a-ha’s hiatus following a less than remarkable couple of albums in the early 1990s wasn’t itself surprising, but what turned out to be a true surprise — especially given how the three core members had been existing in a state of creative and personal tension for years — was just how successful their return proved to be. 2000’s Minor Earth, Major Sky was heralded by a remarkable comeback single in the form of “Summer Moved On,” while the title track and “Velvet,” if not as big hits in comparison, showed their ineluctable magic still in effect.

– Ned Raggett