ABC made a sequel to 'The Lexicon of Love' (listen), playing the original in full on tour
ABC have made a sequel to their classic 1982 debut The Lexicon of Love. Martin Fry, the band’s svengali, told the BBC:
“I got to thinking, wouldn’t it be nice to do something that follows it up and brings the story to the present day? What’s happened to all those characters?”…
…Was it daunting to follow up such a cherished record?
“As an elder statesman of pop, I’ve walked a tightrope for my whole career.
“Calling it Lexicon Of Love II was the most provocative thing about it,” he says.
“People have a great affection for the first record, [but] I’m beyond risk now.”
I’m a little shocked to be writing this, but The Lexicon of Love II, which was released today, is really good. While Fry is the only remaining member of ABC’s original lineup, he crucially got Anne Dudley (Art of Noise) to return for string arrangements which once again gives the songs sweep, swoon and swagger. If you dug the deep shag disco/soul of “Poison Arrow” and “The Look of Love” the new LP’s single “Viva Love” is a very worthy successor as are “Ten Below Zero,” “I Believe in Love” and the sophisticated, sweeping “The Love Inside the Love.” Everything just sounds right. Fry has always had some groaners lyrics (“Yippee ai yippee aiay” on “The Look of Love”) and there are a few on II (“Singer Not the Song” comes to mind) but they slide by with music this lush. Watch the video for “Viva Love” (directed by Julien Temple!) and stream The Lexicon of Love II (and the original) below.
ABC are playing the original The Lexicon of Love on tour this year. Currently there are only UK dates. Fry was last in the U.S. with ABC in the late-’00s as part of the “Regeneration” package tour. All dates are listed below.
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ABC – 2015 Tour Dates
Jun 11 Sandwell Valley Country Park West Bromwich, United Kingdom
Jun 18 Riverside Park Newark, United Kingdom
Jul 02 Kantine am Berghain Berlin, Germany
Jul 23 Hampton Pool Hampton Hill, United Kingdom
Aug 14 Newton Abbot Racecourse Newton Abbot, United Kingdom
Oct 21 Bridgewater Hall Manchester, United Kingdom
Oct 22 Newcastle City Hall Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom
Oct 24 Symphony Hall Birmingham, United Kingdom
Oct 25 Royal Festival Hall London, United Kingdom
Oct 26 Brighton Dome Brighton, United Kingdom
Oct 28 Bournemouth Pavilion Bournemouth, United Kingdom
Oct 29 Sheffield City Hall Sheffield, United Kingdom
Oct 30 Colston Hall Bristol, United Kingdom
Nov 01 Royal Concert Hall Nottingham, United Kingdom
Nov 02 Cliffs Pavilion Southend On Sea, United Kingdom
