The multi-million unit sales of
ABBA Gold
led to the creation of this 20-song compilation, containing the remaining singles from the group plus other notable tracks. None of what's here is as tuneful or compelling as the group's most successful recordings -- though the arrangements and, especially, the vocals are, as always, almost idealized in their crystalline purity -- and most of the tracks won't be familiar to listeners in all countries, since a number were hits in specific limited national markets. At the time, in 1993, the sound was an improvement over the existing CDs on which the tracks appeared, although, like
, this collection is crying for fresh remastering in 24-bit audio. ~ Bruce Eder