HiRez Poll ABC - THE LEXICON OF LOVE [Blu-ray Audio (Dolby Atmos)]

[Malhomme]

Sounds and mix are first-rate. The music didn't blow me away.

Because it is not ABC's best album. Maybe we get Beauty Stab.

 

[baward]

Because it is not ABC's best album. Maybe we get Beauty Stab.

I imagine that’s very unlikely but we can live in hope. Good album.

 

[Niek]

Ordered in presale, but received late due to the tax process with the necessary delay (and extra costs). All very frustrating. As an extra salt in the wound, I could already read here how enthusiastic everyone is. I was not curious about the music. It has become firmly rooted in my memory as "very good". Still, there was an old-fashioned "wow that's good" tingle when I heard the new mix. Without a doubt a solid 10.

 

[Blackwood]

I went with an 8 and agonized a bit between that and a 9.

As I’ve been listening, I’ve wondered if 2023-me could have convinced 1982-me to sit down in front of a really good system to listen, despite not liking this style of music then. I always heard the singles on a cheap car stereo, cheap home system or cheap TV which certainly didn’t allow me to hear the music at its best.

But between the solid bass and rhythm guitar in Atmos, I’d like to think I could have appreciated it more if I had heard it this way back then.

One reason I went with an 8 is because I think it kind of poops out on the final songs. Maybe I’ll feel differently on further listens and up my score.

Also, the marking of beginning/ending of tracks on the Bluray makes ripping kind of strange. (Discussed in another thread.)

While not a major thing listening on the Bluray itself, I do listen to ripped versions of albums quite a bit. Hardly fatal, but stuff like this or the quieter Atmos levels we’ve talked about on other releases makes me feel like things are getting a little sloppy in ways that they shouldn’t. I did wonder if I’m being fair knocking it down for that.

I wish the Instrumental mix was in Atmos, but then I figured I could somehow turn off my center speaker... only to find I have no idea how to do that even after pouring through sites. The best I can do is turn the center speaker down a ways, but not completely off. (And I have no desire to just pull the wires out temporarily.)

But I’m listening to the Atmos now and even if I could totally disable the center, I would be hearing a bit of voice in the other speakers. A slightly different listening experience with downplayed vocals, though.

Despite my score of 8, I think that if you loved this album growing up, nothing here is going to make you love it less. You’ll probably love it even more that Wilson has worked his magic, and I can understand the 10s.

 

[key_wiz]

Pretty easy “10” here. Classic album that spawned 1,000 imitators. Superb Wilson mix that only enhances everything this album was meant to be. Trevor Horn and Steven Wilson are a match made in heaven, separated by four decades.

Bring on some Frankie and Grace Jones!

 

[HenkG]

Fantastic release from the eighties and another great SW mix. In the meanwhile sold out as stated on the site.

https://www.thesdeshop.com/collecti...e-limited-edition-sde-exclusive-blu-ray-audio

 

[eirepaul2]

I have to admit, that back in the 80's I didn't care much for the majority of the pop music that the decade produced. Sure, I heard the singles from this album but they didn't really grab me. Since I recently put in a surround system, and have been experiencing some of the wonderful Steven Wilson mixes of XTC and Tears For Fears, I have a growing fondness for the music produced back then. That being said, I bought this solely because of it's Steven Wilson mix, and to support the wonderful people at SDE. I am so glad I did. This is a wonderful release. I only have a 5.1 set up, but this made my system dance. Having never heard the album before, I enjoyed the entirety of it. The mix was outstanding. One of Mr. Wilson's best. I can't give this anything other than a 10.

This is everything I was thinking about this release as well, exactly. Makes my 5.1.2 system sound really great and is another great SDE release that I was pondering for a while but so glad I decided to get it.

 

[ltorreg1]

10 for me!

Love the surround mix!

 

[H.A.L.]

One reason I went with an 8 is because I think it kind of poops out on the final songs. Maybe I’ll feel differently on further listens and up my score.

Yes, as I mentioned earlier, it did seem to me that they finished it off with some quickly-tossed off filler. (And yes, I'm familiar with the UK phrase!)

Even then, a keeper!

 

[Blackwood]

Yes, as I mentioned earlier, it did seem to me that they finished it off with some quickly-tossed off filler. (And yes, I'm familiar with the UK phrase!)

Even then, a keeper!

I agree... a keeper! I listened to it again yesterday and my feelings on the latter songs haven't changed. But I’m still astounded I’m enjoying an album that, at least based on the singles, was something I wanted nothing to do with at the time of release.

 

[Sal1950]

I went with an 8 and agonized a bit between that and a 9.

As did I.
Technically it is very well done but I just don't get into disco
It got on my nerves back in the 80s and 2 hours of it now makes it worse for me.

 

[Rhinojack]

So far, this title I consider my best version of Atmos.

 

[Goona]

Well 3 Atmos albums delivered in 1 day , Dance Macabre, This and the yes album. Its going to take some time for me to get into the Duran Duran one, already voted 10 for Yes and made a statement Steve Wilsons best. Have to now adjust that as this one is probably his best to date, love this album it sounds so good. 10 for me.

 

[Marplot]

I voted 9. I hadn't planned on it but the numbers don't lie.

Surround 8 (2.4)
The music is so lush that I wanted the ATMOS to go crazy. yeah I know. hardly fair.

Audio 9 (2.7)
Sounds great.

Content 10 (3)
Easy 10 when you get all of the following:

• Steven Wilson 2023 Dolby Atmos Mix
• Steven Wilson 2023 5.1 Surround Mix
• Steven Wilson 2023 2.0 Stereo Mix
• Steven Wilson 2023 2.0 Instrumental Stereo Mix
• Original 1982 2.0 Stereo Mix

Package 10 (1)
Did I mention all of that in a single reasonably priced bluray?

9.1 rounds to 9

 

[Monkish]

(This is a review of the 5.1 mix.)

A fun, solid SW mix, but no big revelations as far as changing my mind about an album that still feels (to me) like two undeniable 80s classics and a whole lot of variations on those themes.

And I don't know if this is confirmation bias, but Poison Arrow and The Look Of Love are my favorite mixes on the album -- they both seem to have an extra bit of punch/presence compared to the other songs (maybe due to the original production?).

But, fans of the album/band aren't likely to be disappointed, and at the very least, the two big hits definitely belong on your 80s surround playlist.

9.

 

[dquad]

Vote: 10

Best Atmos Track: Valentine's Day

I'm starting to feel like a broken record with these SDE releases. Again, I heard about this band/album on the "The Album Years" podcast. I spent ~$80 on eBay to get it because I was fascinated by the Apple Music version. This is quite a unique music experience. It was really tough on picking the best Atmos track. I kept going between Valentine's Day and Date Stamp. Both are just slamming mixes which provide a captivating experience. Keep them coming SDE!