Customer Reviews

Skyscraping

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

After two less than stellar albums, ABC(namely Martin Fry since Mark White chose not to attend this reunion) has released its best album in some time. The sound embraces both their early dance inspired Roxy Music period, as well as, house, drum & bass and the wide variety of different musical forms that have taken root since their last album in 1991.

That doesn't mean that Fry/ABC have lost their musical voice or sound--they've managed to incorporate new elements as all developing bands should.

The departure of Mark White has, surprisingly, reinvigorated the "band". Although founding member White's creative partnership with Fry will be missed, Fry has the added input of songwriting collaborator/musical contributor Glenn Gregory from Heaven 17 and this more than makes up for White's loss. It's unclear if he is to become a permanent fixture in the band(probably not), but his input has helped Fry put together the best ABC album since 1987.

Fry's vocals are passionate. The musical tracks are outstanding. Definitely a must have for ABC fans.

ABCs career have been characterized by ups ("Lexicon of love", "Alphabet city") and downs ("Beauty stab" and "up"). But "Skyscraping" is definately one of their best - if not their best album since groundbraking "Lexicon of love". "Their" is maybe the wrong word since "Skyscraping" is ABC only in the form of Martin Fry.

"Skyscraping" should be a treat for everyone who liked "Lexicon of love". Tracks such as "ask a thousand times", "who can I turn to", "stranger things", "only the best will do", "faraway" and last but not least the fantastic title-track (hear that chorus!!) "skyscraping" are wonderfully produced, has clever lyrics and show that Martin Fry is an intelligent writer with a perfect and unique voice.

Heaven 17 members helped Martin Fry on this album and this seems to have been a creative partnership. Musically "Skyscraping" pays homage to Roxy Music and the early new romatics scene (a scene in which ABC themselves was vital) and if you like music from the 80's this album should appeal to you. Whenever I listen to this album melancholy hits me - somehow it makes you remember all those wonderful people you have met on your lifes journey.

The albums fluctuates a bit in quality and received mixed reviews in the press. Everyone I know loves the album - and it seems that the total lack of marketing was the real reason this album failed. Give it a few listens, remember what ABC was all about (good, strong and catchy pop-songs with intelligent lyrics) and you will have a companion for life.

Skyscraping finds Martin Fry (almost) on his own, since this is really simply a solo album with help from his friends. Glenn Gregory from Heaven 17 e.g. lends a hand giving the sound often a lush feeling. On too many tracks Martin seems to be trying too hard to give the sound some edge. It is the more relaxed efforts that shine and shine they do in epic proportions. Stranger Things is as catchy a pop tune as they come, yet could be classified as easy listening. The title track, however, is the album's gem. One can listen to it again and again without getting tired of it. With enough marketing ammunition this track could easily become a huge hit appealing to a wide spectrum. Really, the album is worth purchasing for that single song. There are other good songs on the album, but programming the CD is still a must.

I ordered Skyscraping because I'm a huge ABC fan. I recently got their 2008 CD "Traffic" that I like much better, but this CD is not bad, just completely different from the usual style of the band. Once again Martin Fry is in full vocal form. I love his voice and never tire of hearing him sing. His writing style is fantastic as well. He explores relationships and the material is never stale.

If you're looking for a "Lexicon Of Love" followup this is not it, but if you want to listen to a different side of ABC while enjoying the always amazing Martin Fry then don't hesitate to pick up Skyscraping. One thing,the art work is awesome. I have no idea where the locales are that the photos of Martin were taking, but the architecture is stunning. All around "Skyscraping" is fun and the new style is great.

I am one of the few that got into ABC post "Lexicon of Love". I really enjoyed their 2nd album "Beauty Stab"; from there I lost touch until recently. On a whim I decide to purchase "Skyscraping" and from the first listen I was blown away. Each song is hooky, memorable and well written. I've played this CD over and over and friends are amazed that this album didn't get the attention it deserved. Truly a lost classic!

Not as great as others discs by ABC, but still very enjoyable, especially the track "Stranger Things".

Don't be put off by negative reviews. This CD is pure Martin Fry- lyrically and vocally. To say that Mark White is missed here is to vastly overemphasize his importance to ABC, particularly on their best efforts. Most new wave fans know that nothing will ever equal "Lexicon of Love," which was labeled upon its release as "the perfect pop LP" for good reason. But listen to this collection of tunes with a critical ear and you'll find moments where song really meets sculpture. Certain tracks (Skyscraping and especially Stranger Things- buy the acoustic version if you can find it) on "Skyscraping" truly demonstrate how much Fry cares for his fans and his art. The lyrical thoughtfulness is evident, even on the faster, more processed tunes. Now, if you like "Abracadabra," you might be unhappy. But if you consider "Abracabra" (or "Up") classic ABC, you probably aren't familiar with what ABC is about: Romance & Sophistication.

Having been one of only about eight people on the entire planet to own all of the ABC albums and willingly admit to doing so, I really looked forward to the release of a new ABC album - particularly since their last album, Abracadabra, was easily their best.

Unfortunately, with Mark White out of the picture, ABC falls flat. Even the best moment on the album, "Stranger things", sounds stilted and artificial, the equivalent of trying to bake a cake based solely on a picture of one. Sure, Messrs. Fry and Gregory toss in a few recognizable motifs from ABC past, but this just adds insult upon injury.

Save your money. Buy the remastered editions of the first four albums instead.

After waiting for quite a few years for a new ABC album I am greatly disappointed in the "new"sound. Albeit no music group can stay the same forever;I understand ABC cannot sound like it did back in '82 with their brand of Motown-Brit soul, lush use of strings and rhythms that echoed the closing of the disco era. However, where ABC should have gone forward, it's as though they went back in time with regards to using other former rock pop bands' sound or material. A few tracks towards the end of the disc border on re-hashed Roxy Music material a la Love Is the Drug era (the wailing sax and rock). Tracks 2,5, and 7 are indestinguishable with the heavy laden dose of electro-pop,techno-guitar sound that many techno groups used in the early '90s...The end result is watered down remnants of what otherwise should have been more sophisticated pop-soul from ABC with an up-to-date sound.

Fry's vocals are still powerful and soulful as ever. But, I think that's where the problem lies; His vocal style is not suitable for dry-ordinary, pop-rock music.It's like placing a melo-dramatic Broadway stage actor onto the set of a regular t.v. drama series(the fish out of water cliche).It's also similar to singer Tom Jones performing a humble and low-key Christian song in the middle of a Las Vegas lounge act.You get the picture...

Another version of this import contains extra tracks.No thanks. Not if they sound like the rest of this so-called comeback...

Pass...

ABC is the band that flourished in the eighties.This one is the comeback CD.But the chemistry that lifted the band quite high cannot be found anywhere.Maybe this is the solo CD for Fry.from that point,you will be satisfied to hear this CD.Fry's vocal is the ABC.Total sound production is a little bit shabby and out of date.Perhaps this one is the present for Fry's die-hard fans only.Not for every music fans.This fact means that this is not an excellent ABC album,but a so so album.