Double Trouble

That's right... as Kerstin and Annika unhappily display, I have not one but TWO most embarrassing records in my collection. Peeking over Kerstin's shoulder, we see "The Sign" by Ace of Base. Then, just to the right of Annika's pained face we see a dubbed copy of "Chicago: The Very Best of... Only the Beginning."
Today's Friday Question asked for the most embarrassing records in music fans' collections. Here are mine!
When my grandparents emigrated to the United States in 1923, it practically ensured that I would grow up to be hopelessly biased toward all things Swedish.
I think Electrolux makes the best vacuum cleaners, Saab makes the best cars, Volvo makes the best dump trucks and Ericsson used to make the best cell phones, until Sony purchased the company (now, all-Finnish Nokia makes the best cell phones).
So, it stands to reason (misguided reasoning, but reasoning all the same) that Ace of Base makes the best Euro-disco-pop, right?
Er... wrong. "All That She Wants (is Another Baby)?" "Dancer in a Daydream?" "Voulez-Vous Danser?"
Oh dear. But "The Sign" is soooo catchy! Too bad...
Now on to Chicago.
I try to explain away this double-shot of American MOR by reasoning that "25 or 6 to 4" and "Saturday in the Park" are classic songs. Well, sure they are. If this record just had stuff like "Wishing You Were Here" on it, I would proudly show it off as a creative blend of balladry and jazz-influenced pop.
The problems begin with the inclusion of songs such as "If You Leave Me Now" and "You're the Inspiration." Sappy... stupid... dross...
Unless you happen to be spinning discs for a mid-1980s junior prom. Then this crap is sappy... stupid... dross... that really made the hipsters cringe at the prom.
Honestly, I can't listen to "Hard Habit to Break" without my liver function levels shooting through the roof. So what in the hell is this still doing in my record collection? "Baby, What a Big Surprise."

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