A*Teens - Teen Spirit

Released: 2001

First Thoughts: It's been a few months since I last listened to this, I think, which is A FEW MONTHS TOO GODDAMN LONG. Shame on me.

Purchase: I asked my parents to get it for me one day at Meijer. I'd been hearing Upside Down on Radio Disney but never knew who it was by till I walked past the music section there, and the TVs were playing the video with the A*Teens logo beneath. I was elated! It was my first "grown-up" CD, too.

Playthrough: I kind of went off Upside Down for a while, probably due to overexposure, but I understand now why I was so attached to it. It's a monster!

To the Music is slightly annoying, but I still like it.

Halfway Around the World is my current favorite. It's catchy and fun, and I like the classical-soundin' cues under the middle 8.

Firefly was my favorite at one time, and I remember being really happy that it was Marie's favorite off the album since she was my favorite member at the time. It is a gorgeous tune, kind of Alison Moyet-ish, and the production is great.

Sugar Rush is actually a little grating to me now. It has a great melody, but it needs ... something. I'm not sure what. A little more punch.

Rockin' is great. Maybe the most anthemic song on here.

I hated Around the Corner of Your Eye for a long time, but now I adore it. Sara's vocals are awful, but the melody is absolutely gorgeous.

Slammin' Kinda Love is fun, I guess. I don't like it as much as I think I used to. It's a 7/10, but that's the lowest I'd rate any of the songs so far.

All My Love is the only real filler on here, and the only track I regularly skip. As I said before, the only reason I think anything at all of it is that Shirley Clamp does background vocals, and I can't even identify her in the mix. It's not a bad song, just doesn't have anything going for it. I would much rather have had Heartbreak Lullaby or Don't Even Know Your Name on the album, or even Can't Stop the Pop.

For All That I Am is kind of the archetype of great Swedish pop songs for me. Swooping melodies, key change... Very very good.

That's What (It's All About) is sort of fillery too, come to think of it. It's pretty basic, but I enjoy it.

Morning Light is another one that I don't love like I used to, but I still like it well enough. I think the vocals just needed some work.

Back for More was my favorite for a long time, and I might have to take back what I said earlier - it may very well have surpassed Halfway Around the World to become my favorite again. I listened to it about five times in a row yesterday in the car, and I was disappointed when I got home because I was only about a third of the way through that fifth play.

Verdict: This is still one of my favorite albums ever, which is a huge accomplishment. It says a lot about the quality level that five of the thirteen songs have been my favorite at one time or another (Upside Down, Halfway, Firefly, For All That I Am, and Back for More). It blows my mind that it's even better than The ABBA Generation, which itself is incredible. I still wait in breathless anticipation of an A*Teens reunion.

Standout: Practically the entire album except for All My Love. Also, B-side/reissue bonus track Don't Even Know Your Name: