ABBA The Album 1977 OG Vinyl Record

ABBA The Album 1977 OG Vinyl Record

Cover: VG+ (has two signatures on cover)
Sleeve: VG (nice with no creases, two small slits prevent this from being mint)
Record: VG+ (minor scuffs, no visible scratches)
SD 19164
We grade our records conservatively.

This original pressing of ABBA’s beloved The Album is a great find for collectors and fans alike. Featuring timeless hits like 'Take a Chance on Me' and 'The Name of the Game', this record represents ABBA at the height of their pop prowess.

• Cover: Rated VG+, the cover is in great condition with two unknown signatures. While the signatures remain unverified, they add character and a unique touch to this vintage piece.
• Inner Sleeve: Rated VG+, the sleeve is well-preserved with no creases. Two small seam splits prevent it from being mint, but it remains in solid shape.
• Record: Rated VG+, the vinyl has minor scuffs but no visible scratches, ensuring a good playback experience.

This album is a charming addition to any ABBA collection, with the unique appeal of the signed cover. Whether you're seeking a vintage listening experience or adding to your collection of classic vinyl, this piece is sure to please!"

ABBA's The Album, released in 1977, is the fifth studio album by the iconic Swedish pop group. It was released during the height of their international success and showcases ABBA's evolution from catchy pop hits to more complex, ambitious musical compositions. The album was closely associated with the film ABBA: The Movie, which was released the same year, and many of the songs were featured in the movie.


Overview:

• Artist: ABBA
• Album Title: The Album
• Release Date: December 12, 1977
• Label: Polar Music (Sweden), Epic Records (UK), Atlantic Records (US)
• Genre: Pop, Disco, Rock
• Length: 40:22
• Producer: Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus

Tracklist:

1. Eagle – 5:51
2. Take a Chance on Me – 4:05
3. One Man, One Woman – 4:33
4. The Name of the Game – 4:54
5. Move On – 4:42
6. Hole in Your Soul – 3:41
7. Thank You for the Music (from the mini-musical The Girl with the Golden Hair) – 3:49
8. I Wonder (Departure) (from the mini-musical The Girl with the Golden Hair) – 4:33
9. I’m a Marionette (from the mini-musical The Girl with the Golden Hair) – 4:03

Notable Songs:

1. "Take a Chance on Me":

   • One of ABBA's biggest and most enduring hits, this song became a major chart success worldwide. It features an upbeat rhythm and catchy vocal interplay, and it showcases the group's signature harmonies and pop sensibilities.

2. "The Name of the Game":

   • This song has a more introspective and experimental sound, blending pop with elements of funk and rock. It was released as the album's lead single and topped the charts in the UK, becoming one of ABBA’s standout hits.

3. "Thank You for the Music":

   • A classic ABBA ballad that became one of the group's signature songs, though it wasn’t originally released as a single. It is an ode to music itself and has since become a timeless anthem celebrating the joy and power of music.

4. "Eagle":

   • The longest track on the album, "Eagle" has a more progressive rock influence, showing ABBA’s willingness to experiment with different musical genres. The soaring, atmospheric feel makes it a fan favorite.

5. "I'm a Marionette":

   • This theatrical song was part of the mini-musical The Girl with the Golden Hair, which was performed during their 1977 tour. It's one of ABBA’s darker, more dramatic songs, showing a different side to their usual upbeat pop.

Themes and Style:

• Musical Evolution: The Album represents ABBA's growth as songwriters and musicians. It features more sophisticated arrangements and themes than their previous works, with a greater focus on storytelling and musical complexity.

• Conceptual Elements: The final three tracks ("Thank You for the Music," "I Wonder," and "I'm a Marionette") are part of a mini-musical called The Girl with the Golden Hair, which was created for the band’s live performances. This suite of songs introduces theatrical elements, reflecting ABBA’s interest in blending pop with musical theatre.

• Pop and Disco: ABBA’s signature pop sound is still prominent on this album, especially on hits like "Take a Chance on Me" and "The Name of the Game." However, there are elements of disco, progressive rock, and even balladry that demonstrate their versatility.

Critical Reception:

• The Album was a commercial success, reaching the top of the charts in several countries, including the UK and Sweden. It didn’t perform as strongly in the US as some of ABBA's earlier records but still solidified their status as international pop superstars.
• Critics praised the album for its ambition and musical experimentation. Songs like "Eagle" and "The Name of the Game" were recognized for pushing the boundaries of ABBA’s traditional pop sound.

Legacy:

• Commercial Impact: The Album sold millions of copies worldwide and produced some of ABBA's most beloved songs. It continues to be celebrated by fans and music historians as an important step in ABBA's evolution.

• Musical Influence: Songs like "Thank You for the Music" became iconic beyond their initial release, often being performed in tribute concerts, ABBA-themed musicals (Mamma Mia!), and covers by various artists.

• Cultural Impact: The Album was tied to the release of ABBA: The Movie, which documented the band's 1977 tour of Australia. The film further boosted the album’s visibility and contributed to the growing ABBA phenomenon of the late '70s.

Conclusion:

The Album showcases ABBA at the height of their creative powers. With its mix of infectious pop hits, experimental sounds, and theatrical flourishes, it stands as one of the band’s most artistically ambitious works. Fans of vinyl will appreciate the richness and diversity of sound that The Album brings, making it a must-have for any collection.

We grade our LPs based on Goldmine grading:

• Mint (M): Perfect in every way. No scuffs, scratches, or signs of wear. The sleeve is also flawless.

• Near Mint (NM or M-): The record and sleeve are nearly perfect. The record may have very minor signs of use, like faint sleeve marks, but no noticeable defects.

• Very Good Plus (VG+): The record has slight wear, including light scuffs or minor surface noise, but still plays well. The sleeve may have some wear like slight ring wear or minor creasing.

• Very Good (VG): The record shows more significant wear, with visible scuffs or light scratches, and may have more noticeable surface noise or pops. The sleeve will have visible signs of aging or wear, such as seam splits or ring wear.

• Good Plus (G+) / Good (G): The record plays through without skipping but has considerable wear, including surface noise and scratches. The sleeve may have significant damage such as tears, writing, or heavy ring wear.

• Fair (F) / Poor (P): The record is heavily damaged, scratched, or warped, and may not play through without skipping or repeating. The sleeve will likely have extensive damage.
  
  Album cover grading:
  

  • Mint (M): Perfect condition, with no signs of wear. No seam splits, creases, ring wear, writing, or discoloration. Extremely rare.

  • Near Mint (NM or M-): The cover is nearly flawless. It may have the slightest hint of wear but no major defects. Corners are sharp, and no creases or fading.

  • Very Good Plus (VG+): The cover shows light wear, such as slight ring wear, small corner dings, or minor seam wear. There may be some small writing or a light crease, but overall it’s well-kept.

  • Very Good (VG): More noticeable wear, including ring wear, seam splits, small tears, or writing. The artwork may be slightly faded, but the cover is still functional and not heavily damaged.

  • Good Plus (G+) / Good (G): Significant wear, including heavy ring wear, noticeable seam splits, major creasing, or large amounts of writing. The cover may have significant damage but still holds the record.

  • Fair (F) / Poor (P): Extremely worn or damaged, with large tears, missing parts, major seam splits, or heavy writing. The cover may be heavily deteriorated or even unusable.