Sire Records was formed in 1966 by record entreprenuers Seymour Stein and Richard Gottehrer. Just as the latter left for other pursuits in 1976, the label teamed with Warner Bros. Records, an association that would last fo... more »r two decades and propel numerous careers. During that time-highlighted herein-Sire became synonymous with groundbreaking music, launching many of the most popular artists of the era. A true believer, Stein's uncompromising passion and willingness to take risks set a new standard for artist development and creative vision in the record world. In tribute after tribute in the notes for this extraordinary box, his knowledge of and devotion to music is cited, as in his nurturing of artists, most of whom became his friends. It resulted in a stunning artistic legacy, as evidenced by 61 stellar audio tracks and 20 videos-the kind that make you testify, "I LOVE that song"-from star acts including Madonna, Ramones, Ice-T, The Pretenders, The Replacements, Depeche Mode, Lou Reed, English Beat, Ministry, Talking Heads, and many more.« less
Sire Records was formed in 1966 by record entreprenuers Seymour Stein and Richard Gottehrer. Just as the latter left for other pursuits in 1976, the label teamed with Warner Bros. Records, an association that would last for two decades and propel numerous careers. During that time-highlighted herein-Sire became synonymous with groundbreaking music, launching many of the most popular artists of the era. A true believer, Stein's uncompromising passion and willingness to take risks set a new standard for artist development and creative vision in the record world. In tribute after tribute in the notes for this extraordinary box, his knowledge of and devotion to music is cited, as in his nurturing of artists, most of whom became his friends. It resulted in a stunning artistic legacy, as evidenced by 61 stellar audio tracks and 20 videos-the kind that make you testify, "I LOVE that song"-from star acts including Madonna, Ramones, Ice-T, The Pretenders, The Replacements, Depeche Mode, Lou Reed, English Beat, Ministry, Talking Heads, and many more.
CD Reviews
A good label overview...
Robert Keith | New York, NY USA | 10/17/2005
(3 out of 5 stars)
"It's a good label overview from a GREAT label. Seymour Stein's taste is exemplary.
It's too bad this box didn't focus on the real glory years from 1976 - 1982. Just about everything that came out on Sire during that time was worth owning. M. Telex, Radio Birdman. Rezillos. Saints. Neighborhoods. Boney M. Flys. Dead Boys. Talking Heads. Ramones. Sire had the most amazing talent and there are still some out of print rarities.
Who is the box marketed for? This box has Sire's biggest hits, which most collectors will have. I would think that Madonna fans typically are not Radio Birdman fans (although I am).
Buy it for a 13 year old music enthusiast who doesn't know anything about the new wave. This is a good place to start."
When punk was new wave + college radio went alternative...
neDDy bumPPo | inVerNeSs, caliForNia, aMeriKa | 09/29/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"...the Sire label was in the forefront, the label one could trust to deliver the goods. Listening to this anthology you'll hear many old friendly tunes by groups who are now forgotten and others that continue on. Like any collection there are favorites missing and other songs included one wished weren't--but that's a norm one expects. There was a time when this music, the stable of Sire signings, wasn't played on top 40 radio, it was usually found lower on the FM dial played by college stations. And never played at "the clubs," I was lucky to live in the San Francisco area where late at night on KSAN it was featured and one could go to a club called X's and pogo the night away. What these three (Sire, Ksan + X's) had in common is Howie Klein + I am thankful to him. "Thank you Howie!" This anthology is gonna be BIG fun, fun, fun."
Fair... but get the "Just Say Yes" series instead
Ivan Smith | Seattle, WA USA | 12/07/2005
(2 out of 5 stars)
"The "Just Say Yes" series, from 1987-1994 provides a better cross-section, and more rarities than this boxset. The series was an annual sampler of the label's artists. This is somewhat akin to a sampler of those samplers..."
Portable Greatness
Katherine McCarthy | Forest Hills, NY United States | 09/28/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I remember when Sire showed up and started signing up every group worth signing up in NYC in the '70's. They did the same in the U.K. And marched on to one-hit wonders worldwide. I, too, own nearly everything they produced from the late '76+. Some are on vinyl, others I replicated on cassettes, some are irreplaceable. I could quibble with what's left out. I view these box sets as portable greatness to take to parties, cruising in the car, on the boat, or anywhere where I can't grab ahold of the original. I invested so much in vinyl & cassettes I can't begin to replicate ALL of it anymore. I'm old and tired. I need something to remind me why I loved the music in the first place, that sends me back to the Closet of Death for my Lps and singles. Seymour Stein did the era proud. I wish more labels showed as much support for original music & let the Billboard Charts be damned! Sire was one of a kind. And if a Madonna (a long shot back in the day when she was a Danceteria regular) or Ramones or Talking Heads sold a few records, great! For each superstar, he signed cult faves like Radio Birdman and the Saints. Somebody had to. He did. Who's doing it today?"
Track Listings (19) - Disc #1