Top tracks — play these first
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Poison Arrow Start here — accessible entry with immediate hook
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The Look of Love — This track exemplifies the band's signature sound, blending lush instrumentation with romantic lyrics that captured the essence of early '80s new wave.
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When Smokey Sings — A tribute to Smokey Robinson, this song combines smooth vocals with sophisticated production elements, showcasing ABC’s knack for crafting memorable pop anthems.
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How to Be a Millionaire — With its catchy chorus and satirical lyrics about wealth, this track reflects the band’s playful take on consumer culture while being irresistibly danceable.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong melodies and production but lacks cohesive flow due to remix inclusions.
What we noticed
- The first five tracks maintain a consistent upbeat tempo, while the sixth track introduces a slower groove that alters the album's momentum.
- Several tracks feature layered harmonies and prominent synth lines, creating a polished sound characteristic of late '80s pop.
- The album includes multiple remixes at the end, which shift the focus from original compositions to alternate takes on popular singles.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- infectious melodies for dancing
- wave-like pacing with peaks
- playful energy for gatherings
- nostalgic vibes for reminiscing
- earworm hooks that linger
Maybe skip if you
- prefer slow, introspective music
- seek minimalistic soundscapes
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — Marked a successful return and solidified ABC's presence in the pop landscape.
- Career context
- Released on January 1, 1990, Absolutely marked ABC's return after a five-year hiatus following their album How to Be a Millionaire. The band had shifted in sound and image, aiming to adapt to the evolving music landscape of the late '80s and early '90s, showcasing both their signature style and fresh influences.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Duran Duran· Depeche Mode· Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark
Tracklist
- 1 Poison Arrow Start here 3:24
- 2 The Look of Love 3:29
- 3 All of My Heart 4:49
- 4 Tears Are Not Enough 3:31
- 5 That Was Then but This Is Now 3:34
- 6 S.O.S. 4:30
- 7 How to Be a Millionaire 3:35
- 8 Be Near Me
- 9 When Smokey Sings 4:20
- 10 The Night You Murdered Love 4:53
- 11 King Without a Crown 4:41
- 12 One Better World 4:29
- 13 Ocean Blue 3:34
- 14 The Look of Love (remix) 4:38
- 15 When Smokey Sings (Miami mix) 5:10
- 16 Be Near Me (Munich disco mix) 5:00
- 17 One Better World (Pickering Park mix) 6:10
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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