On this day November 14 1983, ABC released Beauty Stab, their second studio album and a striking departure from the glossy pop sound that made their debut so successful. Moving away from the polished style of The Lexicon of Love, the band embraced a rawer and more guitar driven approach that reflected a bolder and moodier side of their artistry.
Beauty Stab featured songs such as That Was Then but This Is Now, Love’s a Dangerous Language, and S.O.S., each capturing the band’s shift toward darker tones and more socially conscious lyrics. Though the album received mixed reviews at the time, it has since gained appreciation for its ambition and willingness to take creative risks. The record stands as an important chapter in ABC’s evolution, showing a band unafraid to challenge expectations.
80s insight: Beauty Stab reflected the artistic restlessness of 80s pop, when bands pushed boundaries and experimented beyond commercial success to redefine their sound.
Beauty Stab featured songs such as That Was Then but This Is Now, Love’s a Dangerous Language, and S.O.S., each capturing the band’s shift toward darker tones and more socially conscious lyrics. Though the album received mixed reviews at the time, it has since gained appreciation for its ambition and willingness to take creative risks. The record stands as an important chapter in ABC’s evolution, showing a band unafraid to challenge expectations.
80s insight: Beauty Stab reflected the artistic restlessness of 80s pop, when bands pushed boundaries and experimented beyond commercial success to redefine their sound.
