Fantastic 80's Vol.2, The - Various Artists

FANTASTIC 80'S 2

Since I remember quite a bit of this 80's music growing up with it I wanted to review this double CD album.
This is probably the best out of the three of them and has songs on it most of you will remember. The CD's cover a wide range of this 80's music and is highly enjoyable (if you liked the music that is !!)
Both disks have hits from them that reached number one in the charts at the time and bring ...
...the best of all three Fantastic 80's albums and has all well known songs apart from a few that I have mentioned in my listing.
There is only so much I can say about this album as it is only a CD, so the only advice I can give is that if you liked the 80's music and remember it well then please give this album a shot and it will not disappoint.
  ... more

FANTASTIC 80'S 2

Since I remember quite a bit of this 80's music growing up with it I wanted to review this double CD album.
This is probably the best out of the three of them and has songs on it most of you will remember. The CD's cover a wide range of this 80's music and is highly enjoyable (if you liked the music that is !!)
Both disks have hits from them that reached number one in the charts at the time and bring back good memories from my schooldays.

The first disk contains :

1. Club Tropicana by WHAM - This single was released in 1983 just as the band was taking off and this was probably one of their biggest hits that made them, this had a bright colourful music video for the time.

2. The sun always shines on TV - A-HA - This single was released in 1985 and was a big hit for this band and probably their most profitable. This was a really good song and was a hit at all the disko's

3. The wild boys - DURAN DURAN - My favourite groups single was released in 1984 just as the boys were making a name for theirselfs in the pop charts. This was a very upbeat track and had a great video to it. This was released on their live Arena album recorded around the world in 1984

4. There must be an angel playing with my heart - EURYTHMICS - This was my favourite song by this band, this was released in 1984 and I believe the bands best ever song

5. Everybody wants to rule the world - TEARS FOR FEARS - Another upbeat song that had everybody dancing at the disko's. Released in 1985 this was the bands best known song.

6. The only way is up - YAZZ AND THE PLASTIC POPULATION - I remember this song well as I had the album, this was released and soon became number one in 1988. It had a very catchy tune and it was such a shame the band only had a couple of hits then sort of disappeared.

7. She drives me crazy - FINE YOUNG CANNIBALS - Another 1988 release was very popular at the time and has a very catchy tune that you will probably hum for ages after hearing it. Great song.

8. Venus - BANANARAMA - This group had lots of hits in the 80's but everybody remembers this song, I didn't think it was their greatest but it done very well in the charts and another good dancing track.

9. Nineteen - PAUL HARDCASTLE - Another I remember very well, this song is all about the Vietnam war and the life expectancy of the average soldier. This was number one for weeks in 1985

10. Pump up the volume - MARS - This was released in 1987 and I think was a one hit wonder for this band. Not one of my favourites

11. I should be so lucky - KYLIE MINOGUE - Kylie's first hit that also was number one for about a month, she released this in 1987 and has never looked back. She has changed her image over the years but if it had not been for this song we might have never heard from her again. Well done Kylie.

12. When will I be famous - BROS - The popular group released this number one hit in 1987 and one of their best known songs. The group were very good at the time before the split.

13. Showing out - MEL AND KIM - It was such a shame that they only had two hits together before Mel passed away. Both sisters done really well with this song and the video. This was a great hit in 1986.

14. Relax - FRANKIE GOES TO HOLLYWOOD - This was the bands first biggest and number one hit, released in 1983 it was well known around the world and had huge merchandise as well. Great upbeat song.

15. Sometimes - ERASURE - This was released in 1986 and one of the best songs from the group.

16. Perfect - FAIRGROUND ATTRACTION - This was released in 1988 and a mixture between a slow paced and upbeat rythum. It did become number one but not one of my favourites.

17. Church of the poison mind - CULTURE CLUB - A great hit from Boy George and the band in 1983, a great tune and colourful video I can't really believe it's been that long !!

18. I don't want to be a hero - JOHNNY HATES JAZZ - Can't really give you much on this one as I can't remember it that well, but listning to it sounds like a slowish song with good lyrics.

19. The safely dance - MEN WITHOUT HATS - An upbeat song from this group who only had a few hits then seemed to disappear, they were very good at the time. This was released in 1983.

20. I eat cannibals - TOTO COELO - A one hit wonder by this group, a very good fast paced song though and highly different, had some great and unusual lyrics.

The second disk contains :

1. Love action (I believe in love) - THE HUMAN LEAGUE - A catchy mixed rythum song which was very good for the band and worked well at the time. They had quite a few hits and this was the one of theirs that I remember the most. Released in 1981.
2. New song - HOWARD JONES - probably the worst track on the entire album, a one hit wonder again but god knows how !! released in 1983.

3. Nothing's gonna stop us now - STARSHIP- This was a slow paced hit from this band who had a few hits but were good at the time. Released in 1985.

4. Take my breath away-BERLIN- A slow song and very good lyrics, the radios still play this song today. Released in 1986.

5. Wonderful life - BLACK - Another mixed slow and fast paced song, this was also another great hit for the time with great lyrics and deserved to be at the top of the charts.

6. Gold - SPANDAU BALLET - Apart from Duran Duran's song I think for me this is the best song on the entire album. A very heartfelt thought out song with the best lyrics anybody could think of. Was a massive hit in 1983.

7. Love on your side - THOMPSON TWINS - A good band at the time with their best hit well known for an upbeat feeling.

8. Loco in Acapulco - FOUR TOPS - This was famous from the film soundtrack "Buster" at the time. Was a good song but did get on your nerves when hearing it on the radio and TV all of the time. Released in 1988.

9. Come back and stay - PAUL YOUNG - Another well paced hit for this talented singer, was probably his best ever. Released in 1983.

10. Love and pride - KING - A fast paced song for this group and a huge hit in 1984. They never had that many top ten hits but this was no doubt their best ever.

11. Somewhere in my heart - AZTEC CAMERA - This was one of the bands best remembered singles. Released in 1987.

12. The story of the blues (part 1)-THE MIGHY WAH ! - I cannot give you much information on this band as I didn't know them that well but have been informed they were very big at the time. RFeleased in 1982.

13. Feels like heaven - FICTION FACTORY - One hit wonder in 1983 for this band.

14. Echo beach - MARTHA AND THE MUFFINS - a very good upbeat song in 1980 and a shame the band never stayed around for a few more hits.

15. The final countdown - EUROPE - A very well know song for 1986 and still known now. Another mixture of fast and slow lyrics and has a good beat to it too.

16. System Addict - FIVE STAR - I remember this band well, they had a number of hits and this was their first. They released this very fast paced song in 1985 with a Michael Jackson style of the time. Very good.

17. Antmusic - ADAM AND THE ANTS - Marvelous song to this very well known group who seemed to be about for ages. Was number one as I think were all of the rest of them. Great stuff. Released in 1980.

18. The land of make believe - BUCKS FIZZ - After their eurovision win they released a few more and I think this was the next one after Making your mind up. It was a hit but the group never really lasted that long. Released in 1981.

19. Japanese boy - ANEKA - A fast paced song which was I think a one hit wonder for this group. Please tell me if I am wrong. Released in 1981.

20. Video killed the radio star - THE BUGGLES-A song from 1979 that no matter how old you are you have heard this one. A massive hit and rightly so.

All in all I have found these disks great value for money and bring back a lot of memories. This is no doubt the best of all three Fantastic 80's albums and has all well known songs apart from a few that I have mentioned in my listing.
There is only so much I can say about this album as it is only a CD, so the only advice I can give is that if you liked the 80's music and remember it well then please give this album a shot and it will not disappoint.
 

...less