This twenty-three-song collection (singles plus two new cuts) confirms what a lucky few in the U.S. have known for some time: Abba is the greatest pop band of the last ten years. There are more infectious melodies, grabby hooks and danceable drum beats on one side of this two-disc set than in most artists' entire catalogs.

Even a casual listen to side one's first five songs–"Ring Ring," "Waterloo," "So Long," "I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do" and "S.O.S."–should make for one of the peppiest sessions you're likely to have in a long time. The lyrics may provide additional, though unintentional, entertainment – some American idioms still hilariously escape them–but even Pete Townshend thinks "Knowing Me, Knowing You" is terrific. Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus' production is so pristine it makes Peter Asher sound like Nick Lowe, and the always perfect singing of Frida and Agnetha, either solo or blending together, is as refreshing as a blast of Scandinavian air.

Abba has always been better at making 45s than albums. so The Singles provides an ideal introduction to this talented and highly influential band (Human League is unimaginable without them). And though I miss the dance-club whomp of "Lay All Your Love on Me" and the sheer sonority of the lovely ballad "One Man. One Woman," why quibble? Besides, one of the new tracks. "Under Attack," is the best thing they've done in three years. Buy this, okay? (RS 388)

CHRISTOPHER CONNELLY