Aquarium: 74

Whenever a person that knows me discovers my best-kept secret (that I like Aqua and actually went out and bought Aquarium), I end up feeling unbelievably bashed. I'm going to attempt to explain for once and for all why I like this semi-mindless pop group and feel they're worthy of a 74 rating. The first single off of the album, "Barbie Girl" produced mixed results. It sparked people's interests, regardless of whether or not they liked it, but everyone had an opinion. I thought it was the best thing I'd heard that summer. I've heard people say the lyrics were disappointing. What?! They were deliberately and obviously simple, catchy, and clearly defined the point. As for the music, it's some of the best Europop I've ever heard in my life. I found the song (the first fifty times I heard it) to be thrillingly catchy. Of course, overplay can wreck any song or group and readers of this should take that into consideration when dealing with a group like Aqua. And the vide! o? Original, eye-catching, and in my opinion way better than any of the other videos released at the same time. Next came "Lollipop Candyman". The lyrics on this song were hurtin', I admit, but hey this is pop. As for the music, it produced the same excited effect in me. I couldn't believe that I actually liked this crazy group from Denmark, and heaven forbid I tell anyone. I was already considering buying it at this point. Then came "Dr. Jones" and my decision was made. Aqua is the best dance/pop group of the nineties, and they soar above every other group in their genre. I exited my house incognito and snatched the CD up, terribly excited to listen to it (with headphones, of course). And yes, I admit, I love it. The only song I don't like is the first one, "Happy Boys and Girls" because it is a tad too cheesy for me, but every other song is a potential single. I guess I still can't explain with words what it is that I find so very appealing about their style and sound, but I! have found a few other closet Aqua-lovers. If you like any of their first three singles, you are guaranteed to like the entire album,(this is not to say all the songs sound alike they actually vary) and if you hated Barbie Girl right from the start for whatever reasons, you'd probably give this CD a big fat zero. But I have an immense interest in music, I own tons of CDs, and most dance and top forty music does nothing for me. But Aqua...they're just something else!

Review by: A.J.