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Review: Jack Foley
VOLUME one of Family Recordings' compilation of some of the biggest
12-inches of the 80s was a huge seller for the label, so it's
little wonder that Volume 2 has been rushed into stores already.
The 3CD cheese-fest is an ok collection of some of the biggest
names of the decade, all designed to appeal to the party crowd,
or those who've previously found themselves caught up in the 80s
revival.
It has its moments but feels a little over-populated by tracks
that haven't aged well and would doubtless muster some embarrassment
if you were to admit to owning them in your record collection.
For those who want to indulge in some more fun (especially if
you rushed out and bought the first collection) there are some
classics to savour.
INXS' timeless I Need You Tonight is delivered in the
Liebrand remix, while Frankie Goes To Hollywood's emotive Two
Tribes gets a suitably apt Annihilation Remix.
Duran Duran, of course, crop up with The Reflex, which
is one of those rare 80s tracks that can sound retro without being
too constrained, while Julian Cope's lively Trampoline
is one to really test the memory cells (as well as a great track).
Some of the material is instantly disposable and merely serves
to highlight the 80s for the creatively sterile decade that it
mostly was.
But for those in search of an alternative party album to bop
along to this summer, or anyone who believes Adam Sandler's The
Wedding Singer is one of the greatest movies of all time, this
should provide plenty to enjoy getting nostalgic with.
A guilty pleasure to be opened with caution.
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