ABC - The Lexicon of Love

ABC - The Lexicon of Love

Author: ITMW Music March 29, 2026 Duration: 34:54

In 1982, ABC released their debut album, The Lexicon of Love, to critical acclaim as the album went straight to number 1 on the UK albums chart. The album is regarded as a masterpiece and a landmark album for the sophisticated and lush orchestral arrangements created by legendary producer Trevor Horn, as well as the emotional songwriting from the collective efforts of the band members. Horn’s production on this would be an influence to electronic music over the following years.

ABC formed in 1980, evolving from the Sheffield, England based band Vice Versa when lead vocalist Martin Fry was added to the group. With the addition of Fry, the band’s music became a new romantic synth-pop style with funk-inspired basslines and electronic textures. The Lexicon of Love well represented this as ABC became a key band to the "New Pop" and "Sophisti-Pop" movements of the early 80’s while the band created several catchy, synth-driven hits including "Poison Arrow" and "The Look of Love," both from The Lexicon of Love.

This episode will tell the story of ABC from their roots as Vice-Versa and the forming of ABC, along with the music of ABC focusing on the work with Trevor Horn and the debut album.


Journey back to the heart of the 1980s alternative music explosion with Inside the Milky Way-A Look at Early Alternative Music. This podcast digs deep into the fertile ground that gave rise to post-punk, dark wave, synth-pop, industrial, and the foundational indie scenes. Each episode is a curated exploration, weaving together the stories of iconic and overlooked artists, the influential contributors behind the scenes, and the seminal tracks that defined a generation. We discuss the cultural themes and pivotal events that shaped this transformative era, from underground clubs to breakthrough moments on the charts. The show’s title, inspired by The Church’s 1988 classic "Under the Milky Way," reflects our focus on the dreamy, introspective, and often gritty soundscapes that characterized the time. Listen for a rich blend of music history, critical discussion, and personal reflection on the bands and movements that refused to follow the mainstream. Inside the Milky Way is more than a retrospective; it’s an immersive audio experience for dedicated fans and curious newcomers alike, offering context and connection to the music that built a lasting alternative culture. Tune in to hear the stories behind the sounds.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 89

Inside the Milky Way - A Look at Early Alternative Music
Podcast Episodes
Joy Division - Unknown Pleasures [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:43
Joy Division was one of the first and most influential bands coming out of the early years of the post-punk era, and their debut album, Unknown Pleasures, would inspire generations of artists and change the future of mus…
Severed Heads - Beyond Dead Eyes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:41
The Australian band Severed Heads was a pioneering electronic and experimental artist, and one that is very underappreciated from the early alternative era. As one of the pioneering Australian alternative music acts, the…
The Afghan Whigs - Congregation and Gentlemen [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:29
The Afghan Whigs earned a cult following during the early 90's with their music that mixed the Motown sound and R&B with indie and alternative rock. Formed in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1986, The Afghan Whigs were led by singer…
Magazine - John McGeoch and Beyond [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:33
After being part of Buzzcocks, Howard Devoto left that group in 1977 to start a new band, known as Magazine. He launched this new venture in Manchester, England when he enlisted a young guitarist to join, named John McGe…
The B-52's - Rock Lobster and Other Early Tales [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:26
After the release of their debut single, The B-52's quickly became known for their campy, high-energy party music with surreal lyrics and distinct retro 1960s fashion. This quirky group blended surf rock, punk, '60s pop,…
The Smiths - The Debut of Marr and Morrissey [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:42
The Smiths defined UK indie rock on their way to becoming one of the pioneers of indie music and one of the most influential bands of not just of the early alternative music era, but of the history of rock music. After T…
Swans - Uncompromising [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:07
The band Swans formed in 1981 by singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Micheal Gira and began as part of the New York City based no wave scene. Swans early years' music was known for a very intense and abrasive s…
The Cure - The Original Gothic Trilogy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:25
Following their debut album of 1979, The Cure became one to the key post-punk bands as they developed a dark, gothic rock sound over the next three albums. Many refer to the The Cure's three consecutive early-80's releas…
The Sundays - Where the Story Begins [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:06
The Sundays were a critically acclaimed UK indie band that created the alternative and indie classic song, “Here’s Where the Story Ends”. This single from their 1990 debut album Reading, Writing and Arithmetic would reac…
The Clash - London Calling [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:25
1979's London Calling from The Clash is regarded as one of the greatest and most influential albums of all time as the record expanded the beyond the limitations of punk rock to successfully merge punk rock roots with re…