Stories of Johnny
Artist: Marc Almond & the Willing Sinners

Making his first label jump since signing to Mercury in the early Soft Cell days, Stories continues the drive towards a brighter commercial sound, with Hedges once again producing and the Sinners line-up in perfect sync and well-versed in everything from lush Euro-disco to nightclub jazz and smouldering ballads (add some extra credit for the... Read More

Texas Fever - JAPAN BONUS TRACKS
Artist: Orange Juice

Released in March 1984, the delicate structures and melodic avenues explored in Texas Fever contrast the volatility of the recording sessions which produced it, with reggae producer Dennis Bovell attempting to keep the peace between the entrenched factions. The rhythm section wanted to become progressively funkier (following the success of "Rip... Read More

The Secret of Association
Artist: Paul Young

In 1984, Paul Young scored a couple of medium-sized U.S. hits with "Come Back and Stay" and "Love of the Common People" from his album No Parlez. In 1985, however, with his stellar album The Secret of Association, the British singer gained his highest level of commercial success with several hit singles, most notable his chart-topping cover of... Read More

Points on the Curve
Artist: Wang Chung
Community Score: 6.00

If Japan's Tin Drum album of 1981 sought to redefine the similarities between Oriental melodic structure and Occidental music, then Wang Chung's Points on the Curve pushed the boundaries further toward the mainstream ("Even If You Dream," "Don't Be My Enemy"). It is baffling, then, that such an album should prove a more substantial hit in the... Read More

Lament
Artist: Ultravox
Community Score: 9.50

Containing arguably their best work of the '80s, Lament showcases a band with confidence to match their commercial status (it was the first of their albums to be self-produced). The electro-synth workout "Dancing With Tears in My Eyes" actually works quite well, and is their best single since the epochal (for good and bad reasons) "Vienna."... Read More

Should Have Been Greatest Hits
Artist: The Tourists

A best-of released in the wake of Eurythmics's success, and therefore emphasizing Stewart and Lennox's contributions over Coombes's. Nevertheless, it's a well-chosen selection and includes four of their five UK hits, among them their sole US chart entry, a terrific remake of Dusty Springfield's "I Only Want to Be with You." ~ William Ruhlmann,... Read More

Here's to Future Days
Artist: Thompson Twins
Community Score: 8.00
Into the Gap
Artist: Thompson Twins
Community Score: 8.12

Thompson Twins' atmospheric and moody 1984 album Into the Gap was their commercial breakthrough in the United States, and remains a classic as far as '80s new wave pop is concerned. Nearly every song on this set differed from the others, with each track taking the listener on a different musical journey. The song that cemented Thompson Twins as... Read More

The Singles Collection
Artist: Spandau Ballet

An excellent round-up of the 15 hit singles that, between late 1980 and fall 1984, saw Spandau Ballet transcend every prediction ever levelled at their music, and establish themselves among the most versatile British bands of their era. From the utterly convincing white boy Funk of the early "To Cut A Long Story Short", "The Freeze",... Read More

99 Luftballons
Artist: Nena
Community Score: 9.33

The well-known title track is included here twice (in English and German versions), and the rest of the album, also split down the middle between English and German lyrics, is rounded out by lightweight new wave pop confections like "?" and "Hangin' on You." Although the record's dated production is clearly a souvenir of the early '80s, Nena's... Read More

Rio
Artist: Duran Duran
Community Score: 9.22

From its Nagel cover to the haircuts and overall design - and first and foremost the music -Rio is as representative of the eighties as it gets, at its best. The original Duran Duran's high point, and just as likely the band's as a whole, its fusion of style and substance ensures that even two decades after its release it remains as listenable... Read More

Duran Duran - FIRST
Artist: Duran Duran
Community Score: 8.12

Duran Duran's eponymous debut artfully coalesced the sonic and stylistic elements of the burgeoning new romantic movement they were soon to spearhead: pumping synths, glossy production, and seemingly impossible haircuts. Ultra-smart singles like "Girls on Film" and "Planet Earth" became instant smash hits both in the U.K. and America, and other... Read More

Count Three and Pray
Artist: Berlin
Community Score: 9.43

A major change of direction for Berlin, Count Three and Pray was an artistic triumph but a commercial disappointment. After making a name for itself playing very European-sounding synth pop, the L.A. trio recruited producer Bob Ezrin (known for his work with Alice Cooper and others) and unveiled a more hard-edged, guitar-oriented sound. From the... Read More

The Singles 1981-1985
Artist: Soft Cell

The original and still the best single-disc Soft Cell compilation (at least up through the band's long-awaited reactivation in 2001), The Singles 1981-1985 is just what it says it is, and what a collection it is. Along with other genre- and era-defining compilations such as Depeche Mode's similarly titled singles disc and Visage's best-of, The... Read More