The Lexicon Of Love
ABC
1982
Album Summary
The Lexicon of Love is the debut studio album by English pop band ABC. It was released in June 1982 by Neutron Records in the United Kingdom, by Mercury Records in the United States and Japan, and by Vertigo Records in Canada and Europe. The album entered the UK Albums Chart at number one and has been certified platinum by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) and gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). It features four UK top 20 singles; "Tears Are Not Enough", "Poison Arrow", "The Look of Love" and "All of My Heart". Though Martin Fry has declined to label it a concept album, the album features repeated themes in which the singer experiences heartache as he tries and fails to have a meaningful relationship. A longform music video/film, Mantrap, featuring songs from the album was released in 1983.
WikipediaThis was really bad. All the reasons people think they don’t like 80s music wrapped up in one album. Feels like I just got “Rick Rolled”.
Holy fucking shit what an opening! Every single song on this slaps with irresistible 80s groove... The Nile Rodgers-esque rhythm guitar, Phil Collins-y drums, slapping base, synth strings and keys, various other sond effects... And it's different enough to be individual and something that you couldn't substitute with some other 80s album... I had so much fun listening to this
Literally 0 understanding why it's in the "1001 albums you must listen before you di" list
This list really is way too heavily skewed towards average 70s-80s British bands. God I hated this album.
Well, that didn't age well, did it? Nope. This album exists in a very narrow slice of musical history and it should stay there. We've already got Bowie filling out the "weird 80s electropop" portion of the list. Let's just let this budget ripoff disappear into obscurity, alright?
A proper, shiny, widescreen heartfelt unashamedly bombastic pop album. If your world is full of strange arrangements and gravity won't pull you through, this is the album you need.
One of my favourite albums of all time. Martin Fry's melodramatic crooning, the unabashedly cinematic romanticism and a clutch of finely honed songs make this an essential collection. I consider this one to be the Citizen Kane of New Wave. Big talk? Big album!
The orchestral moments on this earned it an extra star. Way more depth than your average 80s pop album.
Full disclosure: I am absolutely not the audience for this album. I generally loathe 80s synth pop. Here are the main elements of Lexicon of Love: disco bass, the arch, pasty vocals of Martin Fry, ostentatious drum machines, thin and inorganic-sounding synths--I hate each and every one. And yet the ambitions of ABC are quite well realized. The music is danceable if you can keep from vomiting. There are ton of cringeable hooks, both melodic and rhythmic, that make this music memorable. There is nothing lazy, half hearted or timid about The Lexicon Of Love. And it's played and performed immaculately. Producer Trevor Horn (the man who remade Yes into an 80s AM pop band--there's a horrible thought) knew exactly what he wanted and achieved it in spades. How to score? 3 points for the high level of professionalism, -1 points because this music is so putrid it made my eyeballs ache.
“Mom, can we have some Duran Duran?” “No, we have Duran Duran at home.” Duran Duran at home:
I know people love it, but 80’s production is insufferable to me. The reverb, drum sounds, the focus on everything sounding clean and pristine. Early digital synthesis feels so cold and lifeless when compared to the analog synthesizers of 70’s. I can’t help but think of David Brent’s dance for charity in series 2 of The Office as Poison Arrow plays. Scratch that, you could probably sync that scene up with most of the tracks on this record. I have the feeling David Brent would love this record, so take that as an endorsement…maybe?
ABC seems like a more sophisticated 80s band… something smooth and the 80s equivalent of big band music about them. Martin Fry’s voice and the lush arrangements create a really great, big sound that still sounds amazing today. I loved the hits they released off this album when they were released, but in the mid 80’s purchased it and really fell in love with the whole album. Big sound, clever lyrics, and hook-filled bass-driven 80s numbers are as compelling now as they ever were to me. Something about this album makes me want to listen to it in some open-air vehicle (a convertible? A biplane? A powerboat?) while sipping on champagne. I’m so excited to see this come up on this list!
Quick-hitting, high energy pop album spanning new wave, disco, and funk at times. The Look of Love is an underated banger, and there are a few other great tracks for a relatively shorter album. Great job of getting in and out of songs without dragging on, and no wasted time trying to be gimmicky. Probably a 3.5 but getting the bump for being a guilty pleasure listen and the replay value.
Lounge music from the 80's. A time of great optimism. Business suits, boardrooms, thatcherism, consumer credit, and the beginning of the modern era. You could make a reasonable argument that the ills of today were birthed here, but I digress... Musically, big, bright and poppy, "The sound of a foot tapping on the classroom floor forever." That and trying to imitate Bryan Ferry. For all that some instant classics. A trip down memory lane if nothing else.
"Yippie ai yippie aiay!" One of my more favorite nonsensical lyrics in a song. "The Lexicon of Love" is the debut album from the English pop band ABC. New Wave, synth-pop and spohisti-pop are also descriptors. The band's ambition was to fuse punk and disco. I hear the disco. But, I'd say this it is more a pop album. The album was produced by Trevor Horn and the orchestration arrangements by Anne Dudley who would go on to form Art of Noise. I hear that in the way the songs are constructed; one of the strengths of this album is the detailed placement of multiple instruments (keyboards, synths, strings, horns) throughout each of the songs. Very well-crafted. The band consisted of Martin Fry (lead/backing vocals), Mark White (keyboards, guitar), Stephen Singleton (alto/tenor sax) and David Palmer (drums/percussion). Fry denied this was a concept album as for the most part each song is about heartache in a relationship. Yeah, if this is autobiographical, Marty had had a pretty rough go in the love department. A grandiose, lush orchestration with strings and horns begins "Show Me" which slides into a bass-heavy dance/pop beat. You can already hear the top-notch production. He wants his girl to show him they're serious. The second single and song "Poison Arrow" continues the great pop production and sound. Keyboards. Horns. Strings. Great chorus. A Girl broke his heart. "Tears are not Enough" was the lead single and there's jangly guitars, horns and more of a disco/dance beat. Interesting keyboard bridge. Tears are not enough for Marty not to break up with her; he doesn't love her anymore. Marty continues his misery on the fifth album single "Valetine's Day." This song kind of grooves. More music, less singing. Great use of keyboards in the chorus. He's looking back at the wasted time with his girl. Their biggest single "The Look of Love (part one)" opens the second side. Another grand intro that builds. That classic-pop groove. Marty's getting suckered in by her looks. He can't find love. "All of My Heart" might be my favorite song on the album. It's lighter sounding. Great strings in the middle and end. He goes falsetto and this is his most impassioned singing. Hey, it's hopeful sounding as he wants his girl back. This is a very well-crafted and produced albums. Really no bad songs. On the 80's station I listen to (First Wave), I hear "Poison Arrow" and "The Look of Love" all the time so at least these songs have stood the test of time and remain quite popular to the 80's crowd.
Per Wiki notes, the band's ambition was to create music that was more sophisticated but still had some attitude. Grade: F.
Holy God this is an awesome album. Like damn this is gonna be a new classic for me
Shoot that poison arrow to my heart (indeed). Very solid album from A to Z...
This makes me want to put on an Armani suit and get down. For the sake of clarity, my favored wardrobe consists of jeans and band t-shirts and I most certainly can't dance but this makes me feel like I have sartorial taste and an actual sense of rhythm. In an alternate universe this is the soundtrack to a colorful, early 80s movie musical that while very much of it's time and critically savaged upon its release is now considered a groundbreaking cult classic.
Took me until "the look of love" to get to a song that I recognized. Generally like this kind of sound but this one doesn't really grab me as an album. Like some individual tracks but the sound doesn't gel for me.
Aucun souvenir de cet album à part qu'à un moment quelqu'un joue de la basse.
Hey what do you know, more from the UK. Thanks, Robert Dimery! Without you letting me know which UK artist I should listen to every day for 1001 days, I would've never even known the place existed! I'm glad someone's standing up for this unheard-of lil cultural gem called the "United Kingdom". Truly, you're doing god's work here mate. This isn't too bad though, just reasonably catchy pop numbers that are inoffensive, ultimately COMPLETELY forgettable, but it's nothing bad. I recognised a couple of them. As another reviewer said, "we have Duran Duran at home". hahaha. 3/5.
Feels heavily indebted to Bowie and Duran Duran. The songs are fine, but blend together after a while. Bass player puts in work, though. Favorite tracks: "Show Me", "Many Happy Returns"
Love this album. In some ways a concept album. Superb arrangements and great production.
Great album. I loved this. "Poison Arrow" and "The Look of Love" are both pure 80s pop brilliance! Lead singer Martin Fry is from Bramhall btw.
Tengo debilidad por el synthpop/new wave y este disco es uno de los mas puros en escencia que hay en el genero. Mas atrás y te vas a los Pet Shop Boys y mas adelante a Depeche Mode, éste es un balance justo en lo poppy-techno-inocent que caracteriza al genero. La verdad me parece un discazo que quedó olvidadisimo en el tiempo. O quizás fué borrado del colectivo del pais ya que es un album britanico salido en el apogeo de la guerra de Malvinas.
Discazo. Tiene todo lo que está bien en mi cabeza. Bajos tremendos, vientos, pianos y una voz espectacular. Todo. Valentine's Day, Date Stamp (que me recuerda a Mundo de Quimeras de Soda Stereo) y Theme From "Mantrap" son los temas que más me gustaron. Hay algo muy Bowie en todo el disco y, en general, me hace acordar mucho al sonido que tenía Soda en sus primeros discos pero bueno, hay toda una generación de bandas de los 80s muy marcada por este estilo. De los discos que viene proponiendo esta bella plataforma, este es el que más me gusta hasta el momento. Sin duda, lo volvería a escuchar. 9/10 ludomatics.
Me gusto! No conocía esta banda, aunque quizás cuando iba a bailar a alterna seguro algún tema de ellos pasaban y yo ni sabía. Justamente por eso me llama la atención no conocerla. . Pop del bueno. Ideal para bailarlo. Lo ame. . Es un disco que lo escucharía mientras trabajo. Me hace mover la patita y concentrarme. 5 efes
Like punk never happened. Como Octavio Paz volviéndose liberal. Magnífico. Pop en mayúsculas, free market soundtrack. Probablemente uno de los mejores discos de pop de Inglaterra en los 80.
An epic album from one of Sheffield's finest bands. Majestic, sweeping, and glorious.
This was brilliant. Loved the disco aspect. Even when the lyrics are sad you want to bop.
Man, this album SLAPS. The clarity and strength of the vocals over these disco inspired backing tracks, what a melding. Completely gorgeous from start to finish, what a ride.
Those bass lines! Little kitschy lyrics at times but the synth instrumentation and use of reprise more than makes up for it
This was my first listen for this album, although I knew a couple of the tracks. I loved the album!
This was one of my favorite cassette tapes in the 80s but I hadn't listened to it for over three decades since the transition to CDs. So much fun to listen to again today. I forgot how much I loved ABC.
wowow great stuff all around, never been one for the 80s psych pop aesthetic but every moment of this album is filled with things to dig into. The opening track with its lush instrumentation leading naturally into the infectious poison aarow, the lyricism in tears are not enough and the groovy bop that is the look of love. Of course the cheezy hand claps and background vocals subject of the 80s pop sound pull me straight out of the immersive strings and sax as well as the very one tone idealism that is a love songs album with lacking overall depth or storyline to follow both hurt the personal enjoyment for me, but the depth of the instrumentation, tasteful samples, and the beautiful singing of Martin Fry gives this album a second or third full listen in my book. 9.1/10
Rating: 9/10 Best songs: Show me, Poison arrow, Many happy returns, Tears are not enough, Valentine’s day, The look of love, Date stamp
4.7 was very tempted to give this a 4 as can't see it becoming a regular listen. very tempted to pick up the album however. enjoyable all the way through with some clear stand outs, even lesser tunes are good.
Groovy, funky, very easy listening and upbeat, I like it, it truly feels like an energetic love letter to someone
Wow, that was quite the surge of primary school nostalgia, and I probably even did not like this kind of music at the time.
Still a great album just like Dare or Dazzle Ships. Very well crafted. Strong songs and the perfect sound. I following concensus here and say that this is the best album from ABC but the follow-ups, Beauty Stab and Zillionaire, are excellent too.
I only knew Poison Arrow, but the rest of this album is great in the same way. Thoroughly enjoyed.
Probably my favorite 80s pop album yet. Felt like it could be a soundtrack to a musical, it was so theatrical. Great mix, lots of fun.
Je ne connaissais pas, j'ai hoché de la tête tout le long. Le meilleur de la musique des années 80. Je réécouterai certainement.
I didn't know this band at all and my expectations weren't all too high. After two-three tracks these guys had me hooked though. Under the right circumstances I'm a sucker for well-positioned melodrama and oh boy, do these guy deliver full-on tongue-in-cheek first-class-kitsch melodrama. I'll revisit this one.
Look of Love was first dance at my wedding for a reason Possibly best album of the 80’s and brilliant from the first note till the last
Unexpected good pop from the 80s. It will have earn a 5 stars if the mixing wasn't so harsh.
Never knew this bands name but have heard these songs a lot. Some of its just 80s so bad that it’s good. I dig the hell out of wobbly baselines and the glorious synths.
I know I’ve hear The Look of Love, but I couldn’t have pulled the band name ABC out of anywhere. Solid 80s album.
some histrionic proto-vaporwave vibes. feels kind of like Sade. A good back-pocket recommendation.
Saved Prior: Poison Arrow Off Rip: Show Me, Many Happy Returns, The Look of Love - Pt. 1, Date Stamp, All of My Heart, Theme from "Mantrap" Cutting Edge: Tears Are Not Enough, Valentine's Day Overall Notes: Nice juicy drama, synths, and drum machines. The cover captures the theatricality of this album perfectly. Big fan. Popcorn music, was close to giving it a 5.
A good 80s pop album, it has some great songs and not so very good ones, but it always delivers. I was going to give this a 3 but after The Look of Love (Part 1) it does get better.
I had a pleasure time with this band. Although I am not sure how much it was swing or pop or something else.
Solid 3 as is and the the hits came on making it an easy call for a 4.
Yep 80s pop loved this. Reminded me of GTA Vice City. Posion Arrow is a banger
Pretty good example of the 80's. A lot of the songs sound like they could be played at a disco party. Bops: Poison Arrow, Theme From "Mantrap", Tears Are Not Enough, The Look Of Love - Pt. 1 Dislike: N/A Overall Score: 7.5/10
The look of love is an instant classic for me. Overall, very enjoyable album
Totalmente inesperado, muy bueno, las trompetas le dan mucho juego y el violín en ciertos momentos es fantástico.
Hyvin samankaltaista (ja onneksi samantasoista) kasaritykittelyä kuin Duran Duran ja Talk Talk. Suurin osa biiseistä oli jo ennestään tuttuja, kun olin altistunut levylle joskus lukioaikana kaverin ABC-fanituksen kautta. Levy on täynnä äärimmäisen tarttuvia sävellyksiä ja vaikka kasarisoundi on melkeinpä kasarimpaa kuin edellämainitulla kaksikolla, ei se oikeastaan haittaa. Erityismaininnat aivan maagiselle Look of Love-hitille. Muutamia tylsempiäkin välibiisejä mahtuu mukaan, mutta kokonaisuus toimii. Arvosanana ylöspäin pyöristyvä 3,5.
Думаю, тут следует отметить, что с определённого момента стал игнорировать все бонус-треки. Яндекс мне сходу предлагает 2-дисковое издание, где уже на первом аж 17 треков. Не, товарищи, в 1982 году было выпущено 10 треков, их и будем судить. Хоть я и понимаю, что порой в бонусах попадаются треки, что не встречаются на других альбомах, да и впечатление от альбома могут только улучшить. Сходу вспоминается, например, Deep Purple - Black Night. Но дело в том, что альбом Deep Purple in Rock и так прекрасен. Так что последним треком альбома The Lexicon Of Love рассматриваем The Look of Love Pt. 4. Альбом крепкий, сразу окутывает мощной атмосферой 80-х. Репрезентация "Новой романтики", о которой узнал не так давно, в процессе поиска трека Culture Club - Do You Really Want To Hurt Me. Согласно Википедии, направление возникло в качестве оппозиции панк-культуре. Занимательно, что когда речь идёт о противостоянии субкультур в 80-е, то порой хочется искренне встать на каждую из сторон: панк - новая романтика, glam - thrash. Одного из оппонентов, правда, всё равно хочется поддержать больше, и тут я всё же встал бы на сторону панка скорее. Просто когда речь идёт о современных направлениях, порой хочется найти графу "против всех". Что, собственно, касается альбома. Довольно странно, что при своей доступности мотивы сходу не врезаются в память. Припевы построены по вроде бы проверенной годами классической схеме - повторяются фразы, соответствующие названию. Только вот сколько не переслушивал альбом, фразы эти не воспринимаются как мощные хуки. Не дотягивают хуки - не дотягивают припевы... так по принципу домино пусть и не разрушаются, но, можно сказать, "не достраиваются" треки в целом. Как полновесный хит звучит разве что 4 Ever 2 Gether. Но пусть порознь треки и не звучат хитово, в целом альбом достаточно сильный, чтобы вернуться позже. 7/10
I was honestly really surprised by this album. I'd never heard of it, which was surprising because I'm pretty familiar with 80s stuff. This is really cool. It's dramatic, like the soundtrack to an 80s movie. The music is all really fun, with great hooks. 4/5