Gangway "Whatever It Is" (2019)

Whatever It Is

release date: Apr. 5, 2019

format: cd

[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,38]

producer: Janus Nevel Ringsted, Henrik Balling

label: RCA, Sony Music - nationality: Denmark

Track highlights: 1. "The Sea the Moon and the Stars" - 2. "Colourful Combinations" - 3. "See If I Care" - 4. "Confident and Ordinary" - 6. "Don't Want to Go Home" - 10. "Always Crying"

8th studio album by Gangway follows more than two decades (22½ years) (!) after That's Life (Sep. 1996), which up to this surprisingly new collection of brand new material has been filed as the band's final. Perhaps, because the end-result never felt as a decent attempt to main songwriter Henrik Balling, he managed to re-unite the band in its original line-up as it was some 20 years ago with Allan Jensen on lead and backing vocals, Torben Johansen on keyboards, guitar & backing vocals, and with Henrik Balling on guitar, keyboards, programming & backing vocals. Co-producer Janus N. Ringsted is additionally credited keyboards, programming, drums and percussion. As of 2017 Balling already announced the band's ressurection, which led to a series of concerts as their comeback.

Stylistically, it doesn't seem like two decades has passed, and at times it does seem a bit dated when they take up tones of drum'n'bass and techno-pop reminding us all of the 1990s and especially Depeche Mode and Pet Shop Boys. And then, is this new album actually bettering their '96 album? The short answer is yes! It's definitely better, although, it's not up there among the band's best efforts. The national press met the album with appraisal and positive reviews - and the song "Colourful Combinations" - preceding the album as a single release in Jun. 2018 - has been played from the Summer of 2018 up until the album release on local and national radio stations, but that's almost the only great song on an entire album, although, it was followed by two more singles before launching the album: "Don't Want to Go Home" (Nov. 2018) and "Confident and Ordinary" (Mar. 2019).

The best thing is that the band got back together, and only the future will tell if they managed to follow-up on the good reviews. Thanks for the attempt, but it's not really great.

[ Gaffa.dk, Politiken, Ekstra Bladet 4 / 6, Jyllands-Posten 5 / 6 stars ]

Jensen "One Fine Day" (2001)

One Fine Day [debut]

release date: Mar. 2001

format: cd

[album rate: 3 / 5] [2,92]

producer: Kasper Winding

label: Virgin Records - nationality: Denmark

Track highlights: 1. "One Fine Day" - 2. "When You Smile" - 5. "Spring" - 6. "In Between"

Studio solo debut by Allan (Bondo) Jensen former vocalist of Gangway with an album released under the name of Jensen. The album is produced by Kasper Winding who also produced the final album by Gangway: That's Life (Sep. 1996). All eleven songs are credited Jensen - which is mildly surprising as he except from two to three songs exclusively delivered vocal throughout the discography of Gangway, and producer Winding is additionally (only) credited engineering and some backing vocals. The album has a total running time of 40 minutes.

Stylewise, it doesn't fall far from what Gangway delivered on their '96 album - with less focus on electronica and synthpop it's more of a softer version of contemporary pop with focus on melodic harmonies, and then the lyrics are all without the ironic tone that always stuck to the lyrics by Henrik Balling.

The title track, which was picked as promotional single, experienced some airplay, and that's also the best track on an album that mostly places itself in an anonymous corner without intentions to stir up anything, except perhaps good vibes. The album cover art - front, back, and tray - underlines the positivity of Jensen's mood: it's all about smiles, sunny weather and being happy all over.

After a good start the album soon comes to a stand-still and never really reveal anything but intentions to spread universal happiness via sugary arrangements and Jensen's expressionless vocal topping generic pop songs of little originality.

Gangway "Compendium - Greatest Hits" (1998)

Compendium - Greatest Hits, compilation

release date: Jan. 28, 1998

format: digital (18 x File, MP3)

[album rate: 3,5 / 5]

producer: various

label: BMG - nationality: Denmark

Compilation album by Danish synthpop band Gangway following the band's decision to call it quits in Sep. 1997 after poor sales numbers of their seventh studio album That's Life (Sep. 1996).

The album ums it up: Gangway was more than just 'one-hit wonders' - a term that was attributed the band after "My Girl and Me" open the doors to the British market in '86 but they weren't themselves aware of music business strategies and too many times ended up with people seing profit rather than a talent that needed nursing. The story is long, and it's full of examples of how you also need luck on your side, but the music is there to testify their talent. In the end the band was a trio consisting of songwriter and main composer Henrik Balling, keyboardist and other composer Torben Johansen, and vocalist Allan Jensen.

The eighteen songs here stem from all their seven studio albums from 1984 to 1996. They are mixed with one another but all show us the element of pop as a common denominator, and although, they have played with jangle pop, indie pop, r&b, and synthpop there's a positive spirit running through it all.

The debut album The Twist is only represented by one song: "Yellow", and their '96 finale only delivers two songs - revealing some of the feelings they have for that. The other albums deliver three songs each, except for The Quiet Boy Ate the Whole Cake (1991), which is the only be represented with four songs - again telling what that album means, and I'm completely with them: it was their best.

Gangway "That's Life" (1996)

That's Life

release date: Sep. 23, 1996

format: cd

[album rate: 3 / 5] [2,98]

producer: Kasper Winding

label: RCA Records / BMG Ariola - nationalit: Denmark

Track highlights: 1. "Come Back as a Dog" - 6. "You Will Say" - 9. "She Keeps Telling Jokes" - 12. "That's Life"

7th and final studio album by Gangway following 2½ years after Optimism© (Apr. '94). Newest member, Caj Boisen-Møller left the band reduced to a trio Dec. '94, and here main songwriter Henrik Balling, vocalist Allan Jensen and keyboardist Torben Johansen has handed the producer role to Danish pop-artist Kasper Winding, who apparently had approached the band with a wish to produce their next album. To great success, Winding had recently produced Cinemataztic (1995) by Caroline Henderson and the acclaimed Sjælland (1994) by C V. Jørgensen.

The style is still in the Pet Shop Boys' corner with a slightly warmer touch and now with more focus on the vocal side and less emphasis on the arrangements - making it a more stripped down album compared to the predecessor. The only negative aspect is the absense of great songs, which seems crucial in this case, because what's left then? They have turned to harmony and made an album of sugary-leaded arrangements but without a distinct quality or direction. Since their peak with The Quiet Boy Ate the Whole Cake (1991) they appear to have taken a wrong turn and ended up in a oneway-street with two stops on the way. They just kept pursuing down that road from one lesser release to another, finally to find themselves facing a wall and a long way out.

Some critics were extremely positive - the band had throughout their entire career always been fancied by the national music press, but the consumers and fans didn't exactly embrace the new album, which turned out as the band's commercially least successful release with round about only 10.000 sold copies. Subsequently, Gangway embarked on a short live-tour with the new songs, but already as of the following Spring '97 they initiated a tour with older material, which already came to an end in May '97, where they performed what was to be their final concert. After a short hiatus rethinking their mission, Gangway announced its disbandment in Sep. '97.

Allan Jensen released his only solo album One Fine Day in 2001. Henrik Balling continued in various music projects, most notably in the duo-project The Quiet Boy with Lester Noel, and Torben Johansen revived his old project-band Escape Artists.

That's Life may be better produced than both Optimism© and Happy Ever After but it just doesn't provide us with anything substantial or a new take. They always sought to make their most recent album something new - with a new stylistic blend, but they haven't been able to fulfill that part of their plan on their recent two albums. It's like they have no answer to how to get out of the overly positive pop-sound they have turned to. Listening to the album is like facing elevator or restaurant muzak that you just end up not listening to after all, and imho, That's Life is unfortunately one of their least favourable studio albums (not counting the '88 British re-release Sitting in the Park) and a sad way to end what always appeared as a promising career that was just about to sparkle. 1½ years following this they released the 18-track compilation album Compendium Greatest Hits (Jan. 1998) with 4 songs from the '91 album, 3 from Happy Ever After (1992) - where two songs are in new remixes - 3 from Optimism© (1994) - again with two new remixes - 3 from Sitting in the Park (1986), 2 songs from That's Life, and only 1 song from The Twist (1984), and then with two previously unreleased tracks.

That's Life is not really recommended and only betters the '94 low-point by a margin.

Gangway "Optimism©" (1994)

Optimism©
release date: Apr. 14, 1994
format: cd
[album rate: 3 / 5] [2,92]
producer: Henrik Balling, Illinton
label: Genlyd / BMG - nationality: Denmark

Track highlights: 1. "Endings" - 2. "Everything Seems to Go My Way" - 6. "A Million Words"

6th studio album by Gangway again following 1½ years after ther most recent studio album, Happy Ever After (Sep. '92). This time the album has been produced by main songwriter Henrik Balling together with Illinton [aka Lasse Mosegard] also credited bass programming. The title is actually the word "Optimism" followed by the letter 'G' in brackets as a variation of the copyright symbol [©] - cleverly referrencing 'Gangway'. For once, the band has managed to stay with the same label. Much as was the case with the '92 album Henrik Balling has composed the majority of the songs and (again) with Torben Johansen as songwriter of three compositions (tracks #6, #9, and #11), and with vocalist Allan Jensen as songwriter of track #4 (his first song on an album by Gangway). The band line-up remains unchanged but musically changes are evident. The sound is with a stronger emphasis on electronics without sounding like a follow-up to their '91 album. Now the style is closer to something in between New Order and Pet Shop Boys with a certain disco-feel, and Jesper Siberg (from Scatterbrain) is for the third consecutive album credited 'sound design'. It's still mostly primarily synth-pop with bits of sophisti-pop with an uptempo and danceable touch making it sound like a half-felt attempt to go in a dance club direction - perhaps inspired by Everything but the Girl?

It's an album practically without memorable tracks and I find it a new low point (not counting the British '88 re-release of Sitting in the Park) and their easily so far least favourable album.

Not recommended.

Gangway "Happy Ever After" (1992)

front cover: Balling & Johansen

Happy Ever After
release date: Sep. 17, 1992
format: cd (GENCD 187)
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,62]
producer: Henrik Balling, Torben Johansen
label: Genlyd - nationality: Denmark

Track highlights: 1. "No Need to Be Afraid" - 2. "You and Yours" - 3. "Didn't I Make You Laugh" - 4. "Once in a While" - 6. "Never Say Goodbye" - 7. "Mountain Song" (official video) - 8. "Blessed by a Lesser God"

5th studio album by Gangway following 1½ years after The Quiet Boy Ate the Whole Cake (1991) sees the two main songwriters, Henrik Balling and Torben Johansen back in the producer seat. This is primarily synth-pop although, they have turned down a bit on the drum machines and on the electronic arrangements, so that it turns out like something in between their second and their third albums. It's more or less the same band as on the '91 album, although, percussionist Cai Bojsen-Møller has been included as full member now making the band a quartet again. Shortly after leaving Elektra Denmark, the band signed with Genlyd, which was by now economically secured under the stable wings of BMG Ariola. The front cover shows Henrik Balling and Torben Johansen (the two producers) with Cai Bojsen-Møller and Allan Jensen left on the back cover. Balling is credited as songwriter of the majority of the songs while three tracks are credited Johansen (tracks #2, #4, and #6), and "You and Yours" and "Once in a While" are not only two of his best songs ever but are also highlights of the album. As on predecessor, Jesper Siberg is credited 'sound design', which basically means that he filled in as both sound engineer and a type of assistant producer.

On a national scale, Happy Ever After was quite succesful and compared to its predecessor it was also better received by both the press and the public. The album eventually earned the band four Danish Grammy Awards in Feb. '93 for Band of the Year, Best Danish Rock Release, Best Music-Video (for "Mountain Song") and Best Songwriter (Henrik Balling). Furthermore, "Mountain Song" was a major national hit and in hindsight it stands as one of the band's most frequently played songs ever. The album itself sold twice as many copies as their so far most popular album Sitting in the Park and reached 50.000 sold albums in Denmark alone, securing the position as the band's best-selling album ever.

Personally, I don't find that Happy Ever After is a big leap forward - in fact, I find it more of a minor step in... another direction. At first, I saw it as a lesser album, as it doesn't contain a bunch of truly remarkable tracks, or: original takes like is found on the '91 album. Two to three fine songs all appearing to try to revitalise the spirit of Sitting in the Park (1986) doesn't quite save the album as something extraordinary; however, that was a first verdict, and it's certainly more straight-forward, more simplistic, and also a quite coherent whole. It's definitely more mainstream-shaped than the predecessor, and then it fully lives up to its title. Furthermore, it's without the ironic distance the band had carried with them in whatever direction they pursued on their first two albums out. Happy Ever After turns out as a real feel-good pop album without intentions to claim they play rock or indie pop. Imho, this is clearly bettering their '86 and '88 albums by being more coherent and better produced. It may not live up to what they sat out for on the debut, and it doesn't follow a path of trying something different, and it feels like a more secure choice than the predecessor with which they took on a new experimental approach. Having said that, and in retrospect Happy Ever After has come to stand as the band's musical peak and Gangway's most popular album. In my mind, it still comes second to their '91 album, but it's still highly recommended.

back cover: Boisen-Møller & Jensen

Gangway "The Quiet Boy Ate the Whole Cake" (1991)

The Quiet Boy Ate the Whole Cake
release date: Mar. 21, 1991
format: vinyl (EL 0115-1) / cd (1993)
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,70]
producer: David Motion
label: Elektra Denmark - nationality: Denmark

Track highlights: A) 1. "Biology" - 2. "Strawberry Coat" (4 / 5) - 3. "Going Away" - 4. "Sisters in Legs" (4 / 5) - 5. "Believe in Me" - - B) 4. "Biology (Reprise)" - 5. "Buck" - 6. "Thermometer Song"

4th studio album (sometimes listed as the third - see below) by Gangway released on Elektra Denmark and reissued in '93 by Genlyd. The album was practically nearly five years in the making due to problems finding a proper record label during a time of tormoil. The band had been buried by many due to its split with former label Irmgardz..., the 'promised' international breakthrough simply didn't materialise after the acclaimed Sitting in the Park (1986), which had sent the band in the arms of huge label PolyGram on the sublabel of London Records, who crafted the alternate version (Jul. '88), and the band only found themselves released from their new contract due to conflicting interests between manager, sublabel and PolyGram. The band returned to Denmark and continued playing their older material. Still without a record contract they then went on an Asian tour in early '89, again, with a setlist primarily focusing on their early songs. Tensions within the band resulted in drummer Gorm Ravn-Jonsen then decided to leave Gangway reduced to a trio. Back in Denmark they now signed with Elektra Denmark (subdivision of Elektra) and they seemed finally in a position to focus on a new album. For the recording sessions the band remains a trio with composer of all songs, Henrik Balling as guitarist & backing vocalist, Allan Jensen on lead vocals (no longer playing bass), and with Torben Johansen on keyboards & backing vocals. Additionally, Kai Bojsen-Møller is now credited on drums but isn't an official member of the band - though he would be after the release - and Jesper Siberg (formerly member of Scatterbrain) is credited 'sound design'. On the album's back cover there's a photo of the three aforementioned (stable) members, and Bojsen-Møller's name is put with a clear blank spot after Balling, Jensen, and Johansen. Anyway, it's also quite obvious that there's hardly any use of traditional drums on the album.

Stylistically, this is closer to the style of Pet Shop Boys than they have ever been and it's clearly with focus on synth-pop with strict arrangements. What may seem like an odd choice is that the album is produced by David Motion, who also produced the rather unsuccesful '88 version of Sitting in the Park, but I guess the reassuring take is that the new album is made with a sound designer, 'cause frankly, Motion didn't exactly help shaping the right sound on the predecessor.

I recall, how several reviews were positive about the album when it came out but soon I also noticed how little attention it was paid by the national media and radio stations. It sort of marked a stylistic change the public hadn't expected. I for one was more than pleased about it, and still cannot understand why "Strawberry Coat" wasn't a bigger hit than "My Girl and Me" from the predecessor. Like "Sisters in Legs" it's quite original and catchy and absolutely great when played loud. I guess, the whole world had tuned in on grunge rock and neo-psychedelia, and if there's an opposite to that movement, it might be polished synth-pop, which explains why it didn't draw the attention it rightfully deserves. The album didn't bring the band new prizes and roughly sold about 20.000 copies. With Elektra the band continued its unfortunate tradition with weak management, or especially: poor promotion. Elektra Denmark simply didn't have the means to finance music videos and already as of Autumn '91 the band broke with Elektra, and stood without a contract...

Unfortunately, the vinyl pressing of the album wasn't that good, to put it mildly, so I had to purchase the cd as well. Building on a New Order and Pet Shop Boys-sound of familiar synth-pop, the album may not be the artistically most original album, but I find it the band's most solidly coherent with a bunch of great songs making it no less than their best album altogether.

Naturally recommended!

[ collectors' item ]

Gangway "Sitting in the Park" (1988)

Sitting in the Park

release date: Jul. 12, 1988

format: cd

[album rate: 2,5 / 5] [2,72]

producer: David Motion

label: London Records - nationality: Denmark

Track highlights: 1. "My Girl and Me" - 2. "Sitting in the Park" - 3. "The Loneliest Being" - 5. "Out on the Rebound From Love" - 7. "The Party's Over" - 8. "Do You Remember"

3rd studio album by Gangway is aka Sitting in the Park (Again!) (marked on a sticker put after the title) released on London Records and produced by David Motion. It follows 2½ years after the original Sitting in the Park (1986) released on the now defunct Danish label Irmgardz... The '86 album had only been released in Scandinavia (and Japan in '92) and the band's new label, London Records (sublabel of PolyGram), had initially wanted to reissue the album but unable to get the master tapes they simply had the band re-record some of their older compositions from the Irmgardz... years with six songs stemming from the '86 album, two from the '84 debut The Twist, an '85 A-side single, and (only) one new song: "Here's My House". The album is most often filed alongside their other studio albums; however, what it more resembles is that of a re-issue, or perhaps a contemporary "remix" album. Their step into the British market was over before it even began. Apparently, conflicts between the band manager, London Records, who focused on other acts, and the mother company, combined with a (too) long time spent getting the album finished, Gangway was shelved practically before launching what they thought was an upcoming English adventure. They were instead positioned for the German market and subsequently released from their contract, which meant that the album (again) wasn't promoted in Britain and ended up selling only approx. 17.000 copies.

Stylewise, it's somewhat obvious that David Motion wanted to update the sound and rearrange the songs in an attempt to make it a coherent whole by changing the original diverse compositions originating from various releases. A few of the new versions don't sound all that different but several compositions are near unrecognisable and what's worse: none to the better. Motion has made all the songs more dynamic, more strict but he has also managed to scrape away the charm or warmth of the original recordings. The two songs from the The Twist: "The Loneliest Being" and "Violence, Easter and Christmas" are basically ruined, and what was highlights on the original releases are here like grey and dull cover versions. Of course, you cannot completely turn a deaf ear to the songwriting talent of Henrik Balling & Co., which is why you still find highlights here, but the intended boost to the band's popularity simply falls flat here.

Not recommended. Instead listen to The Twist and / or the '86 version of Sitting in the Park.

Gangway "Sitting in the Park" (1986)

Sitting in the Park
release date: Feb. 1986
format: vinyl (IRMG 14) / cd (1993 reissue)
[album rate: 3 / 5] [3,22]
producer: Søren Wolff
label: Irmgardz... - nationality: Denmark

Track highlights: A) 1. "The Party Is Over" - 2. "My Girl and Me" (promotion clip) - 4. "Sitting in the Park" - 5. "Yesterday, When I Was Drunk" - - B) 1. "Once Bitten Twice Shy" (4 / 5) (video) - 2. "This Can't Be Love"

2nd studio album by Gangway follows 14 months after The Twist (Nov. '84) is released on Irmgardz and reissued on Genlyd / Sony BMG in 1993. The line-up has changed as drummer Jan Christensen has left and new replacement is Gorm Ravn-Jonsen. Also Torben Johansen (former Escape Artists) has now joined on guitar, keyboards & backing vocals. Allan Jensen remains the band's vocalist & bassist, and guitarist & keyboardist Henrik Balling is now credited as composer and arranger of all tracks.

The sound has changed a bit on this album, and is no longer The Smiths- but more Madness-inspired, which means a move to more mainstream pop/rock and sophisti-pop, and gone are the simple guitar-based compositions. The album was without doubt the band's commercial breakthrough in Denmark, but it didn't make the band more wanted abroad. Although, this is a much more uniform album, with songs pointing in the same direction, I still saw this as a bit of a disappointment, as I found it too mainstream sounding, and basically just lacking the original and simple sound they had on their first release. Yes, "My Girl and Me" is fine but not really great, but the majority of Danish music buyers and the national radio station DR P3 all embraced it as an improvement and obviously saw it as a potential commercial hit abroad, which it came close to be via heavy rotation on MTV and airplay on US (West Coast) college radio stations; however, before spreading the news and signing distribution deals the label stood knee-deep in financial difficulties and eventually went bankrupt in March '87 after which Gangway signed with PolyGram. The album sold approx. 25.000 copies from sales exclusively from the distribution in Scandinavia.

My favourite track was "Once Bitten Twice Shy", although, I find the single version somewhat altered with more strings and heavier arrangements on the album. The album is Gangway's last with Irmgardz..., and according to songwriter Henrik Balling it was on initiative of the band that they decided to leave the label as they weren't paid any royalties for their music, but instead the label closed and the band ended up signing with PolyGram, who wanted a "safe release", and initially simply wanted to buy the rights from the closed Danish label and re-release the album - but instead ended up releasing some of the band's older songs in new arrangements but was released as Sitting in the Park (Again!) (1988).

Gangway "Out on the Rebound From Love" (1985) (single)

Out on the Rebound From Love, single
release date: 1985
format: digital
[single rate: 3,5 / 5]

Tracklis: A) 1. "Out on the Rebound From Love" (4 / 5) (live performance at the Danish Live Aid project Music for Africa, 1985) - - B) 1. "Paris, Mexico" (2,5 / 5)

Single release by Gangway originally a 7'' vinyl disc released on Irmgardz and reissued on the compilation album Re-Master Piecies (2002). The A-side was never included on any studio albums, which is really a shame. I recall their fine live version at Danish Live Aid project Music for Africa in 1985 after the international Live Aid show. The live performance has such a strong dynamic sound thanks to Balling's guitar playing. It's quite obvious that The Smiths was an inspiration for the A-side composition, Allan Jensen's phrasing as well as some of the lyrics resemble words by Morrissey, but still, it's an original and very strong song.

Gangway "Once Bitten, Twice Shy" (1985) (single)

Once Bitten, Twice Shy, single
release date: 1985
format: digital
[single rate: 3,5 / 5]

Tracklist: A) 1. "Once Bitten, Twice Shy" (4 / 5) (live performance at the Danish Live Aid project Music for Africa, 1985) - - B) 1. "Can You Believe This?" (3 / 5)

Single release by Gangway originally a 7'' vinyl disc released on Irmgardz and reissued on the compilation album Re-Master Piecies (2002) in an alternate version. The A-side was included on the second album Sitting in the Park. The B-side is not that bad but more of a lounge and jazz pop composition.

Gangway "The Twist" (1984)

The Twist [debut]
release date: Nov. 1984
format: vinyl (Irmg. 10) / cd (1993 re-issue)
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,58]
producer: Gangway
label: Irmgardz... - nationality: Denmark

Track highlights: A) 1. "Yellow" (4 / 5) - 4. "Everything We've Ever Had" (4 / 5) - 5. "What?" - - B) 1. "The Loneliest Being" - 2. "Violence, Easter and Christmas" - 3. "On the Roof" - 4. "Call Up" (Danish Live Aid '85)

[ video by Irmgardz... ]

Studio debut album by Danish band Gangway originally released on Irmgardz... and reissued by Genlyd in 1993. The band was formed in 1982, and had some changes in its line-up but at the point of this release Gangway is: Henrik Balling on guitars, keyboards and vocals, Allan Jensen on lead vocals and bass, Jan Christensen on drums, and with Gorm Ravn-Jonsen on 'miscellaneous' (credit notes on the back cover). The band was a blow of fresh air, and something that was noticed internationally, and also in Britain. The band was more or less put in the same category as The Smiths who had only just released its debut album.

The Twist showcases the same type of melancholic jangle pop as The Smiths, Aztec Camera or Everything But the Girl but also uphold a touch of jazz-pop / lounge elements and bits of sophisti-pop, which would be more accentuated later on. It's not really a very coherent album and it points to many sources of inspiration such as post-punk bands like The Cure, Siouxsie and the Banshees, as well as new stylistic approaches of jangle pop. Tracks like "What?" and "On the Roof" are more experimental neo-psychedelic and sounds as if taken from The Glove's debut Blue Sunshine (1983), whereas "Call Up" could have been included on an album by ska revival band Madness. Henrik Balling is credited all words & music except "Yellow" written by Allan Jensen, and along the way, Balling would prove to be the band's main songwriter and composer.

Despite the obvious strong inspiration from other British artists, I really see this as their visionary debut and also their best album for years, although, they gained more popularity with the successor Sitting in the Park (1986). In retrospect, I consider The Twist their overall third-best album.

Recommended.