Music Review
Copyright (c) 1994, Thomas Van Hook
All rights reserved


The Sign by Ace of Bass
Arista Records, Copyright 1993, Production 1992/1993

Track Listing
1.  All That She Wants
2.  Don't Turn Around
3.  Young And Proud
4.  The Sign
5.  Living In Danger
6.  Dancer In A Daydream
7.  Wheel Of Fortune
8.  Waiting For Magic (Total Remix 7")
9.  Happy Nation
10.  VoulezVous Danser
11.  My Mind (Mindless Mix)
12.  All That She Wants (Banghra Version)


Hit records are easy to make.  A catchy beat, some catchy lyrics,
and a record company to promote the single is all that is really
needed.  While the single is quite good, the rest of the album is
usually just barely palatable.  Very few bands have albums that
provide the promise of the first single.  Ace of Bass is one of
those bands.

Hailing from Sweden, the band instantly reminds of you the 70s
power-pop group Abba.  The lineup consists of two guys and two
girls, none of which play any instruments.  And very much like
Abba, their initial success here in the United States has been
very big.  Their first single, The Sign, recieved heavy airplay
on Pop airwaves, while it's accompanying video got very heavy
rotation on Music TeleVision (MTV).  What this single promised,
the rest of the album delivers.

From the onset, this album is filled with great lyrics backed by
a good beat and wonderful synthetic music, which is this band's
only drawback.  One falls instantly in love with tracks such as
"The Sign," "All That She Wants," "Don't Turn Around," and the
extremely catchy "Happy Nation."  The lyrics have some deep
meaning too.  For instance, from the title track:

"no one's gonna drag you up
 to get into the light where you belong
 but where do you belong"


There is only fear for a band like this.  With this being their
first album, I hope that they don't let success spoil them.  Too
many bands have had great first albums, only to be destroyed by
public apathy for the successive albums after it (Ratt
immediately comes to mind).  Let's hope this band will be around
for some time to come.

Grade:  A+
Outstanding Track:  Happy Nation
Lackluster Track:  Young And Proud

