I agree with those who say that Arista is trying to stop AoB's success on the US. After destroying the great european album "Flowers" and releasing an average US version called "Cruel Summer", they did something else to "Singles Of The 90's". They removed 6 tracks and replaced them with 2 average remixes. Actually I like all the tracks on this CD. But where are "Happy Nation", "Living In Danger", "Never Gonna Say I'm Sorry" ?? Why did they include the acoustic version of "Lucky Love" instead of the original ? And of the 3 new AoB tracks released, they chose "C'est La Vie (Always 21)", the weaker of the 3. The only things I liked is the remix of "Everytime It Rains", better than the version on "Singles Of The 90's", and the fact that there is "Life Is A Flower" on it which wasn't on "Cruel Summer". So, you understood, buy "Singles Of The 90's" insted of this "Greatest Hits".

Don't get me wrong. I am, in no way, putting down Ace of Base. Honestly, I do not think they have received their much deserved credit here in the US. Arista has never fully promoted the group well after their disappointing follow-up ("The Bridge") to the mega-hit album "The Sign." This "Greatest Hits" package is OK, but by no means a solid Grade-A compilation. Granted, it has essential tracks like "All That She Wants," and "The Sign," but is missing some major works like "Never Gonna Say I'm Sorry," and the original album version of "Everytime It Rains." While it does include some European gems such as "Life Is A Flower," it lacks on new material, only supplying "C'est La Vie (Always 21)" from their much more comprehensive Euro hits package "Singles of the 90s." The inclusion of their newest songs "Hello Hello" and "Love In December" would have helped immensely. Instead, we get two so-so remixes of songs that are better left untouched. Bypass this collection and shell out the bucks for "Singles of the 90s."

I honestly don't understand why people insist this is such a mediocre album. After all, these are Ace of Base's biggest hits, they would not necessarily be on here if people didn't listen to them.

1. All That She Wants - (4/5) One of their first big hits in the U.S. Very simplistic song with infectious reggae beats.
2. The Sign - (5/5) Another big hit for them that made them huge in the U.S. (In the 90's anyway.) Once again, very simple lyrics to go with the simple lyrics. Not the best vocals from Jenny or Linn, but still a worthy song.
3. Everytime It Rains - (6/5) First, mad props for making it more upbeat and danceable. The album version on Cruel Summer is horrible. This should have been a release in the U.S. I don't think it would have created the splash that "The Sign" did, but still would have done nicely on the Dance Charts. Lyrics are sometimes silly. ("I feel you, I taste you, I cannot forget, Everytime it rains, I get wet").
4. Beautiful Life - (6/5) Their first single from The Bridge and a great one at that. The quartet left the reggae beats behind for a more infectious piano intro that goes straight into dancing bliss. Another excellent single which should have done better than the Top 20 in the U.S.
5. Cruel Summer - (3/5) The mediocre cover that saw their status on the charts fading. Granted it was their last Top 10 hit, it didn't cause the uproar they wanted for their third album. The song, though danceable, sounds way too much like filler.
6. Don't Turn Around - (4/5) It's kind of odd considering that all their singles from The Sign are first on the listing, but I guess it's good to come back to their trite formula of simple lyrics and the reggae beats. Usually I skip this one though.
7. Lucky Love - (5/5) At first, I was upset because it was the Acoustic Version so I listened to the dance one. But this one is so much better than the remix! It's simple again, but appreciated so much more! Great single from them!
8. Always Have, Always Will - (5/5) A definate favorite of mine. It sounds like the hey day's of the 60's which sounds great for their style of music. Wasn't released in the U.S. as a single which was a shame because I think listeners would have appreciated their diversity.
9. Life Is A Flower - (6/5) An excellent ballad which went flat on Cruel Summer as "Whenever You Need Me." That single bombed in the U.S. which is a clear sign that "Life Is A Flower" has more powerful lyrics and has some of the best vocals from Jenny and Linn. Truly inspirational song with inspiration lyrics like "We live in a free world, I whistle down the wind, Carry on smiling, and the world will smile with you,"
10. C'est La Vie (Always 21) - (6/5) Sounds like Always Have, but is so much better! Lyrics are a little simple but the beat is what really makes this song worthwhile! The bubbly 60's pop is instant ear candy!
11. Lucky Love (Remix) - (2/5) I used to appreciate the remix better than the Acoustic, but I think this version shatters the emotion from the song. It's a very mellow song which shouldn't be floor filler in clubs.
12. Beautiful Life (Remix) - (1/5) This 8 or so minute remix was not necessary. They could have thrown some better material in here, like the songs we missed from Flowers (i.e. "Life Is A Flower" "Into The Sun" and "Captain Nemo.")

Rumor has it that Ace of Base is working on their next album and I can't wait! This is a great way for people who either are oblivious to the group to get a feel for them or for people who just love pop music.

When Ace of Base burst onto the scene, the ABBA comparisons were obvious. 2 guys (mostly the creative force) and 2 girls (one blonde and one brunette who provide most of the vocals) from Sweden. However, times had changed since ABBA. ABBA's music was often either spanish-influenced (Fernando, Chiquitita), disco-oriented (Dancing Queen, Does Your Mother Know), or heavily dramatic (The Winner Takes it All, When All is Said and Done). Ace of Base often fused reggae with the euro-dance sound of the early 90's. Fusing these genres created an Ace of Base sound that was all their own and really nothing like what ABBA had done at all.

I owned both of Ace of Base's first 2 albums (The Sign and The Bridge) and enjoyed them immensely. However, with over 1000 CD's in my collection, I started to thin out the heard where possible. When this Greatest Hits collection was issued, I bought it to replace my other 2 CD's. However, much to my chagrin, it did not include "Living in Danger" or "Never Gonna Say I'm Sorry". I HATE it when record companies leave key tracks off of a Greatest Hits compilation. I love the songs here, but if you are looking for a comprehensive collection that includes all of Ace of Base's US hits, this is not it. You might try looking for the import version that does include those songs.

I'm a fan of Ace of Base and yet I was still disappointed with this compilation. For starters only six of the 12 tracks were actual singles. Arista apparently didn't think "Living In Danger" being a Top 20 hit wasn't "great" enough. And then we get to the confusing stuff...Arista claimed in 1998 that "Life is a Flower" was too European; they made Ace of Base re-do the song ("Whenever You're Near Me" was the result). But now, after "Life is a Flower" became the #1 airplay song of 1998 in Europe, apparently it's not too European. And then Arista chooses the poorest ("C'est la Vie (Always 21)")of the 3 new songs Ace of Base recorded for this compilation album. The other 2 unbeleivably awesome songs can be found on the European counterpart to this album, "Singles of the 90s," which doesn't use 2 pointless remixes to fill up space. Needless to say, Arista had nothing to do with the release of "Singles" - which is probably why it is so much better. Shell out the extra 10 dollars for "Singles of the 90s." The only positive thing that comes out of this is the extraordinary Metro remix of "Everytime It Rains" which is only available in its original version on "Singes of the 90s."