The Lexicon Of Pop

 

ABC - The Lexicon Of Love [NTRS 1 UK 1982 24-Bit FLAC]

There is very little tangible evidence to prove how Sheffield industrial experimentalists Vice Versa became gold lame pop sensations ABC, except that Martin Fry's clever lyrics describe the bitter end of a relationship and the intervention of Trevor Horn (with full supporting cast) in the studio. There never seemed to be some vague no-mans-land or missing link in between the two dimensions of what was essentially the same band. If there was, I'd love to hear it!

After a good clean, I am really pleased how this rip of my original UK pressing comes through. I was intrigued by the recent discussion on the ESWA & Steve Hoffman forums about which version of this album sounds the best. It seems that you just can't beat the original vinyl mastering, so here is my attempt at an analogue to digital facsimile. By cranking up the recording level (the album maxes at -0.03db/DR13) then ensuring a good mix between the channels using RMS level balance rather than plain old normalisation, I think it sounds great ....and loud, but not overly loud. Horn's production & Anne Dudley's string arrangements shine through, and the bass just pops out at you. I would suggest that this is a rip for listening on hi-fi rather than on headphones.

A1 Show Me

A2 Poison Arrow

A3 Many Happy Returns

A4 Tears Are Not Enough

A5 Valentine's Day

B1 The Look Of Love (Part One)

B2 Date Stamp

B3 All Of My Heart

B4 4 Ever 2 Gether

B5 The Look Of Love (Part Four)