Top tracks — play these first
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Be Near Me Start here — Easily the standout track, it combines infectious melodies with lyrical themes of longing, encapsulating the essence of 80s pop while showcasing ABC's signature style.
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How to Be a Millionaire — This track cleverly satirizes materialism with a catchy chorus, reflecting the album’s overarching theme of consumer culture and ambition.
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Vanity Kills — With its sharp lyrics and rhythmic hooks, this song exemplifies ABC's ability to tackle serious issues like self-image wrapped in a vibrant pop sound.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong hooks and inventive production, though its thematic execution varies across tracks.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features upbeat tracks that maintain a consistent tempo, while the second half introduces slower songs that shift the overall energy.
- The lyrics often playfully critique consumerism and wealth, with recurring themes that tie the songs together.
- 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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7/10
- 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
- catchy, playful melodies
- short, punchy tracks
- upbeat, energetic vibes
- danceable rhythms for parties
- light-hearted listening experience
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Deep Cut — A solid entry that showcases their sound but isn't the primary focus of their reputation.
- Career context
- Released on October 1, 1985, How to Be a...Zillionaire! was ABC's third studio album, following the commercial success of their breakthrough record, Lexicon of Love. At this point in their career, the band was aiming to further explore their sound while maintaining their chart presence in the evolving 80s music scene.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Duran Duran· Depeche Mode· Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark
Tracklist
- 1 Fear of the World 3:51
- 2 Be Near Me Start here 3:39
- 3 Vanity Kills 3:29
- 4 Ocean Blue 3:33
- 5 15 Storey Halo 5:35
- 6 A to Z 2:50
- 7 How to Be a Millionaire 3:35
- 8 Tower of London 3:39
- 9 So Hip It Hurts 4:19
- 10 Between You & Me 3:19
- 11 Fear of the World (in Cinemascope) 4:40
- 12 Be Near Me (Munich disco mix) 5:27
- 13 How to Be a Millionaire (Bond St. mix) 6:05
- 14 Vanity Kills (The Abigail’s Party mix) 5:09
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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