arnie said on February 9, 2011 12:48:

Thanks for sharing your opinions with us. Keep up the good work

flowersonthemoon said on February 9, 2011 13:52:

Thanks for sharing your opinions with us :)
For me it’s also a great album [hey roxette is back! ]... It’s not their best album , but I give them 4/5 (maybe because it’s too short... hehe, i can never get enough roxette).
I also miss another up-tempo like “Sleeping In My Car”.

We want (and need) them live in Spain!! :)
Álex
rox-on!

KixGuy said on February 9, 2011 14:30:

Very nice review, guys! Thank you for posting. Now I’m even more anxious to have the album in my player! :)

I’d also like to say that it’s the third time that I read people saying that the lyrics of “She’s Got Nothing On...” are non-sense and I don’t think so at all. I’d like to share my point of view and see if the TDR readers agree or may have some other impressions.

Well, I understand that it’s about a guy who wants to “score” a girl who doesn’t make it any easy for him and maybe to nobody, like on “What she got, she got to give it to some one” and “What she got she got to let somebody find it / What she got is not for her to keep alone...”.

When he sings “Why she wanna play it on her own // She’s got nothing on but the radio / It’s a passion play and like the break of day she takes my breath away” means to me that he knows, for some reason, that she plays alone, naked, touching herself while listening to the radio (how odd!) and he’d like to be part of it.

The second part confirms that she playing hard to get and he’s not sure if she sees somebody besides playing alone: “What she got is just like gold dust in shelf / No one’s got a clue what’s on her brave agenda / Why she wanna keep it to herself?”.

Then Marie comes and tells a bit of the girl’s fantasy. She sees pictures and poems that do not exist: “Who did the painting on my wall? / Who left the poem down the hall? / Oh I don’t understand at all”. Maybe picturing a guy who tells her things that sound like poetry.

What do you guys think?

Take care!

Sascha said on February 9, 2011 14:32:

Ah, I always love those classic TDR reviews! And yes, the real ending of the songs is a nice detail. The songs feature many surprising twists, not the old standard structures over and over. I hope my post box is filled by Amazon tomorrow already!

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www.roxetteblog.com

Roxerally said on February 9, 2011 14:59:

Fantastic review people I love it... I also picked up on the ‘Sank like a stone in ‘Speak to Me’ I thought I was hearing things at first, then realised Swedes like to recycle so why not recycle lyrics! :p

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rossyrox said on February 9, 2011 16:42:

When/how was the Only When I Dream demo release? I must have missed that one and I’m worried there may be more!

muc_ben said on February 9, 2011 17:55:

Even if the official release date is the day after tomorrow here in Germany, the CD’s (normal + deluxe) have been in my letter box today. How big this day suddenly turned. ;o)
Besides the snippets I have not listened to the entire songs on internet yet. Right now I’m finished with the first run through on my CD player. I’m totally blown away from the full songs!!! What a great album! Much better than Room Service! Just a little bit too short. 15 songs would have also done very good. The only song I don’t like very much is “Big black cadillac”. The Cover and booklet is very cool. I liked the idea in the Mazarin-booklet of giving the dates, when the songs were written. Especially with these new songs it would have been interesting, when exactly they were written.

It would be great to get the demos of “Only when I dream” and “In my own way” as single B-sides. Even if they are not perfect, it would be very interesting to hear them. And it would also be great to hear as many of the new songs live this summer.

So right now I’m off for listening to the album again. And of course the live-CD (btw. the first ever official full live-CD by Roxette). And afterwards the album again and again and again...

ettexor said on February 9, 2011 19:36:

This album is great!

SaTcH said on February 9, 2011 20:08:

Very good reviews! You guys actually made me rethink a few things about each track.
Besides being too short, the one thing that got me about the album is that there is no sense of flow throughout the album. It’s kind of like a compilation of disjointed songs.

“Way Out” is definitly my favorite track, and what a great opener! Very upbeat and happy song!

Raëlian said on February 9, 2011 20:16:

If you are aware that nobody else heard the demo of “Only When I Dream”, don’t know why you mention it. Drawing a comparison between the demo and the released version is totally pointless. Some guy dared to ask, and you threw him “It was not released anywhere”. Simply disgusting.

ncurran said on February 9, 2011 20:42:

lol......I am disgusted too! :p

great review though.....and surprisingly I agree with tevensso more than the others on most points (I say surprisingly because I am more of a Marie fan and I know he is more of a Per fan). I agree that it wouldve been nice for the album to take more of a direction in the style of “way out”, which actually goes against what I said after I initially heard the album as I wasn’t overly keen on it at first but its grown to be one of my favourites. I also agree that a song like ’after all’ isn’t roxette enough and it really feels like a per solo left over.....and I also agree that Big Black Cadillac is embarassingly bad! That’s the negatives, but unlike tev I would never say that NMIOHO and SOTOTW are filler!! Maybe not the best ballads they’ve ever done, but they are still great songs.

Overall, I’m still a bit undecided on the album. To be honest I don’t even really care that there are a few duds.....’Speak to Me’ more than makes up for it as it is the best thing they have recorded in years!!

joyrider said on February 9, 2011 21:34:

·

I didn’t want to download the songs before the official release but last weekend I couldn’t wait any longer since I knew, that my local radio station started to play one new song every day from Monday on; I just HAD to listen to the whole album in a row ... by my own, all alone ;-)

From a true long-term fan’s point of view, the album is one of their best and I would give 8 out of 10. And not just because they are back ... because they still got their unique sound and the album doesn’t seem like it is was their very last one, horray!

·

What I love:

— Marie’s voice sounds incredibly good. Per’s too, btw.
— Finally real instruments again ... even Beatlesque, yeah
— All songs are over 3 minutes but under 4 minutes
— The accoustic track (I’mGladYouCalled) with the rain is so bittersweet
— Most of the new songs seem very timeless
— You can find lyrics with a deeper meaning here and there
— Very nice backing vocals which enriches the songs a lot
— WayOut / BigBlackCadillac / NoOneMakesItOnHerOwn / I’mGladYouCalled
— No fade outs

·

But I honestly have to add that I miss some things:

— One or two driving rock songs with Marie on lead (!) vox are missing (in a ’BohemianLikeYou’-stlye)
— Real drums on all (!) tracks would have been fine
— In general: drums should have been louder
— Less ’screaming’ by Marie: Some parts even kinda hurt when played louder; maybe a mastering fault?
— SittingOnTopOfTheWorld could have been less boring arranged
— A big/strong/sad ballad like BeautifulThings (or ’God’sTopTen’/INXS or ’ChasingCars’/Snow Patrol)
— Some vocal lines are very difficult to understand
— More hook lines within one song wouldn’t hurt

·

All in all, I am more than happy that the ’Soundtrack Of My Life’ got extended by 12 new ’pearls of passion’ and what’s even more important: Marie is finally back on track. Thanks for reading.

·

SouthernBeatBox said on February 9, 2011 22:04:

Great review guys and gal! My opinion on this album is that it’s a ’nice’–not great/superb–comeback for Roxette and it is not a bad album–as a whole. Per truly stuck to his word when he stated he wanted to dig out the ’older’ Rox sound ala’ ’Look Sharp!’ and they (C&C&P) did just that! I can hear more of ’Look Sharp!’ & ’Pearls of Passion’ than ’Joyride’ definitely.

I believe it (album) is to short and yet, maybe we are in store for another Roxette album after the tour is complete. Per did mention a while back he went back to Tits & Ass w/ ’Mother of Pearl’ so.. we shall see. I do believe the track listing was done to not ’bore us’ do to the lack of more uptempo tunes which we’ve grown accustomed to w/ Roxette, especially; like you had mentioned; the lack of Marie’s turn to ’rock’ except for ’B.B.C.’

Each and everyone of us prayed, hoped, and cried that God would give Marie his touch for a healthy return and God did just that. The chances of Marie’s survival was minimal compared to others w/ diseases and/or tragedies. And yet, before Marie was given this wonderful God loving second chance; Per had no idea ’if’ Marie would return; Per embarked on what he does best... creating the best Pop music because he doesn’t know anything else–per se–but, to keep writing lyrics/tuneage. It’s in his blood.

As a songwriter it is very difficult to keep the pace that one starts off with or down-the-road per se when writing so many lyrics/tunes. I give Per LOTS OF CREDIT that he is still capable of doing this.. Not many songwriter’s have the gift that Per has. I guess what I’m trying to say without insulting any parties here, is that when Per went on and embarked on his ’Son of a Plumber’ project and ’Party Crasher’ album he used a lot (lyrics/tunes) that most likely would’ve been used ’if’ Marie did not go through her personal experience with cancer, but it is what it is and it’s reality. I’m just overjoyed that Marie’s with us today and doing just fine and able to enjoy her two beautiful children and husband which we all know love her so dearly. That’s more important than any album or career.

If I was to create a track listing; this is just me having fun; again, not trying to offend anyone here; with the (12) tracks, I would’ve started off the album with ’Big Black Cadillac’.. yes! Just like ’Harley’s & Indians’... Because if you noticed.. the track listings have pretty much stayed the same when it comes to Rox albums.. Meaning, the opener is usually an uptempo tune then goes straight into a big ballad.. Rox has done this now with the last (3) albums..

**This is me just having some fun...(My ’Charm School’ track listing would’ve been as follows:) 1.) Big Black Cadillac ... 2.) Happy On The Outside ... 3.) Way Out ..... 4.) She’s Got Nothing On (But The Radio) ... 5.) Dream On ... 6.) In My Own Way ... 7.) Speak To Me ... 8.) Only When I Dream 9.) I’m Glad You Called ... 10.) No One Makes It On Her Own ... 11.) After All ... 12.) Sitting On Top Of The World..

**Truly, all this album needed was (1) more uptempo sung by Marie.. The ballads are fine, but there’s just to many of them. ’Charm School’ gets a 3/5..

joyrider said on February 9, 2011 22:22:

@muc_ben: That’s what I thought too. It’s maybe the mastering of the Live-songs ... I am missing the “deep driving bass” (f.e. like SleepingInMyCar had in this 2001 recording: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vpS_-nN3JM and DressedForSuccess in Sydney http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lxdHGFIPEY of course!)

joyrider said on February 9, 2011 22:28:

@muc_ben: Right; and it’s a shame, there is no RoomServiceLive-DVD ...

PiterPam said on February 9, 2011 23:13:

Does anybody recognized the Ferrari-Formula1-team in the booklet? ;-)
another love of Per.

All in all i must say, that the uptempo-songs are far better than the ballads. except of speak to me! very cool song.
must be a single!

but all in all a good album!
3/5

cinnamon_rain said on February 10, 2011 00:24:

Well, in my opinion, this is a good Roxette album but not as good as old monsters like Joyride, Tourism, Crash!Boom!Bang! or even Have A Nice Day. It’s an updated version of Roxette for 2011. I think they did a good sound update, it sounds contemporary, but still lacks of rock and roll... If you wanna rock, play some real drums, a good hammond organ and that overdriven Rickenbaker and leave in a side the synths for a moment... I’m more of the Crash!Boom!Bang! sound in which they used synths but as a complement to the real band. Instead of that, I guess I wanted to hear more rock in this album. Besides this, there are some radio-friendly songs and some hits for sure like “She‘s got nothing on” and “Speak to me” with a great work behind. I wanna say I loved Christopher’s guitar style: he put a lot of rock in some tracks!
Technically talkin’, I gotta say “Charm Schooll” has an interesting mix with some great and creative ideas behind it. However, I don‘t like how it was mastered: too compressed for me...
Nice album!

Keep on rockin’

GabryRox said on February 10, 2011 01:13:

Well, I wonder how many people posted their reviews after only listening to the album a few times? Personally, after listening only a couple of times, I wasn’t terribly impressed with it other than SGNO(BTR) & Speak To Me (both EPIC Roxette imo). However, now that I’ve let it sink in a bit, I have to say, I’m VERY impressed with it... beginning to end! And the live tracks? Wow! If they are any indication of what we’ll hear this summer... well, let’s just say “I can’t wait” is the understatement of the century!
It’s really great work by Per for sure but I can’t get out of my mind that we all almost lost Marie and how she is back and as stunning as ever. I have to admit, the first few times I heard her start to belt out that chours on Speak To Me, I had shivers going down my spine!
Big kudos to Per, Marie, the band and production team that made this come together. See you in June!

mixella1 said on February 10, 2011 03:27:

An interview with Per about the tour
http://roxette.ro/en/2011/02/10/per-gessle-guest-at-mix-megapol-in-stock...
www.roxette.ro/en

DEFAULT_GREEN said on February 10, 2011 07:30:

There are 2 songs with fade outs!

I agree with alot of the comments the album would have ROCKED if it was more like Way Out... You don’t ever get tired of Guitars but all these new sounds only sounds fresh and new for the first couple of listens after that its boring...

mareo said on February 10, 2011 10:16:

@ KixGuy: I have also been “fighting” with the idea that “She’s got nothing on” has nonsense lyrics. I coincide with you in most of your interpretations. It definitely has a meaning about a great girl who mysteriously has no boyfriend and the character singing thinks that she should have, since she has a lot to give. Cannot be compared to The look in terms of lyrics and I also think Joyride has something more of a sense than The look.

Anyway, SGNO is great, should’ve got more attention in the radio. The only other song I’ve heard is “I’m glad you called” and I like it more than the Party Crasher version, both Marie’s vocals (although I love Per singing as much as possible) and the instruments. So soft and beautiful...

Gruber said on February 10, 2011 10:55:

I’d like to sum up the opinions I’ve read about Charm School so far (here, in the comments, on the forums) a little - I’ve read them all :p

A lot of people love Charm School. Especially the ones that love the soft side/the ballads of Roxette.

Those who are not fully satisfied are complaining most of the time about: “to little power”, “lakes bite”, “underproduced”, “to little uptempo-song”, “to little electric guitars/Where are Jonas and Anders?”
And we’ve heard: “The album is to short”

I think another additional classical Roxette-Guitar-Song a la “Sleeping in my car”/”Hotblooded”/”Fireworks”/”She doesn’t live here anymore”
or (if someone might find that wouldn’t have fit the whole album context)
at least another pop-song in the style of “Way Out”/”SGNOBTR”/”Big Black Cadillac” (maybe “Charm School” - the song?) could have done a lot to make anyone happy with this new album.
(Maybe in the track list placed between “Happy on the outside” and “Sitting on top of the world”, like “She doesn’t live here anymore” on the “Don’t Bore us - Greatest hits”)

Rox_Nox2003 said on February 10, 2011 11:55:

I thought the whole review was a bit too much “technical” from a musical point of view ... too focused on how the instruments were played or the way it was mixed and produced ... whereas for the what stands out on this whole thing are the songs and how we relate ourselves to them or not which at the end of the day is far more important than just analysing if Chris is playing the guitars decently or not ... Anyway apart from all the “I wish Roxette was a rock band but they’re not ...”-comments I’ve read so far ... My views on the album:
1) Way Out - A nice and very cool opener track but not in the typical line of former opener tracks like “COY” or “H&I” which are incredibly bombastic, like a slap on one’s face to tell you “wake up Roxette is here”. But this a cool going back to what Roxette worked on during 1992-1993 trying out things acoustically, performing for MTV Unplugged, gathering songs for the CBB album, etc and it’s more on the lines of the CBB album that I can totally relate this song to. So if the first song recaptures for me the CBB album sound then something amazing is going on.
2) No One Makes It On Her Own - A very nice ballad indeead but the melody does not create that emotional touch that I wished It had ... it’s a very serene and very peaceful putting away all the dramatic vibes from older ballads. I also don’t like the title for some strange reason. Again played live on studio like Way Out which for me is a plus (a very strong Beatle-ish track I agree) and a very solid strong vocal from Marie.
3) She’s Got Nothing On (But The Radio) - The dancy/funky/weirdo-track that I LOVE ... it’s addictive and insane. The seductive dialogue parts from Marie are irrisistable ... the chorus is amazing I love it ... I love the whole song and I don’t care about details ...It’s the whole thing that works for me.
4) Speak To Me - We all agree on this one: THE BEST TRACK! Yeah ... the strongest, the deepest and more more intense one in both lyrics, arrangements and melody (a great melody by the way). This is the song I was no longer expecting it to happen after the confusion on HAND and the too-short-simplicity on Room Service. This again connected me to CBB album and it sounds like it could been a track of it - actually reminding me so much of the leftover song “Crazy About You”. I personally think this song is much better than the stuff they did in POP but I can feel something of “Surrender” from that album and also “Do You Get Excited” from Joyride on this one which for me is a treat.
5) I’m Glad You Called - My second favourite: and I don’t care if this is just acoustically or if it should have kept the production Per did for the Crasher album (if I remember Per hated that production) the whole song regardless the production keeps the same feeling, the same emotion which in my opinion sounds more true and more sincere in Marie’s voice. Again played live and in raw way ... which allowed the song to sound more honest. Short ... but honest. Love the “rain” effect in the beginning ... though for the first time maybe there are no songs with “Rain” on the title ... LOL
6) “Only When I Dream” - This song is the one which reminds me more strongly of “POP” and also of “CBB” at the same time. Strong song, powerful chorus and a very nice typical Per/Marie duet section. The middle eight reminds me of something recorded for “Tourism” sessions along the road in some strange place who knows.
7) “Dream On” - The reason this is one of my least favourites is only because this is a clearly just a Per solo song and not a Roxette-you-could-feel-it kinda track. And I have to be honest without being mean: I got tired of Per’s solo for the last 7 years (too much is too much for me). I skip this one!
8) “Big Black Cadillac” - For all those who compare this to the polemic “Stars” and the embarrasing “Make My Head Go Pop” ... get a grip! LOL This is sooo far better than any of those 2: this for me reminded me so much of “H&I” from CBB album and it’s a smashing track like “Lies” or “The Big L” a great upbeat track with Marie killing in the chorus the way only she could do it. Comparing this to “Stars” or “Make My Head Go Pop” is like ... oh well ... get over those 2 albuns and clean ur hears in “Charm School” LOL Don’t you get tired of urselves enjoying expressing how much u hated “HAND” and “RS” after all these years? Jesus ... LOL
9) “In My Own Way” - This is clearly the big great ballad of the whole album but like they did in “My World My Love My Live” it’s just undeservingly short for the whole great potenatial it has. I seriously pick this one better than “No One Makes It ..” and I would have replaced each other by the other one. Apparently “No One ...” is regarded as somehow the next “Wish I Could Fly” or “Milk & Toast & Honey” ... the ballad-single from the album. Don ’t mind about it ... but this one speaks much more to me. Anyway .... so many other Roxette ballads were left aside ... this will be another (and that’s why they’re my favourite ones).
10) “After All” Sprry, same comment as “Dream On” ... only hardcore Per solo fans can appreciate this and anyone who worships all the works of The Beatles. Not so much my case.
11) “Happy On The Outside” - I only like the chorus ... the whole song does not grab my attention and does not bring me any kind of emotion.
12) “Sitting On Top Of The World” - I understand why people may feel why these 2 songs coming together may sound ackward almost like they were an extention of one another. But when it comes to to “Sitting” what I liked about it is that is so easily recognizable as being dated from 1986 or near that because the chorus immediatly brought me memories from older song from the same time: “From One Heart To Another” from POP and the demo version of “Never Is A Long Time”, which for me makes this song a clearly Roxett-ish one regardless we like it or not. The middle-eight is what I like less ... all of the sudden it reminded me of “Doreen” of the new songs recorded by Ace Of Base which I didn’t like that much. Jesus ... LOL As a final ending album track is my least favourite: “MWLMLML”, “BT”, “Queen Of Rain”, “Perfect Day”, “Go To Sleep” and “So Far Away” ... are way better. “Listen To You Heart”? Oh hello ... do I need to say anything about this one? LOL

All in all: I am much more excited about this album than I was with both HAND and RS which is clearly a very positive sign, We needed this album the way it is (regardless what littles changes we would have made) but the way it is is very significant and is a reminder of one thing: Marie’s award for her own victory and struggle. She deserves this so much. Now if you excuse ... GO TO THE CHORUS!!! :)

Wicf said on February 10, 2011 12:31:

ItsS really mysterious that BBC is compared to Stars or MMHGP... But I must say Stars is a very good song (like the album)! MMGHP... well, I like it, because that craziness and childisness works for me in this case ;-) (RS sucks)

coyboyusa said on February 10, 2011 15:04:

uhm am i to understand neither version of the album has publishing dates? and not for nothin stars and big black cadillac blow mmhgp out of the water mmhgp was just like ycpuawag a half baked box set filler song...imagine how different hand would have been with only when i dream on it ....maybe not the hand version but still...everything that came out of the writing sessions for hand and twatg seems to be pure goldso say we all

CoyRoy said on February 10, 2011 20:45:

I just wanna say that calling “No One Makes It On Her Own” an “album filler” is like calling your own mother a whore!! It’s one of the best songs Roxette ever released. Even my parents think it’s a good song. And they hate Roxette. My dad actually told me it reminds if of the good old country songs of Dolly Parton - but a bit more updated.

C’mon....that was a nasty and totally rude. If that song is an album filler, what the hell is “Fading Like A Flower” then?? A song made to keep flies away from the toilet.

I tell you mister, you don’t know a squad about music or Roxette for calling a song like that an “album filler”.....

I’m highly disgusted!

joyrider said on February 10, 2011 21:20:

NoOneMakesItOnHerOwn is awesome and has single-quality ... and this song even hasn’t got a chorus ... and by the way, I wouldn’t call any song on CS a filler ...

RobertaRight said on February 10, 2011 21:26:

Agree on that. This song is where my friends actually asked “this is fantastic, how come I missed this Roxette hit?” :-)) (thinking it was an older previously released song).

PiterPam said on February 10, 2011 22:07:

about the “no one makes it...” thing:

I don’t think it’s good enough to be a single. you can’t compare it with FLAF.
Actually i skip it very often. You expect something more powerful after Way out. And “No One” is actually boring. at the end it grows, but not enough to say it has single-format, sorry.

Rox_Nox2003 said on February 11, 2011 02:34:

@Roberta Right: Try re-listening to “Crazy About You” (recorded for the CBB album but left aside and only released as a bside 2x in 1995 and 1999) and draw ur own conclusions as to whethere there is something strongly similar between Speak To Me and that bside that literally a lot of people easily forgot. Does it not sound more similar to it than to WICF which is more on the vein of the old “IMHBL-arrangemet” ballads? Let me know later. But I do see where the “WICF” similar vibes do come from ...

It’s so easy and so often that among the new songs we’ll find bits and pieces that will immediatly make us remember older songs. Not only “Speak To Me” makes me remember of “Crazy About You” all the time, but also “Sitting On Top Of The World” despite being for me a boring ending track it still has something that trully tells me that this came from a very old demo from 1986-ish because of the similarities I found with “From One Heart To Another” and the demo version of “Never Is A Long Time” both track from the same era. That makes it fun to have such and old song on a new album: although I wish it sounded less boring and had a bit more edge and something as powerful as all the previous ending-album-tracks. “I’m Glad You Called” is part of the somehow “C!B!B!”-ballad family where songs like “Cooper” and “Anyone” are also included. Even though CBB remains the best one in all ways: melodycally, lyrically, emotionallywise and productionwise ... I can’t stop listening to how deep and honest this “acoustic” re-recording became and much I love it this way. I was already seduced by the “Crasher” version due to Helena’s echoing vocals (which sound so far better than Per on the new version) but Marie came in and took it to a complete different level of honesty and emotion that I don’t think Per could have expressed for me. “She’s Got Nothing On But The Radio” is such a strange song due to its sassyness, fun and funky sound but I actually could relate it to other older songs like “Opportunity Nox” or “Real Sugar” and also Per’s own “Kix”.

I disagree that “No One Makes It On Her Own” is a filler song: It would have to be really crapy to be labelled as such. I see this being released this as a single (the so called “Roxette”-ballad-single release) but personally I prefer “In My Own Way” which sounds emotionally and musically more powerful in its whole than “No One ...”. This one is very serene and somehow a bit lighter - the same way “MTH” was very light-weight - whereas “In My Own Way” is a more pompous ballad, a bit more dramatic, a powerful melody and lyric that I don’t remember hearing Roxette recording for many years. It’s just sad that it’s too ... short ... LOL Like the whole album but in this song for me its shortness it’s kinda disturbing , because for all its greatness and power it deserved having been a longer ballad. It’s the second time Roxette did this: the first time I felt that was with “My World My Love My Life” which is still an amazing song to me but shortened to 4 minutes sounded not enough. Funny enough: for the first time in many many many many years this is the first album that does not have a “IMHBL-arrangement-kind” of ballad. The last one for me was “Breathe” in 2002 then ... no more ever since. Per was serious about this kind of ballad arrangement saying in 2001 that “we do get tired of ourselves”.

Final thought: Isn’t it interesting that in the Internet-era albuns like “HAND” and “RS” and I guess I might include “CS” became far more easily commented and criticized for its good and bad from all of us leading to heated and sometimes stupid arguments on how they were or how they should have been for all the love and hate they brought in? We all expressed our views on them and suddenly ... dealing with extremelly different opinions than ours became somehow more of a problem and took too much of our time than giving these albums the same treatment that “Joyride”, “Look Sharp” and “CBB” had ... oh yeah, in those years it was just each one of us enjoying the music in a more lonely way and allowing it to build a story in our lifes ... Regardless all the bad and good HAND and RS could have had ... I wonder if for anyone out there allowed these albuns any chance to somehow build any story in their lives or was it more “interesting and fun” to throw tomatoes and eggs at them from day one until ... now and share that to the world on Internet? LOL I hope that CS will at least give someone a story to remember many years later despite any bad criticism it will gain online.

RobS said on February 11, 2011 05:33:

Just listened to the album. For me the only real standouts (after one listen mind you) are Speak To Me, Only When I Dream, Big Black Cadillac. Speak To Me gave me goosebumps when I first listened to it, so I know that is a great song :-) And SGNO(BTR), but i’ve listening to that for the past 6 weeks and still loving it.

I think it’s going to take a few listens before I really get into this album. I think I was hoping for more SIMC, ON, HDYD! style songs but it’s full of somewhat “lightweight” ballads and some not so rocky up-tempo tracks.

Marie sounds beautiful, just so amazing to hear her on an album again with PG.

I’ll be playing it over and over on the weekend and we’ll see what sticks in my head :-)

tevensso (moderator) said on February 11, 2011 08:13:

@CoyRoy: Sorry, don’t know your mother so I can’t say if she’s a whore or not. I just don’t like the song, deal with it.

PiterPam said on February 11, 2011 11:22:

personally i think “No One...” and “In My Own Way” even can’t reach the level of “Salvation” or “Breathe”.

No special melody, nothing to remember in this songs. People outside of english-speaking countries don’t listen to the words when the song is on the radio. They listen to the music, melody. And both are in my eyes really boring.

I have this problem with all the ballads on the album. they are too soft. just like light rain, or non salted noodles... “Speak to me” is totally different.
And “I’m Glad You Called” is special, because of it’s acoustic production.

all other ballads are just boring and album fillers for me, sorry. there is nothing to compare with older ones.

The up-tempo songs are the jewels on charm school. Thats my opinion. I love them!

nusaderenda said on February 11, 2011 12:33:

@darula; yep, Timbaland’s the man!

@tdr; Thanks for the review, great stuff!

Booho said on February 11, 2011 14:11:

timbaland, never *ever* touch Roxette.

Raëlian said on February 11, 2011 14:29:

Filler or not, I consider “Try (Just A Little Bit Harder)” one of the nicest songs on RS...

RoXoR said on February 11, 2011 15:47:

@ Roxettte: Thank You for this wonderful piece of music!!!!

BTW: Any chance that one can listen to/ buy the slowed down LP version of Speak to Me! :)

RoXoR said on February 11, 2011 17:21:

Hey Thomas, thanks for the info :)
Could you keep us posted on this, once the snowstorm is over and the LP found its way to you!?

joyrider said on February 11, 2011 18:59:

Austrian iTunes Album Charts / 11.02.2011, 19:50

http://twitpic.com/3ypmx3

#2 + #8 + #22 + #30 ... that’s what I call a Roxette-friendly Top 30 ;-)

... and BigBlackCadillac is the most downloaded Rox song after SGNOBTR at the moment ;-)

Roxette-atic said on February 11, 2011 20:24:

Great album. For me the real strong ones are “Way Out”, “Speak To Me” ( like someone said before, sounds like 2 choruses were mixed together into one song) and “Dream On”. Dream On takes me back to the days of Church Of Your Heart.”Shes Got Nothing On” sounds better on the album than in a single-format. Cant explain. Perhaps it stands out more.”Im Glad You Called” is great, even if I kind of miss the Per Gessle version with all the keyboard. Marie sings that one just great. “Big black Cadillac” was a surprice. I was expecting something like “Make my Head Go Pop” or “She Doesent Live Here Anymore” but i was surprices in a good way. I like the speaking part in that one. sounds cool.”No One Makes It On Her Own”, “In My Own Way” “Happy On The outside” and “Sitting On the Top Of The World”- these didnt moves me as much as the others. thats strange because I always tend to love the ballads more. But im sure ill fall in love with them later. I didnt like “Wish I Could fly” so much in the beginning in 1999, now its one of my all time favorites:). Its to early for me to say if its better than other Roxette albums... im surpriced to see that so many ppl disliked Room Service in retrospective. Have a nice album!

PiterPam said on February 11, 2011 20:37:

@Roxette-atic
I have the same point of view about the album like you :-)
Nothing more to add.

Rox_Nox2003 said on February 11, 2011 22:00:

I finally had the chance to listen to the so mentioned version done in 1996 by Jill Johnson and I was equally blown away by what she did back then. The woman does have one set of lungs and sings wonderfully, she’s like the “Swedish” version of Martina McBride I’ll agree on that. Naturally the whole production on Roxette sounds a bit more smother, lighter during the first minute or so and then “crash... boom ... bang” LOL To be very honest it’s a bit more “country-bluesy” than Johnson’s version which for me sounded far more of a power pop rock ballad with this huge powerful drum sound (suitable for the C!B!B album maybe?) and this strong vocal performance. But on the other hand, Roxette’s version sounds emotionally stronger as Marie delivers some of her best vocals ever since a long long time. I can totally see this song on a movie soundtrack or even maybe on a Brazilian soap opera soundtrack (which means that both Brazil and Portugal would somehow be 2 countries where this song could be a huge hit). I still feel much more touched and moved by this one in comparision to “No One ...” but please don’t take me the wrong. It’s probably their biggest ballad ever in many years since “Wish I Could Fly” although along the way “A Thing About You”, “Breathe” and “My World, My Love. My Life” are for me at least amazing ballads and on my fav list. When I mean a big ballad in Roxette terms I am really placing this one on the same level where “It Must Have Been Love” and “Listen To Your Heart” or even “Crash! Boom! Bang” belong to. I hope I might not sound too ambitious about this but It’s a feeling I trully have about this one regardless any kind of chart sucess it will or will not have. The song for me speaks for itself. PS. I loved the lyric change from “You’re a dreamer” to “I’m a woman” great statement. I kinda wonder what would it be like to hear Roxette duetting this with Jill :) It would be a first :)

PS: Has anyone noticed the “an ocean of teardrops” reference in the lyrics? How many other Roxette songs back in the 80s had this same expression? LOL

Rox_Nox2003 said on February 11, 2011 23:04:

@ You are not only a 60s lover ... you clearly worship everything Per does (on his own) as far I can tell from ur rating LOL What about Marie? The years between “Mazarin” and “Party Crasher” must have been a thrill for you :)

Roxwriter said on February 12, 2011 01:54:

Hi TDR Forums :-)

So I’m in two minds about posting. We all know what this place can get like :-)

I firmly believe that if you’ve got nothing nice to say, then say nothing at all – but part of listening to a new CD is honest feedback, but of course, this place thrives on flame wars and passionate attacks, so I’ll be gentle.

Firstly –

I’m so glad Roxette are back.

I’m so glad Marie is healthy.

I’ve never heard Marie sing so well!

Lyrically, Per has delivered some great words!

I’m so grateful and proud Roxette have recorded a new studio album.

Who would have EVER imagined the year we’re having?

We are the luckiest fans ever!

I salute Marie’s strength! I salute Per’s passion!

I salute US all for hanging around and having hope!

And now? The band is on a WORLD TOUR! Who would have ever guessed it? Very exciting time to be a Roxette fan, love is in the air! :-)

But… as for the album…

Oh me, oh my.

This is like listening to an updated “Roxette Rarities” compilation. A mish-mash of B-sides, loads of filler and left over Gessle-solo off-cuts.

Room Service was a wreck but I guess looking back, it at least sounds like a Roxette CD. If someone were to distort P&M’s voices and someone asked me to guess the band singing I would NEVER guess it was Roxette. This sounds NOTHING like Roxette.

There is nothing Roxette about this and whatever “Roxette” there is on this disc, is certainly their B-side moments.

I’m not disappointed or whinging, just slightly bemused – Per came out touting “classic Roxette”… my goodness, I’m yet to hear it. If Per came out and said “hey, we’re 50 years old, here’s a mature, relaxed, unpoppy, unRoxette-ish” album, then that’s totally fine. I feel I was slightly misled here, particularly with Clarence’s boastful comment which has fallen way off the mark :-)

The album is NOT awful. It’s NOT cringeworthy. It’s NOT embarrassing. It’s NOT daggy. It’s just that… well, it’s not very good. Standards have dropped. Remember the days when “Crazy About You” couldn’t make the Crash Boom Bang LP? Remember when Per felt “Vulnerable” wasn’t quite right for Tourism? Remember when “Little Miss Sorrow” didn’t sit well on HAND? Standards. Hard decisions. Strict visions and hard calls had to be made!

My oh my, when songs like “After All”, “In My Own Way”, “Happy on the Outside” can end up on a Roxette album and the country-acoustic-rock “Way Out” can open the record, then you know you’re in trouble :-)

Can you honestly put your hand on your heart and argue that “After All” sounds like a Roxette song or a song that would have ever stood a fighting chance to make the record back in the day?

It literally sounds like they’ve gone scrounging around the studio finding whatever left overs they could and thought “yep, that’ll do, that’s good enough”.

It’s easy to attack Christopher Lundquist and scream for Jonas & Anders to return (and I agree)… but this time around, it’s not Christopher, nor Clarence, nor Marie who has delivered mediocrity here, I feel it’s Per. And who can blame the poor guy?

Since 2003 he’s released FOUR solo projects brimming with exciting and innovative up-tempo pop! One of those releases was a DOUBLE CD and of course he did some GT work too! That’s A LOT of new material for ONE MAN! And they’re all EXCELLENT! The pressure is on this man to deliver and unfortunately, he hasn’t been able to this time around, but that’s ok! I’m sure he will next time around. When he can still pen catchy, genuine sounding hits like “Silly Really”, “C’mon”, “Hey Mr Dj” and “Theme from Roberta Right”, the guy’s still got IT. He’s had an amazing run from 2003-2009 but I feel maybe he’s exhausted all his good stuff and unfortunately, left a whole heap of average material for Charm School.

Again, not his fault, it’s ALL on his shoulders to deliver a hook like “hello you fool I love you”, but I do feel he’s delivered us some ordinary songs that not even Jonas and Anders could’ve saved.

But hey, it’s all good. It’s ok. I’m just THRILLED their back. The sleeve design is INCREDIBLE, best looking album ever… unfortunately though; I’m so confused as to what I’m listening to.

From a poor man’s “Stupid” in “Way Out” to a weak attempt at “Shadow of a Doubt” on “Only When I Dream” to a bland re-interpretation of “Better off on her own” on “Dream On”, the record one minute sounds like 1987, then 2011, then 1993. It’s all over the shop, it’s a mish-mash of very average sounds, little hooks (aside from the chorus to Speak to Me) and then he ends it with the dreamy pop sound of “Doesn’t Make Sense to Me” in “Sitting on Top of the World”. How can “After All” sit on the SAME record as “Sitting on top of the World”?

The album makes no sense to me; it honestly sounds like “Rarities 2011” – but hey, so what? That’s just my opinion! I love them just the same, MARIE IS ALIVE and KICKING, they’ve given us an exciting new year and they’re active!

I’m sure they’ll bounce back from this!

Fingers crossed it all grows on me, their albums often take time with me, I’m usually always disappointed at first but then it strikes a chord, hopefully this does the same!

Hopefully I re-post in a month’s time EATING MY WORDS - HOPEFULLY! :-)

Cheers ROXETTE, welcome back!

xx

P.S. Fave tracks thus far include “I’m Glad You Called” [incredible performance!!! Super League stuff] “Speak To Me”, “SGNOTBR” and “Sitting on Top of the World”... and I guess “Way Out” is ok too.
P.P.S. Bloody curdling bad songs include the loud, noisy and annoying “Only When I Dream” and “After All” which really needs no explanation!
P.P.S.S.I can’t express how GRATFEUL I am that Marie is ALIVE AND WELL and PER is touring with the guys again! This is an awesome period, so please, no haters because thus far the album hasn’t grabbed MY attention... ... ...yet! ;-) Fingers crossed I’m back in a few weeks with a different feel!

CoyRoy said on February 12, 2011 06:38:

BBC sounds less forced than the HAND cd....It’s like Roxette were trying to be someone they are not, and this album seems more natural, and the way they made BBC made them look like they are doing this kind of song for years and years.

And yes, Marie sounds better than ever!! There’s this immence emotion and knowledge in the way she sings. Like her voice is speaking from true experience and like she’s trying to tell the listener that this comes so natural and that she’s glad to be back.

I think Roxette only recorded 2 “jokes” in their career: “Cooper” and “Happy Together”.....and this little middle part of “I’m Glad You Called” - shows Per’s BIG limitations as a singer too clearly. He should stay away from serious, slow songs and keep to faster songs. Let’s leave the rest for the pro’s!!

the big D. said on February 12, 2011 09:36:

5 years ago, all of you would have died for a new rox album- now it’s released and it’s a very good album. So why are some of disappointed at all?

* Missing of more up-tempo/rock songs: Do C!B!B! or HAND have more rocking songs? NO!
* Too much Gessle-style songs (After All/ Dream on?): He writes the songs, where is the problem? Imagine, Gessle would have released “listen to you heart” or “the look” as solo projects, 20 years ago...

The album is great- some of you like the songs sung by Marie more, some the songs sung by Per- hey it’s roxette. There are always songs you prefer more than others.

WE SHOULD BE SO LUCKY TO HAVE THIS ALBUM!!!

In 2015 lots of you will say: Hey we would give our fingers to have a new roxette-album, an album like “CS”- despite the fact you are complaining now...

Tztztztztz... Rox fans never seem to be happy...

AusRox said on February 12, 2011 10:49:

I am glad this album sounds like it does... who wants all the albums to sound the same? Its a superb collection.

CoyRoy said on February 12, 2011 11:23:

I too am glad the album sounds the way it does.
If all Roxette’s albums were the same it would be boring....

I see Roxette seems to be taking Europe by storm...almost in the top 5 position in almost every country!! hahahaha

Does anybody know where and when the 5 remixes of SGNOBTR will be availabe for download?? Roxette Blog doesn’t say... They only say the remixes will be available in a day or 2....is this on roxette.se???

Wicf said on February 12, 2011 13:07:

I like Per’s part in IGYC, except the last note, he should not have sung that high note, IMHO :-(

Rox_Nox2003 said on February 12, 2011 13:14:

I also don’t like that “falsetto” and he used and abused of those falsetto throughout these last 7 years of solo albums to point where I could almost kill myself LOL I agree he shouldn’t have sung that part that way. Again ... what Helena did in the original version was magical.

alcibiades said on February 12, 2011 13:25:

Think the reviewers here a very lukewarm. I think this is a wonderful and mature offering from Roxette, which makes it really stand up towards their best albums. After “Room Service” (which for me was really hit and miss) and some lukewarm reviews of their danish concert last year, I was really not sure what to expect, but thankfully this lives up to the high standards of Per’s brilliant “Party Crasher”.

There’s only one song I really don’t dig at all - Big Black Cadillac. All the others have something to offer, and I love that the sound is so diverse as it is. Highlights for me are She’s Got Nothing On, Way Out (brilliant opener), Only When I Dream, Dream On / After All (yeah, it’s like a tandem), and not least the AMAZING closing duo of Happy On The Outside and Sitting On Top Of The World - two instant Roxette classics to me.

For me, this probably ranks as their third best album, after Joyride and Have A Nice Day, and being second to those albums is certainly no shame at all, as these rank among my all-time ever favorite pop albums.

joyrider said on February 12, 2011 14:37:

@CoyRoy ... good point!

Some years ago, I also thought, they could make a kinda “recycle”-album with songs of TWATG (first and formost I’llBeAlright with Marie on lead vox), SOAP and different swedish solo-projects of MF and PG ... Why not record english versions of “Tro”, “OmDuBaraVill” or “Spegelboll”?

I would def. enjoy “ROXETTE RECOVERED” ;-)

Rox_Nox2003 said on February 12, 2011 15:11:

@ Joyrider: The idea in a dream-Roxette-recycled-old-songs-album is like I said to CoyRoy it’s just a bit over the top. We all have all our favourites songs from each album and aslo from each solo album but putting everything together sounds a bit silly to me and probably it would damage the “original” songs if reworked and rewritten with English lyrics. No let them be the way they are ...
But one thing is certain: Charm School does have a lot of Per’s solo musicality of the past 7 years included which is nothing new for a Roxette album. Anything solo Per or Marie did would end up at least have one big input on the follow-up Roxette album. “Dream On” and “After All” are the result of what he did in both Mazarin, SOAP and EHM ... and maybe I could include PC here too. I remember when I heard “Beautiful Things” it sounded very much inspired in sound with what Marie did with “Tro” and this was not the first time. We all remember that “Half A Woman, Half A Shadow” sounded like a track that could have been included on Marie’s “Efter Stormen” and “Watercolours In The Rain” sounded like a profecy to what Marie ended up giving on her “Den Standigen Resan”. So in many ways we all have each individual musicality included on every album (except this time we don’t have any contribution for Marie, but the power of her voice and emotion conpensate the lack of her songwrting).

CoyRoy said on February 12, 2011 16:07:

Well, both of you guys make a few GREAT points!!

I thought I was the only one who take the time to go lie on my sofa and put on a Roxette cd and close my eyes and just “take it all in”. I try to listen to every sound and every breath and every note that comes out and I try to FEEL what the song is about and, I must say, Roxette has always been GREAT at creating instant enjoyable melodies. That catches me first. And I think they make the best ballads on the planet. I’m a sucker for a SAD love song....Even though I’m not a sad person....hahaha

Let’s take a song like “The Rain” or “What’s She Like?”....I love it when Marie sings so emotionaly and the guitars, hardly hearable, “scratches” along with her voice. It creates a new dimension in the song, and it takes me to a place where I feel good, even though the song might be sad. And you can believe what Marie sings. For me, music isn’t just about listening to a good song, but I really go analyse the song and the vocals. I like to hear what’s going on in all levels of the song. And Roxette’s music has so many levels....just an ordinary song have such hidden sounds in the background that we hardly notice. It’s genius!!

I love that last part of “Sleeping In My Car” - right at the very end when the drums and guitars go bashing and when the last drum hit, Per whispers “baby-babe” and then someone laughs....That’s SO cool. And on “Run To You” where Marie sings...”There’s not a sound, I can’t help but listening....”, Per whispers in the background “there’s not a sound”..... It’s so touching and it makes Roxette’s music 3 Dimensional. They don’t just do stupid bubblegum songs and sad ballads, they create ART!!!!! I think “Fireworks” has been the most “creative” song Per ever made. There is SO much going on in the background....Classy!
Geniusly done!!

So, to end this “pointless” novel, I can’t wait to go and put on my earphones and listen to what Roxette REALLY created with this new album. I’m sure there are a lot of hidden sounds and stuff in the background.

CoyRoy said on February 12, 2011 17:22:

@Rox_Nox2003: hahaha...I actually meant that what I wrote was getting so long, it seemed like a “novel” that goes nowhere....But I understand totally what you are saying.

I haven’t been on the internet when HAND was released, so, I didn’t really know what people said. All I know is that basically ALL Roxette’s albums was a step in some direction. Testing the water, and I think, and it’s only my opinion, I think CBB and Joyride and Charm School is the types of albums that define Roxette most.But to keep in that direction would be a waste of time and talent. Haha..

But i must say, Roxette is NOT a techno band, that’s why I don’t think songs like 7Twenty7, You Can’t Put Your Arms....and Stars are highlights. Roxette sounds weird when they put on the techno suit. I do think they do “electronic” music well, like BBC!! GREAT song!

But, I mentioned this a while back - Roxette is a “product” that we are buying. It’s like people being a BMW or Mercedes fan. They are FANS, but they don’t like everything BMW or Mercedes produce. Same with Roxette. So, you will get less satisfied fans and you will get overwhelmed fans and you will get luke-warm fans and then you get the anti-christ. Wahaaaa.....

Don’t bite off my head for calling Roxette a “product” again, people. I’m only trying to explain. And in fact, it’s true. Music is a business that “cells” and exploits their artists as products. face it.... but it’s not the point. Hahaha

Rox_Nox2003 said on February 12, 2011 21:26:

@CoyRoy I also never ever thought of them as being “techno” actually when I remember people going insane and angry about the so-called “techno sounds” or like u said “techno suit” on the HAND album I just had to laugh... try showing that album to a true techno lover or a DJ at a club LOL They would make u feel so embarassed LOL So yeah in 1999 they just tried to modernize things for a change but calling “7Twenty7” or “You Can’t Put Your Arms...” techno-tracks ... is like calling the queen of England, the greatest bitch next door LOL So yeah the production on those songs and I’m also including “Stars” (the forever love me-hate me song!) was a bit more eletronic to the point of sounding too over the top which probably was a mistake. Funny enough I never minded about it on Crush On You because I like it like that ... it’s addictive makes me feel crazy that’s how I wanted to be like ... that power pop crazy tune with silly lyrics and a powerful Marie yelling at me “GOT A CRUUUSH...” LOL I love it LOL That beat drives me mad mad mad mad mad ... LOL With 7Twenty7 and You Can’t Put I wished that these 2 were more produced in a closer sound to what Per did on his World According solo album. If you listen to the demo of 7-20-7 that feeling just increases because that is how most of us wished it should have been. And then with Per performing it live on his solo tour just makes u wonder “why per why per ... when a live recording with drums and guitars sounds so much more you and roxette than this computer-beat?”. Then “You Can’t Put Your Arms” great tune, funny lyric and funny melody ... I laughed when the minomoog came in the middle LOOL But the whole “hiphop” scratch production was modern but again ... not very Roxettish ... I love the song this way never really bothered me. So saying HAND is techno instead of saying HAND was more eletronic influenced is just embarassing just comes to show that many Roxette fans have no clue what eletronica is like.

Roxwriter said on February 13, 2011 04:54:

Wonderful interview with Per.

That interviewer did a good job not asking the same old stupid stuff. Per looked excited!

Great stuff! Thumbs up!!!!!

Julz said on February 13, 2011 09:14:

Lol!! That’s my favourite track of Per’s too!!!

PiterPam said on February 13, 2011 17:38:

I always thought 7/20/7-album is such a bad production. For me it’s the best example between the demo and final-version, how a production can go wrong!

The demo is one of my all time favorites, the album-version is just sooo bad.

Rox_Nox2003 said on February 13, 2011 22:38:

@ WICF and @PiterPam: This is gonna be tricky but i agree and disagree with both you at the same time. How can I explain myself? If at the beginning when HAND came out I was not that much amazed with the “fast-eletro-dance-rock” production on 7-20-7 I ended up grewing up loving it after a while which always happens to me because if the production was not what I hoped for, I cannot say that I dislike the groove and the melody and the rocky vibe. No wonder Per brought it back on set for his solo concerts that’s because the song itself has a lot of live potential even if the 99 album production was probably not the most flattering in Roxette standards. Then the demo came out ... I was so upset and angry ... and then I just laughed ... like thinking ... well at least we all get the song in both ways “the way most of us never liked it” and in “the way most of us wished it should have been”, At the end of the day, taste apart, I grew up loving both versions: after all is the same song, the same energy, the same coolness ... one with dance beats and synths spread all over the place, the other one following the “SIMC” road. We get both worlds let’s put it that way and choose to be closer the one we feel it says more to us ... or we choose to jump from one to another depending on one’s mood :)

CoyRoy said on February 14, 2011 03:42:

@Rox_Nox2003: Yea, I like really ALL the previous remixes, of which Stars and especially Knockin’ On Every Door were the best, to me. But these 5 remixes are really really really terrible. I, for one, can’t get enough of remixes and Roxette always had good taste, but this is just shit. Can’t put it in another way.

if I were to be in a club and these songs played, I’d have to be overly drunk to enjoy them. When you’re drunk you won’t even give a shit what song it is anyway. hahahah......

No....So, apart from Per’s little “middle-eight” in “I’m Glad You Called”, I think these remixes are the worst part of all this new Roxette stuff that’s happening.

CoyRoy said on February 14, 2011 19:05:

@Rox_Nox2003: hahaha, you make me laugh. I like your description of Cooper. I named my new Dachshund puppy “Cooper” and i’m sorry to say, she’s a bigger hit than the song. Hahaha....

You know, I think 2 of the best “sad” acoustic songs Roxette made were “So Far Away” from Tourism and “Never Is A Long Time” - those songs can make you cry!! And this new version of “I’m Glad You Called” is right next to those songs - if only Per kept his mouth shut....hahahaha

tevensso (moderator) said on February 15, 2011 17:39:

The vinyl is definitely different. No One Makes... is around 14 seconds longer and S2M is slower, not much but definitely slower.

Rox_Nox2003 said on February 15, 2011 22:06:

@ Mr Jefferson I actually like the ending part of Cooper ... Marie’s echoing vocals on “May I ask who’s calling” sound divine .. what I personally find less interesting on the song is the overall melody and mostly Per’s vocals for some reason ... the song lyricallywise is complex and misterious you just don’t understand it that much. Who’s Cooper? What happened to him? The song itself does not gives us those answers? However the orchestral background very much as in the CBB ballad is stunning and it sounds like a winter farytale with a very dark and obscure story. Really weird. It’s a very strange song we just don’t know what to think of it.

As for the low album ratings from some fans I can only find one justification from Per when it comes to all that that we lack on it (the power pop hooks, the uptempo Marie tracks, more dramatic ballads, etc) I can hear him say it over and over again like he did in 2001 for the Room Service album : “We do get tired of ourselves sometimes!” LOL I guess we fans never get tired ... but they do! :S

plectrum said on February 16, 2011 18:34:

http://emi.se/lightbox/roxette.html

Have a nice day

mareo said on February 18, 2011 21:37:

Fianlly I could listen to the whole album a bunch of times and I definitely like it and the neighbour will definetely hate it soon after playing it so many times loud enough. As some of you say, at the first listening there are some songs which do not seem something out of the ordinary, but there are also others which (for me) stand out from the begininnig - the single, Way out, Speak to me, Dream on, I’m glad you called, After all. Most of the others need another few listenings but given the meaniningful lyrics in most of them and the way Per & Marie sing - I can only say, thanx for the album and see you live!!!