ABC: The Lexicon of Love

Albums that a reviewer calls overlooked will tell a lot about where that reviewer comes from, tastewise. In the continuing definition of my subjective tastes, I point out that this is, and others in my Overlooked picks will be, hugely produced. I love big production when it works.

This is the record that first drew my attention to production: 1982's Lexicon of Love. Standing in my brother's room, staring at the record cover, he pointed out to me the production credits for the first time. (It's produced by Trevor Horn - member of a short-lived Yes line-up, one of the Buggles, and wizard behind the Seal thing in the early 90s.) This album is crisp, smooth, and layered. Instrumentation is considered and deftly arranged. Everything has been paid attention to, which makes for attentive listening. It sounds really great.

This is also Disco (hiding, as it was forced to in the 80s) in New Romantic garb. Read into that what you will. In places ("Date Stamp," "Poison Arrow") it sounds like a better realized Frankie Goes to Hollywood, all big bass and dancehall drive. In others it steals from the smooth-makeout-king style of that era's Bowie (or any era's Bryan Ferry), all James-Bond-In-Love, Martini music. Deep, very gay-sounding vocals, swirling strings, and dramatic posturings. And fine playing.

Don't blow this off as a singles vehicle. While "Look of Love" and "Poison Arrow" made their places on the Big Hits albums, they work better as pieces of this album. Brilliant songs like "All of My Heart" and "Date Stamp" are not to be missed. Do yourself a favour and pick this up - on vinyl, if you can. And play it loud.

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ABC: The Lexicon of Love. Vertigo/Phonogram, 1982.
Review by jep clayton, BadMonkeyX. 2nd issue, March 2001.

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