It’s difficult not to like Danish six-piece Alphabeat. Their retro-fuelled ‘wonky pop’ is pure optimistic fun of the kind that only po-faced too-cool-for-schoolers could possibly diss. This Is Alphabeat, their UK debut, is a version of their platinum-selling Danish release Alphabeat, minus some of the cheesier moments and with three brand new tracks produced by Mike Spencer (Kylie, Beverley Knight, Jamiroquai). 80s-style pop is still very much the motto here, with singles like "Fascination" and "10,000 Nights" manifesting more than just a casual aura of fame school about them. "Boyfriend" is reminiscent of 80s Madonna and the skewed electro of "Touch Me Touching You" is ridiculously saccharine and highly infectious. One of Spencer’s additions is worth noting - a cheerful romp through PiL's "Public Image," chirpy whistling and all, that will undoubtedly make John Lydon purple with rage. This Is Alphabeat packs in the musical clichés for sure, but there’s no denying the band’s zest and sincerity. At only ten tracks, this is a short but defiantly sweet statement.--Danny McKenna

Customer Rating:
Summary: Very good indeed.
Comment: It's a brave band that tries to recreate that mid-90s indie sound. Infact, if you think back to recent years, most bands would rather hark back to the 80s, so when Alphabeat came along, basically trying to reproduce the feel of 90s Scandanavian indie (which let's face it, gave us brilliant bands like the Wannadies and the Cardigans), I have to admit I was very excited.

Thankfully, the album lives up to the obvious hype it generates. 'Fascination' could easily have been a Wannadies song, right down to the slightly punky 'the word is on your lips' chant in the middle. 'Boyfriend' is very reminiscent of the Cardigans around the time of Lovefool, and Stine's voice is just lush. Elsewhere, 'What is Happening' sounds a bit like Blur collaborating with the Young Knives, and 'Fantastic Six' could have been plucked right out of a Bis record. Hell, even the cover of 'Public Image' is wrecked in such shameless style that you can't help but love it.

It works. Every track is great, and more importantly, every track links into each other very well. I agree with some reviewer's comments that this European release doesn't sound quite as punchy as the first version, but it's still excellent, and I still think people would be mad not to buy it, because the only criticism you can honestly have, in my opinion, is that it could do with a couple more tracks.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Did they drop from space?
Comment: This "band" dropped from space, or have been trapped somewhere for over 50 years, these is the only logical reasons i can think of that they must have travelled many many miles from their home planet still thinking that everyone on earth still dress like a 1950's sitcom. Then try and set a style when they land with some of he worst music i have ever had the misfortune of listening to.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Alphabeat = Amazing
Comment: Debut album from Danish group Alphabeat. I have seen them perform live twice now, they would have to be the pop band of today. Great songs, great live performers!! Fascination is pop at it's best, along with the new single Boyfriend. Great 80's influenced band. One group to watch out for!!

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Customer Rating:
Summary: a lovely upbeat guilty pleasure
Comment: The alphabeat album is bound to help lift the gloom of those who had a hard days work with poppy upbeat tracks like "10,00 nights of thunder" and "fascination" which are popular updated throw backs to the 80's when the commitments, housemartins and everything 80's music had to offer but thankfully without the ott fashion statements.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Disappointing Rehash
Comment: This is not the original album. Three of the best tracks have been removed (Into the Jungle, Ocean Blue and The Hours) and replaced with sloppy generic synth-pop dribble (Gogo, Public Image and Touch me touching you). Get your hands on the original. Its much better than this one.

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