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factoids

| recorded = January – May 2009United States(Water Music, Beat 360, The Alabaster Room)}}{{smallGermany(Gaga Studios, Bookie Park Studios)}}{{small|(Real World Studios)}}}}| venue =| genre = Synth-pop| length = 40:45Polydor Records>Polydor, UniversalSteve Osborne, Mark Saunders (record producer)>Mark Saunders, Roland Spremberg, Erik LjunggrenAnalogue (album)>Analogue| prev_year = 200525 (A-ha album)>25| next_year = 2010| misc = {hide}Singles {edih}}}Foot of the Mountain is the ninth studio album by the Norwegian pop rock band A-ha. It was released on 19 June 2009 and reached No. 1 on the German Albums ChartWEB,weblink A-ha til topps i Tyskland – kultur, 23 June 2009, Dagbladet.no, 12 January 2012, and No. 2 on the Norwegian Albums Chart.WEB,weblink A-ha – VG-lista. Offisielle hitlister fra og med 1958, Lista.vg.no, 12 January 2012, In its first week in the UK, the album debuted at No. 5, the group's highest chart placing in that country since Stay on These Roads in 1988.WEB,weblink A-ha rett inn på 5. plass – kultur, 2 August 2009, Dagbladet.no, 12 January 2012, The overall sound of the record marks a return to the synth-pop style the band became famous for in the mid-1980s. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091008083753weblink |date=8 October 2009 }} Keyboardist Magne Furuholmen describes the album thus: "It's an album that incorporates the key elements that first defined the band: soaring vocals, synth hooks, yearning lyrics and melodic melancholia."Foot of the Mountain was A-ha's last full-length album before their split in 2010 and the last to the use the new A-ha logo before they reunited and reverted to their old logo. However, they did release a further compilation album 25 with their new single "Butterfly, Butterfly (The Last Hurrah)" before reuniting in 2015.

Recording process

In a 2007 interview with the Norwegian TV channel TVTromsø, Paul Waaktaar-Savoy expressed frustration over the time it took to produce new material with the band: "The trouble with us is that we're never in sync. Right now, I'm eager to get going on the new album. I'm telling everybody that the new album is coming out next year and that it's going to be great. But the other two are of course just starting to get into their solo projects again and want to prioritize those for the time being."WEB,weblinkweblink 2021-12-20, live, A-ha – interview 2007 – Nordlys (in norwegian), YouTube, 12 January 2012, {{cbignore}} Getting around to recording the follow-up to Analogue took four years due to the individual projects of the band members. Paul's band Savoy released Savoy Songbook Vol. 1, Magne released his second solo album A Dot of Black in the Blue of Your Bliss and Morten Harket released his second English-language solo album Letter from Egypt. Despite touring quite extensively between 2005 and 2008, the focus of the group was not directed towards recording. The album ended up being recorded in a relatively short period of time (between January - May 2009) with Steve Osborne, Mark Saunders and Roland Spremberg producing.WEB,weblink A-ha – Foot of the Mountain (File) at Discogs, Discogs.com, 4 May 2009, 12 January 2012, The recording session took place in several studios around the world. In the US sessions were held at Water Music, Beat 360 and The Alabaster Room in New York City. In Norway recordings were made at Yoga Studio, Alabaster Cottage, Malabar Studio and Rainbow Studio. In the UK the band recorded at Real World Studios, whilst in Germany they used Gaga Studios and Boogie Park Studios.

Inspirations

The track "Riding the Crest", named by Paul Waaktaar-Savoy as "an electro-blues", is heavily inspired by Arcade Fire and their album Neon Bible. Being the principal songwriter on the album, Waaktaar-Savoy also got inspired by his changing surroundings, dividing his time between New York City and Oslo. ""Shadowside" feels quite Norwegian in the melody, the chords and the mood. "The Bandstand" reminds me of my first trip to New York City in the early '80s, before A-ha were famous. Songs are like a photo-album – they can really send you back. And this one reminds me of arriving at Port Authority with $35 in my pocket, sporting really high, yellow, almost see-through synthesizer-hair, wearing a tiger-shirt and a brown suit, looking like an alien!" The title track, "Foot of the Mountain" – examines one of the fundamental conflicts of modern life, the pull between nature and big-city civilization: for Paul, the buzz of New York City versus the beauty and isolation of Norway: "It's the dilemma of loving a city life, yet secretly wondering if we'd be happier being surrounded by open fields and sweeping mountains." "Real Meaning" is inspired by Waaktaar-Savoy calling home only to be greeted by his answering machine. The idea behind "Start the Simulator" was to make a heartfelt song using technical language: "The basic idea was to make a song using only technical terms and phrases, and still make it very emotional and personal. There is such poetry in the old Apollo manuals: "switch to Omni Bravo" and "the bright ejector blanket." The latter should probably be "ejecta blanket".Magne's solo work has been sampled extensively, with the song "Foot of the Mountain" originally appeared as a solo track, on Magne's last solo album and two tracks from the A-ha album, have borrowed parts from Magne's album.

Artwork

The album's artwork is designed by Martin Kvamme, who has worked with A-ha on previous occasions, both as a band and on solo projects. Stian Andersen, Guy Berryman, Istockphoto and Helge Kvamme supplied photographs for the inner sleeve. Martin Kvamme said the following about the inspiration behind the cover art: "In this case the title helped quite a lot. I know that this is a somehow poetic quote and that they are not necessarily talking about a mountain, but we wanted something majestic and simple. That's also why we made it quite abstract. It's a picture of the mountain Kyrkja (the church) in Jotunheimen, Norway. Inside we have more images of Norwegian nature (in a collage style). But in general I guess the inspiration comes from the overall idea (production and songwriting/lyrics), rather than the album title." {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090531065328weblink |date=31 May 2009 }}

Reception

Critical reception

{{Music ratingsWEBSITE=ANYDECENTMUSIC?, 4 April 2023, | rev1 = The Guardian 3AUTHOR=SULLIVAN, CAROLINEWORK=THE GUARDIAN DATE=24 JULY 2009, | rev2 = musicOMH2.5TITLE=A-HA - FOOT OF THE MOUNTAIN {{!, Album Reviews website=musicOMH date=26 July 2009}}| rev3 = The Observer 3LOCATION=LONDON TITLE=POP REVIEW: A-HA, FOOT OF THE MOUNTAIN, 22 October 2009, | rev4 = Planet Sound8TITLE=REVIEW: A-HA/FOOT OF THE MOUNTAIN PUBLISHER=TELETEXT ARCHIVE-URL=HTTPS://WEB.ARCHIVE.ORG/WEB/20090808154306/HTTP://WWW.TELETEXT.CO.UK/PLANETSOUND/ALBUM-LIVE-REVIEWS/09C12C43FE9EA85AA97F4FFE4B882549/A-HAFOOT+OF+THE+MOUNTAIN.ASPX URL-STATUS=DEAD, | rev5 = The Scotsman2WEBSITE=THE SCOTSMAN DATE=26 JULY 2009, The Times>Times Online 4TITLE=REVIEW: A-HA/FOOT OF THE MOUNTAIN WORK=THE TIMES ACCESS-DATE=24 JULY 2009, 17 July 2009, }}The Norwegian newspaper Verdens Gang gave the album 4 out of 6 stars, calling the band: "Coldplay's half-potent uncles."WEB,weblink A-ha: "Foot of the Mountain" – VG Nett om A-ha, 8 June 2009, Vg.no, 12 January 2012, Dagbladet also gave it 4 out of 6, stating: "This is one of A-ha's best records, but it could have been a classic."WEB,weblink Framover i alle retninger – kultur, 8 June 2009, Dagbladet.no, 12 January 2012, Aftenposten was also very positive, giving it 4 out of 6, whilst Dagsavisen had slight reservations giving it 3 out of 6.WEB, Cecilie Asker Publisert: 09.06.09 08:24 Oppdatert: 27 October 2009,weblink Høydepunktene mangler – Oslo – Foot of the Mountain aha A-ha Oslopuls.no, Oslopuls.aftenposten.no, 12 January 2012, WEB,weblink Gamle synther blekner : Dagsavisen, Dagsavisen.no, 9 June 2009, 12 January 2012, dead,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20090815135836weblink">weblink 15 August 2009, Nettavisen also gave it 3 out of 6.WEB,weblink TjA-ha – Nettavisen, Side2.no, 12 January 2012, Swedish newspaper Norra Västerbotten gave the album a glowing review and the mark 4 out of 5 stating that the album contained "Melodic synthpop in the vein of The Killers."WEB,weblink A-ha – Norran, Norran.se, 17 June 2009, 12 January 2012, dead,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20110719100748weblink">weblink 19 July 2011, Göteborgs-Posten gave the album 4 out of 6, calling the album: "A late peak in the band's career, perfectly placed between the soundscapes of Keane, Coldplay and Depeche Mode."WEB,weblink Göteborgs-Posten - Skivrecensioner 4 fyrar, 17 June 2009,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20071031063311weblink">weblink 31 October 2007, dead, Östgöta Correspondenten gave a favourable review stating: "It is clear to see where Coldplay get their inspiration from."WEB,weblink Östergötlands största nyhetssajt, Corren.se, 12 January 2012, Kristianstadsbladet were less favorable, stating that the album was a: "Sleeping pill."WEB,weblink A-ha: Foot of the mountain – Skivrecensioner – Kristianstadsbladet – Nyheter dygnet runt, Kristianstadsbladet.se, 16 June 2009, 12 January 2012,

Commercial performance

In the United Kingdom, the album debuted at number five on the UK Albums Chart, the band's highest chart position since 1988.Foot of the Mountain reached platinum status in Russia, and in January 2010 it was certified platinum in Germany.Срок регистрации домена закончилсяWEB,weblink MusikWoche | News | Universal und MM Merchandising Media veredeln A-ha mit Platin, Mediabiz.de, 25 January 2010, 12 January 2012, 1 August 2010,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20100801060044weblink">weblink dead,

Track listing

{{Track listing| extra_column = Producer(s)| title1 = The Bandstand| music1 = Magne Furuholmen, Waaktaar-Savoy| lyrics1 = Paul Waaktaar-SavoyMark Saunders (record producer)>Mark Saunders| length1 = 4:03| title2 = Riding the Crest| music2 = Furuholmen, Waaktaar-Savoy| lyrics2 = Waaktaar-SavoySteve Osborne, Erik Ljunggren, a-ha, Saunders{{ref>a|[a]}}| length2 = 4:18| title3 = What There Is| music3 = Furuholmen, Waaktaar-Savoy| lyrics3 = Waaktaar-Savoya|[a]}}| length3 = 3:46Foot of the Mountain (song)>Foot of the Mountain| music4 = Furuholmen, Waaktaar-Savoy, Martin Terefe| lyrics4 = Furuholmen, Waaktaar-Savoy| extra4 = Roland Spremberg| length4 = 3:59| title5 = Real Meaning| music5 = Furuholmen, Waaktaar-Savoy| lyrics5 = Waaktaar-Savoya|[a]}}| length5 = 3:42Shadowside (song)>Shadowside| music6 = Waaktaar-Savoy| lyrics6 = Waaktaar-Savoy| extra6 = Roland Spremberg| length6 = 4:57| title7 = Nothing Is Keeping You Here| music7 = Waaktaar-Savoy| lyrics7 = Waaktaar-Savoy| extra7 = Roland Spremberg| length7 = 3:20| title8 = Mother Nature Goes To Heaven| music8 = Waaktaar-Savoy| lyrics8 = Waaktaar-Savoya|[a]}}| length8 = 4:11| title9 = Sunny Mystery| music9 = Furuholmen| lyrics9 = Furuholmena|[a]}}| length9 = 3:32| title10 = Start the Simulator| music10 = Waaktaar-Savoy| lyrics10 = Waaktaar-Savoy| extra10 = Saunders, Spremberg| length10 = 5:12}}{{Track listingWEBSITE = DISCOGS, 21 July 2010, | title1 = Foot of the Mountain (Remix)| length1 = 4:48| title2 = Foot of the Mountain (Erik Ljunggren Remix)| length2 = 4:51| title3 = Foot of the Mountain (Boheme 7" Remix)| length3 = 6:57}}

Notes

• {{note|a|[a]}} contains elements produced by Mark Saunders

Personnel

A-ha

• Morten Harket – vocals
• Magne Furuholmen – keyboards, vocals
• Paul Waaktaar-Savoy – guitars, vocals

Additional musicians

• Pete Davis – programming
• Erik Ljunggren – keyboards, programming
• Chris Papendieck – keyboards, programming, guitars
• Mark Saunders – programming
• Jochan Schmalbach – programming
• Roland Spremberg – keyboards, programming, guitars, bass guitar
• Albert Bjerglund – guitars
• Steve Osborne – guitars, bass guitar
• Jens Carstens – drums
• James Frazee – drums
• Karl Oluf Wennerberg – drums
• Kjetil Bjerkestrand – string arrangements
• Harald Aadland, Ida Bryhn, Bogumila Dowlasz-Wojcikowska, Dorthe Dreier, Øyvind Fossheim, Cecilia Götestam, Hans Josef Groh, Jørn Halbakken, Vegard Johnsen, Johannes Martens, André Orvik, Stig Ove Ose, Alyson Read, Eileen Siegel, and Hans Mortem Stensland – strings

Technical and Design

• Manfred Faust – engineer
• James Frazee – engineer
• Erik Ljunggren – engineer
• George Tanderø – engineer
• Jan Erik Kongshaug – string recording
• Robin Baynton – assistant engineer
• Adam Daniels – assistant engineer
• Steve Osborne – mixing
• Kevin Metcalfe – mastering
• Tim Young – mastering
• Metropolis Mastering and The Soundmasters (London, UK) – mastering locations
• Martin Kvamme – cover design
• Stian Andersen – photography
• Guy Berryman – photography
• Helge Kvamme – photography
• iStockphoto – photography
• Harald Wiik – management

Charts

{{col-begin}}{{col-2}}Foot of the Mountain">

Weekly charts{| class"wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style"text-align:center"|+ Weekly chart performance for Foot of the Mountain

! scope="col"| Chart (2009)! scope="col"| Peakposition{{album chart|Austria|11|artist=a-ha|album=Foot of the Mountain|rowheader=true|access-date=10 December 2020}}{{album chart|Czech|40|date=200926|rowheader=true|access-date=10 December 2020}}{{album chart|Netherlands|83|artist=a-ha|album=Foot of the Mountain|rowheader=true|access-date=10 December 2020}}! scope="row"| European Albums (Billboard)MAGAZINE,weblink Hits of the World, Billboard (magazine), Billboard, 121, 33, August 22, 2009, 51, 0006-2510, Google Books, | 8{{album chart|Germany4|1|id=111037|artist=a-ha|album=Foot of the Mountain|rowheader=true|access-date=10 December 2020}}{{album chart|Ireland2|72|artist=a-ha|rowheader=true|access-date=10 December 2020}}{{album chart|Italy|85|artist=a-ha|album=Foot of the Mountain|rowheader=true|access-date=10 December 2020}}! scope="row"| Japanese Albums (Oricon)WEB,weblink ja:フット・オブ・ザ・マウンテン {{!, a～ha |trans-title=Foot of the Mountain {{!}} a-ha |language=ja |publisher=Oricon |access-date=10 December 2020}}| 134{{album chart|Norway|2|artist=a-ha|album=Foot of the Mountain|rowheader=true|access-date=10 December 2020}}{{album chart|Poland|17|id=529|rowheader=true|access-date=10 December 2020}}{{album chart|Scotland|8|date=20090802|rowheader=true|access-date=10 December 2020}}{{album chart|Sweden|45|artist=a-ha|album=Foot of the Mountain|rowheader=true|access-date=10 December 2020}}{{album chart|Switzerland|12|artist=a-ha|album=Foot of the Mountain|rowheader=true|access-date=10 December 2020}}{{album chart|UK2|5|date=20090802|rowheader=true|access-date=10 December 2020}}{{col-2}}Foot of the Mountain">

Year-end charts{| class"wikitable plainrowheaders" style"text-align:center"|+ Year-end chart performance for Foot of the Mountain

! scope="col"| Chart (2009)! scope="col"| Position! scope="row"| European Albums (Billboard)WEB,weblink Year End Charts – European Top 100 Albums, Billboard.biz, 2009, 31 August 2018,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20121003174206weblink">weblink 3 October 2012, | 96! scope="row"| German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)WEB,weblink Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts – 2009, de, GfK Entertainment, 10 December 2020, | 22{{col-end}}

Certifications

{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for Foot of the Mountain}}{{Certification Table Entry|type=album|region=Germany|artist=A-Ha|title=Foot of the Mountain|award=Platinum|certyear=2010|relyear=2009|access-date=5 October 2019}}{{Certification Table Entry|type=album|region=Russia|artist=A-Ha|title=Foot of the Mountain|award=Platinum|certyear=2009|relyear=2009|access-date=5 October 2019}}{{Certification Table Bottom}}">

Release history{| class"wikitable"

! Region! Date| Germany 12 June 2009| Poland| Norway| 15 June 2009| Netherlands 19 June 2009| Austria| Switzerland| UK| 27 July 2009| Canada| 18 August 2009| Brazil| 27 October 2009| Japan| 4 November 2009| ArgentinaPUBLISHER=MUSIMUNDO.COM ACCESS-DATE=12 JANUARY 2012 ARCHIVE-URL=HTTPS://WEB.ARCHIVE.ORG/WEB/20120303071445/HTTP://WWW.MUSIMUNDO.COM/PRODUCTO-14740929222~FOOT-OF-THE-MOUNTAIN.ASPX, 3 March 2012,

References

{{Reflist}}

External links

• weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20090612003100weblink">Official album site (German)
• {{Metacritic album}}

{{A-ha}}{{Authority control}}