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British Invasion 2
I'd like to be...
You could do a lot worse
So Hip It Hurts!
Call Me crazy...

How to Be A...Zillionaire!
ABC
Manufacturer: Island / Mercury
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

The Lexicon Of Love
Beauty Stab
Look of Love: The Very Best of ABC
Alphabet City
Up

ASIN: B000001FD5
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

Fear Of The World
Be Near Me
Vanity Kills
Ocean Blue
15 Story Halo
A To Z
How To Be A Millionaire
Tower Of London
So Hip It Hurts
Between You & Me
Fear Of The World (In Cinemascope)
Be Near Me (Munich Disco Mix)
How To Be A Millionaire (Bond St. Mix)
Vanity Kills (The Abigails Party Mix)

Customer Reviews:

British Invasion 2.......2006-11-10

When I first heard " Be Near Me " I thought , the boys are back . I know some didn't care for Beauty Stab and was glad this album is more suited for them . But I like Beauty Stab . This album was somewhat alittle too American Pop for me . But overall its still ABC . Besides the song I mention and the title track the others were what you expect . Catchy and danceable . Better than the so call American Pop tunes at the time . I still recommend this album , good and listenable .

I'd like to be..........2006-09-06

A Zillionaire... They are quite fun ABC in this disc, I absolutely like fot music & huomour...

You could do a lot worse.......2005-09-01

If nothing else, "How to Be a....Zillionaire" contains one the finest pop singles of the last three decades - "Be Near Me." Also on this cd edition is a great remix, replete with samples of "that's right!" which harken back to the disco days of yore.
For years I never really listened to the lyrics of "How to Be a Millionaire", another standout track ( and a hit single as well ) and did not catch on that Martin Fry is not asking what one might do to BECOME a millionaire, but rather what one would do after it happens. The lyrics are cynical and cutting, and a perfect indictment of the money and luxury obsessed Eighties. Never a band to stay in one place for too long, ABC seem to have a pattern of following one album with one that is a 180 degree turnabout. This is no exception. Their debut ( procuced by the legendary Trevor Horn ) was full of lush synths and strings. The follow up "Beauty Stab" featured a harder sound, lots of guitars and live instrumentation, and was a commercial and critical failure. This, their third album, was another complete turnaround. The sound is all synths, and slightly sterile and cold sounding. Their look also again changed, and they adopted a Sixties influenced style, which in my opinion singularly kick started the UK Sixties style revival and the following musical boom of acid house and rave. Way ahead of its time, and still quite enjoyable. Some of these songs haven't aged as well as others, and a few of the remixes sound slightly dated. But as a whole, you could buy a lot worse ABC albums. Recommended for fans and the curious alike.

So Hip It Hurts!.......2005-08-17

After the lush sophistication of "Lexicon of Love" (1982) and the misbegotten follow up "Beauty Stab" (1983) ABC were left in a quandary of where to go. Down to the duo of Martin Fry (vocals) and Mark White (guitars) the two elected to go for a fusion of their "Lexicon" era sound with a bit of Motown and Electronic Dance music for a finished product that was pleasing and successful. No doubt smarting from the critical and commercial drubbing they took with "Beauty Stab" "...Zillionaire" was a step in the right direction and would point towards where they would continue with future releases. Produced by Fry and White the band had added David Yarritu and Fiona Russell-Powell who were ostensibly brought on board for reasons unknown and unclear. Neither played any musical instruments or contributed anything other than a few vocals on the track "A to Z." Their presence helped create a strangely cartoonish image of the group that seemed to damage their credibility. Despite these mixed messages "...Zillionaire" succeeded in ways unimaginable.

"Fear of the World" summons up sonic images of "Lexicon" with lush orchestration as ABC proclaims it is going on as fearless as ever amid heavy beats. "Be Near Me" which follows is perhaps their most charming and heartfelt track ever, a simple plaintive plea to a lover over synthesizers and drums; a winning track if there ever was one. "Vanity Kills" seems funny coming from someone perceived to be as vain as Martin Fry, yet he pulls it off with aplomb. Synthesized horns punctuate a very Terry Lewis - Jimmy Jam sounding backing track that sounds straight out of 1980s era Minneapolis. "Ocean Blue" continues in that milieu, a paean to a lover who has left Martin blue that is absolutely stunning in its minimalism and the bridge in the middle where the keyboards, bass, and Martin's falsetto builds to a crescendo is breathtaking; a stunning track. It's an odd segue from there to "15 Story Halo" a bit of syncopated Hi Energy fluff with its heavy synthesized horns. More fluff follows with the aforementioned "A to Z" a bit of rap over a wild backing track; a little harmless camp. Things get back on track with "How to Be a Millionaire" which has some great biting lyrics and great interplay between Martin and the backing vocalists over some very heavy dance beats. A great commentary on 1980s Thatcherite greed and excess; one of my favorite tracks by ABC! The beats keep coming with "Tower of London" a lyrical tour of London punctuated by synthesized horns and a great call and response chorus. More lyrical silliness follows with "So Hip It Hurts" which recounts fashion faux pas past and present. "Between You and Me" closes things out on a sweet intimate note. The release adds four remixes: "Fear of the World (In Cinemascope)" by Julian Mendelsohn (an excellent improvement), "Be Near Me (Munich Mix)" which was the one everyone heard in clubs, "How to be a Millionaire (Bond Street Mix)" another club favorite, and Vanity Kills (Abigail's Party Mix)" another club favorite, all three mixed by Martyn Webster. The remixes are a perfect addition to help round out the release and a huge bonus to have.

"...Zillionaire" pointed the direction ABC would continue, mining sophisticated neo-soul mixed with dance on "Alphabet City," "Up," and "Abracadabra" once pared back down to Fry and White. Fry and White produced "...Zillionaire" and perhaps some outside help may have reshaped the sequencing of the tracks and made a few improvements. Some of the tracks on "...Zillionaire" can be dismissed as fluff or filler but none truly suck and the standout tracks outweigh anything lesser. If you can get past the cartoonish silliness there's some truly great music here.

Call Me crazy..........2005-06-11

..but this is a great album! I have had this CD for many years and remember being a child dancing around to this and their older sigles (on LP, 45 and 12"). I still enjoy the production quality and over all great sound. I think a good addition to this would be to get their greatest hits (Definitley ABC). The remix of Be Near Me is worth the purchase alone. As my partner said upon playing me the greatest hits, "I forgot they did all these fun songs".

Average customer rating:

One of ABC's best albums just got better!

How to Be A...Zillionaire!
ABC
Manufacturer: Umvd Import
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Alphabet City
Beauty Stab
Up
Lexicon Of Love (Deluxe Edition +20 Bonus Tracks)
Hysteria

ASIN: B000BOG1SK
Release Date: 2005-11-14

Tracks:

Fear Of The World
Be Near Me
Vanity Kills
Ocean Blue
15 Storey Halo
A To Z
How To Be A Millionaire
Tower Of London
So Hip It Hurts
Between You And Me
How To Be A Trillionaire
What's Your Destination
Vanity Kills
Vanity Kills
Ocean Blue
Judy's Jewels
Fear Of The World
Tower Of London

Album Description

Remastered reissue of the 1985 album features 17 total tracks and includes the 8 bonus tracks 'How To Be A Trillionaire' (Harajuku mix/previously unreleased), 'What's Your Destination', 'Vanity Kills' (US remix), 'Vanity Kills' (Abigail's Party mix), 'Ocean Blue' (single mix), 'Judy's Jewels', 'Fear Of The World (In Cinemascope)' & 'Tower Of London' (instrumental). Universal. 2005.

Album Details

Digitally Remastered Edition of the Original Neutron Records Classic from the Abc Catalog and One of their Most Successful Albums. Includes the Hits "How to Be a Millionaire" and "be Near Me", Along with a Generous Eight Bonus Tracks: 10. "How to Be a Trillionaire (Harajuku Mix)" (Previously Unreleased), "What's Your Destination?", "Vanity Kills (Us Remix)", "Vanity Kills (Abigail's Party Mix)", "Ocean Blue (Single Mix)", "Judy's Jewels", "Fear of the World (In Cinemascope)" and "Tower of London (Instrumental)".

Customer Reviews:

One of ABC's best albums just got better!.......2006-02-01

Nice reissue package from ABC - sadly, this is only on import, but worth every penny. Very nice to have the unreleased "Harijuku Remix" of the title track, as well as hard to find B-sides like "Judy's Jewels" and the sought-after US Remix of "Vanity Kills" in one package - plus original sleeve graphics, new liner notes, etc. If you're an ABC fan, you should really pick up ALL the new 2005 reissues which contain BONUS tracks/mixes!

Average customer rating:

So Hip It Hurts!

How to Be A...Zillionaire!
ABC
Manufacturer: Polygram Int'l
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00008G4EM
Release Date: 1999-12-07

Tracks:

Fear of the World
Be Near Me
Vanity Kills
Ocean Blue
15 Storey Halo
to Z
(How to Be A) Millionaire
Tower of London
So Hip It Hurts
Between You & Me
(How to Be A) Trillionaire [Harajuku Mix]
What's Your Destination
Vanity Kills [USA Remix]
Vanity Kills [Abigails Party Mix]
Ocean Blue [Single Mix]
Judy's Jewels
Fear of the World (In Cinemascope)
Tower of London [Instrumental]

Album Description

Digitally remastered reissue of ABC's top 30 album from1985 with four bonus tracks added, 'Fear Of The World' (InCinemascope), 'Be Near Me' (Munich Disco Mix), '(How To BeA) Millionaire' (Bond Street Mix) & 'Vanity Kills' (TheAbigails Party Mix). 14 tracks total, also featuring theoriginal hit versions of the top 10 'Be Near Me', the top 20'(How To Be A) Millionaire' & the single 'Vanity Kills'.1998 Mercury Records release.

Customer Reviews:

So Hip It Hurts!.......2005-08-17

After the lush sophistication of "Lexicon of Love" (1982) and the misbegotten follow up "Beauty Stab" (1983) ABC were left in a quandary of where to go. Down to the duo of Martin Fry (vocals) and Mark White (guitars) the two elected to go for a fusion of their "Lexicon" era sound with a bit of Motown and Electronic Dance music for a finished product that was pleasing and successful. No doubt smarting from the critical and commercial drubbing they took with "Beauty Stab" "...Zillionaire" was a step in the right direction and would point towards where they would continue with future releases. Produced by Fry and White the band had added David Yarritu and Fiona Russell-Powell who were ostensibly brought on board for reasons unknown and unclear. Neither played any musical instruments or contributed anything other than a few vocals on the track "A to Z." Their presence helped create a strangely cartoonish image of the group that seemed to damage their credibility. Despite these mixed messages "...Zillionaire" succeeded in ways unimaginable.

"Fear of the World" summons up sonic images of "Lexicon" with lush orchestration as ABC proclaims it is going on as fearless as ever amid heavy beats. "Be Near Me" which follows is perhaps their most charming and heartfelt track ever, a simple plaintive plea to a lover over synthesizers and drums; a winning track if there ever was one. "Vanity Kills" seems funny coming from someone perceived to be as vain as Martin Fry, yet he pulls it off with aplomb. Synthesized horns punctuate a very Terry Lewis - Jimmy Jam sounding backing track that sounds straight out of 1980s era Minneapolis. "Ocean Blue" continues in that milieu, a paean to a lover who has left Martin blue that is absolutely stunning in its minimalism and the bridge in the middle where the keyboards, bass, and Martin's falsetto builds to a crescendo is breathtaking; a stunning track. It's an odd segue from there to "50 Story Halo" a bit of syncopated Hi Energy fluff with its heavy synthesized horns. More fluff follows with the aforementioned "A to Z" a bit of rap over a wild backing track; a little harmless camp. Things get back on track with "How to Be a Millionaire" which has some great biting lyrics and great interplay between Martin and the backing vocalists over some very heavy dance beats. A great commentary on 1980s Thatcherite greed and excess; one of my favorite tracks by ABC! The beats keep coming with "Tower of London" a lyrical tour of London punctuated by synthesized horns and a great call and response chorus. More lyrical silliness follows with "So Hip It Hurts" which recounts fashion faux pas past and present. "Between You and Me" closes things out on a sweet intimate note. The release adds four remixes: "Fear of the World (In Cinemascope)" by Julian Mendelsohn (an excellent improvement), "Be Near Me (Munich Mix)" which was the one everyone heard in clubs, "How to be a Millionaire (Bond Street Mix)" another club favorite, and Vanity Kills (Abigail's Party Mix)" another club favorite, all three mixed by Martyn Webster. The remixes are a perfect addition to help round out the release and a huge bonus to have.

"...Zillionaire" pointed the direction ABC would continue, mining sophisticated neo-soul mixed with dance on "Alphabet City," "Up," and "Abracadabra" once pared back down to Fry and White. Fry and White produced "...Zillionaire" and perhaps some outside help may have reshaped the sequencing of the tracks and made a few improvements. Some of the tracks on "...Zillionaire" can be dismissed as fluff or filler but none truly suck and the standout tracks outweigh anything lesser. If you can get past the cartoonish silliness there's some truly great music here.

Music:

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