2017 - July 31 - (Seemingly) Nonstop July

For the longest time, the biggest Norwegian pop export was a-ha, and they were largely seen as a one-hit wonder thanks to their hit Take On Me, originally released in 1984, but finally charting in October 1985 following the third release of the single (second version). However, their career is filled with rock solid albums - already on their second album, Scoundrel Days, their sound was changing away from the very straightforward 80s synth pop of their debut album, Hunting High And Low. After what I consider a misstep with their sickeningly poppy Stay On These Roads (redeemed by the James Bond song The Living Daylights), they struck back with a vengeance with their fourth album, East Of The Sun, West Of The Moon in 1990.

East Of The Sun, West Of The Moon is a great album as a whole. It opens with a tastefully done (yet overly sweet) version of the Everly Brothers' Crying In The Rain but from the sentimental opening directly into upbeat pop and through heavy brooding and many emotions in between before it ends with today's little ditty. On the last day of July, I thought that (Seemingly) Nonstop July would be appropriate...