In Europe, ABBA's post-Eurovision slump was finally conquered during mid-'75 and early-'76 by a hat-trick of hits: 'SOS', 'Mamma Mia' and 'Fernando'. Their first Greatest Hits collection emphasised this development by becoming the biggest selling UK album of 1976. Later that year, the group released the flagship single from their third studio album. 'Dancing Queen' became an instant classic and is still filling dance-floors 23 years later (bafflingly, it was also ABBA's only US#1...). Like its parent album, it is an example of perfect pop: heavy on the feel-good factor; spectacular vocals (listen to it on headphones for ultimate effect) and brimful of energy.

'Arrival' followed towards the end of the year. It not only delivered on the promise of 'Dancing Queen' but it wiped the floor with the band's previous albums. U2's Bono recently described ABBA's music as having "a pure joy" and 'Arrival' encapsulates this like no other ABBA album, even if it does include the heartbreak classic 'Knowing Me, Knowing You'. The irresistibly bouncy opener, 'When I Kissed The Teacher', plants a smile on your face and tracks like 'Money, Money, Money', the blues-lite 'Why Did It Have To Be Me?' and the effervescent 'That's Me' keep it there. Even the lyrically daft 'Dum Dum Diddle' has its own charm. It's surprising that only three singles were released from this album. The lush tear-jerker 'My Love, My Life' and the glam 'Tiger' would surely have been powerful chart contenders at the time.

This is an album where all of the pieces fell into place. The production and arrangements were assured and pristine. The contrasts between the women's voices were beautifully exploited. The cover, depicting the group sitting in a helicopter (white jump-suits present and correct), became one of ABBA's most famous images. For a '70s album, there is a refreshing lack of pretentiousness here.

Although ABBA have produced other terrific albums and a staggering number of classic tunes, 'Arrival' is probably the album where the spark and the magic are most evident. It is, essentially, the sound of ABBA firmly hitting their stride. This is an essential purchase and, with 'Fernando' thrown in as a bonus track, few could argue that the budget price is not worth the risk.

(P.S. - a note to PolyGram. Although the remastering of this album has been handled better than the others in the series, half of the original artwork is missing (including the lyrics) and the on-disc label is a crime against graphic design. Have you no shame? )

This is ABBA's first really massive album, and makes them a global hit world wide, and eventually one of the biggest groups the world has ever known. Containing two number 1 hits and a brilliant range of back up songs too, this is one of ABBA's finest releases, with the possible exceptions of the "Super Trouper" and "The Visitors" albums. Dancing Queen, one of ABBA's most popular and succesful songs is the second song on the album. Knowing Me, Knowing You, with its beautiful vocals by Frida and perfect background sound, is a favourite of many. Money Money Money is another Frida solo song, with a dramatic style that contrasts other songs such as the sexy duet Why Did It Have To Be Me, the cheerful That's Me, the celtic title track Arrival, and My Love, My Life which is an incredible song. Over all, best songs are Knowing Me Knowing You, Money Money Money, Dancing Queen, aswell as the opening song When I Kissed The Teacher - a classic ABBA melody. No ABBA collection can do with out this!

this is an album of contrasts, in which abba showed undeniable sounds of absolute pop greatness that was to follow, it is still marred by a few poor bubblegum songs which are remnants of the group's early days; however, 'arrival' contains abba's two best songs; 'dancing queen' and 'knowing me, knowing you' are pop classics of contemporary music, the former, the group's most engaging song, a masterpiece of early disco, with sweeping strings, glissando piano, a tremendous bassline, and then those angelic vocals; and the melody, it simply defies words; 'knowing me, knowing you' is possibly abba's best constructed song, majestically produced, carefully yet seemingly effortlessly executed; besides the melody, the vocals, there is a melodramatic lyric, and that guitar solo, ranked by UK rock magazine MOJO among the 100 best of all time; 'dum dum diddle', unashamedly bubblegum, is so irresistible it becomes one of those guilty pleasures, and 'money money money', another signature abba song, among else rides on an awesome bassline and great guitar work; side two unfortunately brings several drops in quality, most notably 'why did it have to be me' and 'tiger', however, it is forgiven considering the rest

This CD is the "Arrival" of ABBA into the world at large. "Dancing Queen", one of the top ten songs of God knows what period of time, as well as one of my all-time favorite songs, "Dum Dum Diddle", are on this CD. Also on this CD are "When I Kissed The Teacher", "Why Did It Have To Be Me", "Knowing Me, Knowing You", and many others too. The title track, "Arrival", isn't that great, but it's OK as well. A must have for any ABBA fan. Fave Tracks: Dum Dum Diddle, Knowing Me, Knowing You, When I Kissed The Teacher

"My Love My Life", "Dum Dum Diddle" and "That's Me" - this album has THREE superbly crafted tracks that almost never make their way into compilations, for reasons that are beyond me.

"My Love My Life" is a bittersweet farewell ballad not inferior to "One of Us" (also a rather poor scorer in compilations, for some reason) or "Knowing Me Knowing You".

"Dum Dum Diddle" is perhaps the strongest example (along with "I Do I Do I Do I Do") of ABBA's formidable skill of matching a perfect melody with its crystal female vocals. The ultimate in ABBA's feelgood factor delivery.

As for "That's Me" - it will be a revelation for anyone who had too much of compilation diet. It is a true gem - melody and rhytm blended into a real hit, powerful and tender, forward and sensitive at the same time.

For these songs alone, the album is worth buying. You know all about the remaining tracks already - check other reviews.