ABBA IS THE LIGHT IN THE SWEDISH POP DARKNESS

What is the current exchange value on Swedish pop music? Right now the feeling is uncertain. Roxette's album "Have a nice day" was not the successful comeback which many had hoped for. Nearly six months after it's release, it is still missing a big international hit. Like it's predecessor "Crash Boom Bang", it has still not even been released by a record company in the USA, a big disappointment.

Even the Cardigans have so far been unsuccessful in the crucial American market with their latest album "Gran Turismo". On the other hand, the Cardigans have nevertheless got a good breakthrough in England where they are bigger than ever.

Not even Robyn is said to be able to repeat her successes in the USA. The summer's celebrated tour seriously established her in Sweden. But at the same time, the new album "My truth", which has a more adult sound and a considerably lower profile than her debut, is said to alienate her from the American teenage audience who bought her first singles.

But there is a shining exception. 1999's biggest Swedish pop success comes from - Abba.

While artists like Roxette and Ace of Base get to be satisfied with having been big for a limited time, Abba have been a unique group just like the Beatles - rediscovered by generation after generation. After 25 years, Abba have been a Swedish trademark in a class of it's own; a trademark which only gets stronger.

The compilation album "Abba Gold" has outclassed all other younger Swedish artists during 1999. In Sweden alone, the album has sold over 350,000 copies, which no other artist has even come close to. "Abba Gold" is also persistently climbing to the top of the charts all over the world, not the least in England where it finds tens of thousands of new buyers every week.

The fact that Björn and Benny's pop songs are really timeless is emphasised by the phenomenon Abba Teens, or A Teens as they are now called.

A Teens started as a record company creation, just like the Monkees in the 60s. A Teens were created in a meeting room at Stockholm Records because the record company wanted to do a tribute album in conjunction with the 25th anniversary of Abba'a breakthrough.

But when the four chosen youngsters went into the recording studio, it became apparent that they - again just like the Monkees - were much better than anyone could have dreamed. "Frankenstein" was set free.

"Mamma Mia" would never have become one of the fastest selling singles in Sweden of all time if A Teens were only a cynical record company creation. That the teen group A Teens really have something unique - a combination of charm and talent - is also emphasised by the reaction outside of Sweden.

A Teens have already been number one all over Scandinavia. Many are even pointing to a repeat of this achievement in the prestigeous England and the rest of Europe; advance interest is in record proportions. Perhaps they can even be a hit in the USA.

1999's biggest Swedish pop success in all categories consequently will not come from the direction expected. Instead, Roxette and co will most likely be pushed aside for four unknown teenagers who sing Abba songs.

Written by Jan Gradvall Translated by Grant Whittingham exclusively for ABBAMAIL