Reviews (page 5 of 9)
No thanks
Pretty bad. I would give it 1 star but that "United States of America" garbage band deserves that ranking all by itself.
It was a decent 80’s album
Very 80s, but with a nice little funky twist. Some songs really shine here, but the album as a whole is a bit drenched in the time period.
I had not heard anything but the singles before. It was interesting to hear all of the instruments and sounds that were in the singles rearranged for all of the other songs on the album
Loved it! Made me wish I was driving to the beach in a convertible in a beautiful sunset, with a stash of cassettes in the glovebox.
Yawn. This is the kind of euro-trash that gives new-wave a bad name. It’s all so disingenuous and it feels aggressively designed by committee, like record execs saw what was popular at the time at wanted to cash in on far better new-wave bands success. This music was clearly designed for radio airplay, and that kind of thing is just always so evident. It’s like what Pearl Jam was to the grunge era, entirely forced and unenjoyable. This album doesn’t even really deserve to be critiqued from a production standpoint. I didn’t enjoy a second of this album, and I look forward to forgetting it exists.
This was a bizarre and laughable record that felt like an amalgamation of all the pop music that came five years before and after it. It undeniably has some pretty catchy hooks but it is also pretty schmaltzy and seemed to border on cabaret at times. Not for me.
Few well known songs and nothing else I liked.
This was more enjoyable than anticipated. Was able to just let it go on repeat at work and was never really bothered by anything. Usually can’t listen to much music like this because the singing to me is a bit weird. I think this may be synth pop but idk. Either way solid 3⭐️
Pretty cool
Some good background beats and a couple of iconic songs, but I don't like the overblown vocals. I know the dramatically over-serious lyrics were popular then (see Human League, Duran Duran), but others did it better.
Unapologetically 80s in all the right spots and so easy to groove and grasp. 7/10
British prep school 80s pop. Was this written for Chuck Bass?They picked the correct singles the rest is forgettable. Who knew there was another version of Look of Love. Bass lines sound like Niles Rodgers in a good way.
This album comes out SWINGING! Tasty slap bass grooves with a killer 80s pop silhouette. Wow the first brit pop album to blow me away in a long time.
Nice 80es Brit Pop
Amazing album! One from from my teenage years. Loved Martin Fry's gold lamé suit on Top of the Pops! Amazing sound, production. An epic album for the 80's...I'm right back there!
I was not familiar with these guys and the haters got me nervous but… I like 80’s synth pop stuff! And the symphonic aspect just made it even better. So happy I discovered this.
This sounds like a weaker version of Duran Duran. A very middle of the road ‘80’s pop record with very few memorable songs.
My appreciation for the music of the day fell pretty drastically in the 80's. I would always wonder why I would want to listen to this sh.., stuff after all of the great music from the 60's and 70's. This isn't my thing but I understand the appeal. Pitting this against other 80's music, this would be on the upper half of the list. 2.75/5
This album oozes so much fog, big hair, oversized clothes and over the top cheesyness. I don't hate it, its just sooooo much 80's, like to the point of being completely over the top. There are some interesting parts and if you want a soundtrack for your 80's theme night look no further, but I don't think I want to listen to the whole thing again.
80's drama disco. It's okay. A bit overly dramatic for my tastes. Sometimes so 80's it's cringe. I like the bass playing. Lotsa boogie pop'n but not really super creative song writing. Kind of formulaic. There's a Look of Love part 1 and part 4. For some reason Parts 2 and 3 were not included on this album. Poison Arrow is a great song. The chorus is sooo disco! They hit the target on that one.
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!
Eh.. mid
Hated it. Everything that was wrong with the 80’s. Nothing about this was good.
Some absolute killer bass lines can’t quite save the generic 80s sound. The orchestral flares are nice, but the vocal reverb and gated drums are just so corny.
Listened to on vinyl until it started skipping on "Date Stamp", then switched to Apple Music ;) More absolute plastic from producer Trevor Horn, and with a singer that is very reminiscent of other 80s English bands. I am outraged that this is on the list, and may God have mercy on the editors' souls... On the other hand, it's fun and I can see myself liking it more over time. 3.5 out of 5 HL: "Tears Are Not Enough", "Valentine's Day", "All of My Heart", "4 Ever 2 Gether" later on March 20, 2025
music: hated. (⌐■_■)
Nothing I really didn’t like about this, maybe just a bit of New Wave Fatigue. This one is probably close to the baseline, but slightly below. A rounded down 2.5.
If I want to feel the 80's I might listen to this. Or something else.
Not a big fan. Nothing special here in my opinion.
Great!
Funky 80s pop, this was really fun. I like disco probably more than most, but I just love the grooves in it. A couple of standouts here for me behind Show Me, Date Stamp, and Poison Arrow/ Theme from "Mantrap". It's a dated sound obviously, but musically it's very layered and engaging.
Fond of this since it was first out.
Not bad, but I’m more of the synth persuasion when it comes to 80s pop.
This album has shoulder pads and a skinny tie. So draped in overwrought 80s synth sounds and sultry leaping vocals.
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 ⭐️
Excellent example of very 80s stuff that’s good. Not quite 4 stars but pushing very close.
Favorite Track: The Look Of Love Pt. 1
'The Lexicon Of Love' kopieert moeiteloos het karakter van Disco naar het New Wave landschap van de UK. Ergens doet het precies wat het tracht te doen, en is het dus een geslaagd muziekstuk, maar het eindproduct ademt vooral het plastic imago - waar veel om te doen is geweest bij het Disco genre - en is niet zozeer een dansbaar spektakel. Het voelt op momenten een beetje als The The (stem lijkt nogal op die van Matt Johnson) die Boney M. nadoet, een onverwachte carriereswitch die godzijdank nooit heeft plaatsgevonden. Op andere momenten - zoals op 'The Look of Love' en 'All Of My Heart' - weten ze de pakkende Synthpop sound op de voorgrond te houden, en irriteer ik me ook al veel minder aan het concept 'New Wave Disco'. Wel denk ik dat dat concept niet veel minder irritant had kunnen uitpakken, dus daarvoor chapeau. 5,5/10 Highlights: The Look of Love All Of My Heart
Het tijdperk waarin deze plaat verschijnt is een hele dubieuze. En dat is goed terug te horen op The Lexicon of Love. Super cheesy allemaal, maar dit had ook veel erger kijken zijn. Gelukkig zijn er wat goeie elementen van bijvoorbeeld The The of Duran Duran wel terug te horen op ABC. We komen goed weg. 5/10 Highlights All of My Heart
Not a bad album, I liked "The Look of Love, Pt 1.". Good dance tune. 3.5 / 5 rounded down?
Another unnecessary and terrible 80s brit pop
I thought this was a fun listen. Definitely the sound of the 80s.
Not bad for this style but I have a hard time listening to a whole album of it.
Well that was pretty terrible. So dated and sooo cheesy. Definitely not something anyone needed to hear before they die. Don’t we have some Duran Duran on this list somewhere. This is like a sad ridiculous version.
Pretty good
Textbook definition of white guy funk
2.75
I'm a big city pop guy, so it's natural that I would like something like this. All the elements are there. Great, groovy basslines. Drenched in synths. Sax! There's even just a sliver of this vaguely British "darkness" to it. But I dunno. I'm tapping my foot to all of these songs, and there are a lot of awesome grooves. But the album kinda falls just short of coming together. It feels like there's something missing. A bit of soul? I don't know, it's kind of intangible. It's ALMOST amazing. So frustrating! Fav tracks: Show Me, Poison Arrow, Valentine's Day, All of My Heart
6/10
1. zhouu - 1.5 2. poizon - 1 3. happy - 1.5 4. tearz - 1.5 5. valentinez - 1 6. love - 1.5 7. date - 1.5 8. heart - 1 9. ever - 1.5 10. look - 1 11. man trap - 1.5
A couple of stand out tracks but in the end mediocre 80s pop
Oh saxophone, thou foul cheese on the charcuterie board of euro-pop-trash new wave, why must thou torture mine ear holes so? I mean, this album was good for a laugh, and I could see clearly the trajectory from disco to euro-pop through this album that surrounds a one-hit wonder with more of the same same. “Poison Arrow” made me straight up giggle. Still, I will not revisit this. Because it was good for a lol, it’s properly a 1.5, but it left me wondering what the hell the 1001 record guy was thinking. He probably made out with his big-haired girlfriend to this utterly forgettable album or something.
Super cheesy. 4 Ever 2 Gether was the highlight. Everything else was just kind f dumb.
enjoyable
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!
This is pure, distilled 1980's synth pop. There are occasional, almost progressive moments that elevate it from just middle-of-the-road 2.5 stars to just over 3 stars.
classic shiny, ambitious, glossy 80s pop - striking production by Trevor Horn
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
1 stern
# 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.
Much more funky and groovy than any other new wave I've heard. I could actually get into this.
There’s some really fun instrumentation here but the lyrics are pretty anodyne.
Poison Arrow and The Look Of Love are great songs. Rest ok 3/5
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
1.75
This is a pretty wild record. Really groovy bass lines and weird synths. Its feels like a very poppy Morrissey. Very theatrical, camp and kind of cheesy, but overall kind of fun and interesting.
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.
Smooth and genteel. I've listened to it before. It's pleasing in the same way having your teeth cleaned is pleasing afterwards. It's nust so polished and nice. Three stars. Not epic, not superb, good replay potential. Modest message on being human in today's world. 3 is perfect for this album.
80s
Fuck this album!
Some of the instruments/vocal effects were interesting to make me pay attention, but I couldnt really find a song that I liked. The best was Date Stamp. Show Me was a cool intro I guess too. This is like Michael Jacksons music without the unique singing and too many odd orchestral arrangements
Felt like a knockoff Bowie doing showtunes. Not for me
Ended up enjoying a lot of this - bit of Talking Heads, Killers, One Night in Bangkok vibes - campy and catchy stuff.
never heard of this or the artist its an interesting album, a bit more glammy david bowie vibes
05/02/25 It had a few good songs that I recognise and it wasn't a bad album.
groovy
This is an album that didnt stand the test of time. Its the classic background music to every teenager movies of the early 80s. All the proms, club, patries and other scenes. Super dated and although its fun and well produced its nothing special to me
diet duran duran, not a good or bad thing.
As many stars as in the album cover. Average.
I didn't know who ABC were, and then proceeded to listen to a whole lot of "quintessential 80s pop" tracks that EVERYONE knows. I didn't actively like this album but the tracks were so nostalgic I couldn't dislike it either. Rating: 3
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.
The Lexicon Of Love is easily one of the most 80s albums i have ever heard. Everything from the bass, the keyboards, the regular vocals, and the other types of vocals. Everything just sounded so electronic, poppy and robotic at some points but i still enjoyed a lot of these elements. Every element i listed sounds pretty good and really did add to the charm of this album. The lyrics are a bit cheesy at points considering that this is an 80s new-wave band and those lyrics are expected but some of them do sound pretty stupid in this day and age. The album was pretty short though which means it never got tiring while still giving me my fill of this stuff. This album isn't perfect but still solid. Best Song: 4 Ever 2 Gether Worst Song: Many Happy Returns
pretty good 80s pop
Totally forgettable 80s schlock. Not sure why it's on this list or who it's for. It did kind of make me put on some Versace want to return some video tapes though.
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
Meh not for me
WOW I did not expect to like this so much. As a fan of bands like Duran Duran and Depeche Mode I always overlooked ABC as being too slick and adult alternative leaning, but man do I absolutely love this. I think if you like the lyricism and melancholy of bands like Roxy Music and you also like early Duran Duran you will LOVE this. This is EXACTLY my brand of '80s cheese. It's melancholic, self-pitying, glamorous, frisky, flamboyant. It's so unapologetically SO MUCH. It's like the epitome of gold lamé suits and hairspray and self-absorbed passion. It's like, cool and sexy theater kid music. Yes. So fucking good.
Yeah incredibly solid. Want to hate the 80s but can't
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
No, same retro fucking music
reminded me of Duran Duran, pretty good and would like to listen again.
I didn't dislike this as much as I thought I would, but it sure does wear you down after a few songs
What a supremely new wavy bop buffet! Beautiful album cover too.
I didn't end up finishing it .....
Sounds just like that era. Doesn’t make it bad...just not great.
pretty fun overall!! definitely shows its age but not in a terrible way
-more anachronistic 80s synthpop. the music on here isn’t exactly anything that hasn’t been done before, but it was still pretty fun to listen to -I’ve learned about a lot of relatively obscure synthpop and new wave artists from this project, it’s cool -Favorites are Poison Arrow and The Look Of Love, Pt.1
Fantastically groovy album, which I had already grown somewhat accustomed to, with Poison Arrow having featured on my favorite radio station on one of my all time favorite games - GTA Vice City. Every song through the album has a wonderful feel to it, the bass on some of these songs is crazy, and I really loved how the last song came back to a more laid back version of Poison Arrow - felt like the album went on a full loop.
Funky bass hammers and new wave synth produced by the Trevor Horn machine? Yes and yes and yes. Such a lovely 80s album. ABC deserves a lot more love than they get. A lexicon of it, shall we say?
Very 80s. I enjoyed it for what it is.
80s pop. Did I need to listen before expiring?
80s funky dance pop. Great bass, otherwise not something I dug. It feels indulgent, it seems like these guys think they have something important and sophisticated on their hands, but it’s just another dance pop record. The only thing redeeming it for me is the wonderful bass playing.
Subpar pop music that at least takes some ambitious swings, so not entirely flavourless. Ahhh The Look of Love - that's why these guys are popular I guess? Not my cup of tea.
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.
I still think the term "blue-eyed soul" is objectively funny. I always enjoy an album with strings and brass and this fits the bill. Very high 3, but didn't ever catch my attention enough to warrant a 4.
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
There are parts I really like about this album (mostly bass) and then others that I hate (80s cheese). Liked it more than I thought I would though.
Not for me, but I can see how people would like this. It’s inoffensive I guess?
Somehow in all of my childhood of listening to my dad play 80s British pop I’d never heard of this band or at least I didn’t have any recollection of this band. The vocals are dramatic and fun, don’t come off too cheesy for me personally. The production is very of its time with its crisp drum machines and maximalist style, which might be a turn off for some but I’ve listened to a fair bit of 80s electro pop so I’ve got a bit of a soft spot for the sound. It doesn’t push the boat out too far as far as venturing beyond the defined sound of the time but it still makes for an pleasant listening experience. That being said it struggles to leave any lasting impression and outside of one or two tracks I would be unlikely to return to this as an album, but I wouldn’t be particularly bothered if this album was playing anywhere that I was. 2.5-3/5
The look of love
80s classic
Exudes ‘80’s. Not really my thing.
i feel like this is what lcd soundsystem will sound like to gen alpha
no one who listens to this album will ever wonder what decade it's from cool though not the biggest standout
Anything but conservative! Very 80s, loved the bass.
My dad would love this
I enjoyed this disco album.
Some ok stuff on here and some junk. Highlight is the bass
80s love ballads. Plus a funky bass guitar throughout, which really saves the whole album if you ask me.
ok. a bit generic
I'm not sure if I liked it or not...
This felt very manufactured. Not at all authentic. I didn’t hate the music or lyrics or vocals…. It just felt like the music you’d hear in a tv show where there is a fake band.
somehow this was amazing and terrible at once? could i write poetry to this? n
As much an aesthetic as a musical style, the New Romantics were perfect for the fledgling MTV network. MTV served as the pipeline for a "British Invasion", which lasted about as long as any of the prior incursions from across the pond. With few notable exceptions (Duran Duran, George Michael, etc.), the New Romantics were returned to the U.K., leaving musical and visual memories that define 80's tropes. In this way, ABC were perhaps the most New Romantic-y of the New Romantics. I imagine them captaining an arc heading back East, loaded with a cargo of Spandau Ballet, Simple Minds, Culture Club, Thomson Twins, Human League, OMD, and, of course, a Flock of Seagulls.
Generic 80’s music.
Some parts were catchy. I bet if I had heard this when I was a kid in the 80s, I would like it now. 2.5 stars.
Songcraft was just ok. Plus a half star for the bassist and a half star for some of the ballads. I liked the theme song version better
There is 80s and then 80s on steroids and THIS is 80s on steroids. With that said, there are still some fun catchy songs throughout. I toe tapped.
Really fun eighties pop— the bass lines are greasy, the lyrics are a kind of lovestruck funny hysteria.
Robert Smith on lithium. I almost really like it but there’s just something off that I can’t quite place my finger on
Kinda a vibe, real funky. Dancing music, for sure. Big fan!
way too groovy. strange because I usually like very dated 80s pop, but this one didn't appeal to me. This isn't bad, I just really don't like super flamboyant theatric 80s pop. This album is doing too much and it kind of annoys me.
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
Some catchy tunes but couldn't really get into it
High energy 80s pop!!
3.1 Yet more new wave on this list. This one's actually alright, nothing to write home about, but not an unpleasant listen. Don't think it's aged terribly well, I'd be surprised if any millennial or younger has stumbled on ABC organically. Couple saved down but all songs pretty similar to be honest. Nothing great, nothing terrible. Only recognised one track, from vice city.
80s glamp star
Early MTV flashback
noni
One of the best breakup albums, full of energy instead of wallowing in self-pity. You do have to have a tolerance for 80s cheese to appreciate this, but if you can you'll find that you have one of the most consistent albums of the 80s. Superb hooks, superb basslines.
3 stars
Nah.
enough is enough with this 80s trash. This should only be on this list as a cautionary tale to never make music this bad again.
oh yeah. i remember this.
They did an experiment on what happens if you batter a zillenial with new wave in their most vulnerable moments for years and the result is me really grooving to this album.
Oh good, another sophistipop album. 2.5/5
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.
A solid classic with big Trevor Horn production. Can't lose! 5
Nope. Did not need to listen to this.
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
Corny and dated and kind of annoying
In high school I watched some 80s movie about Michael J Fox doing a bunch of cocaine (before I knew who Michael J Fox is or what cocaine is). I don’t remember any details of the movie, yet when I heard this album that movie is all I could think of. Just sounds like an 80s New York cocaine romance vibe
Songs i knew: 2 Songs i like: about half Surprisingly good album, enjoyed most of this. Loved their sound, if I was around in clubs when this was out I could deffo picture myself dancing like a twat to this. I'd be recking the suit jacket with the shoulder pads, daft hair, a fruity cocktail in hand eyeing up the boys. Kthx bibi. Low 3.
The website has once again deleted my original review 😡 You can’t deny that The Look of Love and Poison Arrow are absolute hammers. Go on, try and deny it. See, you can’t. Idiot. But I actually quite enjoyed this, almost in spite of myself. It’s got some excellent slap bass that reminds me of Alan Partridge jamming to level 42. Makes me think of sitting in the back of my parent’s Austin Princess listening to tunes. Not sure my parent ever listened to ABC, but they were definitely ABC adjacent. Overall, I liked it. It’s so deeply uncool it’s almost cool again.
Not sure if a genre of music is so timestamped to the 80s than New Romantics pop. Tricky to review fairly as I have slight PTSD of hearing this A LOT growing up as like many parents who grew up on 70s rock, they had no trouble transitioning into New Romantic pop in the 80s. It brings up memories of my mum and dad going out to nightclubs in their Sunday best. Perms, tashes, shoulder pads and shirt & tie. Local hard men dancing without fear of reprisal to The Look of Love. Mad times. Really not a fan of this but there are songs here that can be considered good I guess. Highlights: Poison Arrow The Look of Love Part 1 Lowlights: Nothing offensive stands out but to me it lacks songs on a par with the absolute bangers of the time. Your Duran Durans, Your Spandau Ballets, Your Dead or Alives. This just really isn't my jam.
80s New Romantic music reminds me of my childhood. Enjoyed this album front to back. The singles are great and still stand up.
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
This is one of those bands that I knew but did not know I knew. At first I was like "who the heck is this?" but soon recognized them. They are kind of a blend between 80's music sort of stuck there and more timeless qualities. Now. The likely reason I did not "know" them is because I only ever "liked" their music. It was not bad, and not instant classic either way. This is a band that in my opinion both deserves and is worthy of exactly that three star rating. I seem to "give" some bands three stars because they don't deserve a negative rating, but some I give three stars because they deserve that rating and are not quite good enough for a highly positive rating. So there is a range within my same ratings that is unfortunate with no half star options. I might otherwise opt to give this band three and a half stars.
Very much carried by The Look of Love and All Of My Heart. Enjoyed Valentine's Day but everything else was pretty eh for me.
80's magic. A great album of its decade.
Mid
Very 80s
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
It was okay, very 80s
Eh.
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!
Yet more british new wave. It's been a while so I didn't hate this. Stand-out: Poison Arrow
4.8
I'm glad I never had to deal much with 80s music. This is lame.
Noice! Typical 80s, pašu mi sintići. Početak Poison Arrow mi je vrh 😊 Dalje kako ide, mrvicu mi je dosadno, ono ništa posebno, ništa što nisam čula prije, a čula sam bolje isto tako. Moram priznati da ne kužim baš konceptualnost tu niti osjetim njegovu bol, zaljubljenost, nikakve emocije ekšli. Mislila sam da će biti nešto više dramatično kroz album i da mi neće sjesti, ali zapravo mi je dosadno. The Look Of Love mi je dobra moram priznati, ali to je hit, tako da očekivano. Brijem da će biti 3/5 ili 6.5/10, čisto jer su i dalje 80s i zvukovi koji su mi dragi, samo mi je sve skupa dosta underwhelming.
Nisam pretjerano oduševljen, nije da me sekira. Iznenadilo me kad je došla pjesma koju znam pa sam skužio koji je to bend Za razliku od nekih od vas u ovoj grupi, uopće nisam fan 80 i pop zvuka tog vremena.
9.5/10 Koji album! Da, ocekivano je da ce mi se ovo svidjet ali nemaju mi sve grupe iz 80ih ovakvu kvalitetu kao ABC. Bas su mi zapeli za uho zadnjih godinu-dvije, cesto se nadju na plejlistama i jos uvijek su mi fresh. Koliko god da su corny s tekstovima u nekim pjesmama (pogotovo Valentine's Day), nadoknade mi sa jakim hookom u skoro, ako ne i svakoj stvari, te svaki minus koji im dam debelo poprave u necem drugom. Groovy basevi, synthevi koji super zvuce ali su u pozadini, i ne dominiraju u svakoj stvari (za razliku od nekih drugih slicnih grupa iz tog razdoblja), funky dijelova koje nisam ocekivao, trubica, violina. Ma ono, svedski stol zvukova i sve je tako lijepo sklepano. Na trenutke melodramaticni, ali cijelo vrijeme energicni. Tesko mi je izdvojiti najdraze stvari, ovaj put su me ponovno iznenadile Many Happy Returns i Date Stamp. Vidim, odnosno cujem i od kud je nasa Boa crpila inspiraciju. Font, cjelokupna estetika, originalnost, sve mi ima na jednom mjestu. Jedan od drazih albuma osamdesetih u zadnje vrijeme, ako ne i opcenito. Ovo treba pustat vani!
Ton of fun is the best way to describe it. It's instrumental pop instead of all electronic like we mostly hear now which I think is a really cool sound.
Upbeat and energizing music about the complications of love and loss. Not uncommon for 1982, but that SOUND. Shit like this is reserved for only the likes of Phil Collins, Sting and Prince. Loved this one less than those heavy hitters. But what a great example of 80's fusion.
The whole 80s production gang is here! Rubbery bass, disco guitars, digi synths, gated reverb big drums, awful strings, hyper compression, diva backing vocals, corny keyboard sounds, crazy decision making... It's like an AI amalgam of 80s pop, lacking its own personality aside from the drama in the vocals. Bands with better songs and more interesting taste can wrangle this sound into really effective distinctive albums that bear the scars of their era but stand the test of time - this band isn't one of those though. Not terrible, but it just constantly reminds you of the bands who made the same songs but 45% better.
I love ABC. I have bittersweet memories of the holiday we were on when I turned 30 and ABC was the soundtrack.
Very 80s but OK.
Bass lines are on point!
A good album I really enjoyed, I liked the songs Show Me and Poison Arrow the most.
🕺
A few good 80s bangers but the rest of the album was a slog
Listening to this was like the audio equivalent of jizzing through my ears for about 10 minutes, and then it quickly got very annoying. It's like when you have too much sugar and your teeth start feeling like they're rotting. Won't say no to some sugar though. Three outta five. Horrible analogy.
I knew Poison Arrow from GTA Vice City. I was never a fan of it, it’s far too cheesy 80’s for my liking, as was the remainder of Love’s apparent Lexicon.
At least 3 80s classics on this one
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".
Bass player: 5/5 80s Sound Production: 0/5 (no bass in dance music?.....yay) Energy: 3/5 (would be 5/5 but see the "80s sound production part) Overall.....3/5. I want to love it, but the terrible production quality of the era rob the music of it's essence and ultimately it feels kinda forgettable. How in the hell did they kick this bass player out of the band? The guy was incredible on this album.
Gear: Abyss DIANA MR (vegan) Artwork: 🔫🕵🏻♀️💃🏻 Produktion: 😲🙂👌 Musik: 🪩🍸🫧 Wertung: 🅰️🅱️/5
Not bad at all. New to me and enjoyable
Proper good 80s fare. Some absolute classics would relisten several times.
Liked some of the music, especially the bass playing. However, the songs left a lot to be desired. 2.5/5 Probably won’t listen again
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
Very 80s
Tosi hienoa ehkä vähän rokkia ja vähän discoa ja vähän synth poppia. Kappaleet on mahtipontisia ja tyylikkäitä. Hienoa poppia. Parhaat: The Look Of Love Pt.1, 4 Ever 2 Gether, Tears Are Not Enough
Ew another generic '80s British pop
Album 551 of 1001 ABC - The Lexicon Of Love (1982) Rating : 3.5 / 5 Another's Duran Duran. It just oozes "80s". Some nice bass lines throughout. Usually not my type of thing but I enjoyed it.
Absolutely godawful
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.
Still enjoyable as far as it goes, but sounds very much of its time.
Big and layered, great production, just not my kind of music
This album really encapsulates the New Wave sound coming out of the UK in the 80's and I'm pretty much here for it. The vocals real you in as completely emblematic of the times. Really a great example and I can see why it reached such high critical and popular acclaim when it hit!
I thought I heard a saxophone and white-privilege arrangements coming from my garbage can, but realized it was just this album. I can't believe they killed disco for this garbage.
Opener “Show Me” launches with a funky and infectious bassline, but then the vocals kill it, like apparently 90% of British music from the 80s. Then we trade the great bass for an obnoxious saxophone on “Poison Arrow,” and you’ve totally lost me. The worst part is that we are left without the full picture of what love looks like. Where are “Look of Love” part two and three!? It's been a while since I've given a ⭐️. Wrong place, wrong time?
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.
I’m not a natural 80s fan but I love this album. A guilty pleasure.
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.
Decent
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.
Als je deze hoes ziet verwacht je iets verschrikkelijks en dan zit je een heel eind in de goede richting. Wat een gedrocht van een jaren '80 Britse popplaat is dit. Huismerk Duran Duran met een laagje huismerk Prince erover. Alle 80's geluidseffecten: check. Theatrale zangert met enorm overgeacteerde emoties (en waarschijnlijk een gezonde dosis eyeliner): check. Mijn allergie: check. Een normaal altijd zeer gewaardeerde muziekgoeroe uit het midden des lands gaf dit 4 sterren "om alvast te compenseren voor de rest", waarmee hij mij eigenlijk forceert om m'n 2 sterren rating aan te scherpen naar een 1. Ik gun hem die macht niet, maar wat zit ik er dichtbij.
Unashamedly 80s, and I'm here for it
This is a snapshot of the 80s pop aesthetic in album form.
omg so tedious
meeehhhh
very nice
SO 80s!
surprised by how much i loved this! what a jam
Not too shabby
Good listen, pretty interesting.
I don't see how this distinguishes itself from standard 80s synth pop. Doesn't feel essential, but Poison Arrow is good
A pleasurable, listenable dose of 80s pop. I dug it!
Felt a little flat on delisted but loved loved this album.
Valentines day? Was nice As 80s as 80s gets As cheesy as cheesy gets
I thought I liked this but the next day I couldn’t for the life of me remember what it sounded like.
Other than hearing ABC on various New Wave compilations, this is my first time listening to one of their albums from beginning to end, and I have to say, this is a really good one. I love it when I find a synth-pop album that I really enjoy. The Lexicon of Love was solid from start to finish, with a very sophisticated and glamorous feel throughout. It actually makes me wonder how often this album was played at fashion shows back in the day because it definitely has that vibe.
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
This was a new one on me. Arguably, ABC didn't quite stand the test of time and faded into 80s obscurity. Ok, it's a very 80s album, but it's really not a terrible one. It's got a great energy and it's well produced. It's less cringeworthy and gimmicky than other reviewers would have you believe, despite the occasional sax. It's not particularly memorable though. It feels somewhere in between the dark crooning style of Echo and the Bunnymen and the quirky energy of Talking Heads, but not as great as either. Interestingly, this album led to the creation of avant garde pop group, The Art of Noise, from the various session musicians and producers. They might have been a more interesting addition to the list than ABC. There's something endearing about 'Lexicon of Love', but if I'm honest, it's not one I'm likely to remember for a long time.
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
A spray fart in album form.
It’s like if the Pet Shop Boys all had lobotomies and then sat down to recreate what a white Prince would perform at a retirement home
Like a parody of Orchestral Maneuvers in the Dark done by somebody who hates that kind of music
Had I been old enough in 1982 I would have absolutely fucking hated Lexicon of Love. I’ve listened to a lot 80s music in this project, this is the first time I’ve really disliked it. It’s pop trash 2.7/10
Perfectly bland.
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
Great stuff!
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.
one of the first vinyl records I ever bought. It's still great and deserves to be listed to how it was intended...start side A, finish side B. Great lyrics...
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.
A great sampling of one of the most unheralded staples of 80s pop - the frenetic bass line. Other than that; meh. The Look of Love is a solid addition to any 80s playlist. But the vocal affectations and synth sounds haven't aged particularly well.
Wow. That was forgettable.
Pop shit. Not offensively bad pop shit, but just pop shit
This was headed for a high 4-star rating until it reached All Of My Heart. If forgotten how perfect that song was.
6,54
Too 80s for me.
Solid album. Fun and funky
I wonder about some of these albums. This is one of those. I don't understand it. It is passionate, but def not my jam. It sounds like everything 80s in one place, and not in a good way.
1.5 too much 80s again
1 nummertje goed
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.
Never gets above mediocre
No
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.
I liked a few of the songs in the second half of the album. I don't love the woman's voice. Groovy but theres only a few songs on here id listen to again and even those weren't crazy or anything.
Really liked it! 8.5/10
6/10 - It was pretty decent. I liked the look of love and all of my heart a good deal but omg poison arrow got on my nerves so quickly. And the way they brought it back in the theme from "mantrap" just upset me. If that song was not on there it would probably be a 7/7.5. I liked the overall vibe.
Mid
Ok this was promising, I like it
There are 80s and 80s. I don't understand this one...
I have always meant to listen to this album. I think it was really this one that got Trevor Horn to become the producer that he is. As an album it's... okay. I can't say it's my favorite style of music. I will say the singer is okay, but it's this trying to "modernize" a Cole Porter feel which doesn't really work. The elements were all there, I liked the bass, and the keys and such. It just... didn't do anything for me. "Poison Arrow" was probably my favorite of the songs there. The lyrics were cutting, and the music was fitting. The reimagining of the song which for the bonus track ("Theme from 'Mantrap' ") was neat, too. Production was great, but the songs themselves just didn't hit for me. Maybe this is another one I need ot listen to again, I don't know. Top tracks: "Poison Arrow"
I mean, it's fun and all but I'm kind of surprised this album is on this list. Did ABC combine a bunch of different styles? I hear funk and dance, with orchestral backing. I see punk mentioned a few times about this album but I don't get that at all. So yeah, there's some ambition there that is more than your standard 80's fare. But is there a lasting impression? Poison Arrow is a perfect example of this album and group. It comes on and you're likely to say "oh I love this song, it's so 80's" but halfway through you're looking for the next cheesy fun 80's song to put on. I'm probably not going to remember I listened to this album after tomorrow.
It was pretty average, great basslines though. Overall didn't enjoy much.
1.5 Disco Duran Duran Sucks
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
This would be fine for the days I’m feeling like listening to Brit synth-pop, which almost never happens.
It did make me grin to hear what is the quintessential sound of the 80s. However, that doesn’t make it automatically good. The only song here I know/remember is “The Look of Love” and that is easy to pass over.
Actually pretty good pop. Recognized a couple songs from my youth, which is always fun when you've almost forgotten them. Some good instrumental work, too, the bass in particular caught my interest on several tracks. 3.5*
Notable tracks: The Look of Love Pt.1, Poison Arrow, All Of My Heart
V 80’s and dramatic. Some good funky elements
Wore quick.
Soooo 80's 3/5
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
Not worth it
Super
Is this a fashion shoot or an album? Some likable hooks and strong vocals, but the ultimate ‘80s synth-sax combos is just too much to look past. Not terrible – the ‘80s was a golden age of stylish pop, after all – but this is mostly valuable as an authentic (and overly coiffed) artifact of that era’s dance pop.
You can Date Stamp this one. Tears Are Not Enough to describe it.