Ace Of Base
Flowers

THE REVIEW

Sweden in its history has produced Abba, then Roxette, and concurrently, the Cardigans and Ace Of Base.

The four Ace Of Base (now three) were: Jenny Berggren (vocals on many of the songs of the album), Jonas Berggren, Ulf Ekberg (author of much of the album), and Linn Berggren (another vocalist).

This album is entirely made of catchy tunes with some dance and techno rhythms, going as far back as the '80s: note the incredibly successful cover of Bananarama's "Cruel Summer". But also "Donnie", a track that musically seems to have been made in that decade.

There is a song, however, that brings us very well back to the American pop of the '90s, reminding us of a name that was very strong at the time: Shania Twain. The song is: "Always Have, Always Will". It seems like the Swedes never had a style of their own. I don't know about Abba, but Roxette, the Cardigans, and Ace Of Base from this album do not seem to have a common identity that distinguishes them from groups from other countries.

However, the fact is that this album flows light and enjoyable. In here, despite another wonderful song like "Tokio Girl," one song will stand above all those I mentioned: "Life Is A Flower", Festivalbar of 1998 where there was also Natalie Imbruglia with "Torn" (and when I inserted a coin into the jukebox to hear these two songs - "Life" and "Torn" - I had my summer soundtrack).