Search - Various Artists :: Just Say Yes

Great 80's "Modern Rock" Collection

03/16/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

""Just Say Yes," Sire Records' first sampler in the "Just Say..." series, is not the best IN the series. However, it does have some fantastic bands (D-Mode, The Ramones, Echo & the Bunnymen, Aztec Camera), a healthy dose of modern rock nostalgia for anyone who grew up in the Reagan years, and it also spawned a terrific series of discs. And hey, for seven bucks (as of 15 March 99), how can you go wrong?"

Surprisingly Good Music

catlikematt | MD | 09/06/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Picked up this sampler for cheap in a box of cds from an antique auction. To my surprise, when i started listening, the music was amazing. The first song by Depeche Mode goes on for 9 minutes, but somehow it works extremely well. Most songs on this sampler are bearable, and even impressive. Good songs from Echo and the Bunnymen, James, the Smiths, the Ramones, and an out-of-place, funny song by Ice-T. My copy was almost free, but you might pay the full price for this to find some rare gems."

Too good to carry the unfortunate brand of a "sampler"

Pedro Delgado | El Paso, TX United States | 09/17/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"As many out there would undoubtedly agree, most samplers record companies put out are disposable (and quickly become outdated). Their low introductory tag is not even worth the price of admission at times. This particular sampler that Sire records put out in 1987, however, is the exception to the rule. The reason for this might be that Sire records in the late 80's signed some of the finest talent around in 'modern' rock (the Smiths, Depeche Mode, Replacements, Erasure... you get the picture). However, I think the main reason why these samplers work so well is the quality of songs that were included. Instead of including a handful of minor singles and album cuts, plenty of rare cuts, live numbers, and extended mixes are included. Over time, these samplers have evolved from marketing ploys to nice documents of an important era in 'alternative' rock. That can be said of many simplers, which, as I previously mentioned, usually do not age well. I would recommend all the samplers in this series... except for the last one (Volume VII... Just Say Roe). Sire sacrificed the quality of the musical selections in order to push their political agenda. Shame really, especially coming after the release of possibly the finest in the series, Volume VI (Just Say Yesterday). The forgotten gems on that one make it a must. And hey, at this price...what are you waiting for!"