In 1986, a-ha were quite popular in my area. There was something so different about A-ha compared to all of their peers. Morten Haarket's vocals for one, but the sounds they attained on this album and as a band in general are heard no where else. They must be the only users of their brand of keyboard or something.

I will say that this was one of the most eagerly awaited albums of the year, after their infectious debut album. It did not disappoint. There was more electric guitar on this album compared to their first, and little or no acoustic. The synths were there, though, and the same dark but sweet sound was present.

There are great grooves in such songs as Cry Wolf and Maybe Maybe, ethereal, new wave in both The Swing of Things and We're Looking for the Whales, and flat out rippin' songs such as The Weight of the Wind and the quite brillaint (even today), I've Been Losing You.

And in contrast, there are highly introspective, darkly haunting songs like October and the Soft Rains of April, that no one seems to do as well as this band; even to this day.

Truly, a-ha were one of the 80's defining bands and this wonderful newly digitally remastered, expanded, and limited edition digipack features two CDs from the Norwegian trio's 1986 sophomore album.

Released to coincide with the band's farewell tour, a-ha may have seemed to come out of nowhere when they released the worldwide hit Take On Me in 1985, but the band's roots stretched back to the early '80s.

And while the band will take their final bow in 2010, their last gig back at the very same arena they played their very first gig at all those years ago, their musical legacy will continue long after that last note has long faded away.

Hence, disc One features the original album plus three extended remixes and disc two contains 18 demos, alternate and live versions of the album's tracks.