ABC - The Lexicon of Love

Digitally Remastered, with Two Extra Tracks: Look of Love Pt4 and the Theme from Mantrap. Album Details

 80's Classic
I'vd had this album for years in vinyl and I just bought it in CD format to play it in my car. It's an album you'll never get tired of listening to. The throbbing beat, the lavish orchestration, and the corny lyrics are a winning combinaion. April 28, 2008

 One of the Best of 1982
If you are a fan of the early 80's New Wave sound, ABC The Lexicon of Love is one you should have. Amazing production and wonderfully written songs.
Get it! September 4, 2007

 Pure Pop Brilliance
I'll never forget the first time I heard 4 ever 2 gether over the headphones of my walkman while i sat on the bus on my way to work all those years ago. I ran out right away and bought the Cassette, and at the time, I had no idea how many times I would listen to this Cd and what it would do to me. I still listen to it often, it is simply pure pop brilliance! Oh, and the lyrics are catchy too. July 1, 2007

 2002 U.S. Reissue Is The Same As The U.K. 1998 Reissue And It Sounds Better Than The 2004 'Deluxe Edition' Remaster!
After doing some research I discovered that the U.S. 2002 digitally remastered reissue of ABC's classic 1982 'The Lexicon Of Love' album is the exact same as the U.K. 1998 digitally remastered issue. I own the U.S. release, which has a 1982 and 1998 Mercury Records Ltd. (London) copyright. However, the disc is manufactured by Island Def Jam in New York.



So what does this mean for the fans? Those hoping for a newly remastered 2002 issue won't find it here, yet that doesn't matter because the digital remastering here is simply the best I've heard for this album as a whole. After browsing through my ABC collection and comparing sound quality on a number of the releases I was surprised to hear that this 1998 digital remaster sounds better than any other ABC release, with the exception of the album material on the 2004 'Ultimate Collection' 3-disc set from Universal Netherlands ("All Of My Heart" being the lone exception).



Additionally, the sound quality presented here is MUCH better than the 2004 'Deluxe Edition' of the album. It's a shame I have to say that because the 2004 edition has a bunch more goodies on it. Usually I find more recent remasters sounding better than remasters from the late 90's, but this is simply not the case here. The difference is the result of different mastering engineers. This 1998 release was remastered by Dick Beetham at Tape to Tape. The 2004 'Deluxe Edition' was remastered by Gary Moore. It's a shame Univeral didn't throw the 2004 edition back at Dick again because he did a nearly flawless job.



In my review of the 2004 'Deluxe Edition' I stated how the songs sound flat by today's audio standards. This is simply not the case here. The songs are rich, full, wide, and clean. Listen to those drums at 3:18 in '4 Ever 2 Gether' and it's clear that this one is the winner! Honestly, I had completely forgot how well this album sounded after being stuck on the 2004 'Deluxe Edition' for a few years now.



"All Of My Heart" sounds the best here out of any ABC CD I've heard. I mentioned the harsh sound in the 2004 'Ultimate Collection' review. It sounds rather flat in the 2001/2002 'The Very Best Of' and of course 2004 'Deluxe Edition', but it's just right here! Perfect dynamics, presentation, and range. Moreover, unlike the 'Deluxe Edition', "The Look Of Love (Part IV)" does not annoyingly fade out early and sound cut off. It's presented completely here and in better sound, to top it off!



Usually, I'm not one to go back to late 90's remasters and give solid reviews. This is, of course, one of a few examples in which I can actually praise an earlier remaster over a more recent one. It's a shame that Universal didn't bother reissuing this album as a stand alone disc in 2005 with the other album remasters, perhaps this time including extra bonus tracks beyond the 1 presented here, such as the 12" of "The Look Of Love", which seems to be skipped on several ABC collections.



As for the album itself, read the reviews here. It's a classic! I need not explain any further. This album was originally released on June 25, 1982. Twenty-five years later, it still sounds as striking and fresh as it did when originally released. Do yourself a favor and add this crisp remaster to your collection, if you haven't already. June 28, 2007

 Gorgeous!!!
Here it is: ABC's "The Lexicon Of Love." It's my all-time favorite album. I remember buying this with my allowance in my early teens (during those ancient vinyl years) and falling in love with it. I played it so much, the grooves started to turn a bit white. I always had a weakness for disco, new wave and strings and this album had it all. Trevor Horn is a producer that's so unique and creative. The man inspires me. Then there is, of course, the very talented band. What can I say? They had some serious chops!
This Deluxe Edition is wonderful! The only thing I regret about it is that it doesn't include the 12-inch mix of "The Look Of Love."
Nonetheless, get this cd. It's a true blue classic! March 3, 2007

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