Lexicon of Live

Description

It has to be said that the 1980s were, generally, the decade that taste forgot. Which is why ABC's Martin Fry didn't look as stupid in his gold suits as he could have done (although he did get sick of just being known as "that bloke in the gold suit" and tried to flush it down the toilet). This live album, however, was recorded in London in 1997, allowing them to bask in past glories. So okay, you get the songs that made them famous, starting with "Poison Arrow", and going on to the actually quite wonderful "When Smokey Sings", right through to "The Look Of Love". But the question has to be asked: "Is there really any point?" Live albums have always been baffling. If you like the band, you already have the songs recorded in a studio so it's better quality. You're better off sticking with the original--and classic--Lexicon Of Love album, rather than encouraging the constant flogging of a dead horse. --Emma Johnston