Shine (Frida Album)

''Shine'' is the fourth studio album by Swedish singer Anni-Frid Lyngstad, and her second international solo album as Frida. Released in September 1984, it marks her last studio album in the English language to date. Although it was never officially released in the United States, the album was made available in Canada by WEA.

The album has been re-released several times over the years, most notably in a digitally remastered version in 2005, which included bonus tracks. ''Shine'', along with its accompanying promotional videos and clips, is also featured in the collection ''Frida – 4xCD 1xDVD''.

In terms of commercial success, ''Shine'' sold a total of 225,000 copies worldwide, with 65,000 of those sales occurring in Sweden. Despite its limited release, the album remains a significant part of Frida's solo discography.

Recording

After the success of ''Something's Going On'', Phil Collins was to produce again for Frida's next album, but as Genesis formed part of his other commitments, producer Steve Lillywhite took over his role.

Recording began on 1 February 1984, at the Studios de la Grande Armée, Paris, France. The producer was Steve Lillywhite, and at only 29 years of age, he was already known for his work with Peter Gabriel, the Rolling Stones and U2 amongst others. Lillywhite's then-wife Kirsty MacColl co-wrote three songs that made the album, as well as a fourth recorded at the sessions and used as a B-side.

At the time of recording, both ''Something's Going On'' and ''Shine'', Lyngstad wanted to distance herself from the "typical ABBA pop-sound" and try new directions. Lillywhite managed to give Lyngstad an even more modern and complex soundscape than Phil Collins had done on her previous album. In '' Frida – The DVD'', when speaking about ''Shine'' and its failure to recreate the success of its predecessor, Lyngstad herself said "that maybe this album became a bit too modern for its time".

Music

''Shine'' features songwriting contributions from musicians such as Stuart Adamson, Kirsty MacColl, Simon Climie (of Climie Fisher fame), and Pete Glenister, a frequent co-writer and producer of Alison Moyet's music. The ''Shine'' album is also unique as it saw the debut of Lyngstad as a songwriter in both "Don't Do It" and "That's Tough", the latter also features her son Hans Fredriksson as co-writer. (Frida also wrote "I Don't Wanna Be Alone" during this period). The track "Slowly" was written by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus of ABBA.

The lead single from the album was the title track, " Shine". In some countries "Twist in the Dark", "Come to Me (I Am Woman)" and "Heart of the Country" were released as singles. ''Shine'' reached the Top 10 on the album charts in Sweden and Norway, and the Top 30 in the Netherlands and Switzerland.

Critical reception

''The Kingston Whig-Standard'' reviewed the album in January 1985 and said that what emerged was a "wintery album: beautiful but not warm." They found that the "wistful songs of ABBA" were missed, and considered that "Slowly", written by Björn and Benny, was the best track on the record." They concluded by describing ''Shine'' as a "transition album" as it did not "indicate which way Frida asheading."

AllMusic's Bruce Eder wrote that ''Shine'' was "more ambitious" than ''Something's Going On''. He explained that with producer Steve Lillywhite, Frida was able to stretch out "on a string of memorable and bold songs". Eder also added that Lillywhite gave her a "more integrated band setting in which to work" which, with the "high quality of the songs", delivered a "a more compelling album, if not a more successful one."

Track listing

Personnel

Adapted from the album's liner notes.

Musicians
* Anni-Frid Lyngstad – lead vocals, backing vocals
* Tony Levin – bass guitar
* Pete Glenister – electric guitar, acoustic guitar
* Simon Climie – keyboards, synthesizers, harpsichord, backing vocals
* Mark Brzezicki – drums
* Marc Chantreau – percussion
* Rutger Gunnarsson – bass guitar (1, 8)
* Kirsty MacColl – backing vocals
Production
* Steve Lillywhite – producer
* Howard Gray – engineer
* Frederic Defaye – assistant engineer
* Stig Anderson – executive producer
* David Edwards – studio coordinator
* Thomas Johansson; Görel Hanser – album coordinators
* Heinz Angermayr – cover photography
* Göran Dessen – album design
* Cay Bond – stylist

Charts

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Shine (Frida Album)
1984 albums
Anni-Frid Lyngstad albums
Albums produced by Steve Lillywhite