The Daily Roxette

Rox on Nordic Rox and in Borlänge

Thomas Evensson — Thu, 31 May 2012 10:42:15 +0300

This Sunday, June 3, at 8 pm EST Sirius XM will broadcast a Nordic Rox Roxette tour special on The Spectrum. The whole 3 hour show will be devoted to Roxette's South American tour with lots of nice talking and pure Roxette music. Tune in!

On a side note, and this will drive Sweden's hardcore rockers nuts: Roxette will perform on the Peace & Love festival in Borlänge, Sweden June 27. Other acts to perform there are Billy Idol, Rihanna and Kent to mention a few.

New single to be out soon

Thomas Evensson — Thu, 24 May 2012 12:27:28 +0300

Per, being back in Sweden, just revealed on Facebook that the next single off Travelling will be "Touched by the Hand of God". Per wants a video, but "where do we find the time for that??" he wonders. Nothing more is known at this time.

Glass Tiger to open for Roxette in Canada

Lars-Erik Olson — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 20:04:07 +0300

NEW YORK – Glass Tiger, a Canadian pop-rock group signed to EMI and best known for their 1986 hit "Don't Forget Me When I'm Gone" (which reached #1 in Canada and #2 on the Billboard chart here in the U.S.) will open for Roxette at all seven concerts in Canada when the tour comes to North America at the end of August.

Part of the success of that single can be attributed to the fact that Bryan Adams, who was riding high at the time from the success of his album, Reckless, contributed a cameo vocal, and that helped the record get airplay on the radio. You can hear Bryan's "adlibs" towards the end of the song ("For heaven's sake" and "My heart would break").

Roxette to finally hit the US and Canada

Thomas Evensson — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 13:21:50 +0300

UPDATED - On September 14 Roxette will play the Masonic Center in San Francisco. The Masonic seats 3165 people. With a ticket price of $112 the pre-sale starts April 10.

The North American/Canadian tour schedule so far:

Aug. 29 Ottawa
Aug. 30 Toronto
Aug. 31 Montréal
Sept. 2 New York City
Sept. 3 Boston
Sept. 7 Winnipeg
Sept. 9 Calgary
Sept. 10 Edmonton
Sept. 12 Vancouver
Sept 14. San Francisco
Sept. 15 Los Angeles

Get your US tickets here! Canadian here and here. Read the press release.

Travelling will be released in the US, digitally only, June 5.

Update: Canadian dates have been added to the article. Tickets go on sale April 21, with an American Express pre-sale from April 17.

Per has made a new mixed tape

Thomas Evensson — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 19:31:46 +0300

Head over to roxette.se and take a gander at the brand new playlist Per has made. Rick Springfield is a given of course!

The UK is gearing up

Alison Lowther — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 17:49:38 +0300

It probably does not count as great news, but there is a promotional TV advert happening in the UK for the upcoming Roxette tour. Seems it might be a regional advert, as this one promoted the Manchester concert on 4th July, which still seems to have a lot of tickets to sell!

UK Radio airplay chart: Roxette highest climber

Steven Howlett — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 20:25:59 +0300

Roxette is the highest climber in this week's UK Radio Airplay chart, which is compiled by Nielsen.

The figures released on Monday 2nd April show that Roxette climbed a respectable 32 places from 65 to 33 with the new single "It's Possible."

The latest top 10 is as follows:

NIELSEN UK RADIO AIRPLAY CHART (26/03/2012 to 01/04/2012)

1 Tulisa – Young (AATW/Island)
2 Chris Brown – turn Up The Music (Sony/RCA)
3 Flo-rida feat. Sia – Wild Ones (Atlantic)
4 Katy Perry – Part Of Me (Virgin)
5 Labrinth – Last Time (Syco)
6 Beyonce – End Of Time (Columbia/Parkwood Ent.)
7 David Guetta feat. Nicki Minaj – Turn Me On (Positiva/Virgin)
8 Emeli Sande – Next To Me (Virgin)
9 David Guetta feat. Sia – Titanium (Positiva/Virgin)
10 Alexandra Burke featuring Eric Morillo – Elephant (RCA)
33 Roxette – It's Possible. (Capitol)

"Travelling" down under

Stevo Petkovic — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 10:45:14 +0300

SYDNEY - More "promotion" continues with one of the largest radio stations in Sydney, MIX 106.5, the same network that sponsored Roxette's recent Australian tour, featuring the Travelling EPK on the front page of their site promoting the album. And Max TV are doing the same thing as in Germany the other week - you may pre-listen Travelling in its entirety. It only works with Internet Explorer though.

This is very big news for this country... although still no iTunes availability.

Brad contributed to this article.

"Travelling" is charting

ettexor — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 15:02:10 +0200

Roxette's brand new album Travelling, released digitally yesterday, is already charting on the iTunes album charts:

Sweden #3
Finland #6
Germany #9

"Travelling" - The Daily Roxette's take

TDR Editorial — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 11:40:22 +0200

Some days before the release of Travelling, the The Daily Roxette team “got together” again to do another (hopefully) classic review of Roxette’s new and highly anticipated album. Travelling is a follow-up to the 1992 album Tourism. Will it hold up? Is it awesome? Does Per wear black nailpolish? The questions are many, and there are actually some answers! Scroll down to the bottom to read our final verdict. Enjoy! (Or feel free to hate it.) The reviewers are Judith Seuma, Kai-Uwe Heinze, Colin van der Bel, Paul Belben and Thomas Evensson. Oh and by the way, click the track titles to hear Roxette's comments about the songs.

1. Me & You & Terry & Julie
Thomas: Per said “This is the craziest song we've recorded in ages - and maybe the best?” Crazy: yes, the best: no. Strange choice for an album opener. But I like it, it’s no “Cadillac,” that’s for sure! Wonderful but weird keyboard solo from Clair. Kudos to Clair for hating “Cadillac.”
Paul: Hey, I still love “Cadillac”! As I have mentioned to you before Thomas, I love this too. The verse with Per & Marie’s voices harmonizing is superb! I think it’s a brave move to open the album up with a song like this, but I think it works. It works because it shows that this is a ‘new’ Roxette. Roxette: ‘The Band’
Thomas: You're nuts. Yes a fresh move so to speak. The more I hear it the more it grows on me. The chorus is a bit like “Soul Deep,” at least the beat.
Kai: This solo has a touch of GT to it. Starting off with a tune that very much reminds me of the middle eight of “Wish You The Best”... later, turning into a “Shopping With Mother” kind of crazy blend of instruments. What a mix, fitting the constantly altering themes of the song! Which to me creates the illusion of a small town train station platform. Calm atmosphere, from time to time interrupted by trains passing through, arriving, people rushing by. Just close your eyes...
Colin: It’s crazy to start an album with a song like this, all quiet at the start and then kick in the drums! It’s really upbeat and uplifting. I can see them start a live show with this one?
Thomas: Not unless it’s a world hit, ha ha!
Paul: Gotta agree with Thomas - can’t see them opening concerts with this. However, it would make a nice change to “Dressed For Success!”
Kai: Word, Paul. Much better would it have fit to the end of the album. It’s more like a reprise. Not melody-wise, rather it sounds like a summary of this very unusual album. Yet I think we have a much better album closer with “IMHBL”, more about that later maybe.
Does anyone else hear a tad of Gessle’s “Hold On My Heart” demo in the chorus?
Judith: I don’t see a big issue with this song being the opener of the album. But I’ve never been picky on this, I look more at the middle and end of the album, some albums tend to get boring to the extent that you press the “replay album” before it has even finished. I must confess it happens to me sometimes with a couple of Rox & related too. My summary: great start! Makes me want to go on listening. I like the "hidden" sounds.
Paul: Big yawn anyone...??
Thomas: Nope.
Paul: I was referring to the yawn in the 2nd verse...!
Thomas: Ha ha! Duh!

2. Lover Lover Lover
Kai: Ah, this is my train! Steam train, I’d say. Laid back but strong.
Thomas: What a song! I hear Jeff Lynne and George Harrison in this. The guitar solo is sweeeet. A mid-tempo track which I would say sounds a tad like “Church of Your Heart”... if you know what I mean, or rather like the Traveling Wilburys. One of my favorites.
Paul: The production of this song is superb, along with another fine example of Per and Marie’s voices harmonizing wonderfully.
Colin: The first time I heard this song I wasn't convinced, but like some of those songs do, it grew on me and eventually found myself humming the melody.
Kai: A tune that will stay in your head for a while. Good old guitar pop. The campfire kind of song. Worth being played in a loop.
Thomas: Indeed! This song sticks in your mind...
Paul: The instrumental section is fantastic. Can imagine this will be added to the concert setlist, especially has Per has mentioned several times that this is his favorite on the album.
Thomas: Yes, Per also says he expects it to show up live.
Kai: Oh, another nice sing-along-song in this case.
Judith: When I heard the 30-second snippet I thought “Beatles!”. I still do after having heard the full song. I have a thing with this album: I still haven’t made up my mind which song (of the new ones) I like best. As Kai says, very much of a campfire-sing-along feeling with this one. Nice!

3. Turn of the Tide
Colin: One of those elusive songs from way back. Most of us knew the title but had never heard the song. I always thought the demo sounded a bit too high for Per’s voice, happy to hear Marie performing this one. Still, for some reason the song doesn’t really do it for me - I rather skip to the next one!
Thomas: I like it! It’s like “I’m Glad You Called” from Charm School only better I guess. Acoustic guitars (“steadily” played by Per, Chris and Clair) with strings, drums and Marie’s voice. Clarence plays around with his ancient keyboards in this as well.
Paul: I got those goosebumps when I heard this song for the first time. I’m guessing this is the track that Per was talking about when he said that Marie has just recorded her best vocals since 2000. The voice sounds amazing! A very typical Roxette ballad, which could have been recorded in 1991, 1999 or 2001. In other words: timeless!
Kai: A ride on the bicycle through the fields. Sunny, airy, slightly windy, relaxed. It’s the way they produced ballads during CBB times. Strings, hi-hats, supported by gently weeping guitars. Dreamy mood with a lot of power thanks to Marie’s voice.
Thomas: Yes!
Judith: I had to gasp for air when I heard the song for the first time. Imagine: my mouth open, goosebumps and tears. “What has she done here?” Marie at her best. One of Roxette’s big ballads, but fresh, different. Excellent.
Thomas: What I like most about it is that it starts like “I’m Glad You Called” but grows and explodes almost like “Listen To Your Heart.”

4. Touched by the Hand of God
Paul: And here we go - this song is just fantastic! In my opinion, their best song they’ve recorded since the mid-’90s. Everything in this song just works - the backing vocals, the music style, the main vocals. This is Roxette at their best! I truly think this should have been released as the first single.
Colin: This song is a killer! One of the best uptempo songs Roxette has done in a long time. Lots of energy, happiness and jumping around. The title change seems unnecessary to me, but who really cares about that? Make this one a single, EMI!
Thomas: By golly... One of the best tracks on the album. Instant likeability. Fast, sharp, edgy, and a great melody. You can’t go wrong with a ‘57 Chevrolet! This is totally old skool Roxette, but today. “Hey sweet Prudence, won’t you come out to play out of charm school?” “Sweet Prudence” is an album by Aby Wolf, (among other things...) for your information.
Paul: Show off! I’m glad this song was left off Charm School if it meant that it turned out to be this good!
Kai: This is like driving on the left lane of your local highway in a “flat, red, something-like-that” car that actively supports fun of this kind. That's the "Sleeping In My Car" of this album. Catchy, powerful, great! It all fits in here.
Judith: You can tell the song was supposed to be on Charm School. But as Paul said, I am glad they recorded it again, Rox 100 %! Single anyone? (Paul: It MUST be a single!!)
When I heard the “take my breath away” I had to laugh, would have been somehow funny to have two songs on the album with the same sentence. It’s even recorded in the same style, Per singing it first and then Marie repeating.
Thomas: They recorded it three times for Charm School, to no avail. This time around they nailed it. It also contains Per’s favorite word of lately - “mesmerizing.”

5. Easy Way Out
Colin: The atmosphere in this song is great. It pulls me back into that ‘Son Of A Plumber’ world. Then again, it would’ve fit great on F5F! if it had been in Swedish.
Thomas: Hmm, I don’t hear the GT vibes but the song is awesome. I also don’t hear the country vibe Per talks about. What I do hear is a folksy song with a terrific flute dancing around in the background. Also a Dobro, if that’s the right word. Definitely not a single, but that doesn’t mean it’s bad at all. Think a happier version of “The Heart Shaped Sea.”
Paul: Yeah, it’s not a country song. But it is most definitely in the vibe of SOAP. I like it, got a summery feel to the track, but it does sound like a Per solo song. That isn’t a bad thing though.
Kai: A horse back ride through the forest. Medieval touch to it. Actually a gap filler between two up-tempo songs. But it has its own qualities although it sounds a bit misplaced here. Country song? No, rather... folk?
Judith: One of those sweet acoustic Per songs with a touch of country or maybe medieval? If I had to choose the weakest one I think I’d take this one. And no, I don’t hear GT here either, more SOAP and En händig man.
Thomas: Per says he thinks this song is one of the best on the album. I really like this laid back sound.
Judith: haha! It's not the first time Per and I don't agree...
Kai: Yep, it is a great one. It would stand out even on an album like SOAP or Mazarin. It just feels a bit lost on this record, though.

6. It's Possible (version one)
Paul: “....I just wanna Oh Oh Oh!”. Only Roxette could record a song like this and make it sound good. My only complaint is that it’s too damn short!
Thomas: Damn straight!
Colin: As it turns out, I think this was a great choice for a first single. I love the production on this one! For the first time, I didn’t skip the first single track when I listened to the album for the first time!
Thomas: Totally with you! Very “Dangerous” very “How Do You Do!” but 2012.
Colin: Yes! When it starts, I start tapping on something - which is a good thing!
Paul: Do I think it’s a stronger first single than “Radio”? Actually, no...
Judith: Another Rox 100 % - perfect for the first single. Direct simple catchy pop, feel like jumping and dancing straight away. I couldn’t take the “doo doo doo’s” off my head for two weeks! On a side note, I really like demos, but the one to this one isn’t very special, but it's still nice to have it. Would be nice live.
Thomas: Terrible demo, but that’s what they are - demos.

7. Perfect Excuse
Paul: When I heard that this was to be a duet between Marie & Helena, I expected something very similar in vocal layout to Per’s solo version. What we got is Marie on lead and Helena doing backing vocals. Lovely version of this song though, but I prefer Per’s Party Crasher version. Marie is sounding fantastic on this song though, her vocals are clearly live here just like “I’m Glad You Called.”
Colin: I prefer the Party Crasher version as well, though it's still a great track.
Judith: You remember my reaction to “Turn of the Tide?” Multiply it by 10! With this and "I'm Glad You Called" I cannot help thinking Party Crasher should be recorded again as Roxette. What Marie has done to two of those tracks is amazing. Makes me also long for a Marie solo album.
Thomas: Not even close to a bad song, and Marie is amazing here as well, but I feel a bit bored with it. It wasn’t a favorite of mine on Party Crasher either.

8. Excuse Me, Sir, Do You Want Me to Check on Your Wife?
Thomas: Another killer track. One of Per’s longest titles ever? This could easily be in a movie. Haunting is a good word. “A fake guitarist in an ‘80s band...” Gee I wonder who? Ha ha! The lyrics are fitting. The man’s response to the title question: “Naaah, I’m sure she’s doing alright” but one gets the feeling he’s not really certain. This is another mid-tempo track that not many can do as well as Roxette. Yes this is very Tom Petty, but better.
Paul: I was surprised by this one too. I thought it was going to be an uptempo track, but this reminds me of ‘Wish You The Best’. There is a more mature vibe running through the new tracks on this album, and its displayed best here in this song. I absolutely love this track. The piano-led intro is fantastic, and I love the way the song builds up to a huge ending. Classic stuff, and I can dream that this will be performed live one day...
Thomas: I demand to hear it live.
Colin: I demand this entire album live! Great stuff!
Kai: When I first read the title, I wondered how that would be singable. Unlike “I Never Quite Got Over The Fact That The Beatles Broke Up” which is as long, here they really do use that long line in the chorus. And it does work. May I say it’s the catchiest song of this album? It builds up tension from the beginning, it’s so SOAPish, it makes you want to sing along. Best song I have heard from the band since long. You need to be brave to release this as a single one day just because nobody out there would Roxette expect to sound like this. Any newcomer band might get huge airplay with a song like that, though. So if EMI is open to experiments, this may be the AC summer hit 2012.
Thomas: The line is from a waitress asking Per about Åsa (Per's wife...)
Judith: I thought this one would be a ballad. Something in between then. At this point I have to say I think Per’s songwriting, and I mean the lyrics, are getting better and better. Or they have always been great but now they are more in the center. And I just love it when he makes a minimal change in the chorus lyrics. It’s those little things...
Thomas: Spot on.

9. Angel Passing
Kai: A wooden rowing boat gently jumping on the calm waves of a wide open lake on a hot summer day. Take some time to imagine this. Now play the song.
Colin: This might just well be my favorite track on the album, just as “Easy Way Out” this sounds like ‘Son Of A Plumber’ and is just a beautiful song. An emotional song, Helena’s backing vocals on this one are angelic - her voice sounds magical together with Per’s.
Thomas: Ethereal is a word that comes to mind. Per sings this sublime ballad wonderfully while Marie and Helena saturate the song with their angelic voices. And again Clarence with his magic fingers.
Paul: First few listens and I wasn’t really sure about the song. Listening a few more times, and I adore it. Per sounds fantastic on this track. It does sound very Per-solo though, mainly because of the use of Helena’s backing vocals. Replace with Marie and it would be great!
Kai: At first listening, I was still under the impression of “Sir”, so I thought that “Angel” was still part of this song. Is it the way Per sings here just like in the song before? Is it the dreamy illusion that still lingers? I mean, how can a band that is certainly caught in the hectic schedule of touring all over the world, jumping time zones and hotel rooms, write such a calming, relaxing, down-to-earth piece of art like this? Lovely.
Thomas: Yes it is amazing how they can switch between styles as much as they do.
Judith: My first thought when I heard “She’s an angel passing through the room” was “hm? Per’s 'Ängeln i rummet'?" Beautiful lyrics and vocals and music. One of those tracks that grow in you with the time.

10. Stars [live from Dubai soundcheck]
Colin: I remember back in the HAND days there were lots of rumors about Stars (guitar version). It should’ve been part of the first recordings of HAND, before they decided to change the album and go more digital. It was then supposed to be on a vinyl edition of a single I guess, but that didn’t work out. I guess this is what that must’ve sounded like! I like the intro and it’s nice to hear a sound-check version - it’s not really live but not studio either, somewhere in between.
Thomas: Well, it is live, that’s for sure. I get a little U2-feeling from this one. There’s this classic track recorded at one of their sound-checks, I think it’s called “Baby Please Come Home” and it has the same vibe in it. “Stars” has never sounded better, and will probably not be surpassed anytime soon.
Colin: No more children’s choir - instead we get phat drums and great synth! The guitar rhythm really pushes the song to a new level indeed!
Paul: I think I have finally gotten over my issues with this song after hearing this version. Why did they lose the guitars in the first place? This is so much better and I can actually listen to the song now. Love it!
Kai: If this is fully live - hats off! This distinguishes Roxette from other bands. The sound, the voices, the whole ensemble is terrific. I have never really thought of “Stars” as one of their best songs, at least not the way I have heard it so far. Actually, to me it’s quite a vulnerable song that has been destroyed by awkward arrangements. The live track is surely far better than the album version. My imagination of a perfect production of “Stars” just needs one word: Lullaby. Anyway, now we got this one. Where is the dashboard to tap on?
Thomas: I love the slight back-beat.
Judith: “Stars” was always on and off for me. Sometimes I liked it, and more often than not I thought “what were they thinking with the choir and this disco sound?” Not to comment on the video. I realized in the showcase in Barcelona back in 2001 that the song is actually good, and when I heard the live 2011 version I was like “yessss!” Great guitars and great vocal performance of Marie. I think this is the way this song should have been from the beginning!

11. The Weight of the World
Paul: Is it just me, but can anyone hear a difference in this version to the old B-side?
Thomas: It feels a bit more airy to me, but that can easily be my imagination.
Paul: I don’t know - it sounds exactly the same to me... All they’ve added is the 2 second countdown at the start.
Kai: It’s sounds more modern. Would’ve been hard to further improve it anyway. I’m glad they don’t kill all their good songs in the studios anymore.
Judith: I am also searching for the differences.. Nice that this nice Roxettish track gets more attention and reaches probably more people by being included on this album. For “hard core” fans one of the tracks using up space, especially after realizing that it sounds the same.
Thomas: That’s exactly what Per said!
Judith: OK, so here we seem to agree.
Paul: I think the vocals may be a bit louder than the old version, but you can’t really call it a new version. Saying that though, good to have it on an album now.

12. She's Got Nothing on (But the Radio) [live in Rio]
Thomas: Rather pointless version. I like the original but this doesn’t add to it. Noisy mix at that. I do appreciate that we don’t get another “The Look” or “Joyride,” but why not “7Twenty7” instead of this?
Paul: Ha ha I’m surprised it wasn’t “The Look” actually. Maybe this was included over “7Twenty7” as that was on the deluxe version of Charm School? Either way, it’s good to be able to listen to a live version of “...Radio” but, as Thomas has said, the mix is weird. Loud and messy would be words I’d use to describe it.
Kai: Ouch, I can hear Christoffer’s finger tip bleeding. Well, yes, it’s noisy. But why polish that raw sound? This is what it was like when you were on the concert. That is the commuter train of this album: packed, dense, noisy, loud, hard to get out once you’re inside. And the only logical choice for a live song, as it has been pointed out already.
Thomas: I like the raw sound, but I don’t like the mix. Yes, Per said that the reason there are so few live tracks on Travelling is that they released the live CD with Charm School. I can live with this track.
Colin: I like this one!
Judith: And voilá! I feel like being back at front row! I really enjoyed the craziness of this song live, simply great that it made it on the album. Christoffer rules!

13. See Me
Thomas: It’s definitely better than the old demo. More airy, but still kind of a dud in my book. Huge improvement though. I don’t need to skip this track anymore.
Paul: I’m sorry, but I still skip this track. I was never a fan, and I was slightly disappointed when I found out that this was one of the songs that was being reworked. The thing I dislike the most is Marie’s vocals. She sounds bored in my opinion.
Thomas: This is an old Gyllene song, by the way. Well, the same lyrics at least.
Paul: I did not know that!
Colin: The melody of the original GT song was completely different, but I'd like to hear a new recording of that, too! This recording still sounds a bit demo-ish to me.
Judith: Funny, they tricked me with this one! I really had to compare the old and the new songs to convince myself that Marie’s vocals were not recorded again. But it IS really the old Marie voice recording. Very interesting what a new mix and recording of the music can do.
Kai: Nice, refurbished version. This song had been good as a single already, once more I'm glad they kept its soul alive.

14. It's Possible [version two]
Thomas: You have already heard the single. This is, to me, not as great. Don’t get me wrong it’s still very very nice, but I prefer Version One. I don’t hear “Hjärta utan hem” in it, but more En händig man really. Yes yes I know, tomato, potato... Bouncy and cute version. Sadly no do-do-do-do’s.
Colin: I can see this version being played in an acoustic, small set-up as an encore during a summer show perhaps. I like it a lot, but like you I also prefer version one.
Kai: Yes, once you know the first version you’ll find this one here less interesting. The way Marie sings here fits the first version better, the acoustic guitars don't really go together with her ambitious kind of singing. And if they had asked me, I would have switched the numbering. With #2 being weaker than #1, it looks like a step back. Too bad those reviews always come too late...
Paul: Well, I quite like this version. Is it as good as version one? Possibly. In my opinion anyway. The little added bits to the Marie’s vocals add something (albeit small) to the song, so does the loss of the ‘do-do-dos’. I’m guessing my favorite version of the song will depend on my mood at the time.
Judith: I also prefer the first one. It's nice, but I definitely miss the “doo-doo-doos” here! Marie’s part sounds the same on both songs to me? Have we ever had 3 versions of the same song in such a short time? I actually love this, it’s like a progress. Good that they couldn’t make up their minds and decided to release both, imagine we would have been left without “Doo-Doos”!

15. It Must Have Been Love [live in Rotterdam]
Thomas: Yikes!! You think you’ve heard this song until death do you part, but hearing this I don’t know what to think... What a version! Marie sings like her life depended on it, and it’s amazing! Marie’s voice combined with the NOTP strings and the keyboards just gives this song a totally new life. I’d vote this to be a single if it weren’t for it being so old.
Kai: The Rolls Royce of this album. Have a glass of cool champagne, light a candle if the driver agrees. Just enjoy. Marvellous. Never been a huge fan of the song either, now it’s the new production behind it that makes it worth listening to again. Somehow, it's a stripped down version, on the other hand it sounds very enhanced. Single? It's great, it's wonderful, it's phantastic... but it wouldn't work well as a single in today's radio formats.
Paul: Another bout of disappointment hit me when I heard this song was being included on yet another album. That was before hearing this version. Hearing Marie sing this song like this again after so many years is just fantastic. The NOTP arrangement works really well with Roxette’s music and I’m glad we’ve got a little piece of that on an album now.
Colin: A perfect song to close the album, I love this version of the song. New live album, anyone?
Judith: When I read that IMHBL live would be on the album I thought I would end up hating this song. How many times can one release it and listen to it? So there you go, I thought, another album I would not listen until the end. But I started to change my mind the moment I heard the snippet and definitely when I heard the full song. What a version! NOTP was huge, it meant a lot to many of us, and the song brought back memories from that tour. You have to imagine, a venue with thousands of people, many of them attending not because of Roxette, and when this song came in.. ooh.. goosebumps! I remember I cried a lot during that tour, of happiness, of course. Everybody singing, standing to this song, lighters (or cell phones) on... One of those moments you feel really proud of being a Roxette fan.

Lover Lover Lover [T&A demo] - iTunes Bonus
Me & You & Terry & Julie [demo] - Vinyl Bonus Track
Charm School [demo] - Vinyl Bonus Track

Conclusions:

Colin: I think this is the strongest album Roxette (or Per) has made in years. It has all the best parts from the previous albums - the raw production of Party Crasher, the soothing atmosphere of Son Of A Plumber, a dash of Gyllene Tider’s summer vibe and - last but not least - the fresh and powerful sound of Roxette’s current live line-up! A culmination of the best!

Thomas: I imagine in my mind that this is how Roxette wanted Charm School to be. This is easily Roxette’s best album since Crash!Boom!Bang! (or maybe Have A Nice Day) in my book. I still am not 100 % happy with the production as I think the production team C&C&P is stuck in a rut. Surely Per disagrees with that. This is miles better than the last album though. Great new songs combined with not at all bad older songs. The only song that stands out, in a less great way, on the album is “Radio” really. Noisy, cluttered mix. Other media has reviewed this album as “same-old same-old Roxette, decent but yawn” but I think they are being unfair, since this is, to me, far away from same-old Roxette. Marie sings better than ever, and Per is no slouch either, in fact he's doing a good job with the axe as well as the singing.
And about the demos, the bonus tracks - they are quite uninteresting. Basic Per demos of later date. Only interesting if you want to compare to the released versions. Except for “Lover Lover Lover” which is rather nice.
Good job Roxette! I give it 4.5/5.

Paul: Well, this is truly a fantastic album. The ‘bubble-gum’ pop is gone (except for “Me & You & Terry & Julie”) and what’s in its place is a more mature style of pop music which, as this album shows, Roxette is at their best at producing. Marie hasn’t sounded this good for a long time, especially on the uptempo tracks. Per is sounding pretty great as well. The band seem so much more confident than on Charm School, this World Tour is doing them wonders. We’ve got longer songs and more real instruments than Charm School - things that we’ve longed for. My only complaint is the running order. I think the tracks should be in a different order. Mix the tracks up a bit (like Tourism) and it would be even better. This album could win the band more fans if it receives the exposure and success that it deserves! I get a feeling when the album finishes though: Where can Roxette go from here? 4.9/5 from me. (due to running order! ha ha)

Kai: What a journey through the styles! Compared to the albums before, this one sounds more like a mix tape. They took their best ideas and created what I would call the most mature Roxette album ever. It’s not as easy listening as SOAP but it lives from its vibes. Still I have my problems finding a red line through the songs. On the other hand, maybe it’s exactly this permanent change of styles and speeds that brings in the “travelling” mood: new findings all the way, it’s like you go from west coast to east coast and on the way you have to cross the mountains. First, I wanted deny this record being a concept album, it was too jumpy... but now I do think it is one. Travelling means to be open for changes. And this album is.

Judith: I think this is definetely one of the best albums Roxette has done. You feel they are now back on track working together, and I like the new more relaxed sound, if you can call it like that. Maybe even more confident. I like the mix, and the fact that they sing together in many of the songs, they play with the combination of their voices and that in a way the lyrics have a more important role. I am not sure if I have felt so much like in a rollercoaster as with this one. Up shouting dancing jumping laughing - down relaxing, crying, deep feelings all the way, but still a happy album which very well captures the mood of the last year(s if you count 2010). It brought back a lot of memories and it makes me feel happy and proud once more of this great band. I definitely look forward to more of this! I also like that the band has a main role in the album as well, so their pictures on the cover make sense. Thank you for the music!

Pre-listen to Roxette's new album "Travelling"

JudSD — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 07:52:50 +0200

The Germany based video website Tape.tv offers the exclusive opportunity to pre-listen to the new Roxette album Travelling since yesterday. The stream only works in Germany and Austria though.

Travelling will be in the stores on Friday or Monday (in Europe), depending on the country. Of course, it can already be pre-ordered on iTunes.

Once again, a Brazilian soap opera features a Roxette song in its soundtrack

Lars-Erik Olson — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 02:13:52 +0200

"No One Makes It On Her Own" was featured in the soundtrack of this evening's episode of the popular Brazilian soap opera Aquele Beijo (That Kiss). The song was played twice. The first time was when one of the main female characters was arriving at a restaurant and the song can be clearly heard. The second time was a continuation of that scene when her ex-husband calls her over to his table.

The last time this happened, "Milk and Toast and Honey" was featured on a soap opera (called a "novela" in Portuguese) named Um Anjo Caiu do Céu (The Angel That Fell From Heaven) in 2001. Prior to that, "Spending My Time" was included on one in 1992 and "Listen To Your Heart" in 1989.

In Brazil, these novelas are extremely popular, and the effect that a sync license for a particular song can have to both record sales and general promotion for a musical act or group can not be overstated.

Aquele Beijo has been on the air for quite some time now. It began on October 17, 2011 and will end on April 13. A selection of soundtrack songs has already been released via online outlets, but as that release was digital, there is small chance that "No One Makes It On Her Own" could be added. EMI Brasil (and Brazilian Roxette fans) would certainly like that to happen.

Clip (on Vimeo) showing the first time the song was played. Clip (on TV Globo) showing the continuation of that scene (you might need to click on the right arrow on the strip of clips below the default video and then advance to the clip showing the ex-husband with his hand in the air).

Additional reporting by Bruno Ribeiro

"Travelling" - EPK

Colin van der Bel — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 16:41:05 +0200

Friday at noon (CET) the new Travelling Electronic Press Kit (EPK) was released, containing new live, backstage, studio and interview footage, in 720 HD no less! Click here to view!

"Travelling" is now on iTunes for pre-order

Thomas Evensson — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 15:44:26 +0200

The price is 105 SEK (11 €) in Sweden. The price includes an unnamed bonus track, but Per has since revealed that it's the T&A demo of "Lover Lover Lover." The vinyl album will contain two bonus tracks as well; the demos of "Me & You & Terry & Julie" and "Charm School."

Snippets available on Amazon UK.

"It's Possible" - UK release update

Paul Belben — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 19:00:29 +0200

LONDON - After being contacted by lots of fans based in the UK about the delayed release of the "It's Possible" single on the usual retail download sites, The Daily Roxette contacted EMI in the UK to see what the plan was for releasing the new material in the UK. Today we heard from Head of Marketing, for both EMI UK and EMI Svenska:

There have been several factors contributing to the delay in the UK release of "It's Possible", one of them being some 'fine-tuning' to the music by Roxette. EMI UK has also used a brand new release solution which unfortunately required more work than first thought. However, EMI confirmed that the song has now been sent to the UK arms of iTunes, Amazon, Play etc and should be available for download in the next 2/3 days.

The communication ended with EMI confirming their commitment to Roxette and the release of their forthcoming album Travelling.

"Travelling" - the press release

Paul Belben — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 13:19:23 +0200

Roxette is back with a new album: Travelling and a taster "It’s Possible"!

Three years after their 2009 comeback, Swedish pop phenomenon Roxette is hotter than they’ve been since their early '90s heydays.

Their World Tour is in full swing with almost a million concert tickets sold since the tour kicked off in the Tatneft Arena in Russian Kazan a year ago. On top of that, another million Roxette record sales have been added to the already dizzying 70 million that Roxette have sold over the years.

So far the band has played more than 85 shows in 30+ countries (and the trip continues—they don’t plan to rest until they’ve played 150 shows). But besides zigzagging between airports, arenas, hotels and meeting fans from all over the world, the band also has found time to record their new album Travelling.

The idea has been to tap into all the positive energy that has boosted the band during this dazzling trip, and channel it to new Roxette music. In short, an album that is just like 1992’s Tourism captures the feeling of a band on a roll — constantly on the move, snatching inspiration as they go; recording in hotel rooms, studios, at soundchecks and in concert.

The result is a fascinating musical postcard with 15 superb songs, most of which are new, some that are revisited classics and the rest being pearls that for various reasons hasn’t seen the light of day before. A tight and inspired band has gathered around a batch of Gessle tunes, where the relentless hit-maker again and again proves that his sense of melody and ability to surprise is still top-notch.

”It’s Possible” is the first taster from Travelling - 2 minutes and 34 seconds of sunny pop music that shows one of Roxette’s many sides in 2012.

"It's Possible" is released tomorrow to radios and as a digital release. The physical single is out March 16. Travelling is out March 26.

The new single is "It's Possible"

Thomas Evensson — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 20:20:49 +0200

The good news keep rolling in! On Friday, March 2, Roxette's new single "It's Possible" (version one) will be released, both to radio and as a digital release. There will be a physical release March 16. The B-side is "It's Possible" T&A demo.

Enjoy the snippet!

Roxette no longer hints at US tour in September - it's a done deal

Thomas Evensson — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 12:47:56 +0200

Per commented on Facebook today that "US in September should be fun" and added that tickets are to be released in April. The last time Roxette visited the US was in September 2000 where Per, Marie and band performed an semi-acoustic short promotion tour for the US version of the album Don't Bore US in, among other cities, Seattle and New York City.

Per has hinted at a Canadian/US tour several times this winter, and now it seems like all the preparation is done.

"Travelling" tracklist revealed

Thomas Evensson — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 00:11:54 +0200

The tracklist of Travelling has now been revealed in full. See below with comments from Per Gessle:

Me & You & Terry & Julie
Terry & Julie are the two youngsters from the Kinks’ "Waterloo Sunset" but everyone knows that, right??? This is the craziest song we've recorded in ages - and maybe the best?
Lover Lover Lover
Turn of the Tide
Totally new recording (in Sun City) of a song we never used for Have A Nice Day.
Touched by the Hand of God
Used to be called "Charm School." This track is happier than happy!
Easy Way Out
A country song.
It's Possible
Rocking version á la "Radio," kicks ass!
Perfect Excuse
From Party Crasher, this is a duet between Marie and Helena, I was busy checking things out. This version is not slower, but more acoustic.
Excuse Me, Sir, Do You Want Me to Check on Your Wife?
"Excuse Me Sir" is one of those songs where we sound like Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers.
Angel Passing
A ballad.
Stars [live from Dubai soundcheck]
The Weight of the World
New fabulous mix of the old track.
She's Got Nothing on (But the Radio) [live in Rio]
See Me
Totally new recording except Marie's vox. It's amazing!!
It's Possible [version two]
Summer version, in Gyllene Tider's "Hjärta utan hem" arrangement.
It Must Have Been Love [live in Rotterdam]
It's the NOTP strings with new drums by Pelle and new vox by Marie, no guitars or anything... Also amazing!

"I must say it looks to me like a fine record," says Per to The Daily Roxette.

Roxette "Hits!" cracks top 20

Stevo Petkovic — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 14:36:12 +0200

SYDNEY - The Australian success continues; Roxette's compilation album from 2006, Roxette Hits!, climbs to #17 on the Australian ARIA album charts this week! This is the first time Rox has been on the Australian top 20 since 1996 and that was with Don't Bore Us Get to the Chorus!, which peaked at #10.

On the iTunes pop album charts Hits! is at #5.