Following my review of one of the very first CDs I ever owned, I've decided to do a review of yet another album I've owned for just as long. Like the previous album I reviewed, this is yet another Euro techno-pop kind of deal. Happy Nation (U.S. Version) is an international version of a U.S. re-release of their 1992 album Happy Nation (confusing, I know!) and it isn't too bad an album. In fact, the first half of this version is remarkably good, with the second half riddled with largely tedious techno remixes which frankly never justified releasing this version in the first place. They effectively ruin it, which is a shame, because there is a plethora of hit songs on the first side which understandably, helped send the album skyrocketing up the U.S. sales charts and subsequently relegating this album to a place among the ranks of the best selling albums of all time. Naturally, comparisons to ABBA are made with this band, but despite the promising side one, they're nothing like their forebearers, who's greatest hits compilation, ABBA Gold, is without a doubt one of the best of its kind ever made. "All That She Wants", "Don't Turn Around", "Young and Proud", "The Sign", "Living in Danger" and "Happy Nation" (in an almost perfect descending list order) are all you really need to hear on this album, with the second half being ever so slightly redeemed by "My Mind (Mindless Mix)." Stick with the hits, here, and you'll do just fine. B+
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