#1 Record/Radio City
Artist: Big Star
Community Score: 8.00

A two-fer combining Big Star's first and second albums, #1 Record/Radio City remains a definitive document of early-'70s American power pop and a virtual blueprint for much of the finest alternative rock that came after it. The lone Big Star record to merit the full participation of founder Chris Bell, the brightly produced #1 Record splits the... Read More

The Best of Tracey Ullman - RHINO
Artist: Tracey Ullman

Long before the variety show, HBO specials, or successful standup career, there was Tracey Ullman, the singer. And while her releases were scarce and garnered little attention in the U.S., she was met with moderate success elsewhere. This Rhino collection compiles every last notable thing she committed to tape, including the hit "They Don't... Read More

Popular Favorites 1976-1992: Sand in the Vaseline
Artist: Talking Heads
Community Score: 9.25

Featuring material from every Talking Heads album except the live The Name of This Band Is Talking Heads, Sand in the Vaseline is a terrific double-disc retrospective of the band's long and varied career. Featuring all of their hit singles and trademark songs ("Psycho Killer," "Take Me to the River," "Burning Down the House," "And She Was,"... Read More

Singles 45's and Under
Artist: Squeeze
Community Score: 8.00

Above all, Squeeze were a great singles act -- among the finest of the era -- and Singles 45's and Under offers proof of that fact, giving a chronological survey of their biggest hits from their early, pre-breakup period. Most of the songs can be found on the actual albums, aside from the slightly different single version of "Goodbye Girl" and... Read More

From Time to Time: The Singles Collection
Artist: Paul Young
Community Score: 1.00

Paul Young's retrospective From Time to Time: The Singles Collection brings together all his major U.S. and European hits from the 1980s and early 1990s. Some of these, including his only U.S. number one "Every Time You Go Away," were remixed when released as singles and to radio -- this collection intelligently includes those versions. Young's... Read More

Talking Heads: 77
Artist: Talking Heads
Community Score: 7.89

Though they were the most highly touted new wave band to emerge from the CBGB's scene in New York, it was not clear at first whether Talking Heads' Lower East Side art rock approach could make the subway ride to the midtown pop mainstream successfully. The leadoff track of the debut album, Talking Heads: 77, "Uh-Oh, Love Comes to Town," was a... Read More

Fool Around: The Best of Rachel Sweet
Artist: Rachel Sweet

Fool Around: The Best of Rachel Sweet compiles the finest moments of the singer's career with the first album represented in its entirety (including the U.S. version additions), the rare "I'll Watch the News" and "Be Stiff" from Stiff Records samplers, a couple each from her two lesser albums, and the title track from the Hairspray soundtrack. A... Read More

The Singles Collection
Artist: The Specials
Community Score: 4.00

All of the essential singles from the Specials' three albums are present on this 15-track collection. Not only the perfect starting point for the curious, the inclusion of B-sides and rarities, like an inspired cover of Dylan's "Maggie's Farm," makes this essential for fans. ~ Chris Woodstra, All Music Guide Read More

Outlandos d'Amour
Artist: The Police
Community Score: 8.38

While their subsequent chart-topping albums would contain far more ambitious songwriting and musicianship, the Police's 1978 debut, Outlandos d'Amour (translation: Outlaws of Love) is by far their most direct and straightforward release. Although Sting, Andy Summers, and Stewart Copeland were all superb instrumentalists with jazz... Read More

Cargo
Artist: Men at Work
Community Score: 9.50

Cargo was bashed out fairly quickly, but its release was delayed because of the success of Men at Work's debut, Business as Usual. Though it was recorded on the road, Cargo is considerably more diverse -- but not necessarily more ambitious -- than its predecessor. Again, the album is anchored by two extraordinary singles. Fortunately, the... Read More

Business as Usual
Artist: Men at Work
Community Score: 7.50

Business as Usual became a surprise international hit on the basis of "Who Can It Be Now?" and "Down Under," two excellent singles that merged straight-ahead pop/rock hooks with a quirky new wave production and an offbeat sense of humor. Colin Hay's keening vocals uncannily recall Sting, and the band's rhythmic pulse and phased guitars also... Read More

Reach the Beach
Artist: The Fixx
Community Score: 7.54

Reach the Beach is a significant step forward from the Fixx's debut album, Shuttered Room, simply because the band can now craft immediately accessible, incessantly catchy pop/rock melodies. "One Thing Leads to Another" has a big, ringing guitar hook hammered home by the dance beat, while "Saved by Zero" and "The Sign of Fire" are cool, robotic... Read More

Greatest Hits
Artist: Eurythmics
Community Score: 6.13

It may have taken them a little while to get going, but when the Eurythmics hit their stride with their second album Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This), they began a hit streak that defined them as one of the most commercially successful and musically satisfying new wave bands of the '80s. For six years, the group was reliable, turning out at least... Read More

Antics in the Forbidden Zone
Artist: Adam & the Ants

A companion to the album of the same name. These groundbreaking videos, while primitive by today's s, were as important to this band's success as was the music. Several of the clips westandardre conceived and directed by Adam Ant himself. ~ Chris Woodstra, All Music Guide Read More