The Lexicon Of Love - ABC

ABC were a Sheffield based band who broke through into the mainstream in 1981 with a club oriented single called "Tears are Not Enough". The song was produced by Steve Brown and whilst it succeeded in getting people up to dance in clubs, wasn't a huge commercial hit, only just scraping into the UK top 20. ABC at the time consisted of Martin Fry, Mark White, Steve Singleton and David Palmer. Fry was the frontman - a tall, gangly man who didn't have the best voice in pop but was able to emote heartbreak perfectly. He was also a former journalist. Part of the "Sheffield Scene" which broke though in 1981 along with the Human ...  Read the complete review

The album opens with the instrumental intro to "Show Me". Anne Dudley's strings arrangement shimmers into a crescendo which transforms into the kind of bass line that defines ABC as a band. Martin Fry's voice shines as he sultrily sings "Since we're skimming the surface, darling, now's time to get in deep", which has got to be the best moment of the song for me. "Poison Arrow" is one of the tracks that most people will know, with the chorus showing off Fry's falsetto, which appears on many tracks. Danceable, intelligent and catchy, this single is definitely a highlight on the album. Next up is "Many Happy Returns" which ...  Read the complete review