I love ABBA. I’ve loved them since I was about six (1980) and, thanks to the discovery of manipulation and pester power, persuaded my parents to buy me ABBA The Album. By about eight, I’d acquired all the others. And when I say I love them, it’s not in the post-modern, ironic, ‘they’re my guilty pleasure’ way. No no no! I detest that shit. My love for this quartet’s music is completely untethered to anything involving an arch, knowing wink. It requires no plodding, ponderous, convoluted justifications.
I’m delighted to have contributed to Record Collector‘s ABBA special, out on 16 December. In it, you’ll find my reflections on Voyage, the 1982 Recordings and the Agnetha/Frida solo LPs (many of which I acquired as they were released, during the mid-to-late 80s and beyond). The ABBA special can be ordered here.
