Following up The Lexicon Of Love is no easy matter-it was the pop record of 1982. So Martin Fry has hung up his gold lame jacket and roughed up ABC's image and music. Sure, the sheen is still there, but it's rusting at the edges It suits them well indeed-harsher guitar, rougher vocals and crisp production give the music a necessary bite. "The Power Of Persuasion" and "Hey Citizen" could find a place at rock radio, with "If I Ever Thought You'd Be Lonely" a great CHR ballad. "Bite The Hand" somehow bridges a Temptations-style beat with a hard-rock guitar bridge over Beatlesque strings. Overall, a big step forward for a fine band.

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