ABC: The Lexicon Of Love (Neutron) Do you ever watch those films from the 50s in which dapper heroes woo begowned heroines? ABC have borrowed this style and updated it for today. Everything is planned beforehand and then polished up to a glamorous sheen with ace producer Trevor Horn. It works brilliantly when all the parts are kept in balance: the lush arrangements, the lively rhythms, the witty storylines and Martin Fry’s breathy delivery. Listen again to their three singles (there’s a new version of “Tears Are Not Enough”) and the wonderful “All Of My Heart”. Sometimes, however, songs like “Valentine’s Day” get entangled in their own smartness and sound too studied. Still, a corker of an album. (8 out of 10)
Ian Birch