Number Ones

ABBA's 'Number Ones' DVD is a testament to the fact that music videos have come a long way over the past thirty years. But if you're an avid ABBA fan, are feeling a little nostalgic or are just in the mood for a giggle, this is worth a watch.

While the soft lighting, hideous outfits, bad hair and cheesy visual effects will have you chuckling with delight, there is something very pleasing about the simplicity of the performances and the focus on the music.

Ah yes, in the '70s music was actually, largely, about the music. It was okay if a tiny bulge of a stomach could be seen through that shiny snakeskin cat-suit. It was okay if one of your band members looked like a shorter, less attractive version of David Spade and it was okay if your dance moves were not in the least bit pornographic.

Admittedly, it was also okay to take the whole ‘pair’ theme a bit far and to think that special effects amounted to kaleidoscopic renditions of the group, fade-outs and slow-mo 'strobe-like' images of each of the band members.

Oh, and then there's that big fake snowman and the bizarre glittery male cat-suit. But hey, that’s all part of the charm.

Not surprisingly, the DVD is packed with all the great ABBA hits, such as 'Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)', 'Mamma Mia', 'Dancing Queen', 'Fernando' and 'Waterloo'.

And while some of the videos simply focus on the group singing, others such as 'Money, Money, Money' and 'The Winner Takes it All include an, albeit rather basic, narrative thread — the precursors to the current story-focused clips.

With its great visual and audio quality, the DVD provides a glimpse of these music icons in a time gone by. It’s good fun and if it doesn’t have you teasing your hair and donning a pair of iridescent flared trousers, it will at least keep you entertained.

» ABBA's 'Number Ones' is also available on CD.