June 1999, the rumours about a possible return of Army Of Lovers hit the net. The only information those days available was the fact that Jean-Pierre, Alexander and Dominika were seen in the studio (not a word about Michaëla or La Camilla), and because of Dominika's pregnancy the resurrection was planned for begin 2001. Luckily, for this rumour about Army Of Lovers I can say it's true. After causing almost an hysteria amongst the online Armyfans, they released a new single: 'Let the sunshine in'. The song is actually taken from the musical 'Hair', but after a lot of rearranging and rewriting it's better than the original. And why this song? Jean-Pierre's answer: "We choose from a list of different songs, but with this, we felt we could add something extra to it. And it turned out to be great gay disco!", and Dominika added: "That song had a lot of Army of Lovers in it from the beginning.". For the production Alexander choose a sixty head choir with the motto: "Less is more". He was very explicit about not singing the chorus for themselves (even refers to older songs), and the fact that this time it's only for fun. Although they said the same thing in 1992, you can notice that this time they actually meant it but also that they are taken their comeback very serious: expensive videoclip, tv-advertisements, upcoming DVD, enhanced maxi-single,... . Once again: they will be noticed! And Stockholm Records only delayed the release with one week...

Alexander    La Camilla           Jean-Pierre
Dominika                       

Although the Army Of Lovers were gone for a few years, it's very obvious that they haven't lost their spirit yet: La Camilla wearing a crown, Alexander holding a jar with a penis in it, fantastic outfits and lots of make-up. Maybe somethings differ: La Camilla gained too much weight (sorry for this Camilla), and no Michaëla. Apparently, Michaëla was asked to join but she refused because Dominika and Alexander could be bad examples to her teaching children, at least according to Dominika (but no one said she was lying). The "Michaëla and La Camilla departure" has always been one of the biggest myths in Army Of Lovers, and even that didn't change. Maybe Michaëla grew up, maybe she wants to focus on her solocareer or maybe she doesn't want anything to do with Army Of Lovers anymore. Either way: sometimes I really mis her and would love the idea about featuring in one of the new Army Of Lovers songs. I can dream, can't I?

The clip for 'Let the sunshine in', partially taken in Kuala Lumpur, is a definetely worth-see. It has numerous refers to older clips, combined with camp, glamour and humour. It's no doubt that this clip is one of their best. The older clips had a lot of 'amateur'feel - but this clips shows a more profession, and expensive side. It's up to you to choose which you liked best.

The Army spirit with the glamour like before is, like earlier said, still there, but some pressphoto's (available on the Stockholm Record site) shows us a totally diffrent kind of glamour; a more 'acceptable for all people'-look. In 1993 they said: "We would be more succesfull if we were wearing jeans in stead of these outfits", and maybe they still feel so. This means (for these pictures at least): no crown on La Camilla's head, Jean-Pierre wearing jeans, Dominika's breast doesn't get the full attention and Alexander sitting like it was a vacation photoshoot. Personally: I like that image, although I would definitely miss the other one. But it's indeed not a bad idea to let people also see that they are not wearing those Camilla Thulin outfits all the time. In the videoclip 'King Midas', the last one they recorded for that period, you could allready sense that other side of Army Of Lovers. And don't forget that it's been ten years since they had their worldsucces - or else said: they are ten years older. I remember an interview with Alexander during his Vacuum-period, more precise the end of that period, saying he was getting too old to be on stage wearing a pink shirt (and than Alcazar was born). I do want to exclaim that in the other image Army Of Lovers didn't go softer on themselves. La Camilla is the best example for that with her mouth opwide, still being 'the queen'. But can you imagine that she would show us her flower again like in the 'Crucified'-clip? On the other hand: Jean-Pierre puts a cucumber in his pants to make his penis look larger (and bigger probably too) in 'Let the sunshine in'. I said it too much allready but: "They still got it!".

The album will be released as a one disc version, and a two disc version. The second disc will contain old remixes of earlier songs, some rare, some not. In my opinion they could, just for the loyal fans, have spend some more time on this. Not only is it frustrating to buy once again a compilation (the fourth now), but it's even more frustrating that the limited edition is not entirely worth it. It would be so great if the remixes would be brand new, or that it would contain the remixes of the '80s. Meanwhile, the release is also announced in Russia.

The next single, ready for release is 'Hands up'. Not that strong as 'Let the sunshine in' though. The cover let you think it's a massive clubsong, but it's quite the opposite. The remix, by Earthbound are on the other hand very clubstyle. Lead vocals are done by Dominika and Jean-Pierre (and La Camilla according to the credits, but seriously: saying a few words is not lead). Dominika has a totally different voice in this song, and prooves that there ain't a lot of singing lessons that she attended to. The movements are very catchy, and if this song was a small hit on parties, everyone will have done them.

Hands Up

But already our fun was getting spoiled: Alexander said that this come-back is very temporary. He was ready for writing only (books than), Dominika has a new TV-show coming up etc. All fans are very disappointed, but also angry. Only time will tell... There are a lot of rumours though. Positive rumours but yet still rumours: "Wait till September" - is a line we hear all the time, sometimes together with "Without La Camilla". So we all waited for September and guess what: nothing. Although Stockholm Records keep saying Army Of Lovers is still in existence - we better don't hope for a release soon. La Camilla is apparently working on a new disco-album but for the release I strongly suggest you keep yourself to this wisdome: wait and see.

Time went on. Army Of Lovers, or the record company more likely, released yet again a new compilation disc: "14 Klassiker" at a very nice price. Cheap or not it is the 4th compilation cd in a row. Overkill...

14 Klassiker

The 26th of May 2003: a day to remember. For the 300th anniversary of St.-Petersburg Army Of Lovers performed on stage featuring a new member: Tilde. She replaced La Camilla and Alexander (who were now too busy with other projects) and formed together with Dominika and Jean-Pierre back a triplet. Tilde was, as Jean-Pierre stated, an experimental fase, a temp. Now, while the lining of the band changed every few years - this one was the hardest for the fans: two of the original bandmembers were gone, including it's most important one: Alexander. Most of the fans had their doubts but desperate for the existence of Army Of Lovers they tried to see the positive side in the situation: Army Of Lovers are still alive! They performed ten songs including 'Hands Up' with the voice of La Camilla and 'Supernatural'. The last song made clear that Tilde was supposed to replace Alexander's voice. More information about Tilde isn't known, except for the part she appeared in some adult magazine's. We never heard about Tilde again.

Tilde
Picture taken from www.army-of-lovers.com - photo by Michael Liapis

In an interview around that period Dominika did say La Camilla and Alexander will always be part of Army Of Lovers and that they will return. And Jean-Pierre followed by saying they will change the author for their next release, maybe even doing some covers. Huge was the surprise when Alexander announced a new band: Bodies Without Organs featuring Alexander, Jean-Pierre, Marine (from Vacuum) and Martin Rolinski. Alexander' words on Bodies Without Organs: " I love popmusic, and Bodies Without Organs is a multicultural electroband which sounds like a hybrid between Army of Lovers and Vacuum.". A lot of positive news about Record Companies being very interested in this new project - but I learned my lesson: wait and see....