Top tracks — play these first
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Show Me Start here — accessible entry with immediate hook
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Poison Arrow — This track exemplifies ABC's signature sound with its catchy hook and innovative use of synthesizers, making it one of their most recognizable hits.
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The Look of Love, Part 1 — A quintessential love song, it showcases lush orchestration and romantic lyricism, embodying the emotional core of the album.
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All of My Heart — This closing track highlights heartfelt vulnerability through poignant lyrics and an expansive arrangement, serving as a powerful culmination of the album's themes.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends orchestral and electronic elements effectively, showcasing strong melodies but varying in depth across tracks.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features upbeat tracks with prominent synthesizers, while the second half shifts to more introspective ballads.
- Each song incorporates lush orchestral arrangements alongside electronic elements, creating a rich sonic texture.
- Several tracks, such as 'Poison Arrow' and 'The Look of Love,' utilize recurring melodic motifs that enhance their memorability.
- 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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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. 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
- romantic evening soundscapes
- nostalgic, reflective listening sessions
- layered melodic textures
- dynamic emotional journeys
- gradual builds and payoffs
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This album established ABC's reputation and featured their first major hits.
- Career context
- When 'The Lexicon of Love' was released in 1982, ABC was emerging from their debut single success with 'Tears Are Not Enough.' This album marked their first major studio release, establishing them as a prominent act in the new wave scene and setting the stage for their subsequent commercial success.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Duran Duran· Depeche Mode· Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark
Tracklist
- 1 Show Me Start here 4:02
- 2 Poison Arrow 3:25
- 3 Many Happy Returns 3:57
- 4 Tears Are Not Enough 3:31
- 5 Valentine’s Day 3:42
- 6 The Look of Love, Part 1 3:30
- 7 Date Stamp 3:51
- 8 All of My Heart 5:20
- 9 4 Ever 2 Gether 5:32
- 10 The Look of Love, Part 4 0:58
- 11 Tears Are Not Enough (demo) 3:31
- 12 Poison Arrow (Jazz remix) 6:56
- 13 Look of Love (1990 remix) 5:45
- 14 Alphabet Soup (12″ mix) 8:04
- 15 Theme From “Mantrap” 4:21
- 16 Look of Love (live) 6:09
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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