E-Type Album: “Explorer”

First, let me say that I am a huge fan of E-Type's music, one of the very best Eurodance acts around today. In fact, I would place E-Type, in terms of impact and commercial success, on par with the other two great Swedish acts of 90s, Roxette and Ace Of Base, and all three at the very peak of European music in the 90s and 00s.

That being said, I consider this 1996 "Explorer" album to be the least effective of the four produced by Martin Eriksson, aka E-Type, and I would keep it strictly for the exceptional track Calling Your Name. By comparison, the 1994 album, "Made in Sweden" was a 4 star effort (with Do You Always, Set the World On Fire, Russian Lullaby and This Is The Way as stand-outs) while the 1999 album "Last Man Standing" would receive a 5 star in my book (a broad range of musical experiments, almost all successful, from baroque to egyptian and back to Euro-sound - standouts: Angels Crying, Princess of Egypt, Here I Go Again, Hold Your Horses, Walk Away).

The very best - and latest - E-Type album, "Euro IV-Ever", released in 2001, featuring the incredible vocals of NaNa Hedina (a perfect complement to Martin's dance beats), the track list includes the superb Life, as well as Time, When I Close My Eyes, No More Tears, Africa (and the soccer-anthem Campione, for those so inclined). A 5 star +++.

E-Type has also released a Greatest Hits album (that includes the best tracks from its first three albums) that includes Calling Your Name, so you would do better to spend your money on that album (when Amazon brings it over - nudge, nudge) than the considerable sum requested for this import. Nevertheless, here is the track list of "Explorer" to fill in the "information gap", in the spirit of the wonderful Amazon community :o)

1. Explorer

First of all, I want to tell you that christian c did a great job reviewing. E-Type is probably the third most influencial artist from Sweden after Ace of Base and Roxette in the 90s and 00s. However, I have to disagree with the rating he gave to this album. It really depends whether you like pop, eurodance, or some of the harder stuff written by E-Type. I own all 4 albums and I was pretty reluctant to write a review on them at first. I did not like too much Euro4ever the first time I listened to it. After one month, I thought it was a great album as it grew on me. So I decided to wait for awhile before I reflect on the albums.

In my opinion, E-Type's debut album "Made In Sweden" is his best compilation. Almost every track with the exception of Made In Sweden and Me No Want Miseria became international hits in around the world. The most famous tracks from it are Set The World On Fire, So Dem A Com, This Is The Way, When Religion Comes To Town, Russian Lullaby, Do You Always -- but you won't be disappointed in other songs!

Explorer is another excellent album. This album has a much slower beat than what we have come to expect from E-Type. I think this album is similar but better than Last Man Standing. It includes great tracks like Calling Your Name, Back In The Loop, I Just Want To Be With You, and my personal favorite, Free Like A Flying Demon. You will also enjoy a softer side of E-Type listening to I Am Not Alone, and You Will Always Be A Part of me. This album deserves 5 stars!

Why do I love E-Type's music so much? I don't know, maybe because it's so Great and Picks up my spirits, and stylistically very varied :)

This album (released in 1996) was quite different from E-Type's (aka Martin Eriksson's, his real name) album release from 1994 called "Made In Sweden". While "Made In Sweden" was a Great EuroTechno/EuroDance/Pop album, "Explorer" took a More Pop/Rock direction with more guitars, and more EuroReggae in the style of Ace of Base. But There are still some nice techno Beats in "Explorer"

But the songs on this CD are in No Way worse than on "Made in Sweden" (LOL I Love that title, it means Quality). In fact some might even find this album better than MIS, a matter of Personal taste.

But it does not matter, because "Explorer" simply Delivers what in my opinion is Great album with Hit after Hit after Hit. There are still Powerful and Soaring Female Vocals, Choruses, and E-Type's unique rap.

I don't think E-Type's a Great rapper, but not bad either, in fact he's not really a rapper (LOL look at this hair, he's a Rocker who made many EuroDance/Disco songs), but whether you think his rap is Good or Bad, I think it's still Very unique, and to me sounds AWESOME.

"Explorer" is a HIT-FILLED album that takes a listener on a wild ride, which only E-Type could give. I said "HIT - FILLED" because every song on this could be a hit single. In the Great Swedish Tradition (that started from ABBA), every song has that MAGICAL HOOK to the Melody that just makes you go Crazy. Not to mention those Awesome Beats.

Almost All songs have Great techno Beats and Melody Hooks, and many use Awesome Guitars and Great Powerful female Vocals.

Also make sure to check out other Great Albums by E-Type:

Thank You, and I hope you Enjoy.