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Skyscraping

by ABC

Released: March 24, 1997

Pop

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Why This Album Matters

This album matters because its strongest editorial story is: Breakthrough.

The Album

"Skyscraping" is a studio album by the English synth-pop band ABC. "Skyscraping" is also the third ABC album to feature founding member and vocalist Martin Fry, who collaborated on the album's songwriting with Glenn Gregory and Keith Lowndes. It was released in March 1997 by Blatant, a label set up by the band's leader Martin Fry.

Stories and details

Interesting Facts

The album marked a return to the band's…

The album marked a return to the band's synth-pop roots, featuring a more consistent electronic sound than their preceding albums.

The album's title is a homage to architecture…

The album's title is a homage to architecture, which Fry compared to the structure of pop songs.

"Skyscraping" features a variety of musical styles

"Skyscraping" features a variety of musical styles.

The album prominently showcases ABC's synth-pop elements, while…

The album prominently showcases ABC's synth-pop elements, while also incorporating the lush orchestrations and soulful pop stylings that have marked their dossier since their debut.

Despite the band's English origins, the album notably…

Despite the band's English origins, the album notably presents a more Americanised sound with strong elements of smooth jazz and soul.

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Essential Tracks

Only The Best Will Do

Despite its release being long after ABC's 1980s heyday, the album received positive reviews from critics, with songs like "Stranger Things" and "Only the Best Will Do" particularly praised.

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Explore the Album

ABC - Skyscraping

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Then

Reception

However, the album didn't match the commercial success of their earlier releases. Despite its release being long after ABC's 1980s heyday, the album received positive reviews from critics, with songs like "Stranger Things" and "Only the Best Will Do" particularly praised.

Full background

The Complete Album Story

"Skyscraping" is a studio album by the English synth-pop band ABC. It was released in March 1997 by Blatant, a label set up by the band's leader Martin Fry. The album marked a return to the band's synth-pop roots, featuring a more consistent electronic sound than their preceding albums. The album's title is a homage to architecture, which Fry compared to the structure of pop songs.

"Skyscraping" is also the third ABC album to feature founding member and vocalist Martin Fry, who collaborated on the album's songwriting with Glenn Gregory and Keith Lowndes. Despite its release being long after ABC's 1980s heyday, the album received positive reviews from critics, with songs like "Stranger Things" and "Only the Best Will Do" particularly praised. However, the album didn't match the commercial success of their earlier releases.

"Skyscraping" features a variety of musical styles. The album prominently showcases ABC's synth-pop elements, while also incorporating the lush orchestrations and soulful pop stylings that have marked their dossier since their debut. Despite the band's English origins, the album notably presents a more Americanised sound with strong elements of smooth jazz and soul.