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Foot of the Mountain

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Foot of the Mountain is the ninth studio album by the Norwegian pop rock band A-ha. It was released on 19 June 2009 and reached No. 1 on the German Albums Chart[3] and No. 2 on the Norwegian Albums Chart.[4] In its first week in the UK, the album debuted at No. 5, the group's highest chart placing in that country since Stay on These Roads in 1988.[5]

The overall sound of the record marks a return to the synthpop style the band became famous for in the mid-1980s.[2] Keyboardist Magne Furuholmen describes the album thus: "It's an album that incorporates the key elements that first defined the band: soaring vocals, synth hooks, yearning lyrics and melodic melancholia."[2]

Foot of the Mountain was A-ha's last full-length album before their split in 2010. However, they did release a further compilation album 25 with their new single "Butterfly, Butterfly (The Last Hurrah)" before reuniting in 2015.

Recording process

In a 2007 interview with the Norwegian TV channel TVTromsø, Paul Waaktaar-Savoy expressed frustration over the time it took to produce new material with the band: "The trouble with us is that we're never in sync. Right now, I'm eager to get going on the new album. I'm telling everybody that the new album is coming out next year and that it's going to be great. But the other two are of course just starting to get into their solo projects again and want to prioritize those for the time being."[6] Getting around to recording the follow-up to Analogue took four years due to the individual projects of the band members. Paul's band Savoy released Savoy Songbook Vol. 1, Magne released his second solo album A Dot of Black in the Blue of Your Bliss and Morten Harket released his second English-language solo album Letter from Egypt. Despite touring quite extensively between 2005–08, the focus of the group was not directed towards recording. The album ended up being recorded in a relatively short period of time (between January - May 2009) with Steve Osborne, Mark Saunders and Roland Spremberg producing.[7]

The recording session took place in several studios around the world. In the US sessions were held at Water Music, Beat 360 and The Alabaster Room in New York City. In Norway recordings were made at Yoga Studio, Alabaster Cottage, Malabar Studio and Rainbow Studio. In the UK the band recorded at Real World Studios, whilst in Germany they used Gaga Studios and Boogie Park Studios.[2]

Inspirations

The track "Riding the Crest", named by Paul Waaktaar-Savoy as "an electro-blues", is heavily inspired by Arcade Fire and their album Neon Bible.[2] Being the principal songwriter on the album, Waaktaar-Savoy also got inspired by his changing surroundings, dividing his time between New York City and Oslo. "“Shadowside“ feels quite Norwegian in the melody, the chords and the mood. "The Bandstand" reminds me of my first trip to New York City in the early '80s, before A-ha were famous. Songs are like a photo-album – they can really send you back. And this one reminds me of arriving at Port Authority with in my pocket, sporting really high, yellow, almost see-through synthesizer-hair, wearing a tiger-shirt and a brown suit, looking like an alien!"[2] The title track, "Foot of the Mountain" – examines one of the fundamental conflicts of modern life, the pull between nature and big-city civilization: for Paul, the buzz of New York City versus the beauty and isolation of Norway: "It's the dilemma of loving a city life, yet secretly wondering if we'd be happier being surrounded by open fields and sweeping mountains."[2] "Real Meaning" is inspired by Waaktaar-Savoy calling home only to be greeted by his answering machine. The idea behind "Start the Simulator" was to make a heartfelt song using technical language: "The basic idea was to make a song using only technical terms and phrases, and still make it very emotional and personal. There is such poetry in the old Apollo manuals: "switch to Omni Bravo" and "the bright ejector blanket."[2] The latter should probably be "ejecta blanket."

Magne's solo work has been sampled extensively, with the song "Foot of the Mountain" originally appeared as a solo track, on Magne's last solo album and two tracks from the A-ha album, have borrowed parts from Magne's album.

Artwork

The album's artwork is designed by Martin Kvamme, who has worked with A-ha on previous occasions, both as a band and on solo projects. Stian Andersen, Guy Berryman, Istockphoto and Helge Kvamme supplied photographs for the inner sleeve.[2] Martin Kvamme said the following about the inspiration behind the cover art: "In this case the title helped quite a lot. I know that this is a somehow poetic quote and that they are not necessarily talking about a mountain, but we wanted something majestic and simple. That's also why we made it quite abstract. It's a picture of the mountain Kyrkja (the church) in Jotunheimen, Norway. Inside we have more images of Norwegian nature (in a collage style). But in general I guess the inspiration comes from the overall idea (production and songwriting/lyrics), rather than the album title."[8]

Reception

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
The Guardian[9]
The Observer[10]
Times Online[11]
Planet Sound[12]

The Norwegian newspaper Verdens Gang gave the album 4 out of 6 stars, calling the band: "Coldplay's half-potent uncles."[13] Dagbladet also gave it 4 out of 6, stating: "This is one of A-ha's best records, but it could have been a classic."[14] Aftenposten was also very positive, giving it 4 out of 6, whilst Dagsavisen had slight reservations giving it 3 out of 6.[15][16] Nettavisen also gave it 3 out of 6.[17] Swedish newspaper Norra Västerbotten gave the album a glowing review and the mark 4 out of 5 stating that the album contained: "Melodic synthpop in the vein of The Killers."[18] Göteborgs-Posten gave the album 4 out of 6, calling the album: "A late peak in the bands career, perfectly placed between the soundscapes of Keane, Coldplay and Depeche Mode."[19] Östgöta Correspondenten gave a favourable review stating: "It is clear to see where Coldplay get their inspiration from."[20] Kristianstadsbladet were less favorable, stating that the album was a: "Sleeping pill."[21]

Commercial performance

In the United Kingdom, the album debuted at number five on the UK Albums Chart, the band's highest chart position since 1988. Foot of the Mountain reached platinum status in Russia, and in January 2010 it was certified platinum in Germany.[22][23]

Track listing

No.TitleLyricsMusicProducer(s)Length
1."The Bandstand"Paul Waaktaar-SavoyMagne Furuholmen, Waaktaar-SavoyMark Saunders4:03
2."Riding the Crest"Waaktaar-SavoyFuruholmen, Waaktaar-SavoySteve Osborne, Erik Ljunggren, a-ha, Saunders[a]4:18
3."What There Is"Waaktaar-SavoyFuruholmen, Waaktaar-SavoyOsborne, Ljunggren, a-ha, Saunders[a]3:46
4."Foot of the Mountain"Furuholmen, Waaktaar-SavoyFuruholmen, Waaktaar-Savoy, Martin TerefeRoland Spremberg3:59
5."Real Meaning"Waaktaar-SavoyFuruholmen, Waaktaar-SavoyOsborne, Ljunggren, a-ha, Saunders[a]3:42
6."Shadowside"Waaktaar-SavoyWaaktaar-SavoyRoland Spremberg4:57
7."Nothing Is Keeping You Here"Waaktaar-SavoyWaaktaar-SavoyRoland Spremberg3:20
8."Mother Nature Goes To Heaven"Waaktaar-SavoyWaaktaar-SavoyRoland Spremberg, Saunders[a]4:11
9."Sunny Mystery"FuruholmenFuruholmenOsborne, Ljunggren, a-ha, Saunders[a]3:32
10."Start the Simulator"Waaktaar-SavoyWaaktaar-SavoySaunders, Spremberg5:12
Japanese edition bonus tracks[24]
No.TitleLength
1."Foot of the Mountain (Remix)"4:48
2."Foot of the Mountain (Erik Ljunggren Remix)"4:51
3."Foot of the Mountain (Boheme 7" Remix)"6:57
Notes
  • ^[a] contains elements produced by Mark Saunders

Credits and personnel

Additional musicians
  • Steve Osborne, Roland Spremberg, Chris Papendieck, Albert Bjerglund - guitars
  • Erik Ljunggren, Roland Spremberg, Chris Papendieck - keyboards
  • Steve Osborne, Roland Spremberg - bass
  • Karl Oluf Wennerberg, Jens Carstens, James Frazee - drums
  • André Orvik, Harald Aadland, Vegard Johnsen, Eileen Siegel, Jørn Halbakken, Alyson Read, Hans Mortem Stensland, Øyvind Fossheim, Bogumila Dowlasz-Wojcikowska, Dorthe Dreier, Stig Ove Ose, Ida Bryhn, Hans Josef Groh, Cecilia Götestam, Johannes Martens - strings

Release history

Region Date
Germany 12 June 2009
Poland
Norway 15 June 2009
Netherlands 19 June 2009
Austria
Switzerland
UK 27 July 2009
Canada 18 August 2009
Brazil 27 October 2009
Japan 4 November 2009
Argentina 18 February 2010[25]

Charts

Chart Peak
Austria Austrian Albums Chart[26] 11
Czechoslovakia Czech Albums Chart 40
European Union European Albums Chart 8
Germany German Albums Chart[27] 1
Greece Greek Albums Chart 18
Republic of Ireland Irish Albums Chart 72
Italy Italian Albums Chart 85
Japan Japanese Albums Chart 134
Luxembourg Luxembourgian Albums Chart 1
Netherlands Dutch Albums Chart 83
Norway Norwegian Albums Chart[28] 2
Poland Polish Albums Chart 17
Russia Russian Albums Chart 3
Sweden Swedish Albums Chart[29] 45
Switzerland Swiss Albums Chart[30] 12
United Kingdom UK Albums Chart[31] 5
United Nations World Albums Chart 29

Year-end charts

Chart (2009) Rank
German Albums Chart[32] 22

Certifications

Country Certifications
(sales thresholds) 		Sales
Germany Platinum[33] 200,000
Russia Platinum 20,000
Norway Platinum 45,000

References

  1. ^ http://www.amazon.de/Foot-Mountain--Ha/dp/B002A9OJ0Q/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1380765379&sr=1-1&keywords=foot+of+the+mountain
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i [1] Archived 2009-10-08 at the Wayback Machine
  3. ^ "A-ha til topps i Tyskland – kultur". Dagbladet.no. Retrieved 12 January 2012.
  4. ^ "A-ha – VG-lista. Offisielle hitlister fra og med 1958". Lista.vg.no. Retrieved 12 January 2012.
  5. ^ "A-ha rett inn på 5. plass – kultur". Dagbladet.no. Retrieved 12 January 2012.
  6. ^ "A-ha – interview 2007 – Nordlys (in norwegian)". YouTube. Retrieved 12 January 2012.
  7. ^ "A-ha – Foot Of The Mountain (File) at Discogs". Discogs.com. 4 May 2009. Retrieved 12 January 2012.
  8. ^ [2] Archived 2009-05-31 at the Wayback Machine
  9. ^ Sullivan, Caroline (24 July 2009). "A-ha: Foot of the Mountain". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 21 August 2009.
  10. ^ "Pop review: A-ha, Foot of the Mountain". The Observer. London. 12 July 2009. Retrieved 22 October 2009.
  11. ^ Paphides, Pete (17 July 2009). "Review: A-ha/Foot Of The Mountain". The Times. London. Retrieved 24 July 2009.
  12. ^ Earls, John. "Review: A-ha/Foot Of The Mountain". Teletext. Retrieved 22 July 2009.
  13. ^ "A-ha: "Foot Of The Mountain" – VG Nett om A-ha". Vg.no. Retrieved 12 January 2012.
  14. ^ "Framover i alle retninger – kultur". Dagbladet.no. Retrieved 12 January 2012.
  15. ^ Cecilie Asker Publisert: 09.06.09 08:24 Oppdatert: 27 October 2009. "Høydepunktene mangler – Oslo – Foot of the Mountain aha A-ha Oslopuls.no". Oslopuls.aftenposten.no. Retrieved 12 January 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  16. ^ "Gamle synther blekner : Dagsavisen". Dagsavisen.no. 9 June 2009. Retrieved 12 January 2012.
  17. ^ "TjA-ha – Nettavisen". Side2.no. Retrieved 12 January 2012.
  18. ^ "A-ha – Norran". Norran.se. 17 June 2009. Retrieved 12 January 2012.
  19. ^ [3][dead link]
  20. ^ "Östergötlands största nyhetssajt". Corren.se. Retrieved 12 January 2012.
  21. ^ "A-ha: Foot of the mountain – Skivrecensioner – Kristianstadsbladet – Nyheter dygnet runt". Kristianstadsbladet.se. 16 June 2009. Retrieved 12 January 2012.
  22. ^ Срок регистрации домена закончился
  23. ^ "MusikWoche | News | Universal und MM Merchandising Media veredeln A-ha mit Platin". Mediabiz.de. 25 January 2010. Retrieved 12 January 2012.
  24. ^ http://www.discogs.com/a-ha-Foot-Of-The-Mountain/release/2379035
  25. ^ "A-ha – Foot Of The Mountain". Musimundo.com. 18 February 2010. Retrieved 12 January 2012.
  26. ^ Austrian Album Chart Cited 26 March 2008
  27. ^ German Album Chart
  28. ^ Norwegian Albums Chart, Cited 26 March 2008
  29. ^ Swedish Album Chart , Cited 26 March 2008
  30. ^ Swiss album Chart page on Start Something in various European charts, Cited 26 March 2008
  31. ^ UK Album Chart
  32. ^ :: MTV | Album Jahrescharts 2009 | charts Archived 2010-12-30 at the Wayback Machine
  33. ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank ('Foot of the Mountain')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 28 January 2010.
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