Tim: For their second release, A*Base (or more likely their management) have chosen one of Ace of Base’s actual hits – I think they must have read my request from last time.
Tom: This is the first time, I think, that I’ve really cared about what a tribute-and-covers band is doing to the original artist’s tracks. I was too young to “get” A*Teens and ABBA: but Ace of Base was music I grew up with.
Tim: And, well…
Tim: …it’s actually really good.
Tom: It is as well. I wasn’t expecting that.
Tim: The original could roughly be described as reggae-infused pop; this could roughly be described as techno-infused pop, and I think it works really, really well.
Tom: I always thought that All That She Wants was one of the weaker Ace of Base singles, but this does a pretty good job with it nevertheless. There’s some counterpoint that wasn’t there before in the chorus, and the broken percussion works too.
Tim: It is, in fact, roughly what the song would be if Ace of Base themselves were recording it right now, and from a teen tribute act I reckon that’s entirely what we should be asking for. A great original song with a great refresh for modern audiences.
Tom: I think I’d be happier if it was some sort of official remix, with the original vocals or, better yet, the original vocalist. In a world where there are a hundred half-assed cash-in cover versions on Spotify for every popular track, this doesn’t stand out enough. It’s good, but it’s not spectacular.
Tim: And now I really, really want them to do Life is a Flower.
Tom: Now that, I’d like to hear.