Send "The Ark " Ringtones to your Cell 
| Popmatters |
 I knew about the Ark before anyone (except Swedish people). I know more about the Ark than anyone (except for a Swede here or there).And this makes me sad. I’ve spent years running about, proclaiming to everyone, “The Ark are the best band working!” People ignored me, but their response was irrelevant. I held the secret. I had the key. These glorious Swedes were the best band working. Were. Obligatory lesson: 1991, band formed, everyone hated them (I’ve heard some of their early stuff, and trust me, it is bad). Ola Salo started transforming the band, much like Lindsey Buckingham turned Fleetwood Mac from a total bore into an if-you-don’t-own-Rumours-you-just-might-die empire (that exists, to this day, literally in every single record or thrift store in the entire United States of America). Anyway, Ola the palindrome was not only a monstrous showman, he was a superb songwriter. He played Jesus in a Swedish production of Jesus Christ Superstar and has composed his own symphonies, for Christ’s sake. Yet pop has never been beneath him. 2000. We Are the Ark is released in Sweden, and doesn’t hit American shores. It was a promising debut; not a great album, but stuffed with some solid tracks and a nice touch of theatricality that would explode over the years. There was no sophomore slump. 2002’s In Lust We Trust is, without a question, the Ark’s best album. I don’t really understand the glam rock label continuously plastered on their existence—it could have to do with fashion or other things with which I don’t concern myself—but In Lust We Trust was a collection of seriously hooky pop-rock and some beautiful beyond belief balladry....full text |
| Alienhits |
| It would be pointless to try and pretend that I can be objective about an Ark album. They are, as anyone who reads this blog knows, my favorite band. That being said, In Full Regalia was the first Ark album that I didn't love right off the bat. Unashamedly retro, it's a pretty substantial shift in sound for the guys, and threw me off at first. Luckily, the album's a grower. It remains a collection of consistently good tracks, even if nothing on here comes close to the band's best moments. 1. Take A Shine To Me - An Abba pastiche, plain and simple. The guys came close to this in 2007 with The Worrying Kind, but this is Abba through and through, adding a healthy dose of Beach Boys style harmonies. It's an upbeat, fun way to start the album... though it's a very different sound for them. 9/10 2. Superstar - It's my least favorite Ark single to launch an album, though still miles ahead of most bands. The aggressive guitar riff remains the highlight. Ola's vocals border on shrill here, though, which is a general complaint I have about the album as a whole. He's one of my favorite rock vocalists of all time, so I'm actually surprised to be saying that. 8/10...full text |
The Ark lyrics
|
| |||||||
