Reviews (page 3 of 8)
Looking at the album cover I certainly had some prejudices going into this listen but all of them were set aside upon actually hearing the quality of this record. It was good and really enjoyable the whole way through. Honestly all of the songs were really good but most of all the album as a whole just felt really cohesive and well made. I liked this.
I enjoyed this way more than I thought I would. Some excellently constructed songs and wonderful production.
4/5
Groovy AF
Funny timing that just a few days ago I had Poison Arrow stuck in my head but realised I didn’t actually know who the artist was so looked it up and went ‘huh I don’t recognise ABC but cool’. Now this is indeed a cool album! I just had a great time with it. Favourite tracks beside Poison Arrow were Valentine’s Day and Look of Love. (4.5 stars)
I enjoyed this album. Definitely some classic songs on this one.
Þessi er sleek og skemmtileg.
You've got to suspend cynicism of the saccharine, and the easy summer bar feel, lay back and enjoy it. It's basically the Pina Colada of albums. I don't think there's a bad track here. Even when the song appears to be going nowhere a great chorus will pull it back (e.g. 'Date Stamp'). Several numbers such as 'Tears are Not Enough' are a little aimless, or others such as 'Valentines Day' feel a little like a collection of good hooks rather than a coherent song; and that just prevents this getting top marks. But an album very close to unrelenting pop perfection.
A slapping baseline Elevates this disco pop To goofy but fun
I liked this a lot more than I thought I would. These slick Brits.
Nice 80es Brit Pop
Funky white boy pop from the 80’s. Yes, I love this! The musicianship here is very tasteful and luscious. It sounds like they are going for a high class musical theater sound. I would definitely come back to this.
It’s like the 80s themselves created this album. It’s dripping with the decade, but I found it pretty lovable because of that. I also love all the drama the singer brings to these songs. It’s cheesy but it’s the type of cheese I find endearing. Like Cobra Kai, if I had to equate it to a show. Anyway, I’ve never heard of ABC and had no idea who sang Poison Arrow or Look of Love. Now I know., and I enjoyed!
Fond of this since it was first out.
I really loved the intro! I was kind of disappointed it wasn't a classical/orchestra album because I was really into that intro I thought this album was super catchy. I really enjoyed it! I recognised a few songs on there that I've not heard in so long - The Look Of Love (both parts) loved it 4 ⭐️
A fun journey into the 1980s for me, and I've heard those famous tracks "Shoot That Poison Arrow" and "The Look Of Love" a ton. This was a fun album for me that got my mood this morning up and running for the day. I'd say a fun 4 star!
Enjoyed this
"Poison Arrow" has an absolutely amazing bass line. The production is fantastic, and the horns here and there really stand out. It's a super clean recording, with a ton going on in the background, which makes it fun to listen to. That said, I can't consider this record groundbreaking or life changing.
Quintessentially 80s with some subliiiiime bass lines. Although the subject matter is very limited in scope, and the vocals are decent at best, the clever lyricism and sharp delivery elevates most tracks. The synths, drums, and all the other elements combine for something greater than the sum of their whole. Listened to: at home. Favorite tracks: Show Me, Poison Arrow, The Look of Love Pt 1
# Album Name: The Lexicon of Love # Artist: ABC # Rating: 4/5 # Comments: Some damn funky bass lines and synth on this record. Record length is good. I wouldnt say the album is really good or outstanding but its a enjoyable listen. It could easily blend into the era though rather than a stand out imo. Overall, a upbeat funky synth pop album. Has a few great tracks like poison arrow, look of love and all of my heart. This are all top tracks. The rest of the album is decent. A low 4 for this one. # Top Tunes: Poison arrow / Look of love / All of my heart # Would I listen to it again? Maybe.
Jeg er ikke altid lige stolt af, hvor svag jeg engang i mellem er overfor corny 80'erpopmusik. Jeg synes den her er rigtig smooth produceret og The Look of Love, All of My Heart og Poison Heart (through my heaaaaaaaa-a-a-aaart) er jo bangers
havde ikke høje forventninger til den her, men det var jo mega fedt? kæmpestor lyd, generelt rigtig gode sange. den her bog gør mig til new wave fan, undskyld Claus.
Unsurprisingly, this catchy combo of 70s funk basslines and 80s synths is sick. There's a lot going on in every track - very 80s soundtrack sounding at times, but in a good way. Valentine's Day is great, really leaning into the keyboards, then The Look of Love Pt 1 has incredible bass parts. Some of this is more standard new wave, like All of My Heart - but with depth to it. 4 Ever 2 Gether pulls everything together, a brilliant dark synthwave cut. For a relatively short album it drags a bit at times and I can't quite give it top marks, but call it **** 1/2
Way better than I expected. Not really my style, but fun nonetheless
A bit of Bowie, a bit of Dexys. Sounds confident and fun. What a good entry on the list.
Ended up enjoying a lot of this - bit of Talking Heads, Killers, One Night in Bangkok vibes - campy and catchy stuff.
05/02/25 It had a few good songs that I recognise and it wasn't a bad album.
This one surprised with some of the upbeat, funky tunes in the 1st half. I enjoyed Show Me, Tears Are Not Enough, and Look of Love Pt. 1. The rest of the album seems to lose steam once All Of My Heart comes on. I still rank this as a low 4 though since it kept me engaged and grooving pretty much throughout.
Propulsive pop. Had a blast
Very 80's. I enjoyed it quite a bit
Opens on a burst of energy and manages to stay there fairly good. Great 80s album
I didn’t know what to expect here. Based on cover and first notes thought it was some modern synth stings piece. 80s pop and I was pleasantly surprised. I really enjoyed it. Sounded great, I really enjoyed listening to the bass player. Feels like this would have been a great Duran Duran album. A shocking 4 stars from me - great stuff.
This was a fun listen, very 80s
reminded me of Duran Duran, pretty good and would like to listen again.
pretty fun overall!! definitely shows its age but not in a terrible way
Very 80s. I enjoyed it for what it is.
I really ought to give this another listen, but I'm not in the mood right now. Ripped it twice back to back yesterday and really enjoyed it. The bassist does a lot of the heavy lifting here IMO, but the overall compositions are catchy and well done. A few songs err towards others of the time. Date Stamp sounds like a straight rip of Relax (Frankie Goes to Hollywood). And The Look of Love starts out just like Cyndi Laupers Time After Time. Was like 90% sure it was going to be a cover until the left turn. While I won't go back frequently this was way more entertaining than I expected -- low 4 from me.
One of the most surprisingly good albums on this list for me. I thought looking at this that it would be ultimate pop cheese. But I was so wrong, this album actually was so funky and fun. Started off so strong with the slapping bass and drums in Show Me. I kind of wish that the whole album kept that theme, but it may have worked out to give the rest of the songs some uniqueness. Overall the funk and energy had me grooving the whole time. This was a very solid 4 in my books
The look of love
80s classic
Really fun eighties pop— the bass lines are greasy, the lyrics are a kind of lovestruck funny hysteria.
Kinda a vibe, real funky. Dancing music, for sure. Big fan!
01) Show Me - 7,5 02) Poison Arrow - 8,0 03) Many Happy Returns - 7,5 04) Tears Are Not Enough - 9,0 05) Valentine's Day - 7,0 06) The Look of Love (part one) - 10,0 07) Date Stamp - 7,5 08) All Of My Heart - 7,5 09) 4 Ever 2 Gether - 7,5 10) The Look of Love (part four) - 7,5 TOTAL: 7,90 (79/100) Current ranking: 161/416
High energy 80s pop!!
Flash in the pan 80s goodness. Really cool first listen. Second half was more boring. Standouts: Show Me, Poison Arrow, Tears Are Not Enough, and The Look of Love Pt.1.
Odd 80s at times but solid pop all the way. Will listen again
3,5
1001 Albums #18 this is fun actually highlights: 4 Ever 2 Gether, 70/100
It was a pleasant surprise
The bass lines are bumping, the vocals are on point. The lyrics are ridiculous and amazing. Nice runtime. Overall amazing album
80's magic. A great album of its decade.
Let’s Dance!
I don’t know how I missed this band first time around, though a few of the songs do sound familiar. This is some very danceable shit! I know it’s not PC but I miss those big drum machine sounds. The bass player in this group deserves some big props! Hard to sit still with this one. Wish i were back in the club.
It's just your typical 80s synth-pop with some disco grooves and other intriguing instrumentation. The album itself has an exaggerated feel, and I love that. Now, by no means would I say this is peak, but if you enjoy some 80s pop music, then you're going to love this! Top 3 Favorites: Show Me, Poison Arrow, and Tears Are Not Enough No bad songs fr. 3.50-3.75/5
Liked this! 4
I shouldn't like this, but it's very catchy. Pop at its best.
Perhaps the best kind of album is a surprise: unknown artist and unknown album but the music is genuinely good. The Lexicon of Love by ABC falls squarely into that category. The songs are bouncy, catchy, and easily enjoyable. ABC has a great disco and new wave combo, and I am so amused that disco isn't so far removed from pop or new wave. The lyrics are cute and bop-y, and "Poison Arrow" might be the best example of that. An delightful listen that I needed today. 3.5, but enough to be a 4.
Some heavy Bowie vibes right off the bat from these guys! What may be most surprising is how a band that seems to be relatively forgotten to time (and definitely unknown to me) was so capable of doing the "Bowie style" justice! Many imitated, and few even came close to succeeding or doing it any kind of justice while making it their own. I also loved what seemed to be a perfect balance between disco and new wave here. This comes in at about a 3.5 for me, but I feel okay bumping it up due to how intriguing of an album it is!
4.8
I love ABC. I have bittersweet memories of the holiday we were on when I turned 30 and ABC was the soundtrack.
A good album I really enjoyed, I liked the songs Show Me and Poison Arrow the most.
El synth pop ochentero tuvo en este disco de ABC uno de sus mejores momentos. La combinación de la portentosa voz de Martin Fry con toques soul con los excelentes sintetizadores de Trevor Horn creó una colección de estupendas canciones pop. Fue un éxito y hoy me siguen gustando mucho "The Look Of Love, Pt.1" y "Poison Arrow", auténticos hits dirigidos a la pista de baile. También destacaría el otro gran éxito del disco, "All Of My Heart".
Proper good 80s fare. Some absolute classics would relisten several times.
Genuinely great album, probably would have been 5 stars if it wasn't for a couple of tracks that let the 40 minute's of pure bop down
Early 80s synth-pop bangers, as fun and funky as you'd expect from this era. Poison Arrow is going to be stuck in my head for a week now.
Trevor Horn, bravo! You are right that it may not have been nice, but replacing the bassist with Brad Lang was brilliant. Because Brad Lang’s bass is incredible. 🎸 This album is 80s pop at its core, of which I’m not usually a fan, but I appreciate the twist of “sophisticated disco” and punk sounds. They do have a markedly positive influence.
British 80s pop/new wave at its finest. I'm not really into these genres, but this is a very well made and produced album and a lot more nuanced than most pop albums from that era. I liked it a lot by the time I've finished it.
I am the exact target audience for this album. I score it as a near bullseye.
One of the better synth pop albums of the 1980s
This guy has huge theater kid energy. I really liked the sound, it was vibrant and kept my interest throughout the album. It does sound like they're a little bit of a one trick pony - didn't really innovate on their sound throughout the album and at times what they were doing got a little old. Solid album but I wish they had done more with a very unique sound.
Unashamedly 80s, and I'm here for it
very nice
surprised by how much i loved this! what a jam
Felt a little flat on delisted but loved loved this album.
This was a cool surprise. It’s the reason I took on this project. This album was a great mix of disco and a bowie sound. Very fun
The year of my birth and new wave pop was never really my thing. This has that 80's sound. Not to say it is bad but I would not go out of my way normally to listen to this genre. Well produced pop, some nice bass lines and lots of 80's hits. Overall this is a really really good album will definitely pick it up on vinyl when I come across it. Stand out tracks: - Poison Arrow - Tears are not enough - The look of love pt1 - Dare stamp - All of my heart - 4 ever 2 gether
show me- 5 or 6 poison arrow- 5 or 6 many happy returns- 5 tears are not enough- 5 valentines day- 7 or 8 the look of love pt 1- 7. "GOODBYE" date stamp- 7 or 8 all of my heart- 6 or 7 4 ever 2 gether- "I stuck a marriage proposal in the waste disposal, If that's the trash aesthetic, I'd suggest that we forget it, Your 12 disciples might kiss and tell, But you can tell me much more than they can" ok. 5 the look of love pt 4- 2 and 3 dont matter. 7 theme from mantrap- man trap? 6 favorite track- valentines day or date stamp
Holy smokes this album. So many things i hate but i can't help but enjoy it. Poison arrow/look of love are absolute bangers too.
Really good eighties sound. Had never heard of ABC but this was original and quite enjoyable. 4.1
Surprisingly good, especially for the time and not having heard any of these before. Cultivates that new wave sound mixed with some disco funk
Loved this much more than expected. I absolutely love the singers voice. The themes were very interesting and timeless in some ways, while totally 80s in others. I think this sound is also very current for the 20s. I think I’m also a sucker for anything inspired by the grandness of cinema.
6,54
Well, despite this list creating a dislike of the majority of British music for me, this album holds up and was a fun listen. Reminded me of something David Bowie would make as I was listening through.
Got me grooving - 8/10
Very 80s, it almost feels like a parody of itself at times. Even then, it’s still enjoyable because it sounds like 80s songs. I was going to knock it for 4 ever 2 gether because it sounds like Outta Touch by Hall and Oates but turns out this came out before it. Low 4.
Really liked it! 8.5/10
Ok this was promising, I like it
I’m torn because this shit bops but I love 80’s music. So is it really that good? Or is my biases just overpowering the mediocrity that could possibly be this album? Ahh who cares this shit bops!
Favorite Tracks: Poison Arrow 4 Ever 2 Gether
It’s wild just how intensely 80s this album is. It’s so deep into it that it comes out the other side to be kind of awesome
Album was fun and interesting. Very typical 80s sound, so I bet it was trailblazing for the time. Lots of lounge-y elements, which was different.
It was a vibe when hearing it. Rick Ashley has a similar sound and I thought that was interesting how that decade had a particular sound for pop music. Love the bind reference oh the album cover
You can Date Stamp this one. Tears Are Not Enough to describe it.
I always found Poison Arrow a weird song, but maybe it's just jarring on the radio. It fits well here. This is a banger of an album.
yus. so gud. funky fresh realness
This is like the template for 80's sound snd aesthetic. Lots of synth, electric drum kits, trying to sound like David Baowie (at least on Poison Arrow). I get there is a theme of heartache but the sound portrays it as something you'd hear at an 80's nightclub. Its fun, its poppy, I liked it. Tears Are Not Enough is probably my standout track on this. Also Look of Love pt. 1 then going to Pt. 4 cracked me up. And Date Stamp giving me Pink Floyd "Money" vibes at the start. Its fun!
Very 80s. Would fit well on a record shelf near Duran Duran and Haircut 100
It's not ashamed to be pop, but also not be afraid to put it out there with a strong arrangement of drums, guitar and strings and a powerful vocal to match. The instrumentation is quite prominent and innovative for a pop album, e.g. on the last two songs. It's some of the best pop I've heard - I'm almost tempted to give it a 5, but it doesn't leave a deep impression the way the best rock albums do, so I think it has to be a 4.
14/1001 Ok, this was a fun ride. I really liked this album, it feel funny and danceable. I not have too much things to say, just that I really liked.
A nice surprise. Very chad bass and catchy songs.
Preferred this significantly to the Pet Shop Boys, who we listened to the day before. This one seem to have a little bit more of a pumpkin influenced groove to it, and that connected with me. Still, I can’t say I really really know this band very well. Glad to have listened to something that was not on my radar.
I like it more than the soft cell and I think I have that a 3 so…4
sickeningly fun the same way you eat too much of your favorite food because you can't stop yourself. I really didn't believe they could keep the energy they did without it all blending together and getting stale, but they really mix it up with addicting melodies on new instruments and fresh funky basslines throughout.
Above average early 80s English Pop album. There's an undercurrent of funky grooves throughout and the radio hits pale in comparison to the rest of the album. Quite enjoyable.
This was much better than I expected! Full confidence 80’s pop that didn’t hold back
Great
Really cool
This is a nice fun albom
Lovely
It's a fun album with some bombast. It shows its age, but in a charming way. I probably liked "Valentine's Day" the most.
This was such a fun album, if a little repetitive. Still, the amount of camp and kitsch here is unbeatable.
In the early 1980s, ABC burst onto the UK music scene with a wildly refreshing cleanly produced pop music. ABC didn't sit well with my tastes at the time (severe post-punk) with its combination of polished pop and occasionally really trite lyrics. In retrospect, the album is quite an achievement of pop production though quite where it should sit in the firmament of the greatest albums I'm not sure. It's difficult to pick out the best tracks - the whole album seems to me at the same level.
Musical production and composition of ABC is really nice, but the lyrics seem forced and sub -standard for a group this interesting. On whole however, when I tune out the lyrics I like what they've created. 4/5
This is what pop should be!! When you think of the 80's I bet you're thinking of this. Every song does sound the same, but, I can smell the hairspray 40 years later.
3.75
Great album, love the singers voice.
Actually very good, not too many skips and some great instrumentals that I really enjoyed all the way through. Standouts were the look of love part 1 and 4 ever 2 gether
Some very pretty songs
As an early 80s teenager, this is right in my wheelhouse. Love Trevor Horn as a producer, so this gets a thumbs up!
The hits still hit. This band is fun 80s blue-eyed soul pop. There’s some good stuff here. It’s cute. Gets better as it goes. It was probably more of a sensation when it dropped in ‘82. Today it feels a little dated. Not sure how it earned a spot on this list. It’s very good, but not exactly essential. Definitely polished. I can see how this fuller sound influenced a lot of the British pop that followed. Can’t get Pet Shop Boys, Tears for Fears, Style Council or Duran Duran without this record. That said, Look of Love is still fabulous and impossible not to love. This is what Sam Smith thinks he sounds like. He does not.
full of the 80s synthy excess. really catchy.
Filled with drama, ABC were successful in their quest to combine the politicism of punk with the sophistication of disco. The whole album is filled with catchy gems and comes off like watching a play
What a fun little album. Kind of a shame I’d never heard of ABC until now.
Oh hot damn. What a nice surprise. Love this band. The hits still hit. This band is fun 80s blue-eyed soul pop. There’s some good stuff here. It’s cute. Gets better as it goes. It was probably more of a sensation when it dropped in ‘82. Today it feels a little dated. Not sure how it earned a spot on this list. It’s very good, but not exactly essential. Definitely polished. I can see how this fuller sound influenced a lot of the British pop that followed. Can’t get Pet Shop Boys, Tears for Fears, Style Council or Duran Duran without this record. That said, Look of Love is still fabulous and impossible not to love. This is what Sam Smith thinks he sounds like. He does not.
Surprising how fun this album was. Great bass lines, some kooky 80s synth, it was great. Probably won't be on my rotation anytime soon but glad to be introduced to this artist. Bonus points for how many people rated this a 1 because it was "way too 80s" lmao.
Cool 80s music and hat somehow I was not familiar with. Liked the sound. I will be listening to this again. Favorited a couple songs.
Conocida: The Look Of Love (Pt. 1).
80's pop charms me
Wow, I loved this. Poison Arrow & 4 Ever 2 Gether go insane.
i unexpectedly loved it?? will definitely listen to it more, lovely groove
Very sugary 80s pop. I like this, but I don't love it. I saw them live this year & they did a great job. 3.5 stars
I love a good 80s pop album. It was fun! And certainly wasn't boring.
Gotta love that 80's funk
Wow, surprised.
Classic sound. Great listen.
Get in loser, we’re headed to the 1980s and this album is your fucking passport.
Top-notch, catchy pop tunes with the perfect amount of orchestral backing, but with really cheesy lyrics.
10/18/23. Another band and album I’ve never heard of, and another pleasant surprise. A lot of fun, interesting pop songs with good lead vocals.
One of those bands you didn't listen to much and then one song comes on and your like OMG I forgot they sang this and you want to listen to more
British pop. Nice easy listening. Puts me to a certain time period and still holds up as a nice pop sound from the 80s
This is just fantastic. All of the "this sounds like the 80s" negativity....Yeah it does, this some of the best the 80s has to offer
These fuckers were on the precipice of shaking a 5 out of me for this terrific, spirited album. But then somewhere between The Look Of Love Parts 1 (a goddamn beautiful 5 all by itself) and Parts 4, I couldn't tell the difference between ABC, Spandau Ballet, The Human League or even some goddamn Bryan Ferry. Maybe that's the point. You'd think someone from the second coming of the British Invasion would distinguish to themselves as best in show. Americans surely suggest Duran Duran deserves the title, which is a sad commentary on the states. The Durans have their moments, but don't have an album as consistently great as this. It doesn't matter that the so called second British Invasion didn't have The Beatles, just like it matters not that ABC never got to Duran Duran levels of popularity in America. In the end, all that matters is the music.
This album sounds like everything I hate about 80’s music yet for whatever reason is slaps so fucking hard
And at last a 80s album i like. Mostly (there are some dodgy handiclaps in there)Tunes (4 massive hits) and its got those orchestral bits linking stuff together. 3.75
great stuff
Not bad. Theme tracks of the 80s. 4/5
Hard to get better than this at what it is
Look of Love reminded me so much of Donny Gary I didn’t know what to do with myself.
Solid album with fun riffs. Bass was dope throughout the whole album. I didn't quite connect with it, but i think that it just my particular taste. Some of the songs gave me old school video game music vibes and that was cool.
Funky and fun
Very catchy music, enjoyed a lot of the bass lines. May listen again in the future to focus on the lyrics. Would say a four for now.
In the U.S., ABC was basically a one-hit MTV wonder (ok two hits-The Look of Love and Poison Arrow were both hits) in 1982. They were a constant in the clubs at the time. That's not to say that that is all there is to this album. Overall, it's a fine example of early 80s techno influenced new romantics movement music. They were classy, fun, and great to dance to. If you own only one ABC album, this is the obvious choice. After this, they mostly faded away in the U.S.
Here we go again, opening up my eyes to eighties pop and I'm really surprised by how much I enjoy this fresh, clean, sound. Martin's pop rock delivery is engaging and entertaining and the album feels cohesive, not just passing time between the singles you know but creating something vivid and vibrant throughout. Dang it, this is a four for now but I could see myself adding that fifth star anytime soon...
Would love to hear Matt Bellamy cover Tears Are Not Enough. Or maybe Muse should take this entire album on tour.
Très pop, très glam, très Bowie, très j'aime beaucoup
it's not the best 80s music, but i think it's pretty good. i actually don't know whether it's a three or a four for me but there are some really lovely sounding songs on here and i think the existence of 4 ever 2 gether bumps it up to a four.
I found this one very hard to review. So much of it I enjoyed, but I did read other reviews, and understand the criticism. Poison Arrow and The Look of Love are the best songs, but I liked Valentine's Day, and Show Me. Much of the difficulty for me lies in placing it against other albums I enjoyed to the same extent. Here, I liked the vibe and atmosphere created, and the variation within the album was great, whilst still retaining cohesion and being surprising. Solid 4 from me - I've given worse albums the same or better scores.
4.1 This album is sooooo 1982 but the orchestral arrangements really elevate this album above all the new wave contemporaries for me. It's got a few less exciting tracks but it's a great listen overall. It's kind of a more Bowiesque version of Duran Duran. Fave songs: Poison Arrow, Valentine's Day, Look of love pt1, All of my Heart
Cool!
as much as i hate to admit it i am incredibly fond of british new wave/new romantic and this album is quintessential in that context Favorite Tracks: Show Me, Poison Arrow, The Look of Love 4.5/5
I've heard this album a number of times before. We have a copy in our house on cheap 80s vinyl and it's one of the other half's favourite 80s albums. She's a fan. So I get to hear it every now and again. And I remember it from the 80s - the hits anyway. And there seem to be enough of them. But it's not something I'd ever choose to play, so this was interesting to do for a change. And, you know, it's not a bad 80s album. Catchy, a bit overblown at times and has a couple of bangers and a couple of dodgier pieces (4 Ever 2 Gether really grates). The slightly extended version had Theme from Mantrap which is horrible, both in execution and as an idea, and that might have caused the loss of a star by itself. But I'll ignore that. Maybe it's because I'm relatively familiar with this already, but it's OK you know. But I'm an 80s kid so that's easy for me to say. Hell, 4 stars. But don't tell the wife...
Much better than I expected and way more songs that I knew than I expected. Super solid album for the 80s.
Even een klassiek begin, maar dan knalt ie er vol in. Bam! De jaren 80 ongeremd voor je kanis! Wel goed uitgevoerd. Met soms een uitschieter als 4 Ever 2 Gether. 3.5 ster.
Daar zijn ze dan eindelijk, de jaren 80! Doorspekt met synthesizers en bassloopjes en toeters. Lekker fout, maar ook een paar dampende stampende kneiters van hits. Eigenlijk doet dit alles fout wat de jaren 80 zo verschrikkelijk maakte. En ik kan er inmiddels toch van genieten. Want het is wel lekker uptempo vaak. Prima om de dag mee te beginnen. Sterretje extra om alvast te compenseren voor de rest.
Conocida: The Look Of Love (Pt. 1).
pretty good, litt edm instrumental + funk
This came out in a tumultuous year and it still has the power to shake. The songs are all thematic and full of drama. Love the horns. The songs do feel very ‘of their time’ but transportative rather than old hat. Lost youth Lost love Lost hope Who knew that 40 years later I would still feel that ache?
Layered arrangements that sound lush and cool at the same time with very little blank space.
Yeah, I rather enjoyed this, which was a bit of a surprise given its '80s production values. But the musicians are killing it (especially the bassist), the arrangements are interesting and varied, the melodies catchy, the songs are dramatic, and the lyrics are witty. Good stuff. It got a bit much towards the end, though the last full song "4 Ever 2 Gether" brought it all home. This is more of a 3.5 for me, but it gets an extra .5 stars because of Martin Fry's over-the-top shouting of "Hip hip hooray!" in "The Look of Love." Glad I got to listen to this.
I really love this time and music aesthetic. Didn’t know the band by name but certainly recognized the well known bangers
so fun
Banger after Banger.
i love the 80s
no me esperaba que fueratan ochentoso
+The Look of Love +Valentine's Day +Tears Are Not Enough +Many Happy Returns +Poison Arrow +Show Me Cool album, sometimes sounds a bit samey.
Hadn’t heard the album; just a song or two. Really fun and upbeat
I really enjoyed this!
definitely some fun 80s pop
Listened Before? N Holy crow! Another great 80's pop/new wave album. This dude has another great voice too. I have heard the singles but the deep cuts are quality here as well. Added to Library? N Songs added to playlist: The Look of Love
Fun listen with grooves. Talking Heads vibes
I really like this album. It was right what I wanted to hear. I was safe and looking for one song and I couldn't remember who they were and the song was on there! I really like their sound and I like that particular aspect of 80's music
Very 80s. Corny 80s
So over the top 80s!
I loved ABC when Poison Arrow came out, wasn't even a teenager. I still enjoy the polished melodrama of this album.
Oh yeah super special 80's
Day 9 I've never heard of this band. Show Me - 8/10 - I've gotta admit that I'm a sucker for this type of music. The catchy chorus, the early techno beats, the synth. Not to mention this guy actually has quite a good voice. This has potential to be my highest rated album so far if it sticks to this type of music. Poison Arrow - 8/10 - the part where he goes heeeaaart in the background is great. A lot of the similarities to the last song where the focus is the chorus and the rest of the song is meant to be flashy to get you to the chorus. Personally, I don't mind that at all. This is a song that is made of the 80s and I would be able to tell it's from this era without knowing. Many Happy Returns - 7/10 - not as fun as the last two but still great Tears Are Not Enough - 7/10 - this beat is so damn funky (in a good way). Weirdly this one has the opposite problem where the rest of the song is great but the chorus is kind of lackluster. Valentine's Day - 7/10 The Look of Love (part 1) - 9/10 - this song is so fun!!! the background in general, the little add ins, the conversations he has with himself, the slight Banjo (?) strums. The chorus and rest of the song are good here. Fantastic one. Date Stamp - 6/10 - starts weird. Some parts of the background are weird like the single notes they add in but the girl singer is really good on this. All of My Heart - 7/10 - reminds me of end critics songs honestly. It's good but jt doesn't do as much for me as some of the more fun songs. Also a bit long. 4 Ever 2 Gether - 6/10 - the intro to the song sounds weirdly like the one metroid song. This is a weird song. It's like a sci-fi inspired rock ballad. I don't hate it but it's not his forte imo. The Look of Love (Part 4) - 10/10 - I don't know if there's a part 2 and part 3 I'm missing and it's not on the playlist album I found (the playlist has 14 songs. I've seen some playlists have 10, some have like 30. This was just the first one that came up.) Either way, this is just great. It's just a small section of the look of love part 1 but it's all instrumental. I know there's a heavy praise and connotation in giving anything a 10 so I want to preface that to me a 10 is a song where there's nothing I would change about it. Obviously as I'm doing these once per day a 10 may be less accurate here but I will stand by my opinion on this being a 10. Edit: I looked up the tracklist on Google. Apparently this album has 10 songs and the last 4 at the end of the album are bonus tracks. As such, I'll listen them to my spare them but won't include them on here or in the final review. Overall: This album showed me just how great the 80s can be. The last album I reviewed was an honestly really boring album from 1980 (to be fair, it being boring could be a genre thing more than a time thing) but this shows the flare and fun of the 80s. 75/100 or 75% This album is really making me rethink how I rate albums cause this is a certified recommendation but it's hard to say that with a 75% rating. I'll see how a few more go and then consider it.
Really fun record. This kind of style is hard to pull off without being schmaltzy or corny, but they did a really good job of nailing it. I enjoyed this one a lot.
This album is so 80s, incredibly catchy, with a couple songs that absolutely slap. Such a fun listen.
Really good 80’s pop album.
Wasn't sure I'd enjoy this when it came up. The album cover and description sounded very boring. However, it turned out to be pretty good in my opinion. Fast enough to keep my attention, and quite disco-y at times. I do think some of the songs blended in to each other and became a bit forgettable after a while, but it was still alright. Favourite: Poison Arrow
A bombastic showcase of the orchestrated sophisticated pop of the early 80s from the band that starts with the first three letters of the alphabet. Beginning with proclamations and ending with a collage of album tracks as though it were the end credits, The Lexicon of Love ebbs and flows as though it were a movie. Pretty good album all around. Favorites: Show Me, Poison Arrow, Many Happy Returns, Tears Are Not Enough, The Look of Love (Pt. 1), All of My Heart, 4 Ever 2 Gether.
Show Me - 4 stars Poison Arrow - 5 stars Many Happy Returns - 4 stars Tears Are Not Enough - 5 stars Valentine's Day - 3.5 stars The Look Of Love - Pt. 1 - 5 stars Date Stamp - 4 stars All Of My Heart - 4.5 stars 4 Ever 2 Gether - 4 stars The Look Of Love - Pt. 4 - 4.5 stars Theme From "Mantrap" - 3 stars
Mer 80-tal och ännu en klassiker, jag klagar inte.
Big fan of the 80's music sound in general so this album was pretty fun. There were a few songs that weren't nearly as strong as the highlights Poison Arrow and The Look of Love, so I can't quite give it a 5. Solid album overall though.
Classic
Poison Arrow is the star here.
Nice
Nostalgia alert
I was familiar with a fair bit of this album, but I’d never appreciated how good it is. It’s first-rate. The cd I have includes lots of extras. As well as the classics, Look Of Love & Poison Arrow, I was really impressed by 4ever 2gether, Alphabet Soup, Tears Are Not Enough & Valentines Day. In fact, there’s nothing here that I didn’t feel like singing along with. Great record.
Pleasantly surprised by this.
Riotously 80s production in the best possible way.
Didn’t recognise the group but definitely recognised some songs. Poison Arrow slaps!
Never even heard of this band before, but this was pretty solid
Always enjoyed the arrangements and Martin Fry's vocals. The singles are proper 80s classics but haven't listened to the album in a (very) long time and was pleasantly surprised. Loved it!
Unashamed cheesy goodness. Would pair well with a glass of port. 3.5+/5
Solid synthpop! Some of these songs are definitely going in the rotation. The last two songs seemed a bit unnecessary, but the rest of the album worked pretty well for me.
Really cool album, I really was not expecting this from the beginning. Super groovy album, it really has this 80s vibe, with cool bass line and synth leads. It was really nice listening experience overall. I think The look of love has been sampled quite a lot in house sounds.
Liking the melodies and the songs... Really an "old pop" vibe and it sounds great for what it is... Similar to David Bowie album but the overall thing is pretty redondant... 3.5/5
Yeah it's the 80's but this album is good. Trails off a bit at the end for me but otherwise a very solid album
Love that bass! Production on this album is crazy; so dense and massive. I don't know ABC, but I really like this record.
At first I didn't really care for this, but it ended up being fairly catchy. I liked it alright, but I wasn't in love with it. 3.5/5
I know the hits and loved them then as now but the rest is bland and formulaic. If you can get your head around the stylised posturing and synth effects it was a great moment in pop music but that was as far as it went.
Sooo good!
Class album, bangers galore!
Unmistakable 80's sound with so many songs you forgot you knew. Not every song is as good as "The Look of Love" or "Poison Arrow", but the album is definitely iconic.
Quite unexpected
I enjoyed it, butnot my fav
You know when you look at old fashion and think 'that is so 80s!' and then realise it is actually from the 90s? Well that doesn't happen here. You know it is 80s to the core. Poison Arrow holds a special place in my memories. I remember the film clip and a lot about my life at the time. The bass sound is really special in this recording. Viva ABC
I had never heard of ABC and then Poison Arrow kicked in and I was like, oh, THEM. Martin Fry, what a voice, I'm sure I've heard him on a thousand other things. I really liked this and I can see now where Duran Duran hatched from.
Loads of catchy tunes, all the "sound effects" seem very cheesy but not over the top at a point where you can still take the production moderately seriously.
Valentine's Day is goin in my playlist, other tracks were alright but didn't stick out
Going into it I didn't think I would enjoy it but they already had me on the first two tracks. The songs 'Poison Arrow' and 'The Look Of Love' stood out to me.
Nice h
Oh dit is genieten
YOoo dit is zo tof
Me ha gustado bastante, especialmente The look of love, pt. 1-4
more to my liking,
Wonderfully 80s album.
I reaaaally loved this
Wow I love it. Feels a little Talking Heads. The first 30 seconds or so faked me out at first but wow. Already on my second round, it’s so good.
I had no idea this was considered an essential album by the critics. Not that I am complaining as this is a brilliant slice of 80s pure pop. ABC were a great band
Some real classics on here. I didn't know the non-single tracks but I enjoyed them. This is my era so not a surprise that I enjoyed it.
4.5 Duran Duran + The Smiths = ABC? I really liked this. It’s grooves were so infectious. It’s bass was everywhere and I had a blast. It almost felt like 80s RnB (Lionel Richie-esque) with an awesome rock edge. I particularly liked how they weren’t afraid to give each member a big moment for a cool solo or something. It sounded like a cohesive work in a way that I really appreciated
I really enjoyed this album. Loved the bass sounds combined with the 80th synth-pop era.
Very good!
Awesome album, very exciting. Some of the bass reminds me of New Order. Lyrics are probably the weakest part
Vjerojatno najbolji new romantics
I love the beat of Look Of Love part 1. Fun 80s pop. I dig it.
Peut-être à 5$
Nice
First I thought its typical 80s album with whiny singer and synths but oh my god, this is very clever instrumentation and its very catchy. Wow.
Loved this album - how had I never come across this gem before? The epicenter of 80s Pop with catchy songs - lots of lyrical puns and for some reason economic terms like Supply and Demand, Law of Diminishing Returns make up for the quintessential Me record for the Me Decade.
Okay yeah I love this. I know this would be considered "Cheesy" by most but it's my wheelhouse for sure. minus 1 point for ABC being an awful band name.
A pop classic from the off. Such style, an iconic record, not much point writing more. Launched a lot of inferior rips, but not their fault.
Simply a great pop album. Clever, sometimes too much, cheesey, fun, tongue in cheek, sumptuous arrangements, superb production and guaranteed to get you out of your chair.
wasnt expecting orchestral disco, but this was quite good. really liked the b side, especially theme from “mantrap”. the a side had a few songs with awkward lyrics, but overall was fine.
Early 80s pop; similar to new romantics like Duran Duran. The rhythm section is really good here, as is the production, courtesy of Trevor Horn. This is very good. 3.5/5
If this journey has taught me anything, it is that I like postpunk as a genre of music. Especially when it is as committed, catchy and luscious as this. 'The Look of Love' is increadibly catchy. 4/5.
Hidden gem
decent
A friend whose tastes usually run more to prog and metal once said this was one of his favourite albums. I was so taken aback by what I felt was the utter unlikeliness of this that I had to listen to it immediately. He was right. This is about as good as this sort of thing gets.
7/10. This is such terrible 80's music. Kinda fun though
Felt like this album accepted its silliness more into the back half. 7/10
p484. 1982. 4 stars The sound of a thousand UK early 80's nightclubs. This isn't about ABC, its all about Trevor Horn and his production. Quality work, fabulous orchestration, instantly recognisable and still fresh despite the 80's synths and sax. Some great tunes here, let down by dodgy lyrics. And it's all slightly pretentious... but fun. It's a bit like eating candyfloss, you know it's not good for you but you still enjoy it at the time. "Like a phoenix coming back/From the ashes/I know what's good/But I know what trash is"
Pure 80s. Enjoyed it and recognized a few tunes.
incredibly fun to listen to >:)!! not much else to say, but would definitely revisit it
One thing I'm realizing, after having heard the hits from ABC for years, is that their basslines were KILLER. So good. Obviously, the hits are hits for a reason (The Look of Love, Poison Arrow), but there's some really good other stuff here (Really liked Show Me, Date Stamp and All Of My Heart). I would definitely listen to this one again.
This album goes hard
03/07/2022 Really enjoyed this one. 80s pop romanticism in all the best ways.
fun with a few standout tracks pretty enjoyable but nothing life-changing!
Groovy, upbeat, fun
A real pleasant surprise, from some interesting bass lines, and composition as a "love album".
Classic 80s pop! Some brilliant choons, reminds a of my big brother and people who I’ve come to know living in my adopted city of Sheffield. Great bass lines, quality synth and some really sublime vocals from Martin Fry. Excellent.
Happy synthesizers and funky guitars - it must be the 80s ! I know the singles but didn’t know the album - produced by Trevor Horn. I love the album cover - like the music colourful and glamorous ! Party music. Trevor Horn, the engineer and others working on this formed the Art of Noise 1 year later.
What is pop? This is absolutely pop, but not the low-level pop. These songs are the greatest pop that I've known. +1 point for this project to show me this album.
"Like a Phoenix coming back from the ashes, I know what's good and I know what trash is." The lyrics are fall over funny and I think the guy who wrote them had the biggest laugh of all. The orchestration, production and arrangements, especially the keyboards, are top drawer and there are hooks a plenty. Methinks this is a contribution of the studio musicians vs the band, who are more hairdoo focused. At times the rhythms they lay down remind me of Simple Minds, albeit a schmaltzy version. Compared to Duran Duran, ABC's 2 mega hits are stronger and several other tracks stand up well on their own, so I'm going +2 on my Duran Duran score.
Fantastic and fun pop album. Martin Fry's vocals are outstanding.
Very good polished pop, occasionally a few of the songs seem a bit similar. Still one of the better 1980s pop albums.
Fuck you I love this. Currently a 3 Eh 4
not a gem but a solid one
"Iiiiiiiiiiiii don't know the answer to that question." Ah, the 80s. Not all tracks hit the heights, but still one of the best examples of that early New Wave sound.
Disco entretenido, pienso que, aunque es de inicios, me suena a que encapsula bien el sonido del pop ochentero. No me gustó ninguna excepcionalmente, todas son parecidas en calidad y nivel (?). 8/10
i listened to this yesterday.. where is the new one ?
One of the staples of my early-80's listening. The hits punctuated every party and dance, enjoyed by all as we shared Martin's sense of drama.
it was pretty good. The sound felt a lot newer than what I was expecting. Rating: 7/10
Good ine
Is there still grand ambition in music? You listen to that orchestral intro to 'Show Me' and it's the sound of someone wanting to make a big impression. This continues throughout. Has the death of people paying for music meant minimising time spent in the studio working on songs and the halcyon days of the 1980s of throwing everything but the kitchen sink into the mix are long gone? As a 1982 album, the singles from the album are songs on the radio and Top Of The Pops from when I was first becoming aware of music. Over the years. those singles (Poison Arrow and Look of Love) have been diminished somewhat due to over-familiarisation and use in adverts. I've never listened to the album in full but it really works together as a body of work. An album of its era but you have to admire the craft from the Art of Noise people.
Had a good time with this one, some nice bops. Can really get into it if I'm in the right mood. Sounds a bit like Aha
Stank Face (n) A human facial expression identified by a flaring of the nostrils and raising of the upper lip which is caused by '70s influenced funk bass playing.
Halfway between Roxy Music and Pet Shop Boys.
Melodramatic? Poppy? Of its time? Unmistakeably 80's? Of course it is... and no more than any number of classic records which capture their era in a snapshot. Not everything has to sound "timeless" to be great. Fortunately for me, I also happen to have a weakness for shameless 80's synth pop, and this record has it by the glittering plastic bucket-load. Fulfilling the hallmarks of the genre, the sound quality is pristine. Trevor Horn (shortcut to creating a classic "80's album") provides suitably bombastic, in-your-face production, with everything compressed, dialed-up, close. Seismic drums, plenty of reverb, hits of brass mingling with synth stabs or arpeggios. Instrumentally, the highlight is the unrelenting basslines, often threatening to eclipse the rest of the track (see "Show Me", "Poison Arrow"). If it all sounds unbearably 80s, just listen and try not to have fun: it's the perfect tempo to strut to, irresistible melodies to mimic (Date Stamp's call-and-response chorus, "Poison Arrow"'s glide into falsetto). The lyrics may not be poetry, but for me they had enough cohesion and clarity to stand up well alongside the music. “The Look of Love" is undoubtedly the apex of it all: obvious single, stylish pop, simple and ornate instrumentation. It's a dramatic, brooding kind of synthpop, cinematic in scope: "4 Ever 2 Gether" is a crashing climax, and the sweeping orchestral flourishes bookending the album seal it in a package of grandeur (though maybe a closing medley would have been nice). True, there isn't a great deal of variety musically - but I can't complain too much about this when there are so many great melodies and musicianship woven in. I may not enjoy it without being in the right mood for it, but today it was a really entertaining listening experience. It's the look (and sound) of love!
Feels like a movie. I can hear New Romanticism inspiration. Each song builds up and gets straight into the action. Transitions are seamless from track to track. As I've said many times before, I'm a sucker for synth. But this is really good this time I swear. It's energetic and full of great innovative synth sounds from beginning to end. There isn't a track I'll dance off to. I'd only heard "The Look of Love" before but damn. Gets milder but still carefully crafted on the 2nd side. I really love this, but I admit a huge part of it caters to my interests. The songs go a bit too far unnecessarily at times, and some songs may sound repetitive if you don't groove to them.
Groovy and fun. Very "New Romantic" in mood, with a strong influence from Roxy Music. Lexicon of Love is a singular creation, a pop album with the feel of a theatrical production, but built for the dance floor. There isn't another album that really captures this mood and this sound. It’s full of rich arrangements that build off essentially a disco groove, embellished with everything from studio strings to harps and horns. The songs are campy and occasionally outlandish, but romantic and heartfelt as well, thanks to Martin Fry's strong vocals. Fave Songs: The Look of Love, Poison Arrow, Tears are Not Enough. “Tears" is the deep cut that really deserves to be heard more.
A good listen. You can tell the singles
Fanade hårt bör lyssnas
Very fun music that keeps up the energy. Great bass playing, too
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
Super fun album. I really enjoyed it and loved the energy it had.
Classic sound
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
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.
Totalmente inesperado, muy bueno, las trompetas le dan mucho juego y el violín en ciertos momentos es fantástico.
Wow! Very enjoyable, especially the opener. Woohoo!
The look of love is an instant classic for me. Overall, very enjoyable album
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
Yep 80s pop loved this. Reminded me of GTA Vice City. Posion Arrow is a banger
Opens going insanely hard
Geiler 80s pop
Solid 3 as is and the the hits came on making it an easy call for a 4.
I had a pleasure time with this band. Although I am not sure how much it was swing or pop or something else.