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Review of atay in expressen
15 replies
poppy_head said on September 12, 2002 08:08:
http://www.expressen.se/article.asp?id=121932
could someone translate it?
renegade said on September 12, 2002 11:12:
Roxette´s new single ain´t no flop.
Roxette
A thing about you
This November Roxette will release a compilation called “The ballad hits” but first they´ll release a newwritten single called “A thing about you” (released on the 7:th of October). The main issue concerns if this will be any hit to speak of at all.
The single reminds me of most of Per and Marie´s previous ballad productions, allthough Gessle handles most of the singing, but after listening repeatedly to it for a couple of hours, i find it lacking something in the chorus. It hasn´t got that certain lift.
It seems as if the duo have used the “boy band template” instead of the “powerballade template” in the production and in spite of familiar synthstrings and chords in minor it feels kind of weak.
To say it´s a flop is to exagurate but the creative curve of Roxette is still pointing steadily downwards.
Also; The gimmicks of single are really clicheé and dorky:
When Gessle sing “I pick up the phone...” you hear a telephonesignal in the background and when he sings “I never stop...”, the music stops.
Who have this skilled popthief been stealing from this time? ’Brandsta City Släckers’ (REALLY dorky swedish band!) pherhaps?
Please excuse my rusty english.. ;)
Jud (moderator) said on September 12, 2002 11:17:
LOL is it calling Per “skilled popthief” ? ;)
well many ppl have mentioned it here (i still think that both Aftonbladet and Expressen reviewers have had a look at this site before writting their texts) the song lacks some.....energy..
I am listening to CBB album right now - boy i hadnt listened to it for ... months? - and for me there was something that now is missing, power, energy, enthusiasm.. I don´t know WHAT but it is missing.
Guess not only some fans have realised it but also the media. Ts that´s not good. Fans still buy albums and singles (some cuz i stopped buying singles back in 97) but when somebody reads such a review...Guess they won´t win the Grammis this year either ;)
Oh and thx for the translation :)
PS: I am amazed ;) I am still remembering the lyrics to the songs - after so many time.. guess they are engraved somewhere in my mind for ever :P
renegade said on September 12, 2002 11:32:
To me its completely clear what is lacking in most of the songs lately. GUITARS...
Roxette used to be a guitarbased band. They rocked in their own unique way. And J. Isacsson put his distinct mark on the roxette-sound with his beautiful style of play. Almost all of that is gone nowadays. Hence the lack of energy.
Just my opinion.
LittleGirl78 said on September 12, 2002 11:34:
thank you for the translation.
But I don´t find that is the song how a boyband, this cool, not how a boyband, I don´t understand this.
Roxette-atic said on September 12, 2002 15:31:
Actually, one of the first things i thought when I heard “ATAY” was- Backstreet Boys! And I agree that it lacks some energy. Its an ok song but Im already getting a little tired of it. NOT a good sign. And no, I dont think it will be a chart success...:(
Jud (moderator) said on September 12, 2002 15:51:
I am a bit tired of it too .. I like the first part.. till the chorus starts repeating again and again.. :/ Let´s see what other songs sound like :)
antioxid said on September 12, 2002 16:02:
Yeah, I’m getting bored of it too. It’s too repetitive. I think it’s something with the chorus...
Heart_2002 said on September 12, 2002 17:32:
Oh shit! Everything is missing on Roxette for you too much this and too litlle that...for heaven’s sake when will you start enjoying Roxette no matter what they present us? Why do we have always to expect a copy of anything old and good??? Why do we have to think of them as band that does always work on the same format? Why can an artist express himself musically wise in a free way no matter how? Do you all dress the same clothes everyday?
In the beggining you all loved ATAY now after listening to it 20-4-7 you’re all getting tired of it???
What’s the matter with you guys? How can Roxette’s music be SO BAD???
After Have a nice day.... this will never ever stop... it’s starting to stink...
The press doen’t help that much on prasing Roxette chart don’t mean a thing anymore (thank god- turning Roxette into chart pop puppies give me a break) ...worst than that FANS NOW FOUND HARD TO ENJOY LISTENING TO ANYTHING why?
No guitars? no drums? no power? no this? no that?
Terrible single? Corny video? Corny clothes?
Slim Per? Short hair from Marie? etc etc etc
Please... one thing is to express an opinion and that’s it BUT THIS HAS BECOME A NIGHTMARE OVER THE LAST YEAR....it’s really pissing me off...:)
Sorry guys if i’m upseting you but i really had to say this....it was stuck in me.....:(((
Ferdan said on September 13, 2002 02:50:
Heart.... use your brain please....
A lot of fans are getting bored of the song.... they just express it.... do you want them to lie? do you want them to like everything Roxette releases?
For me Roxette was fail proof.... It was totally out my mind they could record bad songs..... or material with low quality... until Baladas en español was released.... but oh well... a bad step is normal for everyone.. let’s wait to HAND... it’s gonna be great for sure..... and well... when it was released it was like a bigger and worse step.... so since then... it’s perfectly normal for most of us to think that they could make songs lacking of spirit... power... or quality....or soul. If you have put a barrier..... (typical) it’s obvious your are not gonna see the real thing.... it’s obvious you don’t wanna see the real thing. Do you think all this people arranged to post the same thoughts about this song?... no.... everyone coincided. If that doesn’t mean anything to you....... well.... shame.
Roxwriter said on September 13, 2002 03:17:
@ HEART 2002.
There’s nothing left to say to a nut like you except for this, and I feel I speak for the majority or at least the silent majority..... F**K OFF!
Get down on you hands and knees and kiss my ass!
Once again, FUCK OFF!
Kapish?
PiterPam said on September 13, 2002 11:22:
Friends!!!!
Theres a song from Roxette HAPPY TOGETHER, not AGIANST EACH OTHER ok???
so plz don´t make war here anymore. Im sick of all that fucks and sucks and nuts. the topic names Review of expressen, not “FLAME mister Heart”. why we are all so angry these days???
PP
steven said on September 13, 2002 11:59:
It’s interesting that both newspaper articles are suggested that Per is some form of ’pop thief’
tevensso (moderator) said on September 12, 2002 08:34:
Basically he doesn’t like it. 2 out of 5. “This song isn’t made from the power ballad template, but from the boy band template.” It won’t be a hit he claims.
The song is also full of “redneck gimmicks” (meaning dorky) such as when Per sings “I pick up the phone” and a phone rings, and when he sings “I never stop” and the music stops.
All in all a weak song.
PS. Ironically the headline states “Roxette’s new single won’t flop”...