Boy it feels like years since the last album from ABC who appear on the music scene way too sparingly.
What a relief to find that the wait for their new album Traffic has been well and truly worth it. Mr Pinky has been stuck at the traffic lights of some dire 80’s bands new albums for the naughties (anyone dare to remember Duran Duran’s Red Carpet Massacre?) but with the velvet tones of Martin Fry back behind the mic it’s full steam ahead.
I’ve always been a fan of Mr Fry’s cynical yet romantic take on love – a theme that harks back to ABC’s amazing Trevor Horn produced debut Lexicon Of Love. That album’s followup Beauty Stab alienated a lot of casual fans who weren’t ready for a band that had abandoned the lush strings for more guitar. Traffic finds itself standing astride these two musical soundscapes and discovering the perfect balance. Every song is a corker. First single The Very First Time sounds as tho it had spent a night in Alphabet City. Tracks such as Love is Strong and Minus Love are classic ABC tracks full of lush orchestration and romantic musical stylings. Think of Be Near Me and you’ll get the idea. Traffic is proof positive that Martin Fry’s lush and clever take on pop music during the 80s and 90s is still flourishing in 2008. How reassuring to hear his voice and the pop majesty of ABC back in great form via Traffic. Welcome back!
What a relief to find that the wait for their new album Traffic has been well and truly worth it. Mr Pinky has been stuck at the traffic lights of some dire 80’s bands new albums for the naughties (anyone dare to remember Duran Duran’s Red Carpet Massacre?) but with the velvet tones of Martin Fry back behind the mic it’s full steam ahead.
I’ve always been a fan of Mr Fry’s cynical yet romantic take on love – a theme that harks back to ABC’s amazing Trevor Horn produced debut Lexicon Of Love. That album’s followup Beauty Stab alienated a lot of casual fans who weren’t ready for a band that had abandoned the lush strings for more guitar. Traffic finds itself standing astride these two musical soundscapes and discovering the perfect balance. Every song is a corker. First single The Very First Time sounds as tho it had spent a night in Alphabet City. Tracks such as Love is Strong and Minus Love are classic ABC tracks full of lush orchestration and romantic musical stylings. Think of Be Near Me and you’ll get the idea. Traffic is proof positive that Martin Fry’s lush and clever take on pop music during the 80s and 90s is still flourishing in 2008. How reassuring to hear his voice and the pop majesty of ABC back in great form via Traffic. Welcome back!
1 comment:
Post a Comment