This is a strange package. ABBA: Thank You For The Music is a four-DVD and 116-page oversized book combination which celebrates the Swedish supergroup of the seventies. It goes without saying that their popularity has remained high over the years, so a tribute like this makes perfect sense. However, the content is a not quite what I'd expected.
First of all there is the disclaimer on the back cover: “This independent book and DVD set was made with complete editorial freedom. It is uncensored and not in any way associated with members of ABBA.” To me, this implies that there is lots of juicy information inside. Come on now, salacious gossip about these squeaky clean and formerly married two couples — how could one resist? A quick glance disabused me of that notion completely. Of course, this being a book and DVD combo, it is sealed, so the curious are forced to purchase it first to find out just what it is all about.
The only thing the members of ABBA could possibly object to is the level of adulation lavished upon them. This is no mere acknowledgment of the group’s impressive achievements; it is a bid for rock immortality. Throughout the book author John Tobler repeatedly compares ABBA to The Beatles. While both groups did have four members, both were active for seven years, and both acts sold millions of records, the similarities end there. Yes, ABBA were a major international success. But putting them on par with The Beatles? Please.
Being completely unauthorized, the set relies on outsiders to offer their perceptions of the group. These include members of the ABBA tribute band Bjorn Again, as well as other musicians and industry figures. By making this a four-DVD collection, one is given the impression that there is a ton of material contained within. Not quite. Each DVD clocks in at about a half an hour. This means that everything could have been put onto one disc, with room to spare.
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