Beauty Stab

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Work

Beauty Stab · After the success of The Lexicon of Love, ABC did not want to make a sequel. In August and September 1983 the band recorded the second album, over three months and in studios in London, including Sarm and Abbey Road. The group produced it themselves, together with Gary Langan, who had also engineered the debut. The rhythm section was drummer Andy Newmark and bassist Alan Spenner, who had recently played with Roxy Music.

The sound now revolves around guitars rather than the smooth, orchestrated production of the debut. According to The Guardian, the strings had been replaced by solid guitars. Most critics reacted negatively, and a journalist later called it one of the great career-sabotaging records in pop history. The album reached number 12 in England, and singer Martin Fry later said that a sequel might actually have been the wise choice. Founder Stephen Singleton left the band shortly after the promotion.

Listening

Track list

1. 1That Was Then But This Is Now3:33Apple Music ↗
2. 2Love's a Dangerous Language3:40Apple Music ↗
3. 3If I Ever Thought You'd Be Lonely3:55Apple Music ↗
4. 4The Power of Persuasion3:32Apple Music ↗
5. 5Beauty Stab2:06Apple Music ↗
6. 6By Default By Design4:06Apple Music ↗
7. 7Hey Citizen!3:55Apple Music ↗
8. 8King Money4:02Apple Music ↗
9. 9Bite the Hand3:05Apple Music ↗
10. 10Unzip2:49Apple Music ↗
11. 11S.O.S.4:47Apple Music ↗
12. 12United Kingdom3:20Apple Music ↗
13. 13Vertigo1:57Apple Music ↗

30-second previews via Apple Music. Listen to the whole album on Apple Music ↗