Skyscraping [IMPORT]

ABC

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 30, 1998)
• Original Release Date: March 1997
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Bmg Int'l
• ASIN: B000005S2H
• Also Available in: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #245,827 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Track Listings

1. Stranger Things

2. Ask a Thousand Times

3. Skyscraping

4. Who Can I Turn To?

5. Rolling Sevens

6. Only the Best Will Do

7. Love Is Its Own Reward

8. Light Years

9. Seven Day Weekend

10. Heaven Knows

11. Far Away

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Stunning Return-To-Form 1997 LP. Features Contributions from Heaven 17 Vocalist Glenn Gregory.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars ABC reaches for the sky and pulls down pure heaven on cd, September 1, 1998

By	Wayne Klein "If at first the idea is not absu... (My Little Blue Window, USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)

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.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best since Lexicon of love, December 30, 2005

By	Carsten Elmose Madsen (Denmark) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Just Hold My Hand..., March 20, 2000

By	wolfgang (iceland) - See all my reviews

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.