Daniel W. Kelly | Long Island, NY United States | 08/07/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"While the first 3 volumes were all single discs, this boxed set, for only 15 bux, is like getting volumes 4, 5 AND 6!!! So many 80s 12" mixes on CD at last!!!! Only real downside is one of those horrible re-recorded remixes of Modern English "I Melt With You" from 1990. Track times:
Disc: 1
1. She Sells Sanctuary - The Cult (6:56)
2. I Love You - Yello (7:04)
3. Go! - Tones on Tail (4:28)
4. Tower of Strength - The Mission UK (8:41)
5. Living in Oblivion - Anything Box (5:53)
6. I Got You - Split Enz (3:30)
7. Change - Tears for Fears (6:00)
8. Whisper to a Scream (Birds Fly) - Icicle Works (5:17)
9. Beat Box (Diversion One) - The Art of Noise (8:19)
10. Bottom Line - Big Audio Dynamite (7:24)
Disc: 2
1. Everyday Is Halloween - Ministry (6:22)
2. P-Machinery - Propaganda (9:22)
3. First, Last for Everything (Disconet Edit) - Endgames (8:01)
4. Kiss Me - Stephen Duffy (7:28)
5. I Go Crazy - Flesh for Lulu (6:33)
6. Saturdays in Silesia - Rational Youth (7:15)
7. Lose Him - I Start Counting (7:15)
8. Love Song - Simple Minds (5:04)
9. I Melt With You - Modern English (5:30)
10. Nemesis - Shriekback (5:52)
Disc: 3
1. Moments in Love - The Art of Noise (10:17)
2. Situation - Yaz (5:44)
3. Relax - Frankie Goes to Hollywood (7:24)
4. Tainted Love/Where Did Our Love Go - Soft Cell (8:57)
5. If You Leave - Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (5:56)
6. April Fool (April First) - Chalk Circle (5:31)
7. Cars - Gary Numan (3:46)
8. Send Me Angel'88 (6:14)
9. Safety Dance - Men Without Hats (4:32)
10. West End Girls - Pet Shop Boys (7:48)"
Didn't know a lot of these songs, but liked it anyhow...
Michael H. Moore | World Traveler | 01/11/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I came across this CD compilation while shopping a few weeks ago, and as the price seemed reasonable I decided to buy. I don't know why, I didn't recognize half of the songs and several of the artists; but the 80's were "my" decade, so I took a chance.I wasn't disappointed...the remixes here are classic 80's style. I didn't noticed any degradation of quality, but perhaps I am just used to things sounding like they did 20 years ago. This set took me back, the music and lyrics are fundamentally 80's and will take you back it that was "your" decade as well. I enjoyed this set (3 CDs, by the way, not 4 as someone said earlier) so much that I went out and bought the three that proceeded it.For [a low price] you are getting a blast from the past. As I rapidly approach middle age (I turn 40 in a few weeks), it is nice to be reminded of my exciting youth. This set did that. It also reminded me that there was a standard of music and talent in the 80's that we don't see nowadays (sorry, Eminem, but you suck!). Forget about today's talentless drivel, buy this set and hear what good music is all about!"
Not perfect, but still a bargain...
yipyipcoyote | 11/24/2001
(3 out of 5 stars)
"It is always interesting, when listening to a compilation like this, to try to "spot the vinyl". Sometimes it's rather obvious but other times you need a good pair of headphones to tell the mastered-from-vinyl pieces from the rest. Out of the 30 tracks, I can so far confirm 7 that are from vinyl and of sub-CD quality :Yello - I Love You : this rather spoils the whole package as it is one of the most sought after remixes that has still never been on CDEndgames - First Last For Everything : never been on cdI Start Counting - Lose Him : available on the CD "Fused" in clean digitalShriekback - Nemesis : available on a few best-of compilations such as "The Dancing Years" and "Priests and Kanibals"OMD - If You Leave : not sure about the availability of this oneChalk Circle : no idea who they areReal Life - Send Me An Angel 88 : or is it 89? they have a "Best of" CD outThere are also a few fillers which have appeared on far too many 80's compilations (even the 12" versions) : "Relax" "Tainted Love" "Beat Box" "Moments In Love" "Cars" (!!) "Safety Dance" "West End Girls" "Situation" etc. although arguably they *are* "classics".A 4th bonus disc by somebody called "Images In Vogue" is also included, and is a pleasant surprise as far as quality goes. Danceable synth pop in the vein of Hubert Kah or Peter Godwin or Thomas Leer.All in all a good bargain at the price. Skip the poorly mastered tracks and you've still got a rather enjoyable listen, if you're into 80's pop.."
Worth Every Penny
tarnishedxhalo | West Palm Beach, Florida | 02/07/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"These discs are an excellent source for hard-to-find 12" singles. I do agree that some of the recordings are lacking in quality but are still good. Real Life's "Send Me Angel" is an obvious record transfer because of the pops and clicks but sounds good nonetheless. I picked up this collection because of the 12" version of "The Safety Dance" because I only had the 45 RPM (remember those?) version. I thought that The Mission's version of "Tower Of Strength" was interesting because it's obviously a demo or BBC session perhaps?This collection is also worth getting a 4th disc of songs by synthpop pioneers Images In Vogue which featured cEvin Key of Skinny Puppy and Don Gordon of Numb."
Great track choice but terrible sound quality!
Arnaud de Bonald | Paris, Paris France | 11/17/2000
(3 out of 5 stars)
"I don't understand. I own all the others CD's from this sery "Classic Alternatives" , they are all great but the track listing of this one is particularly awesum !The big big problem is with the sound quality. Have they taken a listen to it before mastering the CD's? Some tracks are very, very hissy (has they were coming from an old tape) , the sound on some others is compressed as it was coming from a commercial FM radio station. It's sad, very very sad because this is really one of the best 80's compilation available around. So you are warned. If you were planing to get on CD some stuff you have on vinyl to get a cleaner sound, then try to find some others 80's compilations. If you only want this compilation to have some great tracks to dance or similar, it's ok."