The music of Martin Fry and ABC, polished to an impossible sheen, barely qualifies to modern ears as new wave - let alone punk rock. In the early 1980's, however, the blaring brass, swooping strings, and lush melodies (not to mention Fry's powerful, overwrought vocal technique) made quite a statement, if only in their strict adherence to classic pop standards - something decidedly radical in those days. The record industry was dominated by the likes of Phil Collins and Night Ranger, so ABC's stylish musicality and archly theatrical production was set in stark relief from the spineless hits of the day. Nobody - not rock stars, punk rockers, nor pop singers - was emulating Frank Sinatra and George Gershwin, and that's the sensibility that Fry and his collaborators brought to the fore. Any yet, ABC were a thoroughly modern group - incorporating state-of-the-art production (synthesizers, drum machines, and such) - and a bona fide rock band, to boot.

ABC were more authentic rockers than either their synth-pop colleagues (e.g. Human League) or the limp-wristed New Romantic bands (e.g. Spandau Ballet) who soon donned ABC's attractive mantle. ABC's musical modus operandi incorporated dance beats and glam rock (David Bowie and Roxy Music, mostly) in addition to the pop classicism that was their raison d'tre. Early ABC songs like "Poison Arrow" - and all of their powerhouse debut, The Lexicon Of Love - packed a real sonic wallop, even if the anger and desperation in Fry's performance are deployed purely for dramatic effect.

Sadly, ABC quickly ran out of creative gas, and they grew ever more pedestrian as their career wore on. Or, as Robert Christgau so uncharitably phrased it, Martin Fry turned into the disco whore he began by parodying so lovingly. So in the end, ABC are best remembered for a handful of singles.

Still, those singles are among the best platters of the new wave era - musically thrilling, impressively histrionic, irredeemably romantic, and resolutely English. All were collected on Absolutely ABC: The Best Of ABC (1990), which was trumped by The Look Of Love: The Very Best Of ABC twelve years later - though either is a solid purchase for fans of 80's pop. [top of page]