long for new songs. I have cried again when I thought Roxette wouldn’t come back and I have cried of happiness when I knew Roxette was coming back.

But let me tell you that this time you have broken my heart. Not because of the RoxBox, but for your words. I’m not suicidal, but I have to tell you that I had thought about suicide some time ago and not because of some CDs and a DVD. Maybe we hurt you with our words, and I understand you because we are talking about your job, but you should have chosen your words more carefully.

Finally, I want you to know that I am (and I think we all are) happy to know that Roxette is coming back, but you should understand that we had thought that the RoxBox would be for fans who have been with Roxette from the begining... or almost. To those fans that have been faithful in spite of everything. Nothing more.

Love you,

Débora.

LoneGunman said on :

Just a few words, cause I don´t care about this whole Rox20 crap anymore:

“This isn’t an apology, but a ’remember your place’ letter.”

That´s it... he´s really arrogant. Greedy (5 GH???) and arrogant. This letter only made me like him less as a person. He used to be my idol, he´s not anymore.
Per, you just keep getting cooler and cooler...

Plus, he´s a liar... said a LOT of things about the Box that aren´t true, so now it´s time for you, Mr Gessle, to listen to the truth. LIAR !!!

And the best thing at all... the thing that really matters here... PER´S PISSED OFF... and this is GREAT cause we showed him that we´re not a bounch of idiots who will buy everything he releases. Next time he will think twice before releasing another GH. Believe me.
Thank God there are a lot of fans here who THINK and are not blind, stupid and fanatic in a very sick way.

At the end... I want this box and GH to go to h*ll !! :)
LoneGunman

PS: Per, 2006 is not your year... first SOAP is a huge flop... second the fans not so good GH reacton and now the even worst fans reaction about the RoxBox. Better trying other thing !! :)
PS2: About BadHairDay... it was only a project to promote SOAP album... to make us going to that silly website. The SOAP project stoped, where´s BadHairDay? Yeah, you know the answer.

Zelda said on :

I´m really looking forward to the ROX BOX!

ROXETTE RULES!

LoneGunman said on :

@ Debora - I know you probably don´t agree with me in many things I said, but I have to say that your post is FANTASTIC. You made me cry, really. Congratulations... And feeling the same.

All the best for you.
LoneGunman

Mari said on :

LoneGunman, SOAP was far away from a flop. How didn’t you know that??Do you live in the box? It was very praised album, critics was very, very positive. Journalists gave 5 stars here and there. Or maybe you think that only albums that sells millions are good :D :D :D So Christina Aguilera is great cos she sells lot:D :D :D :D

Kiwein1 said on :

LoneGunmen: that we´re not a bounch of idiots who will buy everything he releases.

But that’s exactly what the most of us will do even though they hate this box. And that puts Per back to the “pole position”. He doesn’t need to care about fans and tracklisting since some of us still buy everything and even change her opinion when they read such an arrogant letter. That’s really weird.

Kiwein1 said on :

LoneGunman: Agree with you but wouldn’t describe it that harsh. The letter is outrageous. And I also do think that this release won’t be very helpful for a possible future of Roxette. I won’t buy the box either. The reasons are getting more: 1.) The tracklist is crap 2.) Don’t pay 60 Euro for crap 3.) Per’s letter.

Bunio said on :

@LoneGunman - well i don’t see these “bad words about the fans” but it’s really clear that PG is pissed off just like some of the fans.

This whole situation is a shame, really. I thought that ROX20 is a reason to celebrate, not to start a war...

tevensso (moderator) said on :

@LoneGunBoy: You live in BRAZIL, how the hell do you know ANYTHING about Son of a Plumber and its success?

LoneGunman said on :

@ Kiwein1 - Yeah, this letter is a very sad mistake. Actually this whole Rox20 is nothing but a mistake after another. What can we do ? :) Anyway, I´m tired of all this thing, so I´ll do something more productive. We, fans, are not that important at all to change anything, as Per said himself.

LoneGunman said on :

@ tevensso -

First, don´t be so mad Mr Thomas EMIvensson.

2nd - Yeah, I´m from Brazil... did you know we don´t live in jungles and that we have internet and can read articles and music magazines on line ? Yeah, believe me, we are not that primitive.

3rd - The fact that SOAP was not even released here - a very big Rox fanbase - only proves what I said, it was a flop.

Wanna argue with that ? Use good arguments, numbers, etc... not ofensive words to me or my country.
Time for your Lexotan now.

kroeby1 said on :

per you are an arrogant and overpayed musician. your comment makes me laugh.

never forget, whe are at the end the people who makes your career a successful story.

Your comment was the last thing i needed to quit with rox.

next thing i do is cancelling my preorder of the new records. not one cent more in your wallet!

TDR, please cancel my account kroeby1.

alchemiste said on :

@ tev

SOAP flopped in Austria, at least ...
And it flopped badly, even though Per was here promoting the album himself.
But maybe you didn´t realize, since you live in Sweden.
;-)

Edit: Deleted Smiley added.

nate said on :

Please let’s try to remain cool-headed here and not start another verbal war. Can we diplomatically agree to disagee?

kroeby1 said on :

one more comment from my side to per:

never forget, your fanbase is not 10-20 years old like in the beginning!

i’m for example 31 years old and manage a branch of a bank. so please think about it when you next time use words like suicide or others you used!

GT_85 said on :

SOAP didn’t make the charts on many places outside Sweden. In Sweden it sold well the first couple of weeks. Much because of the name “Per Gessle”.

But it wasn’t a hit-song album. If he wanted that album to sell much i think he would have released a single cd with like 12 songs.

I love that album, it grows on me for every day. At first i didn’t like it very much, now it’s my fave Gessle album.

And what is a flop? A great cd that sells to the fans and make them happy or a crappy cd that sells milions copies?

For me this box is a flop even if it sells a million copies, ans SOAP is a succes even if it sells 50 copies.

Roxeanne said on :

“It’s a fact, almost all that stuff is available on the web. In the case that there is probably not enough exclusive stuff remaining to make an interesting release for the real fans, maybe it’s time to relase an all new album, don’t you think?” I agree with you seven27.

I hate that some people show that, as Per puts it, “unpleasant attitude”, but I am still not even considering buying that Box, cause it’s old stuff, even though I for myself have never watched the whole MTV unplugged.

And what non-Roxette fan would buy a whole Roxbox, if they can buy Greatest Hits, Greatest Ballad Hits, and Greatest Pop Hits already? But well... I guess that shouldn’t be my problem.

Edit: Oh and please open a new topic in the forum if you wanna go on discussing SOAP, cause it’s offtopic. :-)

Alesvenska said on :

What I want to say is that Per’s words were not the most accurate for this moment but I don’t care if he’s a liar or whatever, I just like their Music which is what matters to me.
What I would also like to say is that I’m happy for the fact they have recorded 2 new songs but that does not change the fact of that we expected something else in regard of the RoxBox only because we took to account his words, I don’t think we all agreed to make up the same story... Knowing the tracklisting doesn’t matter to me if it’s released or not as it matters to hear the 2 new songs indeed!
And I really don’t care if they release GH albums 100 times because is up to me buy them, but as I said before if we had been told what the RoxBox was really about perhaps none of us would be as disappointed as we are.

Personally I think it was firstly Thought for the fans and somewhere along the process it has turned into something else and now Per is as mad as we are because he doesn’t know how to justify it!

Love Your Music Anyway!
Ale!

daniel_alv said on :

Accually Jo-anna says was kind of a hit Sweden.

LoneGunman said on :

@ Everyone:

Using Alesvenska post:

“Personally I think it was firstly Thought for the fans and somewhere along the process it has turned into something else and now Per is as mad as we are because he doesn’t know how to justify it!”

How about using this as a “final point” in this discussion ? That´s exactly what happened. Perfect sentence.

Maybe a article about fans reaction about Per´s reaction about fans reaction ? If so, Alesvenska´s post is the chosen one.

LoneGunman

Roxvet said on :

Please, STOP STOP STOP STOP STOP STOP STOP STOP STOP STOP STOP STOP STOP STOP STOP STOP STOPSTOP STOP STOP STOP STOPSTOP STOP STOP!!!!!!!

There’s no need to argue. This is a place to leave our comments and not to discuss between us or with Per.

Do you really think Per or Marie are going to do something special for their fans after reading all these rude comments?

Please make constructive review or criticism but don’t lose regard and respect

Roxeanne said on :

Alesvenska: Please change your “liar or serial killer” part (at least into “I don’t care if he WAS a liar or serial killer”... yep, that makes a difference)

–

I really do not think constuctive criticism is the right thing here, since the “construction” of the Rox Box seems to have been accomplished already.

I agree with Per about what he wrote about demos, but that still doesn’t change my attitude:
Gimme something new and I’ll buy it, gimme songs that I have in one and the same version several times on differnet albums, and I won’t.
That’s how the real world works, my friend.

–
Oh yeah, and I only just read this:

”@ Everyone:

Using Alesvenska post:

“Personally I think it was firstly Thought for the fans and somewhere along the process it has turned into something else and now Per is as mad as we are because he doesn’t know how to justify it!”

How about using this as a “final point” in this discussion ? That´s exactly what happened. Perfect sentence.”

And I agree...:-)

Fernanda-Brasil said on :

Do you know somethig??? He was so polite...I would tell you to go to hell if I were him.
I can’t understand why this such hysterical attitude of some of you.
I’m really feeling shy now to read his answer.
They doesn’t deserve this treatment. They worked hard for 20 years to do the best to us and now that they are celebrating 20 years, Marie is back and it should be a great time they have to read so ridiculous thing.
It’s easy...they are not apoint a gun to your head. You don’t need to buy it.
I’ll buy because I’m a fan , I really love them, I apreciate their work and I think they deserve my RESPECT and my prestige.
Respect is a wonderful word. Poor of people who doesn’t know the meanig of it.
Hey Per don’t worry.... There are a lot of fans by your side.
I love you and I always will support you and Maire!!

Best wishes for you!!!

Fernanda - São Paulo - Brasil

sevenlink said on :

take easy!!!

Per is right.

let´s celebrate the rox’s return!!!

i am certain that in the future they will make a new album to fans, we need wait, we waited for 4 yrs, i guess that we can wait just a little more for the new album.
But now lets enjoy the GH and Rox box.
and remember:
The world according to Gessle!!!

DanielRR said on :

@tevensso: You was unhappy when talked about Brazil on your post. You can´t take one´s opinion and make a generalization. I´m brazilian too and do not agree with his opinion

@LoneGunman: Most unhappy was your post. Once again you´re causing confusion. Some years ago you protected Per over Marie. You argue with the fans who protect and REALLY like roxette, saying that marie was´t important. And now, you said this about Per. I liked his letter. You posted your opinion, and he posted his. I really don´t understand you.

By the way, i´m happy with the box, this is just the beginning. I hope much more in the future.

Roxeanne said on :

Ooooh, don’t get me wrong, I’m celebrating!

LoneGunman said on :

@DanielRR - Yes, I was always a Per fan. ALWAYS. But i´m not like you who says “amem” to everything he does. The Rox 20 is a big disappointment, his letter is arrogant (as said not only by me) and most of the fans are pissed. Can´t live with that ? It´s your problem. Other thing, I was banned from where ????
One more thing for you... you don´t know me, so do not say anything about my life with Roxette, cause I´m sure I can kick your *ss when it comes to be a Rox fan.

LoneGunman
PS: Please, look that the next posts will come all from Brazil... and to “help’ Mr. Gessle... an “great” idea from one of the users from Rox community in Orkut.com. Such an old trick !! :)

DanielRR said on :

Well, i just have Roxette material, i [would have]liked to buy the GT, Marie and Per CD´s, but some of them are very expensive to buy from another country. So i dont´t care about not having them. I just have what i really wanna have. And i can live with this, and by the way, i´m very happy and ansious to have it.

It´s time to celebrate, after almost 5 years we have new material. Marie is well and Per motived to work with Roxette again. This is most than suficient for me to be happy again. So, don´t bore us let´s celebrate.

whateveriam said on :

Yeah, I’m excited about new material, but thats it.

animalkingdom said on :

After reading several posts above I still don’t get it :

Why release TONS and TONS and TONS of album tracks the fans already have?

It just doensn’t make any sense!!

Like a friend of mine (not a fan) just said, who’s gonna buy an expensive box other than a true fan? Let alone a fan who has almost everything they’re trying to sell us ?

“So…I really can’t understand the dissatisfaction among some of you”

You really can’t? Think of it for a while though. Have you supported any artist/band for 15-20 years to get the SAME SONGS over and over and over again?

Well....the critics will hit you - - - and the poor sales. We (and anyone else interested in Rox) have the greatest hits, and the fans have the box - mostly anyways.

DanielRR said on :

@LG: Unfortunatelly we know much about you too. Sarcastic as always. I´ll finish by here. And i was just discussing about the topic like anyone...but enought bla bla bla...dont wanna waste my time.

whateveriam said on :

@Debora, you’ve had me in tears hun. *sniffs* That was pretty insensitive as far as phrasing goes. And a little unnecessary.

animalkingdom said on :

EVERYONE agrees : : :

ROXETTE could have done it A LOT better for the fans ! ! !

Yeah???!!!

whateveriam said on :

Well, not QUITE everyone, there are a few in support of it...

Leila said on :

I’m looking forward to The Rox Box.

ppsthlm said on :

I have to agree 100% with Per!

Roxette = Per and Marie and who should decide what to include on their records? They´ve managed it before and I´m sure they always will! If you don´t like it- who cares? Just don´t buy it!!

I think those disappointment messages are really stupid. This is the first time in a long time that Per and Marie realease something through Roxette- don´t be so ungrateful. You´ll only put them off the idea of ever doing something more together again...

As for me- I´m really excited about the new releases!! Finally the Unplugged-session is going to be on DVD:)
And finally we get some new songs from Roxette that´s even been made very recently!!
Thanks alot for that Per and Marie!! And I sure hope you´ll go into the studio together again even after this!!

whateveriam said on :

what’ll put them off the idea of working with each other again is when it doesn’t sell at all well, not our opinions, which don’t count at the end of the day.

No, honestly, we can say what we like, because it won’t change anything!

ppsthlm said on :

... and one more thing....

Some people go on about how they´ve “supported” Roxette through 20 years and that they should get something back for it...

Can you really not see how stupid that sounds?

The fans don´t “support” Roxette just for the sake of it. We buy their records and everything they do because we enjoy their music. That is our reward for buying their records.

Per and Marie shouldn´t be the ones who are greatful to us for buying their music- WE SHOULD BE THE ONES THANKING PER AND MARIE FOR GIVING US THE MUSIC!

And as for all the negativity on this page- why can you be bothered? It´s a waste of time! The RoxBox WILL include what Per and Marie said it will include. And as for the rest of us here- we´re not interested in your negativity. It does no good!

Sparvogamarie said on :

Oh MAN how come the good stuff happens while I’m asleep and this thing is now 296 comments long!!!!

Anyway....GO PER!!!!! You tell em!!!!!!

Man, after reading that I’m switching from Team Marie to Team Per. Way to kick ass Per!!!!!!

Lars-Erik_Olson (moderator) said on :

OK. Listen up everyone.

If you have NOT ALREADY POSTED A COMMENT on this article: You’re welcome to do so, if you have something to say about what Per himself said in in his letter to The Daily Roxette.

If you have ALREADY POSTED A COMMENT... and ESPECIALLY if you have posted more than one: Please refrain from submitting a new post. I think by now, we all know how you feel. If you REALLY must, you can go back to your original post... and edit that.

We have a SmallTalk discussion forum... where long-running, back-and-forth discussions are permitted. It was never my intention, as Managing Editor, to have “Comments” on items appearing on News items to be the same as a SmallTalk discussion topic. Comments were to be more like the “Letters to the Editor” you might find in other newspapers. Cross-talk (one person commenting on what another person says)... was to be kept to a minimum here. The problem is that this policy was only once before put into writing... and never copied to a more permanent location. So without a clear policy, basically nobody knew there were any rules to follow.

This newspaper is free to publish ... or not publish... whatever we choose. Those subscribers who sometime cry “censorship” are simply ill-informed as to what that word and the concept of “freedom of the press” means. Since we give our readers auto-publish capability, “not publishing” something in our situation sometimes means deleting an auto-published submission, as we don’t currently have a “Submit for Approval” system where there is a delay that allows moderators/editors to look at a submission first.

As always, thank you for your cooperation. We appreciate your loyal readership of The Daily Roxette.

Small Talk Topic about Per’s letter:
http://www2.dailyroxette.com/smalltalk/thread.php/16551

L00kSharp said on :

Many thanks to Per for writing. I cmpletely understand and respect his position. Maybe the hype got the best of some of us... our own fandom and the media *cough* misled us? :)

Per, thanks and take care!!! I’ll still be importing the box set to the US.

shannyn77 said on :

YAY Per - we love you - thanx for replying - we are proud of you here and we are sooo looking forward to the Rox Box - we appreciate your hard work over the years - mwaahhhh

Roxy-Rinne says:
WooHoo- GO PER!! That was an awesome statement!
You so put everyone in their place!

If you guys dont like it - DONT BUY IT!!

I Love YOU!!!!!!!!! :-)

Tempest said on :

I still think there are far too many songs from the studio albums. 9 songs from Joyride, for example, is a bit too much if you ask me...

DanJKroll said on :

I appreciate Per’s response to everyone’s comments on the new release.

I think it is best to say that the “outrage” or “disappointment” may have been due to two different things – a perceived miscommunication on what the project would include and an overwhelming desire by fans for new material.

I’ve already expressed my disappointment with both fan reaction and with some of what was being released.

I fall into both the categories I mentioned above: I thought that the RoxBox would include a lot more of the things that I don’t already have. I guess that’s my fault for snatching up everything that was available. On the flipside, I am SO ready for some new material I think I am going into withdrawal.

But it is selfish (I suppose) to not take into consideration some of the factors that have led to the lack of new releases. Unfortunately, that’s what happens when an artist delivers such great material and content year after year. It’s sort of like a drug – you get addicted.

I think it is safe to say that I am not the only one in this forum that would admit to be a fan or even addicted to Roxette music.

dan

imazombieinthem... said on :

What pisses me off with his response is its just a ’dont like it, dont buy it’ arrogant response. Not that we haven’t heard that before. That Per. There’s no explaining the ommisions of songs he said would be on it just a few weeks ago.
If the Rox-Box was just an introduction to Roxette then why are there ’half-baked’ demos on there? Its because they want sales from us hardcore fans. This box has to be one thing or another, a Introduction to Roxette without demos/unreleased songs not good enough for albums, or an exclusive demo based Boxset like Bon Jovi’s. They tried to do both and failed miserably.
I can understand his reaction about demos, but Per, don’t make promises you can’t keep! Thats what’s pissed me and others off. It’s not what I wanted, more what I was told this long awaited Rox-Box had in it. You’ve taken an idea fans came up with many years ago and turned it into a joke.

tq83 said on :

if the rox box is for the fan who thought they had everything then why is it a introduction to roxette as well?
i just think that we as fans have been waiting years for this an wud it be hard to even include the number 1 request amongst many, the crush on you mix..

i really think they should of just released a rarities v2...

Nati80 said on :

You’re right, Per.

I just don’t like the idea of another DVD with videoclips much because we already have two and they are almost the same.

But, you know what? I feel so happy with the great news about Roxette! I LOVE your new photos and the whole idea of your coming back. And I love it so much... that I can easily forget about my complaint and buy the Rox Box and the Greatest Hits!!! :) Roxette is Roxette, no matter what!

roxcyn said on :

Hm, this *is* a real controversy then. I do not know any non-hard core fan that would pay 85 USD (plus shipping) for a Rox Box if only they liked a few songs O_o. That is just being silly. Moreover, I don’t understand why there are so many greatest hits. Couldn’t Roxette just release an EP?
However, I am appreciative of the new songs that have been recorded.

Well, Firstgirlonthemoon. I do think it is petty. However I just don’t see the marketing strategy. If you are already a Roxette fan and about 80% of the material of Rox Box is already on the albums you have are you willing to spend 85 USD (plus shipping if you buy it online) to get it? Then if a non-fan was going to buy the Rox Box! Sheesh! It would be cheaper to buy The Pop/Ballad Hits CDs and those are the songs that most non-fans want anyway.

FirstGirlOnTheMoon said on :

I used to be upset with the tracklisting, like most people here.
I’ve changed my mind in the meantime. Mostly because I think it is silly to be upset about something so “irrelevant”. By irrelevant I mean that there are more important things in life to be upset about.

I have been a Roxette fan for pretty much as long as I can remember but I’ve never been a member of the fan-club and I only started visiting this site about a year ago. The point I wanna make is this: Never before have I known what the tracklisting to any Roxette album was. And I ask myself, would I have been upset about the tracklisting if I didn’t know what it was and stood in a shop with the RoxBox in my hand? I think not.

I think we are the victims of our own hopeful imaginations. To be fair, Per never said that the tracklist of the RoxBox will be chosen by fans. We hoped that he would include song we suggested in discussions. He didn’t, now we’re angry at him.

After all, this is supposed to be a CELEBRATION! Let’s stop bitching and moaning and enjoy the fact that our favourite band has been around for most our lives (and hopefully many years to come)!

UKroxer said on :

Per - i think these fans showing their fury should feel guilty. The success of Roxette over the last 20 years is huge and I’m so so pleased that Roxette will return with new songs and release the rox box. Members of the public would not be interested in random demos of songs they won’t know. Fans yes but not others. The RoxBox listings looks great and it definately shows the highlights of an amazing 20 years of unbeatable music. This is the chance for Per and Marie to look back over their career and realise their achievements and show the world a complete story of what Roxette is about. Am so excited to see the MTV unplugged show as we’ve been waiting for this for how many years!!?!??? Thank u! Can’t wait!!! Good luck to u both. Ollie xx

kokoroxette said on :

Per is the most honest musician in the world, that is my opinion.He gave as free demos with bad hair day, do you know anyone artist doing that ?I think you don,t stop complaining PER FOR PRESIDENT ROXETTE RULES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pikappa said on :

I totally agree with Per, maybe he could have said the the same things with smoother words, but hey! that’s the man and I kinda understand his feelings while writing such an answer.
He put aside his solo projects, he put efforts in writing and recording some new material (he’ll give us two new songs but I seriously doubt that the writing session was limited only to this two songs), add the whole Marie story and think how you could feel reading here and there on TDR.
C’mon guys, things happen (and pass away) really fast, none of us could have only dreamed about a new rox release only 1 year ago. Ok, neither I like that much the roxbox track listing but I am so happy to see Roxette together again that I forget all my complains. Always remember Marie, things have to go with small steps, this is the first, small maybe (from our point of view) but indeed a step! Now I’m quite sure we’ll get a new album in a year or so, but only if the fan base will give the right mood to M&P.

ciao

Toni said on :

Hello PER!
Wow it’s nice to read you :)))))
Thanx for your message. And I agree in every point you wrote. I’m such a big fan and I’m so curious of this release! Don’t be hurt. You and M. have so many fans who loves everything you’re doing!

I will buy this Box. For sure!

I love your music!
Toni.

Oliver said on :

Per ist NOT arrogant. He’s telling the truth: “If you don’t like it, don’t buy it”. What’s wrong with this sentence? Isn’t it the truth? I’m not feeling offended by his statement. It’s a good statement because you can’t respect wishes from hundreds of fans. Sometimes I think THE FANS are very arrogant. They always tell him I want this and I want that. I think I would go crazy, but he’s cool, so this means he can decide for himself what’s right and what’s wrong.

About the Rox Box: I have found a solution for myself. Maybe some people will do the same. I will buy the Rox Box, but I will sell the old albums as well as the two Roxette DVDs. So I won’t have the same songs twice or triple times. And that’s it. I’m looking forward to the forthcoming releases. Thanks to you and Marie for being with us.

Toni said on :

Yes he tells the truth!

Remember this sentence from the RS tour:

DO WHAT YOU WANT BUT HARM NO ONE!

LISTEN WHAT YOU WANT - BUT HARM NO ONE!

Gessle Rules

nico-and-iepuras said on :

i agree with per.don’t judge him anymore.he and marie are their own judgers and they are making the best they can for us.no doubt!

JayBee said on :

What’s the target group for this box?

1) Roxette newbies?
- too big
- greatest hits is enough for the start

==> no

2) Roxette Upgraders
( People that have bought a greatest hits and maybe one or two other albums)

- don’t need another greatest hits
+ get many old album tracks
- still miss many album tracks for that they later might want to buy the old albums

==> no

3) Roxette fans

+ get MTV unplugged on DVD
+ get many unreleased tracks (2 new songs and demos). Many of these tracks are already known to the hardcore fans from bootlegs or from downloads. But I will enjoy an official release anyhow hoping for a better quality, a new handling feeling (a real album is different to a burned one!) and a nice booklet.
- get another greatest Hits (the fourth one after DBUGTC, Ballad Hits and Pop Hits)
- get another video hits collection (already the third one)
- get many other tracks that the already have on the albums

==> ...?.... yes

“Don’t buy it” doesn’t work. Sorry Per. These (we) are fans that have to get it because of several unreleased tracks. But the happyness is very small because they pay for many things they already have multiple times.

ngriffioen said on :

@ PER: You go Per, I think some fans deserved this comment. Great you took the time to respond to the negativity of some fans on this site. I think we are spoilt rotten in the past with special Roxette things and our expectations are way too high considering the situation you and Marie are in. Personally I think we fans should be happy that you, Marie and the band still have the guts and enthusiasm to do something with your 20th anniversary. Especially after all you and Marie have gone through. You could also decide to split up and than there would be nothing left but our old CD’s. I consider this Box a tribute to Roxette’s career and not a tribute to the fans. I wonder what the sales numbers will do.

So I’m positive about this new “old songs” release! You can always hope for more, but be glad with what you get. Roxette is still a bit alive and who knows what the future might bring. I’ll be a happy fan, (enjoying her life in the meantime) for the rest of your careers anyway! Thanks for all you’ve done and keep up the spirit for the (Roxette) years to come!

Love always, Nienke
The Netherlands

crazy said on :

First of all thank’s Per for spending time reading and answering to your fans:)
Most of us are very happy of Roxette’s come back and very very hungry to discover the new songs One wish and Reveal. My dream: Roxbox will be sell as 4 CD separate:
- the hits
- demos and ” new” songs
- MTV concert
- the videos
That’s only one wish!

leoclume said on :

Hi Per!

In the first time I don’t like of RoxBox. But now I can see will be wonderful.

Please, forgive this fans... maybe they can understand how is important the Rox is back.

Sometimes I think: “It’s a dream? Rox is back? Per & Marie togheter again? Thanx God!”

Per & Marie, I’M WITH YOU!

Léo Clume

PS: - The Rox Box will be relesead in Brazil? PLEASE!!!

Peppermint said on :

Hej Per! Don’t worry that the fans seem to be pissed off at the moment. I have seen the same phenomenon in many many other forums. Someone starts an attack against something and suddenly hell broke loose. Some of us got carried away. I’m sure it will soon be over. After all people go the this page daily to read about Roxette. They still care very much. Waiting all this time to get to hear new releases can be frustrating sometines. Roxette’s still around and that what’s most important.

Roxette-atic said on :

I wont read all the coments ( too many of them) but this is how I feel about all of this: BIG mistake to claim that the box were for “fans who thought they had everything” and that there were “14” unreleased songs in it. Its completely false information and it doesnet matter if the “7Twenty7” is unfamiliar to a lot of people...ITS NOT AN UNRELEASED song. You might as well claim that all the songs on the box are unreleased then.
Im dissapointed with Pers answer as well. He doesent care about the hardcore fans and thats a fact. I will buy the box, but somehow I feel a little sad with this whole Roxette thing right now...anticlimax anyone??

abba said on :

I want to know who erased my comment today?! There was nothing impolite in it. What a censorship?!? How could this happen here????????
Only celebrating and smiling faces are welcome?

EDITOR’S NOTE: Hardly the case. There are plenty of unhappy faces represented in the comments published here. We’re not obligated to publish every submission we receive (see my recent post). Secondly, we don’t look too kindly on people holding more than one active subscription to TDR, especially if it’s to post comments to the same article under two different user names. –LEO

meradi said on :

I don’t think I’ve ever commented on this site, and I’ve been watching it for many years now. I’ve been a fan since 1989, in ths U.S.

I’m thoroughly disappointed in the Box tracklisting. Everything I had read to this point sounded like it would be full of goodies that the fans didn’t have. I’m not asking for every demo out there, since honestly many of them are garbage in their demo form. Maybe there’s so few demos released on this one exactly because the majority of them really suck. That’s fine; I write for a living and wouldn’t want my first drafts to be circulated either, unless they were especially good or had something new to add that didn’t make it into the final version.

But it really is wrong to create the impression of a box set full of things the fans don’t have, and then to release this, and then to say too bad and what’s your problem, to the fans who had been expecting something quite different.

MTV Unplugged will be nice to have. However, I don’t know why some songs from that performance still aren’t being released (maybe they suck too! Would have been nice to hear ’Surrender’) but even so, 2006 seems just a bit too late to be just now releasing that performance from 1993. Most of the other artists doing MTV Unplugged released their performances ages ago.

I bought ’Don’t Bore Us’ back in 1995 for the 4 new songs. I reluctantly bought the US release in (2000?) only to support Roxette in my home market. I got the normal versions of the Ballad/Pop hits to get the new songs (now only 2 new songs on each CD if I remember correctly). I have absolutely no need for another greatest hits CD with basically the same tracks as released 50 times before. And I certainly don’t need a box set with mostly album tracks from CDs I already have, and especially album tracks I’m not very fond of anyway.

I’m glad Roxette’s “back” and if they decide to release a fulllength CD, I’d be glad. But this continual repackaging of greatest hits over and over, combined with the false information regarding the box set, makes me not want to buy either. And I’m fine with that, and I’m glad to see Per is fine with that also. Thanks for your encouragement, Per, to not buy the box set.

I don’t understand the format of the box set – it’s a bunch of random stuff thrown together without any thought. Anyone who would buy the box set probably would have already bought the separate greatest hits CD, so it makes no sense to repeat the greatest hits over again in the box set. At the very minimum, the greatest hits songs in the box set could have been some of the remixes of those songs (instead of Dangerous, could have been the Dangerous AC/power mix or something, just to make the box set a little more worthwhile; the remixes did not have to be the “7-minute long” remixes). I know Duran Duran released a ’singles collection’ a while ago; now that was neat – it had all the B-sides on CD format which were only available on the singles a long time ago. Roxette could have done something similar, to highlight their greatest hits theme without the endless repetition of the same songs in the same versions over and over and over and over and over and over.

With the Rox Medley, Roxette had the chance to remix some of their truly greatest hits and make them more modern and appealing to the non-fans (who apparently the box set is targeting). Roxette have failed in this regard too. I think, especially with all the recent cover versions and remixes of Roxette songs lately, something like that would have really been at least a good promotional tool. I know in the US (more on that later) ’It must have been love’ is reallys till played a lot on radio; everyone knows that song. A new version would have been quite appealing.

As far as the US goes: it’s unfortunate that for the last several albums, a US-release is hinted at but doesn’t seem to follow through. Oh, lucky “US” - the Ballad Hits reached our shores, if only to replace the US version of ’Don’t Bore Us.’ We never got Have a nice Day or Room Service. Looks like we’re not getting this new release either, though someone certainly implied that a deal was in the works. A deal’s always in the works, isn’t it? Well Per, if you talk to potential companies like the way you talk to your hardcore fan base, then no wonder you cannot get a US deal.

One thing Per – you’ve said for years in various ways, that you’re working on a US deal, etc. Then you turn around completely and tell Aftonbladet (when they asked about the US) that you don’t have to sell a million records. Well, sounds like you’re denying the fact you were trying to get a US deal, since apparently the US turned you down. Now you tell the papers you have no need for the US. That’s fine, and I think the feeling’s mutual.

I’m glad I finally gave my opinion, not that it matters. I enjoyed the days when Roxette released new songs, and even the B-sides on the singles were worth buying because they weren’t all repeats of each other. Now, I can just turn to my own collection I already have to get the newest “release.” I don’t know if it’s a lack of creativity, but if so, maybe Roxette should have just retired. I’m sure many will disagree, but even the latest new releases seemed a bit lacking in the lyrics – is it just me or did some of the lyrics (most?) just not make as much sense, or have as much meaning, as lyrics from earlier albums? If Roxette’s going to be merely a hobby, or if you’ve run out of new words, new songs, new things to say, then Roxette should call it quits. It seems like they only release things now just to release things, without thought, preparation, or even interest. If they’re not interested, why should anyone else be?

That’s it.

[One more thing Per: you show a callous attitude to the fans, but from what I have read on this site, it is the fans who do a lot of promotion for Roxette. It is the fans who really do a lot of work to bring in new fans (to translate to what is important for you: more new sales) and it seems foolish to scorn the fans in that manner. As someone said, you were the one who said 14 “unreleased” tracks, and for the fans who thought they had everything. Everyone had a legitimate expectation in getting something quite different in the box and had every right to complain about the end result.

I think we all understand that demos are not for outside listeners, and that they are a treat when released. I wonder how crappy “Myth” is, if it’s not been released until now? Maybe as bad as “Love Spins?” Quality!]

kielroxer said on :

hmmm. some things to say:
1.i am a “normal fan”. i have all their (legal) releases, but no bootlegs, only some things i found on the net...
for me the roxbox is something really cool, since i get those 14 mentioned new songs.maybe 13 or 12 or 15, but - does that matter anyway?
2.yeahhh, a live collection would have been nice, mr gessle.
3.about demos - why the hell you tell us something about your relationship towards your demos, and acted somehow different in the past? remember your bad hair day!with that you made the fans dream of more - you opened yourself the pandoras box...
4.2 songs i wanted really to have in the box are the “i want you” recordings with other musicians. please, mr gessle, i only have some really bad copys from a music-cassette,give it in digital quality to me - the real one and the unplugged one. would be soooo kind.
5.i am happyhappyhappy that rox is back. with the box and with the new songs.cant wait to hear one wish!. and to all that are complaining here all the time:
calm down an think it over.you do NOT one ROX.
wishing you all a nice day from rainy kiel!

Robbie said on :

“If you don’t like it, don’t listen to it and certainly don’t buy it!”

DO WHAT YOU WANT BUT HARM NOONE !

You like it or not, real FANS CAN’T BE WRONG (see Bon Jovi’s Box Set for details) and we expected and deserved (I feel so) something TOTALLY different in order to celebrate 20 years of success or why not for selling 75 million records.

I unreservedly agree with the comments posted by nccuran, secret that she keeps and LoneGunman.

Marc said on :

I usually never expect anything, so I’m never disappointed. Why should I be this time? C’mon! Roxette is back and they give us two new songs and this symbolic collection which we should take as a sign that they are still in showbusiness and very much alive. It was thier decision to celebrate 20 years of carreer. They promissed nothing... This new Roxette hit collection and Rox Box represent to me a great gift from Per and Marie. It includes all of their hits and some of the rarities selected by the artist to be a perfect example of everything they did through this last 20 years. Fans are never satisfied... There will always be some who will protest about song list “Why there is no this song, why not that song etc.” If you want to listen to it put the another cd and enjoy... And if this collection is to expensive, just don’t buy. Per is right with this. He is honest.
Reading some of the posts before I noticed that some of you are attacking him directly. He’s not your pal that you can judge what he is doing and give him “good” advices. I just hope this discussion will end soon.

p.s. Yeah, Roxette is a great band and if I weren’t a fan, this collection would make me to be one. At least it could make me a good picture of “what Roxette is all about” after 20 years... And for those unreleased songs and demos that you are talking about, maybe it will come out one day...

P-p-p-pelle said on :

Per said “Like I mentioned before the idea with this particular item is to present the big picture of what Roxette is all about.”

We all know the big picture. So we don’t have to buy it. That’s clear no?

Marc said on :

Of course, but this collection is not made only for fans...

lonely_girl said on :

First of all, thank you Per

Second I’m still a bit disappointed but as he said if you don’t like it, don’t buy it...
I can’t imagine that so many fans did misunderstand him.

Cicci_ said on :

I think Per (you) got a little bit offended by the huge amount of criticism the Rox Box got.
I get the feeling that somewhere behind these polite words (which aren’t that polite all the time) there’s both a boy and a business man talking.

The boy is hurt, because people he thought would love him no matter what he does now raise their voices in protest.

The business man is shocked. The economical base he (at least once) relies on started shaking for a while.

Not that any rage will influence Per (or whoever has the power) to change the trackslist. Not that these comments will be read by anyone else than the people posting them. Not that what we write here and the desicions that we make here (how many are we? A maximum of a few hundred, I’d believe) whether to buy or not to buy the Rox Box will show in the sales figures.

No, Per, but talking to the inner business man in you, I’d like to pose a few, inconventient questions.

- What do you think the critics will write about this Rox Box? - you know as well as I do that what they think is quite important for how much you sell.

- Have you been turned down from EMI U.S, or why isn’t “selling a million albums” that important any longer?

- If you can’t take constructive criticism from your biggest fans (I’m not saying all criticism is well written, but some certain are!) without giving an answer many of them consider snappy, don’t you think the big question “Does Per (/Marie/Roxette) care about me/us at all?” might grow to a question of bigger importance?

No, you don’t have to do anything more at all in your life; you’ll still die a rich man.
Yes, we are grateful that you and Marie still are alive, making music for us.
Yes, we might be spoiled with demos considering how you approached this question before.
No, we don’t have to buy the Rox Box, nor the Greatest Hits.

Last, but not least. A lot of us do have illegal ways to find these three tracks we didn’t already have and don’t want to pay too many SEK for.
That’s not a threat, that’s a fact.

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