Just re-listened to Abba's Pop Masterpiece "Arrival"

Anyone with an ounce of hip despised ABBA at the time.

^^^ Most likely and only in the USA. Everywhere else the group was greatly admired, scoring consecutive #1's everywhere (8 in a row in UK alone). If you don't believe me ask Bono ... right after performing "Dancing Queen" at the Wembley and bowing in front of the two male members of ABBA saying "We are not worthy!"

There was a bit of a backlash, even in Europe (I know, I was a teenager there in the 80s.) For about 10 years, 1982-1992, they were largely forgotten, at least in the media. Then, the new generations rediscovered them and ABBA were just as popular as ever. A lot of artists from different genres started quoting ABBA as major influence and the rest is history.

Yes in the 80's there was backlash everywhere. Not in the 70's though, when they were elevated to almost Bealtes like status (except the US). I was unrepentent ABBA fan since "Waterloo" and a Swedish friend of mine after "Gold" and "Mamma Mia" reflected "do you remember when we used to laugh at you". Some people just know what is good whereas others have to be told.

Their last album, The Visitors, is fantastic, although a bit dark. I like the unreleased songs, Dreamworld, Under my Sun, Every Good Man. It's Frida for me, their last TV appearance as a group, in Germany on Show Express, had a very Pro Frida audience. Shouts of Frida, Frida! during Cassandra and The Day Before you came. Frida was half German, indeed the only non Swedish member of the group.

R1 is right.. They also despised everything from the Carpenters to disco. This is a good reason to take no notice of the self-consciously hip.

Indeed the "Visitors" is not only fantastic but the most mature album released by the other Fab Four. It is very unfortunate that the fans did not embrace the grown up chapter. The previous one "Super Trouper" was probably their last commercially sucesfull effort. The Winner Takes It All and The Day Before You Came are true masterpieces. Personally, I have always prefered Agnetha over Frida.

Indeed the "Visitors" is not only fantastic but the most mature album released by the other Fab Four. It is very unfortunate that the fans did not embrace the grown up chapter. The previous one "Super Trouper" was probably their last commercially sucesfull effort. The Winner Takes It All and The Day Before You Came are true masterpieces. Personally, I have always prefered Agnetha over Frida.

The song "The Visitors" is my favorite dance song.