Search - Various Artists :: I Want My 80's Box (Dig)

Overpriced overview

Pat Kelly | Here, There & Everywhere | 07/20/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Goodness knows there are enough 80's compilation CD's out there, and many cover exactly the same territory. ROLE CALL! Culture Club, present. Blondie, present. Tears For Fears, present. Michael Jackson, absent. Soft Cell, present. Duran Duran, absent. Eurythmics, present. Frankie Goes to Hollywood, present. Cyndi Lauper, absent. Thomas Dolby, absent. Peter Gabriel, present. Madonna, absent. Kool & the Gang, present. Bryan Adams, present. New Kids on the Block, absent, but who cares? Not a bad turn out.Given that there's under 50 tracks, there's a pretty good representation of the hits of the day, and even a few misses (Tempted, Oh Yeah, Weird Science) that have aged better than several high charted songs. If somehow, by this point in your life, you've avoided buying these tracks separately, this is a good way to get them together for your next retro party. But you probably already have more than half of them or you wouldn't be reading this far. As such this may be more than you want to spend. Check out Rhino's New Wave Dance Hits (Just Can't Get Enough) series for a lot more depth and a lot less repetition with your current collection.Wonder who'll be included on the first 3-CD review of this decade..."

Essential

M. Montgomery | 09/16/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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.



Fidelity is outstanding, the tracks are well organized more or less chronologically, and the sequences in which tracks are placed is excellent. The "box" itself in which the 3 CDs come is sturdy, it is easily folded out in part or in whole to access any of the CDs quickly and easily (unlike many multi-CD offerings). Liner notes are extensive and interesting.



This offering is a class act all the way. Highly, highly recommended. 7 stars."

Pop-fluff "New Wave" masterpiece

R. Gorham | 07/25/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Nice remastered box set if you liked the FM-lite "pop" oriented material to come out in the 80's feel good, big hair & dress-up decade (Adam Sandler would get off on this boxed set). I think this boxed-set would be better named with "New Wave" somewhere in the title (for that's where 95% of the songs fall). I grew up in the 70's and 80's so I know each of these songs - some still by heart. The only draw back is that so many of these songs are all the same "New Wave" flavor. Where's the rock, hard rock and metal? Where's the true new wave of the Pyschadelic Furs ("Pretty In Pink") or anything by the Flock Of Seagulls? While this box set does contain a several choice cuts by A-Ha, The Motels, Asia, Big Country and The Fixx; it's missing a ton of talented bands with top rated songs. Would have been nice to hear something from: Aerosmith ("Janie's Got A Gun"), Def Leppard ("Photograph"), AC/DC ("You Shook Me All Nite Long"), Van Halen ("I'll Wait" or "Jump"), Rush ("Tom Sawyer", or "Spirit Of The Radio"), Scorpions ("No One Like You"), or even Jethro Tull's farce of a grammy song "Farm On The Freeway" (from Crest Of A Knave). Not to mention a few well known pop outfits didn't even get a look - like Foreigner, Toto, Elvis Costello, Bruce Springsteen, Genesis, or The Police. All in all, a great collection of "New Wave" hits, but not varied enough for me... I realize on these box sets - you can't please everyone. Maybe this box set song list was created by a female - most of these songs appeal to my wife. Also - way over-priced."