ABBATTACK

Breakthrough Talk Radio reviews Abbattack

2008-11-11T21:33:00.001-08:00

ABBA DABBA VOULEZ-VOUS Abbattack review by Charlene Goodman Abba Dabba Voulez-Voo

"Voulez-vous" wasn't one of Abba's 14 Top 40 American hits when they reigned on the pop charts between 1974 and 1982. In fact, the edited version (taken down from 5 minutes and 9 seconds on the album) stalled at 80, even though this title track got substantial play, and the album sold phenomenally well with
"Does Your Mother Know" hitting Top 20 and the "Chiquitita" track going Top 30 in 1979. At five minutes and 29 seconds Audioscam's rendition is dramatic and 20 seconds longer than Abba's original. It works well for this rock group, their eerie backing vocals a nice contrast to a slashing guitar over a more subdued strum. Singer Brian Pitcher has a soulful strut in his voice, one portion lament another determination, taking the French phrase and making it seem almost like a "screw you" to the no-longer significant other. Roughly translated the phrase means "do you want to" or "want to", the words made popular, of course, before Abba when four years earlier Bob Crewe and Kenny Nolan hit with "Lady Marmalade", courtesy of Patti LaBelle's reinvention of the song. Too bad this is a strictly-Abba release as a "Voulez-vous/Lady Marmalade" medley combo would've been historically interesting, if the concoction makes any sense. "S.O.S." is another Abba fave of mine, the group's third American hit going Top 15 in 1975, it probably has the most bounce of any Abba tune (non-discotheque bounce, of course), and those wonderful descending piano notes are missing in this version. Audioscam's rendition seems incomplete, their Freddie Mercury vocals are there, as are the heavy guitars, but Pitcher's drumming could use a little Ginger Baker on this particular song. Since these blokes are from down under I guess it wouldn't make any sense for them to have recorded the American chart history of Abba 1-14...and that means "Ring Ring" wouldn't be on this collection.
I do like Pitcher's drums on this, the snare is crisper and the tom toms hold it all together. The guitars sound like their compressed in a 1960s time warp which is even better, with all this remaking of decades old music it makes one wonder why people aren't adding more psychedelia and 60s nuances to what is going on. "Ring Ring" has a lovely magical guitar solo set that is one of the CDs finest moments. They should probably do a remix album and this song would be a real contender for some added production. All the elements are there, it all just seems to beg for some Phil Spector over production. Maybe as a publicity stunt they can send old Phil a copy and ask what he'd do with it? He certainly must have time on his hands. It's the opening track, though, which seems to define this band.

The guitars rip, as do the vocals, and everything I expect from a rock & roller taking Abba on opens the album rather nicely. Remember when producer Bob Ezrin gave Mitch Ryder a bit of an edge? That lost Detroit album has wild Steve Hunter guitar that this, fondly, reminds me of. This is a good record, some of the ideas feel unrealized, but on the whole it's a nice job and highly listenable.

Charlene Goodman works behind the scenes at Breakthrough Talk. She also writes book reviews and disc reviews that come into the office. Write to her at CG_pr2005[ @] yahoo.com
http://myspace.com/breakthroughtalk

Reviews of ABBATTACK

2008-10-24T00:15:00.001-07:00

CD UNIVERSE REVIEW 
http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=7720490&cart=790276778

Average Rating: (4 out of 5 stars)   Abbattack

This sound sdifferent to most ABBA covers. This is more a rock interpretation done very well. The songs retain the traditional melodies and lyrics but the arrangements are very unique and becuase of this lend new light to these songs. The vocal harmony arrangements by Audioscam are outstanding.

Submitted by soulmover008 (Sussex UK)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No 1 of 1 found this helpful.




Joseph Tell's review is on TMR - Men's Magazine online
Joseph Tell's review on TMR Zoo online magazine:
http://www.tmrzoo.com/?p=1218

AUDIOSCAM - ABBATTACK!
October 28th, 2008
by Guest Contributor
http://www.tmrzoo.com/?p=1218


AUDIOSCAM
Abbattack
Australian Sun Records (ASR1012)

     The Swedish group ABBA manufactured some of the most intoxicating and
disposable pop music of the 1970s. Or so it seemed at the time. Who would
have imagined that their songs would develop wider acclaim in decades to
come on disc, on Broadway and in the movies. Intoxicating, yes;
disposable, hardly.

     A hard-rocking quartet from Australia crashes the American shores
with a fresh perspective on ABBA music. The group called Audioscam
has commandeered 10 familiar, hummable tunes, re-imagining each as a
power-rock anthem. Beginning with "Money Money Money," Audioscam's
Roger Gold and Ross Wedding fill Abba's songs with sweeping guitar
riffs. Slowing the tempo from Abba's famed bounciness, they deliver
a crunching "Rock Me" sliced by an interlude of piercing guitar
licks. They also take "Voulez-vous" on a six minute excursion that
flirts with prog rock.

     Dispensing with Abba's trademark girl-group voices, drummer Brian
Pitcher sings the lead vocals; the group harmonies on songs like
"S.O.S" and "Mama Mia" sometimes reference such great Anglo-pop acts
as The Sweet. Inventively deploying his tom-toms, Pitcher neatly
pushes "Waterloo" and "Ring Ring" in a catchy glitter-rock
direction. The idea works brilliantly, re-connecting Abba's first
two British hits to 1974 when the glitter trend ruled Britannia.

Joseph Tell
http://www.myspace.com/josephtell
Jerry Savenus on Limewire.com
Tune in to Knowing Me/Knowing You

http://www.store.limewire.com/store/app/pages/album/Album/msg/4/productId/92895/  
The thing that sold me on this strange approach to Abba is the definite vision on
"Knowing Me, Knowing You", the singer has intensity and, of all the tracks,
this one really grabs you as what this ban...dis all about.
Agnetha Fältskog and Frid Lyngstad approached the songwith a softness that
Audioscam decimates in fine fashion. Hearing it
from the male perspective is pretty telling, especially for guys going
through a divorce. There is real angst here "breaking up is never
easy--- i have to go"...the guitars are so authentic they back up the
guy's voice to great effect. You can play this one incessantly, both
the riffs on the guitars and the heart-felt vocal make it very special
"We just have to face it" said like he's really pouring his heart out.
Again, more guitars embellish the mood. This is really great stuff. The
voices don't try to do the Abba thing, and that works to their
advantage...you can picture him on a football field in a movie telling
the chick it is over with people in the stands singing along. I find it
real easy to sing along with the backing vocals for my limited vocal
range. "Ring Ring" would make a nice instrumental, the singer doesn't
have as much passion on that one as he has on "Knowing Me/Knowing You"
but the band really chugs on this...and the tom tom drums are powerful

Jane Grant writes on Barnes & Noble.com
http://music.barnesandnoble.com/Abbattack/Audioscam/e/650922220422

Audioscam's ABBATTACK : reinvention of Abba by Jane_Grant

Reader Rating: 4 Stars out of 5

October 21, 2008: Imagine Procol Harum's Robin Trower taking the songs of Abba and pulling them sideways and upways with his melodic fretwork, this CD from the Australian rock group Audioscam goes where no band has gone before with Abba. The music kicks! Where the original "Waterloo" rocks out it still remains heavily pop influenced, but this rendition feels like they recorded it in the Outback...I mean IN the outback in a good way and away from what you usually hear. Otherworldly is the description, probably because I never expected to hear "Mamma Mia" in this fashion. My husband dragged me to the film three times (I'm beginning to worry about him, Star Trek gal that I am) yet I'm the one who puts "Fernando" on repeatedly in the car. "Dancing Queen" needs a little more oomph, but that's OK, for the most part this disc says something refreshing and the guitar playing is exquisite.



ROBERT FRANCOS IN JERSEY BEAT
http://www.jerseybeat.com/quietcorner.html

This seems to be the year of all ABBA-all  the time. To add to the pile is Australian 
band AUDIOSCAM, who have produced their own interpretation on their CD “Abbattack” 
(australiansunrecords.com). All the hits that are in the movie, on the radio, coming out 
of storefronts, etc., are here. But what makes this different is that it is done in a poppy 
hair metal milieu. Yep, guitar solos, and all. It’s kinda interesting in its own 
twisted way, and would be more so if I was a fan of the Swedish acronym. One song that 
actually comes across especially well here is “S.O.S.,” on which they put 
just the right sheen. “Momma Mia” seems as if Queen arranged it, so I guess 
that works as well. Problem is, I was sick of these songs by 1985, so it was a tough 
listen at times, not because of Audioscam,who do a fine job, but because, well, as I 
said, all ABBA-all the time. Wonder if they’ll do a similar-yet-more-fun (to me) band next 
time, and cover The Seekers: “It’s  a long, long journey, so stay by my side…”

New Medley Single from Australia's Audioscam

2008-08-16T14:46:00.000-07:00

THE ABBATTACK MEDLEY!

All the songs from Australia's AUDIOSCAM in one brilliant medley mixed by Nigel Pegrum!

It is here...finally! The medley of Audioscam's underground sensation...hard rockin' versions of ABBA's Greatest hits.

Nancy Foster writes:

ABBATTACK is a great concept-the excellent pop songcraft of Sweden's Benny and Bjorn hammered out by supercharged Australian musicians. Ever since the 60's, Australian musicians have created and delivered their own ballsy amalgam of British Invasion and rootsy American rock 'n' roll-the best of both worlds so to speak. ABBATTACK lays down 10 winning tracks.

"Money Money Money" is positively operatic with explosive drums. "Knowing Me ,Knowing You" highlights a fine lead vocal and impressive multilayered harmonies on the chorus. "Waterloo" has an unusual arrangement with the percussion reworked,perhaps with dance clubs in mind.

"S.O.S." is one of the catchiest tracks on this recording; it has immediate appeal. "S.O.S." followed by "Ring Ring" delivers a successful one-two punch. "Fernando" is a hard rock tango with ABBATTACK signature outstanding vocal arrangements. To my ears, "Mamma Mia" is the hit of the collection. The dynamics are well paced and the harmonies continue to impress--Nancy Foster, August 31,2008

Robert Barry Francos says in Jersey Beat

This seems to be the year of all ABBA-all the time. To add to the pile is Australian band AUDIOSCAM, who have produced their own interpretation on their CD “Abbattack” (australiansunrecords. com). All the hits that are in the movie, on the radio, coming out of storefronts, etc., are here. But what makes this different is that it is done in a poppy hair metal milieu. Yep, guitar solos, and all. It’s kinda interesting in its own twisted way...
One song that actually comes across especially well here is “S.O.S.,” on which they put just the right sheen. “Momma Mia” seems as if Queen arranged it... Audioscam do a fine job"

Chicks are flocking to the MAMMA MIA film and buying the soundtrack, but their husbands and boyfriends are going to see The Dark Knight instead. Australia's Audioscam has a solution for the guys - they've rocked out the Abba tunes with what critic Janis Reed calls "Hendrixian licks that make the pop music of Bjorn and Benny a cosmic, psychedelic experience."

We agree with Janis, Boston's notorious rock writer is on target with that statement.

There's another Boston connection with the disc.

Ken Selcer of the group "Somebody's Sister" - famous for many political events with Green party candidate Jill Stein (Jill Stein and Ken Selcer were the duo, "Somebody's Sister") pressed up the radio promotional copies of the CD single and designed the CD face - which we have here.

The Story of the ABBATTACK Medley CD Single

In the late 1970s early 1980s the “medley” format became the rage in Canada, the U.K. and the Netherlands, spilling over into America with three huge hits – Stars On 45 Medley, The Beatles Movie Medley and the Beach Boys Medley. In honor of the film MAMMA MIA breaking records around the world, Australian recording artist Audioscam is releasing the

Abbattack Medley

ABBATTACK MEDLEY (3:56)
a)Rock Me 0:00 - 0:33
b)Dancing Queen 0:33 - 0:57
c)Voulez Vous 0:57 - 1:11
d)Knowing Me/Knowing You 1:11
e)S.O.S. 1:35
f)Waterloo 1:52
g)Ring Ring 2:09
h)Fernando 2:25-2:49
i)Mamma Mia 2:49-3:23
j)Money Money Money 3:23-3:56

Produced/Medley Mix: Nigel Pegrum of Pegasus Studios, Australia

The band: AUDIO SCAM

The CD: ABBATTACK
Australian Sun Records

ABBATTACK from AUDIOSCAM

A U D I O S C A M

Brian Pitcher - Lead Vocals, Drums, co-producer

Brad Wallace - Bass

Roger Gold - Guitars, Backing Vocals

Ross Wedding - Guitars, Backing vocals

About the production of ABBATTACK

Mark Mannock, Nigel Pegrum and Brian Pitcher are music industry veterans. Here's some additional information

MARK MANNOCK

Mark Mannock has been involved in the recording of over seventy albums world wide. He has recorded with, written for, performed with or supported artists such as Tina Turner, Joni Mitchell, Tommy Emmanuel, Shane Howard, David Hudson, Jimmy Little, Seaman Dan, The Sonic World Orchestra and Tjapukai. Having attained a music degree in composition Mark has won several awards for his work. These include Queensland Recording Association awards for ‘Song of the Year’, ‘Best Adult Contemporary Song’ and ‘Best Schools Album’. His compositions have included music for the stage for actress Diane Cilento and ‘Sleuth’ playwright Anthony Schafer in addition to numerous pieces for television including contributions to the American Survivor series.

NIGEL PEGRUM

After a misspent youth playing in rock bands in London in the 60’s, including stints with The Small Faces (later to become Rod Stewart and Faces) and heavy metal band Uriah Heap, Nigel joined the British folk rock band Steeleye Span. He recorded and toured internationally with Steeleye for seventeen years earning five gold and seven silver albums. The band also had their own television show in England. During this time Nigel created his own record label producing some thirty five jazz, blues and folk albums in addition to producing material for other labels, film ,television and radio, including Torvill and Dean’s legendary version of Ravel’s Bolero.
Since emigrating to Australia, Nigel has, in his Cairns studio, produced over one hundred CD’s. In 2004 ‘Perfect Pearl’ by Torres Strait Islander, Seaman Dan, co-produced and engineered by Nigel, won the ARIA award for best world music album.

Nigel has also been recognised by the Queensland Recording Association, being awarded at various times, Best Producer, Best Engineer, Best Indigenous Album and Best Album Overall. In addition to his involvement in Australian Sun Records Nigel continues to run his own recording facility ‘Pegasus Studios’ and production company ‘Hysterical Cat Productions’ in partnership with Mark Mannock.

Chris Lloyds: Backing Vocals
Russell Harris: Backing Vocals

The CD: ABBATTACK
The artist: AUDIOSCAM
The Label: Australian Sun Records
News update:
Tuesday, August 5, 2008, Radio 98.1 in Wollongong, Australia, are playing
Ring Ring from the ABBATTACK album during their breakfast show.
The Queensland Times is also running an ABBATTACK competition.

check out Audioscam on MySpace
http://www.myspace.com/audioscam

Media Contact:
Publicity Machine
P.O. Box 2392
Woburn, MA 01888
tel 617 899 5926

A list of online outlets for Audioscam's ABBATTACK

AMAZON
http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B001BYEOZQ?ie=UTF8&condition=new&tag=shopzilla_rev_1545-20&linkCode=asn

AMAZON
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001BYEOZQ?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&tag=shopzilla_rev_554-20&linkCode=asn

BE INDEPENDANT
http://www.beindependent.com/rel/v2_viewupc.php?storenr=286&upc=65092222042

CD UNIVERSE
http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=7720490&cart=790276778

J & R MUSIC
http://www.jr.com/product/music/pm/_1040034/

LIMEWIRE STORE
http://www.store.limewire.com/store/app/pages/album/Album/productId/92895/;jsessionid=96D7B911EF5260A8685BE7C2B1FFFE65

TAKE 2
http://www.take2.co.za/music-abbattack-3980417.html

TOWER RECORDS
http://www.tower.com/abbattack-audioscam-cd/wapi/112297870