A-HA
MINOR EARTH MAJOR SKY
ALBUM WEA RELEASE: APRIL 17, 2000 REVIEW: MAY 17, 2000

What strikes me about the comeback album of A-ha is that they could have done so much more with it. Musically, it's pop/rock standard model A, and it's a bit sad, because they really compose solid pop music.
The single "Summer Moved on", is an exception. The exceptional voice of Morten Harket is put on display nicely here, together with the old A-ha melancholia. There are other highlights as well, but they appear too seldom. "I Wish I Cared" shows how great the 2000 version of A-ha could have been, if they had opted for a more freshly electronic, varied sound. When they drift towards horrible Bon Jovi rock, which, thankfully, isn't very often, I almost start to weep, but the Norwegian trio still has the ability to write impressive songs. A bonus to Morten for still singing flawlessly.

NIKLAS FORSBERG