Various Artists - '80s Gold

Beneath the flourish, extravagance, and pretension that saturated the pop charts during the '80s lay a culture rich in innovation that brought about the rise of truly groundbreaking music and an indomitable spirit of independence, not to mention nationwide networks that fostered originality and valued substance over style. That side of things is nowhere documented in '80s Gold. However, there was such an overabundance of highly polished, catchy tunes in such a wide variety of genres that it's nearly impossible to document it all (though there have been more than enough earnest attempts) without leaving a sense of exhaustion. This two-disc, 33-song collection represents some of the best of the best of the decade, as every single song on here was a number one Billboard Hot 100 chart hit at one point or another. And to its credit, Universal presents a wide scope of sounds and styles here. Case in point: where else can one find Blondie sitting right next to Christopher Cross' smooth "Sailing" anthem next to Diana Ross next to Rick Springfield and have it all make sense? There is literally something for everyone here, from new wave to new jack, and while it's easy to point out all of the obvious omissions, the quality control is so high that it's quite easy to forget about what's missing and simply enjoy what's here. Most fans of '80s music will already have most of these tunes on other compilations, but those looking for an awesome starting reference point will find that '80s Gold is an excellent edition to any pop collection. ~ Rob Theakston, All Music Guide

Name Credits a-ha Performer Aaron Rapoport Photography Alan Tarney Producer Alan Winstanley Producer Andrea Laubach Photography Andy Cox Producer Barry Schultz Photography Belinda Carlisle Performer Bernard Edwards Conductor, Arranger, Producer Bobby Brown Performer Chris E. Thomas Producer Chris Hughes Producer Chris Walter Photography Christopher Cross Performer Clive Langer Producer Dana Smart Compilation Producer Daryl Hall Producer, Performer David Steele Producer Deodato Producer Diana Ross Performer Douglas Kirkland Photography Frank Sullivan Producer Gavin Lurssen Mastering Gene Griffin Producer Gene Page Arranger George Tobin Producer Giorgio Moroder Producer Glenn A. Baker Photography Harold Faltermeyer Producer Heart Performer J. Geils Band Performer James Anthony Carmichael Producer Jim Peterik Producer Jimmy Jam Producer Joe Cocker Performer John Bellissimo Photography John Oates Producer, Performer Kees Tabak Photography Keith Forsey Producer Keith Olsen Producer Lewis A. Martineé Producer, Arranger Lewis Ziolek Photography Lionel Richie Performer, Producer Michael Omartian Producer Michael Putland Photography Michael Sembello Producer Michele Horie Production Coordination Neil Kernon Producer Nile Rodgers Arranger, Conductor, Producer Oliver Leiber Producer Pat Lawrence Compilation Producer Paul Rider Photography Paul Slattery Photography Paula Abdul Performer Rick Nowels Producer Rick Springfield Performer Robert John "Mutt" Lange Producer Robert Palmer Performer Roland Gift Producer Ron Nevison Producer Ross Marino Photography Russ Titelman Producer Ryan Null Photo Coordination Sara Cody Liner Notes Seth Justman Producer Steve Winwood Performer, Producer Stewart Levine Producer Survivor Performer Tears for Fears Performer Terry Britten Producer Terry Donovan Photography Terry Lewis Producer Tiffany Performer Tina Turner Performer Todd Gray Photography Tom Scholtz Producer Ute Friesleben Production Coordination Val Garay Producer Vartan Art Direction Walter "Lil' Walt" McBride Photography Youri Lenquette Photography