Various Artists - I Want My 80's Box

Released more or less in conjunction with MTV's 20th anniversary in 2001, this triple gatefold sleeve set (not a box as the title implies), with an appropriately gaudy 27-page book, delivers 42 typical examples of songs associated with the music channel in its fledgling years. With 35 Top Ten tracks, ten of which topped the charts, there's no shortage of video as well as radio memories incorporated into these three loosely chronologically arranged discs. Like many Hip-O releases, this favors music already owned by the Universal conglomerate. As such, some early MTV staples like Men at Work, Cyndi Lauper, and especially Duran Duran are MIA. Although their omission doesn't make this a substantially weaker set to the casual fan, more zealous listeners might notice the gaps. Covering the years from the network's sign-on during the afternoon of August 1, 1981 (with the Buggles' now classic "Video Killed the Radio Star"), until 1986, the collection gravitates to the slicker pop/new wave/r&b end of the scale, sacrificing edgier acts like the Clash, Stray Cats, and Prince, who were just as important to its early growth. Overall, the track list speaks for itself. The discs max out time-wise at a relatively conservative hour each, sticking firmly to a self-imposed 14-track limit, leaving at least 45 minutes of unused time across the triple album. Although the songs are sequenced to best blend into each other (synth pop standbys Eurythmics, a-ha, Frankie Goes to Hollywood, and the Fixx are positioned together on disc two), the mood sometimes wildly shifts direction. Disc three includes Suzanne Vega's plaintive, folksy "Luka," Yello's jittery high-tech "Oh Yeah," and Tiffany's brittle, ear-wincing version of "I Think We're Alone Now." Aside from sentimental value, it's difficult to imagine anyone would want to hear all three within the same 15-minute time span. But, nostalgia is what this is all about. Ultimately, this is a representative enough sampling bound to elicit knowing grins and fond memories at your next '80s party from now-aging boomers who remember the good ol' days when MTV actually aired videos. It'll jolt them back to the time these songs ruled the cable waves, for better or worse creating an indelible mark on their musical upbringing. ~ Hal Horowitz, All Music Guide

Name Credits a-ha Producer ABC Performer Alan Winstanley Producer Alex Sadkin Producer André Cymone Producer Bernard Edwards Producer Big Country Performer Blondie Performer Bob Clearmountain Producer Bobby Brown Performer Bryan Adams Performer Buggles Performer Chris de Burgh Performer Chris Hughes Producer Chris Stein Producer Clive Langer Producer Culture Club Performer Dana Smart Producer Daniel Lanois Producer Daniel Miller Producer Danny Elfman Producer David Kershenbaum Producer David L. Stewart Producer David Z. Producer Dazz Band Performer Deodato Producer Elliott Federman Mastering Elvis Costello Producer Eurythmics Performer Fine Young Cannibals Producer Frankie Goes to Hollywood Performer Gene Griffin Producer Geoff Workman Producer Geoffrey Downes Producer George Tobin Producer Greg Mathieson Producer Jody Watley Performer Joe Jackson Producer Joe Perry Performer John Avila Producer John Boylan Producer John Ratcliff Producer John Waite Performer Keith Olsen Producer Kevin Flaherty Liner Notes Kevin Rowland Producer Kool & the Gang Performer Lenny Kaye Producer Lonnie Simmons Producer Mike "Clay" Stone Producer Mike Ragogna Producer, Compilation Producer Neil Giraldo Producer Night Ranger Performer Oingo Boingo Performer Pat Benatar Performer Pat Glasser Producer Pat Lawrence Producer Paul Hardiman Producer Peter Coleman Producer Quarterflash Performer Reggie Andrews Producer Rhonda Shields Producer Rick Rubin Producer Roger Bechirian Producer Rupert Hine Producer Russ Titelman Producer Russell Simmons Producer Soft Cell Performer Steve Addabbo Producer Steve Bartek Producer Steve Levine Producer Steve Lillywhite Producer Steve Winwood Producer Steven Tyler Performer Suzanne Vega Performer Tears for Fears Performer The Fixx Performer The Motels Performer Thompson Twins Performer Tom Bailey Producer Tommy Tutone Performer Toni Basil Performer Trevor Horn Producer Trevor Veitch Producer Val Garay Producer Wang Chung Performer Whitesnake Performer Yello Producer