Alphabet City - ABC

Advantages: Poptastic Trevor Horn production.
Disadvantages: Not a good Valentine's Day present.

...I had a bit of time to fill last night, so I had a look through my CD collection for something to play. It's arranged alphabetically of course, me being a bit anal, so I didn't have to look very far before inspiration struck. ABC - The Lexicon of Love - and it's Valentine's Day tomorrow - perfect! Ah, but it was too late to get it added... oh, hang on though - it's there already, and no-one's written about it, so duty calls... The Band - ABC ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ ABC hailed from Sheffield and could be summed up as New Romantic pop Roxy Music wannabees. Pure pop - tinny drum machine and synths, yes, but with saxophones and horns rounding out the sound nicely. Original members Mark White (guitar) and Stephen Singleton (saxophone) called themselves Vice Versa, but then Martin Fry (vocals) arrived and took control of the band's image... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Great songs and lyrics
Disadvantages: Few more tracks would have been better

...The eighties was a great decade - but if you really think about it, was there any music that really stood out? Well, yes - ABC. New romantics through and through, ABC were the creators of such classics as 'The Look Of Love' and 'Poison Arrow'. Lexicon Of Love isn't a 'best of' album, but it might as well be, because it include all their best tracks bar one - 'When Smokey Sings', which is a great shame. The lyrics in all 11 songs (well 10, as one is an instrumental piece) are excellent, and make you think - "If I were to ask you "Can you keep a secret?", would you know what to do, or where to keep it?" There isn't really a bad track on the entire album, although 'Valentine's Day' goes against the trend, but isn't too bad either. The use of instruments is impressive too, so you find yourself appreciating the melodies as well as the lyrics... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Everything
Disadvantages: Nothing

...80's music is well and truely bigger and better than ever before!!I brought this cd after going to an local 80's night featuring the band. The concert was so good , I became hooked on abc and went down the next week to buy this CD. ABC are classic, combining pop and Soul, ballads and up-tempo numbers...they perform it all well and are as close to brilliance and perfection as you can get!!! I had my doubts about a live C.D at first as it doesn't often sound as good as the real thing..but those doubts didn't last for long!!! The LIVE sound of the fantastic band really envelops you and makes you feel you are really at a concert. The Hightlight for me was the Ballad All Of My Heart..the emotion behind this track was incredible..and the number 'Look of Love' one everyone will recognise. Heres to more of the same in the future as ABC live... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful