Big hits and rare classics
Pieter | Johannesburg | 09/29/2003
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This UK compilation contains its share of huge hits, minor hitettes and obscure masterpieces. The title is not quite correct, as some of these tracks date from the late 1970s, e.g. Tubeway Army's Are Friends Electric? (1978). Besides, bands like The Stranglers produced their best work in the 70s.The most familiar songs on Disc One are Blue Monday by New Order (a timeless club hit), the brilliant World Shut Your Mouth by Julian Cope, The King Of Rock `n Roll by Prefab Sprout and Pretty In Pink by The Psychedelic Furs. Rock The Casbah by The Clash and Dream Academy's lovely interpretation of Nick Drake's Life In A Northern Town were hits too, but my favorites are the Bauhaus version of Bowie's Ziggy Stardust and The Fall's version of R. Dean Taylor's There's A Ghost In My House. On Disc Two one finds electronica in the form of Blancmange, beautiful folk songs by The Pogues and by Kirsty MacColl, great rock by The Cure, early 80s post-punk by The Teardrop Explodes, snappy pop by Altered Images and atmospheric ethereal pop by Cocteau Twins. Alternative 80's provides an excellent window on the music that mattered in a decade that also gave us lots of shallow stuff. Other worthwhile acts include Elvis Costello with the catchy Every Day I Write The Book, Lloyd Cole, The Style Council and The Stranglers. I recommend this CD to all who wish to investigate the unique and original music of the time in various genres. It is worth the price for tracks like Ziggy Stardust, World Shout Your Mouth, There's A Ghost In My House and A New England alone!"
Track Listings (39) - Disc #1