Search - Various Artists :: New Wave Gold

Solid Collection For New Wave Fans

Jason W. Bellenger | Byron Center, Michigan, USA | 09/17/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Covering 30 tracks over 2 discs, the 2007 release of 'New Wave: Gold' by Universal/Hip-O does a fair job of covering a random selection of the new wave era. This compilation not only includes material under the Universal divisions but also branches out and licenses music from other record labels, including Capitol and Sony BMG. So what are the results? It's really a mixed bag that works well for a budget type release.



First, my main problem with this collection is the overuse of a number of tracks. On how many other collections do we already have several of these tracks? Soft Cell's 1981/1982 classic "Tainted Love" has to be the most overused 80's track in history on compilations. I must have this song on at least 20 compilations in my own collection. Do I really want it again? NO! Now perhaps if one of these labels would actually branch out and include a more rare edit version of the "Tainted Love"/"Where Did Our Love Go" medley, and not the overused 12" version, then I would be praising this collection since the medley is a personal favorite. I'm tired of hearing this same 7" version on another compilation. It was even on Universal's 2007 release of '80's British: Gold'! I realize that the track still gets a massive amount of radio airplay today, but can we have another Soft Cell track for once?



Toni Basil's classic '81/'82 hit "Mickey" makes another appearance on another 80's collection. I would have praised having it here if we got it in it's original LP version, not the overused U.S. 7" edit that makes every compilation. I have yet to get the original full version on a compilation. The Vapors' "Turning Japanese" again? Blondie's "One Way Or Another", which opens Disc One, suffers the same fate. It is again far overused, whether on new wave compilations or in movies and television. That's not to say it isn't a great song, but how about another Blondie song for once? Maybe something beyond the typical hits.



Disc Two opens with ABC's "Poison Arrow", a personal favorite, yet I'm starting to find that this song is getting it's share of overuse as well. The last four tracks are the worst yet, with back to back overused tracks: Nena's "99 Luftballoons", Men Without Hats' "The Safety Dance", Animotion's "Obsession", and Frankie Goes To Hollywood's "Relax". Like "Tainted Love", I have these on a number of 80's releases as well. I do not want to own them again!



Many of these bands had other hits. Couldn't we for once get "Pop Goes The World" by Men Without Hats? Or, what about "Let Him Go" by Animotion, a #39 hit and follow up to the overused track. Again, that's not to say that these tracks aren't great. I love them.



Another fault of this release is the mixed use of edits and album versions. It seems a bit random. Most of the tracks here are presented in their original album versions, yet once in a while we get a 7" edit throw in there: Flying Lizards' "Money (That's What I Want)", M's "Pop Muzik", and the Toni Basil track, which I had already mentioned above. On the other hand, we get album versions of tracks which are often presented in their edited versions: Romeo Void's "Never Say Never", which is presented in it's clean album cut, and Men Without Hats' "The Safety Dance".



So what's the point of adding this to your collection then? Yes, this release does have a number of pros! Besides the few overused tracks here, a number of them do not find their way on vast number of U.S. collections: Ian Dury And The Blockheads' "Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick", Ultravox's "Slow Motion" (and not "Vienna"!), Bram Tchaikovsky's "Girl Of My Dreams", Grace Jones' "Private Life", The Brains' "Money Changes Everything", Lene Lovich's "New Toy", and The Passions' "I'm In Love With A German Film Star" -- and that's only Disc One. Even The Waitresses' "I Know What Boys Like" is a wonderful addition!



Disc Two includes greats such as Altered Images "I Could Be Happy", Missing Persons' "Walking In L.A." (and not "Words" or "Destination Unknown"), Heaven 17's "Let Me Go", and The Suburbs' "Love Is The Law" -- all of which do not appear on hundreds of U.S. compilations (as far as I know). Plus, we get something else here besides the overused but classic "Everybody Wants To Rule The World" by Tears For Fears. We get "Change"! Even Bow Wow Wow's "I Want Candy" is a welcomed addition, simply because it sounds better here than on any other release in my collection.



The solid to excellent remastering by Ellen Fitton @ Universal Mastering Studios East is the real reason to buy this 2-CD release, in my opinion. While it isn't the best remastering job I've ever heard, it is still a worthwhile upgrade for many of these tracks. Even the overused tracks here sound better here than on some of the other releases, such as Nena's "99 Luftballoons", which finally has a rich bass line and crisp instrumentation. Romeo Void's "Never Say Never" soars as well with it's punchy drums and blaring sax.



The liner notes include a rather brief, yet informative, overview written by Dave Thompson. Photos by a few of the acts in the collection, including Blondie, The Brains, The Suburbs, and Toni Basil are included in addition to publishing credits, licensing details, and album info for each of the songs.



Disc One clocks in at 53 minutes, whereas Disc Two goes a bit longer at 61 minutes. Surely, Universal had more room to branch out with more tracks on this 2-disc collection, probably even extending it out to 40 tracks. That's typical of record companies though, probably due to a budget, so I'll enjoy the 30 tracks presented here and hope we will get a second volume soon. Originally, I was going to give this release 3 stars, yet rare material and good remastering give the release a boost. 'New Wave: Gold' = 4 stars.

"

Money Changes Everything - including my need to own this

Tim Brough | Springfield, PA United States | 12/26/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Holy cow. I have been searching high and low for any of the music by The Brains on CD, and this is the first compilation I've ever found it on. "Money Changes Everything," the song that gave leader Tom Gray a royalty check once Cyndi Lauper popped it up for She's So Unusual, makes its sole appearance on a CD that I know of, and lead me to purchase this set. I can only cross my fingers and hope that eventually, The Brains' two mercury albums eventually find their way to CD or even I-tunes/Amazon MP3 status.



After that, this two disc set is mainly songs you've heard on a bazillion other collections. For a time, this was one of the few places to get any Bram Tchaikovsky, but Strange Man, Changed Man recently has been reissued. Ultravoxx's "Slow Motion" is one of their less frequently issued tracks, and it is always good to hear Ian Dury or The Suburbs. I do, however, agree with the previous reviewer that there are too many over-used bands/songs here, and some lesser heard cuts might have made this a better set (Blondie, Soft Cell, Psych Furs, etc). There is also a good companion CD, Gold: '80s British that makes for a good 80's party comp between the four cd's. But for me, the clincher was The Brains. More please!!"