Minor Earth Major Sky (stylised as minor earth major sky) is the sixth studio album by Norwegian synth-pop band A-ha, released on 14 April 2000 by WEA.
Background and release
Following the release of a-ha's fifth studio album, Memorial Beach (1993), the band decided to go on a hiatus. In 1998, the band was invited to perform at the Nobel Peace Prize Concert. Paul Waaktaar-Savoy had written "Summer Moved On" especially for this performance.interview on "a-ha live at valhall homecoming" DVD, 2001 They also performed "The Sun Always Shines on T.V.". This performance was a-ha's comeback into the world of music and the band decided to return to the studio.
Almost the entire album was remixed by producer Niven Garland at the record company's insistence to make it more radio-friendly for the band's German market.
"Summer Moved On", "Minor Earth Major Sky" and "Velvet" were commercially released as singles. "I Wish I Cared" was an Internet download single, accompanied by an Internet-only music video—one of the first of its kind.
The aircraft cockpit on the cover art is from a Boeing 707.
Backing vocals for the track "Velvet" were provided by Simone Larsen of Norwegian band D-Sound.
Reception
Critical reception
Commercial performance Minor Earth Major Sky debuted at number one on the Norwegian Albums Chart, and became the band's first number one album in Germany. The album peaked at number 27 on the UK Albums Chart, but was not released in the U.S. This album was certified platinum in Norway and Germany and gold in Austria, Spain and Switzerland.
Track listing
Notes signifies a co-producer signifies a remixer
Personnel A-ha Morten Harket – vocals Magne Furuholmen – keyboards, string arrangements Paul Waaktaar-Savoy – guitars, string arrangements
Additional musicians Sven Lindvall – bass (2, 13) Jørun Bøgeberg – bass (11) Frode Unneland – drums (1, 7) Per Lindvall – drums (3, 10, 13) Per Hillestad – drums (11) Kjetil Bjerkestrand – string arrangements Norwegian Radio Orchestra – strings Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra – strings Vertavo String Quartet – strings (11) Simone Eriksrud – vocals (3) Lauren Savoy – vocals (11)
Technical and design a-ha – arrangements a-ha – Minor Earth | Major Sky Jon Marius Aareskjold – engineer, Pro Tools operator Jan-Erik Kongshaug – engineer Ulf Holand – engineer Niven Garland – mixing (1, 2, 3, 5, 7–13) Andreas Herbig "Boogieman" – mixing (4, 6) Kjetil Bjerkestrand – Pro Tools operator Magne Furuholmen – art direction Kjetil Try – art direction Henrik Haugen – logo artwork Bjørn Opsahl – photography
Charts
Weekly charts + Weekly chart performance for Minor Earth Major Sky Chart (2000) Peakposition Australian Albums (ARIA) 169 European Albums (Music & Media) 3 Japanese Albums (Oricon) 53 Spanish Albums (AFYVE) 8
Year-end charts + Year-end chart performance for Minor Earth Major Sky Chart (2000) Position European Albums (Music & Media) 55 German Albums (Offizielle Top 100) 15 Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade) 63
Certifications
References
External links