Editorial Review

General Public's debut is arguably the ska supergroup's best work. Fresh out of the English Beat, Dave Wakeling recruited vocal partner Ranking Roger, as well as bassist Horace Panter (the Specials), keyboardist Mickey Billingham (Dexy's Midnight Runners), and veteran sax man Saxa for this set of shiny pop that is virtually all as infectious as the album's Top 40 hit, "Tenderness." Sure, the English Beat's best grooves found their way into the Fine Young Cannibals, but Wakeling and Roger's breathless vocals and undeniable hooks still shine on this undervalued album. Read more

Reviews (17)

Ready for the reissue treatment
This is just a really awesome CD and I'm suprised it hasn't been given the re-issue treatment as of yet.All The Rage was released in late 1984 or early 1985.The US singles were "Tenderness" and "Never You Done That." The album itself contained a lot of different sounding songs.General Public toyed with reggae ala UB40 style on the song "General Public." I enjoy the whole album but really like songs like "Anxious," "Where's The Line," and "Are You Leading Me On?"There are some really great remixes to some of the songs on this album, I hope that it is given the reissue treatment soon.
TENDERNESS
1984 Brit pop group dabbling in funk and ska yielded one great song; "Tenderness", a jingly piano-driven, bassoon enhanced, unabashedly sweet, catchy song that contains maybe the most representative line of '80s suppressed left wing agenda, - "I open my mouth and out pops something spiteful.", it rises above the hyperactive vocals and dull routine funk of the other songs, although the song, "General Public", adds Middle Eastern and progressive elements in a grandiose album closing. Band member, Ranking Roger (vocals, keyboards), has put out at least one fine Motown influenced solo album, and Clash guitarist Mick Jones, plays some rough guitar on some of the tracks. The band needs to lean more towards it's tender side than it's frantic funk.

Catchy and enjoyable
Nothing spectacular here, just a thoroughly enjoyable pop/new wave/synth/whatever offering from an outfit that probably deserved more attention.Definitely worth getting. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Pop/Rock    2. Britain    3. New Wave    4. Pop    5. Pop/Rock    6. Popular Music    7. Post-Punk    8. Rock    9. Rock/Pop    10. Ska Revival   

Editorial Review

This is the album that started it all for George and Andrew! Whether or not it will ever be "cool" to admit liking them, Read more

Reviews (61)

The Real Edge Of Heaven
1984 was a very huge year with so many great acts with a lot of great music from Madonna starting out with Lucky Star, Michael Jackson securing the definitive spots with Thriller, and Lionel Richie hot everybody to party all night long. THere was just so much great music all around. That also was shown with George Michael and Andrew Ridgley of Wham!. They held their own as one of the most definitive guilty pleasure acts of the 80's era. Even today, those classic are still just delightful and fun to really listen to. Although Wham! had only made three records, their second one was the most definitive of their great classic songs.
GREAT CD!
I love this CD! It has three really good songs, they are:
Made it big.
After liking Wham for about, oh 20 years now, I thought I'd get some. I was gonna get the import "best of", then realized the songs I wanted were all on here anyway, minus "Last Christmas". There's not many albums that offer half the songs as hits. Only "Thriller", "Purple Rain", and George's own "Faith" come to mind. I still think George is underrated as a writer and musician. Anyway, this album gives us "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" and "Careless Whisper" as the huge hits, and "Everything She Wants" and "Freedom" as well, which are my two faves. The other four tracks are still good, just not hit-caliber like those four. The only complaint I have is "Make It Big" needs remastering badly, and there really should be a U.S. "Hits" disc. Still, this is the 80's at its best, though some might say worst. It's a must for me anyway. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Adult Contemporary    2. Dance-Pop    3. New Wave    4. Pop    5. Pop/Rock    6. Popular Music    7. Rock    8. Rock/Pop   

Reviews (4)

All Those Precious Vinyl EPs . . .
After all this time, I finally have those early non-album Cocteau tracks from the 80's on two tight, pristine and affordable CDs (with some notable exceptions - see the review below by Laurence Upton who offers detailed commentary on exactly which songs and different versions made the final cut).
In a word, it's... cool.
The Cocteau Twins were one of those mysterious bands that the really cool kids in High School were into. You know, the ones with lots of black clothing, complicated footwear, hip hairdos, and surprisingly easy access to mind-altering substances. In other words, not me.
Complements the 4AD albums
Lullabies was the Cocteau Twins first EP, released in Autumn 1982 a couple of months after their debut album Garlands, and Violaine marked the final release by the band in the summer of 1996. Now that the lavish 4CD box set has sold out, the discs have been made available in two double-CD sets, of which the first represents their 8 year association with Four AD, and the second their period with Fontana. This distinction is less marked in America, where albums from Blue Bell Knoll onward were all on Capitol.
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Subjects:  1. Alternative Pop/Rock    2. Ambient Pop    3. Dream Pop    4. Pop    5. Post-Punk    6. Rock    7. Rock/Pop    8. Scotland   

Editorial Review

This record shook up the snoozing world of rock in 1979, becoming a truly classic disc, one full of landmark moments and heavy with possibilities. Most "real" rockers in the late '70s tried hard to ignore the Sex Pistols and the Clash, claiming the punk tumult was a merely a fad; but fun-loving types couldn't resist the magnificent hooks and grooves of the B-52's debut. They fell into the "new wave" while dancing their tushes off. The magnificent "Rock Lobster" remains unmatched in terms of its relentless, spastic power to move one's feet; ditto "52 Girls," with its nod to '60s trash rock. A Cramps-ish guitar grinds through "Lava," which features his-and-hers innuendo-laden lyrics. "I'm not no limburger!" goes one line from "Dance This Mess Around," but you just never question why. Brilliant. Read more

Reviews (43)

Wild fun!!!!
I bought this record back in 1979 or 1980 and I loved it for it camp sensibility, catchy pop and danceable tracks. This is a FUN album with great songs, especially "Planet Claire" and "Dance This Mess Around". Turn the volume on these tracks and blast back to New Wave interpretations of early 60's pop.

B-52's - 'The B-52's' (Reprise)
Their 1979 absolute must-have (or least borrow it first)eponymous debut effort. A new wave classic. I, personally remember when this lp first hit the stores. Something like six months later, ALREADY vinyl bootlegs were obtainable. Let's face it, at THAT time the music scene was in need of several changes. Totally dug about every track on this CD reissue, such as "52 Girls", the awesome "Dance This Mess Around", their smash hit "Rock Lobster" (ironically, my LEAST favorite cut on this disc), "Lava", "Hero Worship" and their version of "Downtown". Highly recommended.

If you like Outgrabe's "Love Cream Pie," you'll love this album!
The B-52s are my favorite old-time band! Super bouncy and fun, with that weird double-throwback thing going on. Whenever I feel like a trip to the 60's via the 80's I pop on the B-52s, and this first album is their best! Let's hear it for girl singers, ironic commentary, and guitars! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. College Rock    2. New Wave    3. Pop    4. Popular Music    5. Post-Punk    6. Rock    7. Rock/Pop    8. United States of America   

Features

• Original recording remastered

Reviews (20)

Another Illinois band
What can I say.I've been a Cheap Trick fan for longer than most fans out there.This Rockford, Illinois band has been rockin' forever.These are good tracks.I like the other 'greatest hits' too though.Put the best of the 2 together, and you have the best of the best.Southern Girls is one of my all time favorites.

One (major) disappointment to consider before purchasing.
This is not a bad collection.I'm sure there have been worse.My main complaint is the alternate version of "If You Want My Love."To me it's a major letdown because that is one of my favorite Cheap Trick songs and I really was expecting to hear it when I bought this.Now I wish I had not even bought it.
Not perfect, but (semi)close...[Really 3 stars out of 4...]
The Authorized Greatest Hits by (formerly) the best Rock N' Roll band of alltime, 'The Noise Boys from Rockford, Illinois', is beset by one basic problem - not enough songs from when Jon Brant helped Cheap Trick put out four of the Anglosentric(k?) LPs of alltime! Why isn't Y.O.Y.O.Y or Take me to the Top on here? Tom Peterson (or is it still Petersson?), that's why!
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Subjects:  1. Album Rock    2. Arena Rock    3. Hard Rock    4. New Wave    5. Pop    6. Pop/Rock    7. Power Pop    8. Rock    9. Rock/Pop   

Editorial Review

Elvis Costello kicked off his debut album with a formal device that would also serve his next two long-players well: the first thing you hear is his voice. That opening phrase--"Now that your picture's in the paper..."--was more than sneakily, if not intentionally, appropriate, since Costello was quickly declared the second coming. It's become Read more

Features

• Original recording reissued
• Original recording remastered

Reviews (42)

the first and greatest elvis.
at the time that this album came out i had just lost my little boy, my husband had left me for a woman 24 years my junior, & i had a serious rash all up & down my left side. i was DEPRESSED. then i heard this music & suddenly i wanted to wear lipstick again. i wanted to wear lipstick & i wanted to dance. what a great album. and to this day in 2006 it still is! the best elvis costello album known to man (and that's saying something).

Elvis is King!
The angry young man hit a grand slam with this debut album. EC ain't much of a guitarist, but hey when you can capture what an entire generation is thinking within your lyrics...well, they call that genius! Back to back, the tunes here are all winners. Alison is a particular favorite of mine. This album is the beginning of a remarkable body of work that is still evolving.
Nearly Unbeatable Debut
First, this review is only about disc one because I don't have disc two...
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Subjects:  1. British Punk    2. College Rock    3. England    4. New Wave    5. Pop    6. Pop/Rock    7. Pub Rock    8. Punk    9. Rock    10. Rock & Roll    11. Rock/Pop    12. Singer/Songwriter   

Editorial Review

There's little in U2's 1980 debut to suggest that this was a band bent on world domination. Indeed, there's a charming, if naive, coming-of-age urgency in songs such as "I Will Follow," "Stories for Boys" and "Out of Control" that may startle listeners more familiar with U2's latter-day bombast and stadium-scale theatrics. Bono's viewpoint, still tantalizingly vague and wide-eyed, showed that his penchant for strident polemics hadn't yet gotten the best of him; his anthems are those of a yearning Dubliner barely out of his teens rather than those of a world-weary multimillionaire. The band's sometimes-ragged musical chops work in its favor here, gently burnished to then-fresh new-wave sheen by producer Steve Lillywhite. If the Edge's dense, effects-laden guitar work seems overly familiar, it's only because this album was such a key influence on the whole "rock of the '80s" sound.Though not quite as moody or musically accomplished as Read more

Reviews (89)

What a debut! Essential listening
The start of it all. OK so it doesn't sound like their more recent stuff but don't neglect it because of that. As a debut album they don't come much better than this. The sound is spartan and simple - but effective. The one thing about their first three albums was they were complete. Later albums I found to have "fillers" but there are none to be found here. The anthemic "I Will Follow" kicks off full of post-punk energy resplendant with Edge's choppy guitar style. There isn't a poor track to be found even the somewhat experimental "The Ocean" acting as an interlude fits well. I actually fail to understand how anyone who likes U2 couldn't consider this one of their classics. An essential addition to any U2 collection and certainly worthy of interest to any music fan.

'Boy' Breaks Ground on New Wave Turf
'Boy' is a beautiful, ground-breaking debut from one of the greatest rock bands ever.Immediately, they changed the landscape with their passionate and innovative guitar sound, given ably by the Edge.'Boy' does follow it's title's concept.The energy and innovation are remarkable, but there are a few portions of their first able effort that linger on too long.
Their Best
Simply, their best.If you truly enjoy U2, this is it, before all the hype.If you want mainstream, buy something else.This is one of my most favorite albums ever. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Album Rock    2. Alternative Pop/Rock    3. College Rock    4. Pop    5. Pop/Rock    6. Post-Punk    7. Rock    8. Rock/Pop   

Editorial Review

Like Blondie, Berlin is a female-fronted new wave band with a lead singer (Terri Nunn) who can really belt, although Nunn is more in-your-face than Debbie Harry. Their music is submerged new wave synth-pop that is varied most successfully by Nunn's agile vocal arrangements. In "No More Words," she first yells and then drops to a scathing whisper, only to attack again; it's scary enough to make any man cower. "Take My Breath Away" is a beautiful from-the-gut ballad, so large and deep in scope that it commands your full attention. In "The Metro" she puts you on a train, sullen and melancholy, going nowhere. Read more

Features

• Original recording remastered

Reviews (31)

"You can leave right now if you're feeling doubt..."
The best of Berlin 1979-1988 is such a perfect and rockin' album. I bought it for Christmas last year and I love it to pieces. Every song is amazing especially The Metro, Sex, No More Words, Blowin' Sky High, Masquerade, and Matter of Time. Frontwoman Terri Nunn has a beautiful and powerful voice, she's got some pipes!The song, Take my Breath Away ultimately caused a riff between the band and their creative process became threatened due to the popularity of that song. Even so this short-lived band made some incredible, heartfelt, weighty songs and all that matters. Berlin was a gift from God, great band, coy songs, and awesome frontwoman, eat your heart out Gwen Stefani, Terri was the real deal!

This collection took my breath away.
I've known of Berlin ever since I heard and loved "No More Words" in the early 80's, but never had anything of theirs until recently. After getting this disc, I'm a full-on fan. Of course "Take My Breath Away" from the film "Top Gun" is their biggest hit, but the rest of the songs are far more new wave, some synthy, some almost punk, but all good. After a listen I realized I also knew "Sex (I'm A...)" and "The Metro" as well, and both classics in their genre. Other favorites are the rockin' opener "Blowin' Sky High", "Now It's My Turn", "Masquerade", "You Don't Know", and "All Tommorrows Lies". Have I mentioned every track yet? Terri also sang on a great Sisters Of Mercy track called "Under The Gun", and though it was released after this collection, I wish it was on here too. Still, if you're a fan of Blondie, or of any new wave, or just great music, I suggest the "Best Of Berlin".

I love it.
This is as huge a helping of danceable rock as you could ask for.I only knew "The Metro" (great track, pure New Wave) and "Take My Breath Away" (the big hit ballad, for sure). But my local New Orleans radio station (a Katrina survivor, like me) kept playing "No More Words" and I could not get that song out of my head, so I bought this CD. It's heavy on synths and beats, with just enough metal guitar thrown in. And of course, there's Terri Nunn, who can put out a rock tune right up there with the best of them.My favorite cut is "No More Words", but 2 other interesting ones are "Sex (I'm A...)", which plays with your head sonically and lyrically, and "Matter Of Time", which is experimental, heavy and haunting.But all the tracks are good.If you like 80's music along the lines of The Eurythmics and/or Heart, you'll like this. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. New Wave    2. Pop    3. Pop/Rock    4. Rock    5. Rock/Pop   

Editorial Review

Prince's fifth album came right before the lasciviousmulti-instrumentalist became a huge star with his 1984 film and soundtrack, Read more

Reviews (99)

A breakthrough album
Prince found a lot of success with his 1982 album "1999". I think it is one of his best. It's very funky and enjoyable. Originally a double album, as most of the songs are very long in length. "Little Red Corvette" was the highest charting single from the album. On the title song, Prince wants us to party like it's 1999. It's a great track. As usual, there is some social commentary on the album throughout the songs, which is nice. The songs are really funky. The album does sound a bit dated today, but it's still a great album start to finish. Lots of great synth work on here, and percussion. Once again Prince produced, arranged, composed and performed on the album. Highlights include "Automatic", "Lets Pretend We're Married", "D.M.S.R.", "Delirious" and many more. The whole album is a crowning acheivement.

Tonight We're Gonna Party Like It's 1999
Although Prince had been putting out a stream of R&B hits for years before, this album really put Prince into the mainstream. A massive hit, this album stayed on the charts for years, spinning off several hit singles, highlighted by the two biggest, "1999", the title track, and "Little Red Corvette", Prince's biggest hit to that point. "Delirious" and "Let's Pretend We're Married" also hit the charts, and the album went on to sell over two million copies. Prince has never been one to trim anything, being more than willing to play a nine or ten minute song just to get the groove going, and this album has many songs clocking in at nine+ minutes. The revealing thing is that you're never bored with it. The vocal work here is outstanding. The multi-voice lead, used so perfectly in "1999", is first used on this album, and it realy was a unique thing to hear, especially on a Prince album. There are many funky grooves to get down to, and some really steamy slow-downs to enjoy as well. Truthfully, many consider this album to be Prince's true masterwork, better even than "Purple Rain", the album that made him a mega-star. Even though I don't think this myself, I can see why so many are enamored of this album. It rocks, it's funky, it's danceable, it's slinky. Get this album even if you're not a Prince fan. It's definately one of his all-time best, which means it's a true work of art!

The Rest Of America Discovers Prince
"1999" is often called Prince's "breakthrou" album but those of us in the r&b community had known about this prodigy since his 1st album, "FOR YOU" releashed in 1978.Heck, true Prince fans still remembered the time he was booed off stage, while opening for the "Rolling Stones". I guess America was'nt ready for something fresh and exciting at the time. But in 1983 apparrently it was.The first 3 songs "1999","Lil Red Corvette", and "Delirious" get this album off to a roaring start and the party never stops! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Album Rock    2. Club/Dance    3. Dance-Pop    4. Funk    5. New Wave    6. Pop    7. Pop/Rock    8. Popular Music    9. R&B    10. Rock/Pop    11. Soul    12. United States of America    13. Urban   

Editorial Review

There are myriad details that illustrate why Wire's 1977 debut is bulletproof--or at least wildly compelling. There's the count of tracks--21 to be exact--the snare-cracked pulsing roll of "Reuters," which sports one of punk's greatest first lines: "Our own correspondent is sorry to tell of an uneasy time, that all is not well." There's the six songs that last under a minute (and at least that many more that last under a minute and a half), all of them urgently poised on Colin Newman's deadpan urgency--a laconic riposte to the shouting that in '77 was already central to punk. There's album closer "12XU," which Minor Threat would make anthemic in their short hardcore-forging career. Read more

Features

• Original recording remastered

Reviews (1)

a seminal band for a reason, and it all started with this album
Really, what more can I say about Wire's Pink Flag that hasn't already been said? The album is so good, so burned in the retina of my brain (even though I still cannot for the life of us unscramble Graham Lewis' lyrics), so nearly perfect that it's sort of hard to write about. In a perfect world, whatever nonsense I may have to say about the record would be moot, as you should already own this record (along with Chairs Missing and 154, Wire's second and third albums respectively). But for those of you who may be enraptured by the recent flurry of post-punk revivalists who continue to make quite a stir, let the reissue campaign of the first three records introduce you to the band that Interpol, Maximo Park, Franz Ferdinand, and Bloc Party only wish they could be.
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Subjects:  1. British Punk    2. England    3. Experimental Rock    4. Pop    5. Post-Punk    6. Punk    7. Rock    8. Rock/Pop   

Editorial Review

Long a favorite of U2's original core following, Read more

Reviews (94)

Essential U2
I apologise in advance - for me the best 'complete' albums by U2 were their first ones. Don't get me wrong, having seen them on the last tour it was simply one of the best concerts I'd ever seen. But their most recent albums just don't have the energy, drive and in some ways creativity that the Boy, October and War had - culminating in The Joshua Tree. I grew up with this album, having first seen them back in 1983. So I have no idea what this album must sound like to newer ears. The anthemic "Gloria" sets the pace which is wonderfully maintained throughout. For a band to release an album of this quality as their second album is superb and maybe it should be judged that way. You knew this band was either going to be around for quite a while or they'd lose the plot on their next album and that would be the end. Thankfully they delivered a classic with War. Steve Lillywhites production is superb - listen to the haunting "Tomorrow" - simple, spartan, very effective. Buy it and just enjoy the raw energy that it contains. It is a classic.

Pressed Leaves and Deadwood
In their biography 'The Unforgettable Fire' it is stated that Bono, before creating U2's 'Sgt. Pepper' lost the luggage that contained the lyrics to their next work.'October' was their next work.'October' has the advantage of spontaneity, but also at the expense of some spotty, tentative moments on this their second album.While there are off-the-cuff deliveries on the C.D., there are moments of brilliance as well.The shimmering quality of some of their music here make it essential for U2 fans.The Edge's guitar patterns are again hallmark to the group's success.On 'October' his guitar roars more than on 'Boy' for a different, yet satisfying effect.Piano chords are prominent this time throughout like no other album. (Only "Lemon" from 'Zooropa' or "New Year's Day" from 'War' come to mind.)It is a hypnotic and beautiful creation.It is also their most overtly Christian album.
U2's Excellent October
Building on the momentum from their first album "Boy," U2's second album, "October," is another great step forward for Bono & company. Great rockers all over this one, such as "Gloria," "I Fall Down," "I Threw A Brick Through A Window," "Tomorrow," "With A Shout," and "Is That All?", as well as the quiet beauty of the title track. Great work here from Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton & Larry Mullen Jr. Mind you, the band's full flowering would come with their classic third album, "War," but "October" is excellent U2. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Album Rock    2. Alternative Pop/Rock    3. College Rock    4. Pop    5. Pop/Rock    6. Post-Punk    7. Rock    8. Rock/Pop   

Features

• Original recording reissued
• Original recording remastered

Reviews (56)

The Police - ZENYATTA MONDATTA (1980)
Though The Police had their commercial breakthrough with 1979's REGGATTA DE BLANC, it was on their next album, 1980's ZENYATTA MONDATTA, that they firmly established themselves as one of the biggest bands in the world.Considered by some to be the group's finest album, ZENYATTA MONDATTA found the group perfecting their unique blend of reggae-rock.The result is some of the band's most stellar material: the hit singles "Don't Stand So Close To Me" and "De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da", the radio hit "When The World Is Running Down, You Make The Best Of What's Still Around", and numerous other masterpieces such as "Canary In A Coalmine", "Man In A Suitcase", and "Driven To Tears".Guitarist Andy Summers and drummer Stewart Copeland are at their best on this album; Copeland contributes another very fun composition, "Bombs Away", while Summers' instrumental "Behind My Camel" grabbed a Grammy Award."Shadows in the Rain" received a superior makeover years later on Sting's debut album, THE DREAM OF THE BLUE TURTLES, but the rest of the songs are untouchable.

The Police hit their commercial stride with album #3
THE BAND: Sting / Gordon Sumner (bass, guitars), Andy Summers (guitars), Stewart Copeland (drums & percussion).
On the fence
This is the third of five records The Police put out before they disintegrated in the mid-'80s.For those who are not very familiar with the history of the Police, suffice it to say where they started was a long, long way from where they ended up.
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Subjects:  1. Album Rock    2. Alternative Pop/Rock    3. Drums    4. England    5. New Wave    6. Pop    7. Pop/Rock    8. Post-Punk    9. Rock    10. Rock/Pop   

Features

• Original recording remastered
• Extra tracks

Reviews (21)

Really Fantastic.Their Best Album
There isn't a bad song on the album.Some are better and more stirring than others, but all of it is good, much is great.
Inspiring
Adamson was a brilliant entertainer and musician, and his tragic death can be remembered by this incredible debut album.
Still one of the best of the 80's
I recently picked up The Crossing as a digitally remastered CD containing additional tracks beyond the original release.It was years since I had this album, and quite honestly, I had forgotten how remarkable it is.Big Country's debut is infectious, energizing, affective, and unique.These guys wrote and performed with all the energy and sincerity of soul, making the music on The Crossing both powerful and captivating.I was very pleased to discover that the additional tracks that have been added to this remastered CD are just as compelling as the originals.The Crossing continues to be one of my very favorite albums from the 80's, one of those rare albums that I enjoy as much (or even more) today as I did "back in the day." ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Rock    3. Adult Alternative Pop/Rock    4. Alternative Pop/Rock    5. College Rock    6. New Wave    7. Pop/Rock    8. Rock/Pop    9. Scotland   

Editorial Review

Minutemen's Read more

Reviews (109)

Essential album.Lame reissue!
I rank Double Nickels on the Dime in the top ten albums released in the 80's.I am very glad I held onto my vinyl because for reasons I can't fathom, three songs on the original release are not on this reissue, which is why I am not giving it the five stars this album deserves.
Worth so much more than nickels and dimes
If the show Jackass ever did anything worth admiring, it was choosing "Corona" by Minutemen as it's theme. At two and a half minutes, it's one of the longer tracks on this nearly 45 track album. It's also one of the more conventional punk anthem's they've done, considering how far the horizons stretch when it comes to this band and being creative.
Blows away all of today's limp, soggy music!!!!!!
DOUBLE NICKELS ON THE DIME ('84) stuffs 43 short songs on two LP's or one CD.The album meshes quite a variety of musical styles:punk, funk, spoken bits, jazzy instrumentation, folk, and even polka!
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Subjects:  1. Alternative Pop/Rock    2. American Underground    3. Bass    4. College Rock    5. Hardcore Punk    6. Pop    7. Post-Punk    8. Punk    9. Rock    10. United States of America   

Editorial Review

Martha Coolidge's 1983 directorial debut--based loosely on the Frank (and Moon) Zappa (who weren't involved with the film) novelty hit of the previous year--carried a budget so low that it didn't even generate a soundtrack album when it was released. Loosely based on the same themes as Read more

Features

• Soundtrack

Reviews (28)

I love this CD!
I'm only 20 years old, but I've loved this movie pretty much since birth, and my mom had the soundtrack when I was younger, so I grew up listening to the pioneering new wave of the 80's.I've purchased my own copy and love it to this very day! I'm still looking to buy the 2nd soundtrack, but for some reason can't seem to find it anywhere.I know it was on Amazon a while back, but was very expensive (almost $40) and there were only about 4 available.There's some great songs on that one as well, in fact, I might like that one just a little bit more.But definitely check this CD out! It's like totally tubular, for sure!

Great Early 80's!
If you are familiar with the movie and all the of new wave you heard, this is a soundtrack to have. The Plimsouls really made it hard not to like one of the main songs "A Million Miles Away." This is a great CD to have in the car for trips or just for everyday driving to and from work. Having a bad day? Listen to this and you will either laugh or just go back to those times when you were dancing to this music.

Never received material
You shipped it to the wrong address and I never received it!!!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. New Wave    2. Pop    3. Pop/Rock    4. Soundtrack    5. Soundtracks    6. Soundtracks & Film Scores   

Editorial Review

God bless punk and new wave. Without them, '80s pop music might well have ended up as vapid and ghettoized as, well, pop music of the '90s. Those late '70s movements were frankly reactionary at heart (seeking to counter what was perceived as the overwrought tendencies of rock's prog and hard-rock elite and calling for a return to the diverse energy of '60s Top 40), but their influences can be felt on nearly every cut of this triple-disc hits anthology, from the Buggles' all-too-prophetic "Video Killed the Radio Star" to the nouveau funk of Kool and the Gang, the Dazz Band, and the Gap Band, to the nascent big-hairdom of Night Ranger ("Sister Christian") and Whitesnake. If you're looking for the roots of alternative rock or obscure college playlist fodder, look elsewhere; this is prime-time '80s pop chart glory, as seen on MTV (over and over and over). Though the songs here cover a breadth of style and genre (if not necessarily substance), there's a remarkable unity of purpose and hook-laden musical accomplishment that's sorely missed. If this collection woefully shortchanges hip-hop, it still underscores a distinctly irony-free era where style admittedly triumphed over substance, as opposed to the '90s, where style Read more

Features

• Box set

Reviews (16)

This album has a bunch of good songs, but a few sucky ones
I luuuuv some of these songs, but some of them suck.hoever, if u like these songs u should totally get it!

essential
I mix 80s dance music and the number of times when mixing that I find myself reaching for either this compilation or its companion, "Hit Me With Your 80s Box," is extraordinary.These are two outstanding collections.They are pricey, but worth every penny.For many people, owning these two will be all the 80s music you'll ever need.
LOVE 80s music
I am such an 80s child.This box set is great.Has a lot of the great songs of the 80s. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Adult Alternative Pop/Rock    2. Adult Contemporary    3. Album Rock    4. Alternative Pop/Rock    5. Arena Rock    6. Blue-Eyed Soul    7. Club/Dance    8. College Rock    9. Dance-Pop    10. Disco    11. Funk    12. Hard Rock    13. New Romantic    14. New Wave    15. Pop    16. Pop/Rock    17. Prog-Rock/Art Rock    18. Rock/Pop Collections    19. Singer/Songwriter    20. Soft Rock