I en tid som vår
I en tid som vår | ||||
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Studio album by Marie Fredriksson | ||||
Released | 4 November 1996 | |||
Recorded | February–September 1996 | |||
Studio | Studio Vinden, Djursholm | |||
Genre | Alternative pop | |||
Length | 51:10 | |||
Language | Swedish | |||
Label | EMI Svenska AB | |||
Producer | ||||
Marie Fredriksson chronology | ||||
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Singles from I en tid som vår | ||||
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I en tid som vår (English: In a Time Like Ours) is the fifth studio album by Swedish singer-songwriter Marie Fredriksson, released on 4 November 1996 by EMI Sweden. The album was recorded and co-produced by Fredriksson with her husband Mikael Bolyos, at their home studio in Djursholm. The record was a commercial success upon release in her native country, peaking at number 2 for two non-consecutive weeks on the Swedish Albums Chart, and it was certified platinum by the Swedish Recording Industry Association for shipments in excess of 80,000 units.
"Tro" was released as the album's first and only commercially-released single. It became a substantial hit in Sweden, peaking within the top ten and spending over 6 months on the singles chart there. The song remains one of Fredriksson's highest-selling singles in her home territory. "I en tid som vår" and "Ber bara en gång" were issued as limited-edition promotional singles.
Release and promotion
A total of three singles were released to promote the album. "Tro" was issued as the lead single, and the album's first and only commercial single, on 11 October 1996. The song became a substantial hit in Fredriksson's home territory, spending a total of 29 weeks on the Swedish Singles Chart, peaking at number 8 on its fourth week.[1] The title track was released as a limited edition promotional single on 2 December, and was limited to 700 copies.[2] A promotional single for "Ber bara en gång" was limited to just 600 copies, and was released on 24 February 1997.[2]
In The Look for Roxette: The Illustrated Worldwide Discography & Price Guide, author Robert Thorselius hypothesised that "Ber bara en gång" was issued in limited quantities to avoid competition between the song and Fredriksson's duet with former ABBA vocalist Anni-Frid Lyngstad, "Alla mina bästa år" ("All My Best Years"), which was released the same week.[2] "Alla mina bästa år" was peaked at number 54 in Sweden,[1] and was taken from Frida's album Djupa andetag (Deep Breaths).
Critical reception
Professional ratings | |
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Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
Aftonbladet | |
Nöjesguiden |
Nordic publication Nöjesguiden gave the album a mixed review. They called it "depressing", and accused Fredriksson's lyrics of being formulaic, writing: "On a Chris Isaak album, you are never too far from the word 'crying'. On a Marie Fredriksson album, it seems the word 'rain' comes along every fourth line [verse]. [...] The problem is that she formulated every syllable so vigilantly, and then you realise later that only the most initiated of fans understands what she's singing about".[4] Conversely, Anders Hvidfeldt of Aftonbladet said that "unlike other people, I think that even millionaires from [affluent Stockholm suburb] Djursholm have the right to be sad sometimes." He praised the record as "exceptionally sad, [but] dazzling and autumn-like."[3]
Commercial performance
The album was a commercial success upon release in Sweden, spending two non-consecutive weeks at number 2 on Sverigetopplistan.[5] It was Fredriksson's third consecutive platinum-certified album from the Swedish Recording Industry Association, although the organisation had downgraded its certification levels for platinum albums from 100,000 to 80,000 units since the release of Fredriksson's previous studio album, 1992's Den ständiga resan (The Eternal Journey).[6] The success of the album in her native country led EMI to issue the album outside of Sweden, the first time they had chosen to do so with any of Fredriksson's solo albums.[2] It was released in Japan on 5 February 1997.[7]
The record was remastered in 24-bit quality and reissued on HDCD in June 2002 as part of the six-disc Kärlekens guld (Love's Gold) box set. It was later reissued as a separate CD on 5 March 2003.[2]
Formats and track listing
All songs written by Marie Fredriksson, except "Herren ber för dig" by Fredriksson and Mikael Bolyos.
No. | Title | English translation | Length |
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1. | "I en tid som vår" | "In a Time Like Ours" | 6:13 |
2. | "Drömmen" | "The Dream" | 5:44 |
3. | "Efter så många år" | "After So Many Years" | 4:48 |
4. | "Min trognaste vän" | "My Most Faithful Friend" | 4:04 |
5. | "Ber bara en gång" | "Just Pray Once" | 4:05 |
6. | "Vinterängel" | "Winter Angel" | 5:17 |
7. | "Aldrig tillbaka mer" | "Never Go Back Again" | 5:19 |
8. | "Mild varm vår" | "Mild Warm Spring" | 5:39 |
9. | "Berusa mig" | "Intoxicate Me" | 5:05 |
10. | "Tro" | "Hope" | 4:56 |
Total length: | 51:10 |
I en tid som vår – 2003 reissue (bonus tracks) | |||
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No. | Title | English translation | Length |
11. | "Tid för försoning" | "Time for Reconciliation" | 4:12 |
12. | "Herren ber för dig" (from the 1994 compilation Vilda fåglar: sånger om barn) | "The Lord Prays for You" | 4:18 |
Total length: | 59:40 |
Credits and personnel
Credits adapted from the liner notes of I en tid som vår.[8]
- Recorded at Studio Vinden in Djursholm, Sweden between February and September 1996.
- Mastered by Peter Dahl at Cutting Room Studios, Stockholm
Musicians
- Marie Fredriksson – vocals, piano, lyricist, composition, arrangements, production and mixing
- Mikael Bolyos – keyboards, arrangements, production and mixing
- Staffan Astner – guitars
- Janos Döme – viola
- Nacka Musikklasser (Nacka Music Classes) – choir
- Nacka Musikskolas (Nacka Music School) – choir
- Max Schultz – guitars
- Nicki Wallin – drums
- Sven Zetterberg – harmonica
Technical personnel
- Kjell Andersson – artwork
- Hans Carlén – photography
- Mattias Edwall – photography
- Alar Suurna – mixing ("Ber bara en gång" and "Tro")
Charts
Weekly charts
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Year-end charts
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Certifications
Region | Certification | Certified units/Sales |
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Sweden (GLF)[6] | Platinum | 80,000^ |
*sales figures based on certification alone |
Release history
Region | Date | Format | Label | Catalog # | Ref. |
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Sweden | 4 November 1996 | CD | EMI | 7243 8631812 1 | [2] |
Japan[7] | 5 February 1997 | Toshiba EMI | TOCP-50097 | ||
Sweden | June 2002 | Remastered 24-bit HDCD: Kärlekens guld box set | Capitol Records | 7243 540199-2 0 | |
5 March 2003 | CD | 7243 540161-2 7 |
References
- 1 2 "Swedishcharts.com – Marie Fredriksson – Tro". Hung Medien. Retrieved 19 November 2017.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Thorselius, Robert (May 2003). The Look for Roxette: The Illustrated Worldwide Discography & Price Guide (1st ed.). Sweden: Premium Förlag Publishing. ISBN 978-9197189484.
- 1 2 Hvidfeldt, Anders. "Arkiv CD-recensioner (F)" [Archive CD Reviews (F)]. Aftonbladet (in Swedish). Retrieved 18 December 2017.
- 1 2 "I en tid som vår | Nöjesguiden". Nöjesguiden. Retrieved 23 November 2017.
- 1 2 "Swedishcharts.com – Marie Fredriksson – I en tid som vår". Hung Medien. Retrieved 23 November 2017.
- 1 2 "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 1987−1998" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. Retrieved 23 November 2017.
- 1 2 "今,この季節をあなたと | マリー・フレデリクソン | ORICON NEWS" ["Now, this season with you" | Marie Fredriksson | ORICON NEWS]. Oricon (in Japanese). Retrieved 23 November 2017.
- ↑ I en tid som vår (CD liner notes). Marie Fredriksson. EMI. 1996. 7243 8 53708-2 3.
- ↑ "Sverigetopplistan > Sök Alla Listar > Årlistar > Album (Inkl Samlingar) > 1996". Sverigetopplistan (in Swedish). Retrieved 30 December 2017.