I just found out some amazing news today, and I am really excited about it. Of course, I can already hear certain people snickering in the background at the mere thought of what I am about to say. I mean come on, it's not like their music really pushed any boundaries when it first came out, nor did the group really push the envelope when it came to the style of music they created. Their music was pretty simple for the most part...

danceable uptempo beats set to lyrics that most of the time were more catchy than relevant. Somehow, though, Ace of Base used that formula to break records with their debut album The Sign and would go on to sell millions of their other releases. So, why would I be so ecstatic about the idea of Ace of Base reuniting after a hiatus when it seems so in vogue lately for 80s and 90s bands and artists to make a comeback? To me, Ace of Base is such an amazing guilty pleasure because their sound has always generated a euphoric sense of innocence and fun. You never had to worry about an Ace of Base song bringing you down... their music always seemed to give me that extra burst of peppy energy and you just felt like having fun no matter what the situation or song was about.

So to my delight, Ace of Base has announced that they will be going back on a global tour that will run to at least the end of 2009. Not only will they be bring back the hits that we have all heard and fallen in love with by re-recording and remixing such hits as "The Sign" and "All That She Wants," but they have also have stated that they are working hard on a new album and hope to have a new single out in the near future.

As for the lineup, only three of the original four members will be performing- with the trio consisting of Jenny and Jonas Berggren and Ulf Ekberg and plus a new onstage lineup consisting of Linnea Deb- vocals/backing vocals, Susanna Safsund- backing vocals/dancer, Anna Nilsson- backing vocals/dancer, and Jakob Petren keyboard, backing vocals and guitar. They also have new management and are bringing a more high-tech vision to their music and interaction with fans. They have already updated their website with new information and also a list of tour dates so make sure and check it out and see if the tour will be heading your way. Fans can also give Ace of Base suggestions on songs they would like to see remixed or even re-recorded.

So you may be wondering... is there still an audience out there for Ace of Base? A hugely successful and sold out try-out tour in Russia, the Baltics, the Nordics, and Kazakhstan last year showed that their following is still as strong as ever which definitely gives hope for their success in those countries and in Europe as well- but it is still unpredictable to determine what their impact in the United States will be, but I know of at least one fan who will be trying to support them. With the music industry in a period of transition and uncertainty, I know Ace of Base will be a nice little breath of fresh air from the past.