@SocialBriton Unfortunately not just too clever for nowadays but also too clever by half for the time of its release. Quite simply the majority of ABC fans and music critics wanted Lexicon of love pt 2 but ABC to their huge credit refused to go down the safe route and in doing so made a record in my opinion every bit as good and certainly more varied than Lexicon. Zillionaire is another undeservedly overlooked album.
This song is great and I love ABC...but...they were asking for trouble when they recorded Beauty Stab. Look at the success they had with "Zillionaire" after somebody talked them back into their senses. Lexicon is fantastic with song-writing and new-romantic groove...there was no need to stray from the path.
The apple crumble line was the greatest song lyric ever, didn't really so much emotion could be elicited from offering someone another helping of pudding.
"That Was Then But This Is Now" is a fantastic song! From my perspective, this was one of the very best tunes to come out of the 80s. Sad, though, that so few people have even heard of it. This song -- even today -- deserves so much more praise and recognition.
@Daymo7 Absolutely ABC one of the best bands from that time. Love them, listen to them all the time, as a matter of fact, work out to many of their songs!
Beauty Stab was a very brave album. The critics panned it because it wasn't "Lexicon part 2". If this had been anyone's debut album it would have achieved much greater acclaim.
a great album, it was simply different, special when it came out...a rock sound when synths and drum machine dominated in that period...they were braves! RESPECT
I had Their First Album Lexicon of Love then "How to be a Millionaire and their last Beauty Stab and even their Greatest Hits. When a Band has Talent you can't Ignore it. I was the rest of world would learn to Appreciate Them as I do. I'm from the USA so it Makes it harder to get any other of their stuff.
Is the video suppost to cut off sound more than halfway through? If not, please fix it so we can here the rest. From what I've heard so far, its a great song. Keep it Coming.
I was caught off guard with this album too, but after a few listens I really saw it's excellence, and ranked it up there with Lexicon. Great drumming, guitar work and clean execution. Sadly overlooked, this album's music had power. One thing I can say about all of ABC's music... they pulled it off with style and class. From Lexicon through Abracadabra, I don't think there's a song I don't like.
Yeah, this was a GREAT album but this WAS the 80's in which it seemed more than not that a group or artist first album got all the attention and then their second release, no matter HOW good it was, was overlooked more often than not. I loved Lexicon but in some regards, Stab was at least as good if not a little better.
I loved 'Lexicon' - I literally wore my LP out through repeated plays! At the time I was SO disappointed in 'Beauty Stab' and I hated it for years. It took me almost 20 years to understand how good that album was.
Yes, it's a very underrated album Beauty Stab. Critically panned which is a shame as there were some terffic moments, and also great lyrics and social observations. Lexicon of Love was obviously amazing and BS was a radical depature alright, but if you were open minded (and liked rock) it was another piece of joy. I think Lexicon wins but this is definitely their 2nd best album. Would love to see Martin play this album live?! Wonderful band. Rock on Mr F-R-Y!
BeautyStab-great album & a more honest relection of their influences than LexiconOfLove ever was.
ABC/CabaretVoltaire/HumanLeague/Heaven17-all great Sheffield bands
Thanks for posting-remember ABC playing(miming)this live on TopOfThePops but never seen the vid-single reached no18 in the charts if memory serves me right.
Fucking great. ABC ruloz.
Tiramisator 2 months ago
HAHAHA
LukeCowanMusic 4 months ago
This is the theme for a James Bond by the same name that was never released.
centralscrutinizer66 4 months ago
Beatiful song,Martin Fry one of my favourite singers of the 80's thank you Tony
MrToniti1000 7 months ago 2
Love this album and the lyrics....and this video..nice sonic mix up for them...
rodsterx1 7 months ago
Incredible tune. Just rediscoverd this album. Stone cold classic.
Acidbeats9 7 months ago 2
way 2 clever for now adays
SocialBriton 8 months ago 2
@SocialBriton Clever? "Help yourself to another piece of apple crumble"
LukeCowanMusic 4 months ago
@SocialBriton Unfortunately not just too clever for nowadays but also too clever by half for the time of its release. Quite simply the majority of ABC fans and music critics wanted Lexicon of love pt 2 but ABC to their huge credit refused to go down the safe route and in doing so made a record in my opinion every bit as good and certainly more varied than Lexicon. Zillionaire is another undeservedly overlooked album.
MisAnnThorpe 3 weeks ago
This is the best shit of the last 3 decades.
turntapzap 10 months ago
This song is great and I love ABC...but...they were asking for trouble when they recorded Beauty Stab. Look at the success they had with "Zillionaire" after somebody talked them back into their senses. Lexicon is fantastic with song-writing and new-romantic groove...there was no need to stray from the path.
RoadWarriorTigerHawk 10 months ago
One of the best records of the 80's....my fav from ABC!
Anguille2 1 year ago 2
Yeah, Beauty Stab has some great tracks and some killer guitar. Very underrated. I recently started playing it again.
bryanferryfan 1 year ago
The apple crumble line was the greatest song lyric ever, didn't really so much emotion could be elicited from offering someone another helping of pudding.
flaxonx3 1 year ago
Comment removed
flaxonx3 1 year ago
Martin looks like Heat Miser of the Miser Brothers in this video... lol
I still have great fondness for this album.. though no Lexicon.. i wasn't disappointed.. completely different vibe. Was my soundtrack for 1983.
apollozero 1 year ago
for a certain someone who has had a place in my heart for a long time,bless you XxX ...............
jmoulx 1 year ago
"That Was Then But This Is Now" is a fantastic song! From my perspective, this was one of the very best tunes to come out of the 80s. Sad, though, that so few people have even heard of it. This song -- even today -- deserves so much more praise and recognition.
CharlesOrlando 1 year ago
@bananasplitsable: I love this song! My fave by them.
darrylvonrokk 1 year ago
ABC were one of those bands that no one ever seemed to think was the best band. Some good songs. Lexicon of Love was class tho.
Daymo7 1 year ago
@Daymo7 Absolutely ABC one of the best bands from that time. Love them, listen to them all the time, as a matter of fact, work out to many of their songs!
thisrainykitten 1 year ago
ABC were one of those bands that no one ever seemed to think was the best band. Some good songs though.
Daymo7 1 year ago
I really like this song, but no one else I knew did. Strange!
bananasplitsable 1 year ago
Beauty Stab was a very brave album. The critics panned it because it wasn't "Lexicon part 2". If this had been anyone's debut album it would have achieved much greater acclaim.
gjh1967 1 year ago
a great album, it was simply different, special when it came out...a rock sound when synths and drum machine dominated in that period...they were braves! RESPECT
tommyboynude 1 year ago
too bad drummer david palmer left. i thot he was the best-looking of the 4.
baddmanaz 1 year ago
@baddmanaz apserlutely, had many a teenage dream about him.
2344monkey 1 year ago
I really liked this group in the 80's!!
Dashland13 1 year ago
I had Their First Album Lexicon of Love then "How to be a Millionaire and their last Beauty Stab and even their Greatest Hits. When a Band has Talent you can't Ignore it. I was the rest of world would learn to Appreciate Them as I do. I'm from the USA so it Makes it harder to get any other of their stuff.
perpetual61 1 year ago
Is the video suppost to cut off sound more than halfway through? If not, please fix it so we can here the rest. From what I've heard so far, its a great song. Keep it Coming.
jtkirk11 1 year ago
ABC like so many others seemed to come and go in the 80's. Like Flock, Adam Ant, Stray Cats, Thomas Dolby,
But ABC in fact kept coming back.
1967mustanggta 2 years ago
Can't complain,must'nt grumble.
Help yourself to another piece of apple crumble.
Classic!!
ianmcnamara62 2 years ago 17
I was caught off guard with this album too, but after a few listens I really saw it's excellence, and ranked it up there with Lexicon. Great drumming, guitar work and clean execution. Sadly overlooked, this album's music had power. One thing I can say about all of ABC's music... they pulled it off with style and class. From Lexicon through Abracadabra, I don't think there's a song I don't like.
artbyvince 2 years ago 2
"Can't complain, mustn't grumble, help yourself to another piece of apple crumble."
Call the lyric police, for God's sake!
simonvaddan 2 years ago
Comment removed
simonvaddan 2 years ago
Yeah, this was a GREAT album but this WAS the 80's in which it seemed more than not that a group or artist first album got all the attention and then their second release, no matter HOW good it was, was overlooked more often than not. I loved Lexicon but in some regards, Stab was at least as good if not a little better.
Looking1231 2 years ago 2
Beauty stab was even better and, if I may say, more "lasting" album the first one? The new "Traffic" is a twin brother to stab, me thinks anyways.
Keolse69 2 years ago
I loved 'Lexicon' - I literally wore my LP out through repeated plays! At the time I was SO disappointed in 'Beauty Stab' and I hated it for years. It took me almost 20 years to understand how good that album was.
Fionalah 2 years ago 3
Yes, it's a very underrated album Beauty Stab. Critically panned which is a shame as there were some terffic moments, and also great lyrics and social observations. Lexicon of Love was obviously amazing and BS was a radical depature alright, but if you were open minded (and liked rock) it was another piece of joy. I think Lexicon wins but this is definitely their 2nd best album. Would love to see Martin play this album live?! Wonderful band. Rock on Mr F-R-Y!
stateforce 2 years ago 25
@stateforce
Yeah, their "metal" album. Excellent!
beowulven 1 year ago
Well stated. I couldn't agree more with everything said here
rjmdrum 1 year ago
The best song of ABC. I love it.
micheldiab1992 3 years ago
I got the CD and like this song.
Foziajungle 3 years ago
Like both Lps v much - Beauty Stab kicks arse!
grahamsometimes 3 years ago 2
BeautyStab-great album & a more honest relection of their influences than LexiconOfLove ever was.
ABC/CabaretVoltaire/HumanLeague/Heaven17-all great Sheffield bands
Thanks for posting-remember ABC playing(miming)this live on TopOfThePops but never seen the vid-single reached no18 in the charts if memory serves me right.
duerdenn 3 years ago
Quite reminiscent of Clock DVA's 'Advantage' bits ('Breakdown' in particular')... :)
Crijevo 3 years ago
The best by ABC together with King without a Crown
Davemonzon 3 years ago