Retro Spins: Roxette - Pearls Of Passion

I told myself, "Self, one day I really need to get around to tracking down the debut studio album from Roxette, and finally hearing it. What usually deterred me from this was that when I put in the effort to do so, it was always so expensive for how scarce it is on CD (and vinyl and cassette too) from only being released initially in Scandinavia and Canada.

With the average seller on ebay having it listed for $200.00, that was always a hard pass every time I looked. I was finally able to come across one on Discogs from a US seller who wasn't looking to rake anyone over the coals, finally getting this into my collection for a very mere fraction of the usual asking price.

The duo consisted of friends Marie Fredriksson and Per Gessle, who were both already established acts in Sweden before forming the group. Initially, they worked together in the band, Gyllene Tider, with Frederikkson being offered a solo career by tproducer, Lars-Göran "Lasse" Lindbom after initially auditioning for the group. However, she would decline, stating she didn't feel she had the confidence for such a task.

Frederiksson would eventually take the opportunity, and released her first solo album, Het vind in 1984. This was followed by 1986's Den sjunde vågen, released just before she began working on the debut album for Roxette.

Gessel on the other hand began releasing solo work in 1983 with his self titled debut, Per Gessle. This was followed by 1985's Scener, which featured Frederiksson on backing vocals. It was during this time that the two were prompted to consider working together to record a song in English by CEO of EMI, Rolf Nygren. Though Frederiksson was initially warned against participating, Gessel began working on translating Svarta glas, translated as Black Glasses into English. When completed, it would become their first single, Neverending Love.

When it was released in the summer of 1986, Neverending Love sold 50,000 copies, prompting the duo to quickly get to work on an official debut album. Though it took some time upon its release, Pearls Of Passion eventually sold 280,000 copies in Sweden. Its initial single, and follow up, Soul Deep were released outside of Sweden, but failed to garner any attention.

Well, America, you don't know what you were missing. Firing up Pearls Of Passion, I was immediately greeted by two old friends, and the opener, Soul Deep. From there, they continued to deliver with Secrets That You Keep, I Call Your Name, Neverending Love, Call Of The Wild, Joy Of A Toy, From One Heart To Another, Like Lovers Do, and So Far Away. Pretty much the entire album was good stuff.

I will say that their debut is a bit more synth pop oriented than their follow-up, and albums since. Despite this, it stands on its own legs. It doesn't rely on the coattails of Roxette's later success to be worth hearing. Frankly, it made me want to dig in a bit to their solo efforts to see if they're any good.

This one is definitely a hidden gem that is worth checking out. Expensive, for sure, but worth checking out. If nothing else, catch it on Youtube.

A second attempt, so to speak, at their debut album occurred in 1987 with the limited country released remix album, Dance Passion. However, this too failed to attract many listeners. Pressing forward, Roxette departed for Rock runt riket (Rock Around The Kingdom) with additional acts, Eva Dahlgren and Ratata. The three would then collaborate on the single, I Want You.

Frederiksson would then head back to the studio for a third solo effort, 1987's ... Efter stormen. It would become her biggest solo effort, reaching number one, and being certified platinum. That same year she would also win awards at 1987 Rockbjörnen Awards for Best Swedish Album, and Best Swedish Female.

Despite her solo success, Roxette would release the single, It Must Have Been Love (Christmas For the Broken Hearted). While it was successful in Sweden, reaching number five, international divisions of EMI opted to not release the track outside of the country.

An international breakthrough was on the horizon with the forthcoming Look Sharp (1988), and from there, Roxette took the world by storm. They would go on to release studio albums through 2016's Good Karma, continuously releasing platinum accredited albums through 2011's Charm School. Throughout these decades, both Frederiksson (through 2013) and Gessel (latest as of 2024) continued to focus on equally successful solo careers. Tragically, Frederiksson passed away in 2019 after a seventeen year battle with cancer.

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THIS WEEK ON THE CHARTS
September 2, 1989

 

Retro Spins: Roxette - Look Sharp

By 1988, the decade's music had evolved past New Wave, and people really weren't experimenting all that much. Artists were playing it safe, not straying far from their comfort zones. For me, I had no hopes, or really any desires, to hear anything new. Then Roxette hit the scene.

No, their 1988 entry wasn't their first album. That honor goes to their 1986 album, Pearls Of Passion - An album I still have not heard to this day. However, Look Sharp is the one which launched them into the limelight.

The energy level is high with the intro guitar to The Look let's you know you're about to be strapped in for high octane rock. It led the way for the duo's success, hitting the charts at number fifty and fired it's way all the way to the number one spot in less than two months. Dressed For Success soon entered the charts, and while it's a great track, sputtered out at number fourteen.

Then came Listen To Your Heart, a lovely ballad led by Marie Fredriksson, rest in peace. This would become the band's second number one hit, but not its last chart topper. Dangerous carried the band into the early 90's, staying at number two for two consecutive weeks before dropping back down and off the charts.

This success led to their third number one hit, It Must Have Been Love. However, this song was never featured on any of the band's studio album. Instead, it was reserved for the soundtrack, Pretty Woman. At this point, Roxette was also hard at work touring and writing material for their 1991 follow up, Joyride.

However, let's take a step back for now and actually fire up Look Sharp. Admittedly, it's been years since I've heard it from start to finish. Regardless, it remains familiar, like an old friend who's stopped by to see you for the first time in 30+ years, yet you pick up right where you left off.

My opinion of the album may be a bit bias, as I find little fault in it. Of the thirteen tracks, I note but a handful to be skip worthy. It's because of this, it would be a shorter list for me to tell you what those particular tracks are; Cry, Half A Woman - Half A Shadow and (I Could Never) Give You Up.

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