Fairly Good 80s Compilation of Minor Club Hits
Thomas Horan | Chapel Hill, NC | 11/21/2003
(3 out of 5 stars)
"This CD compiles 12" dance singles released by the Factory label and its subsidiaries between 1983 and 1985. All of these songs were extremely well produced by individual members of New Order sometimes working in conjunction with Donald Johnson of A Certain Ratio. Overall, this collection is something of a front-loaded, mixed bag. About half of these songs really deserved to go to the top of the charts. "Can't Afford To Let You Go," which samples Scott Walker's "Time Operator," is just amazing. There's a superlative mix of Section 25's classic "View From a Hilltop." I also really like Marcel King's soulful "Reach For Love." And finally, I think Quando Quango's "Atom Rock", which features Johnny Marr on guitar, may be the best dance track since "Blue Monday."Unfortunately, the remaining songs on this album are pleasant enough but basically forgettable. It's exciting to discover a compilation of eighties dance music made up of mainly unfamiliar songs, but some of these tunes slipped into obscurity for good reason."