New Thing (Deep Jazz From The USA 1970-1980) - Various Artists

Advantages: Some good tracks
Disadvantages: Some awful tracks, probably too diverse for all tracks to appeal to one person, many of the songs are slow

...of the album’s producers. Because I find track-by-track reviews are often rather dull (certainly when I write them!), I decided to review this one by artiste – so here goes… DOLLAR Dollar was a very successful duo in the 1980s. With pretty blonde Thereze Bazaar and, erm, pretty blonde David Van Day, they were perfect poster fodder for teenagers. With hits like Mirror Mirror and Oh L’Amour, they epitomised the big hair and cheesy grins of 1980s pop. David Van Day resurfaced a few years ago, desperately trying to claw back some fame and money. After a strange time of trying to be part of Bucks Fizz, he famously ended up selling from a van on a cold British seafront. Some of us were rather pleased to see the arrogance knocked out of him, but Reborn in the USA was another chance of success and all his old self... Read review

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Advantages: Even Springsteen below his best outdoes most of the competition
Disadvantages: Not up to the standards his fans have come to expect

...It is often said that Bruce Springsteen is an artist who has never released a bad album and while this is true, the closest he has come is almost certainly this and the simultaneously released Lucky Town which, despite being hits, were disappointing to many of The Boss`s fans. Like Born In The USA, Human Touch goes for a radio-friendly and overly commercial rock feel which does away with much of the more personal, meaningful, story-telling lyrical style which Sprigsteen made his trademark on earlier releases. It`s not bad and by no means a total sell-out, but there`s nothing there to really get to you in the way that standout tracks on Born To Run, The River or even Born In The USA could, although the title track is a rousing number. With the high standards set by his previous releases this must be considered a poor effort... Read review

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Advantages: Collection of classy pop
Disadvantages: Either you like Eighties revival or you don't

...This compilation from Blondie covers the gamut of their greatest hits from the early punk-pop days to disco/pop in the mid1980's. Lasting from 1975-82, Blondie comprised Debbie Harry on vocals, Chris Stein, guitar and vocals, Frank Infante, guitar, Clem Burke drums, Nigel Harris on bass and Jimmy Destry on keyboards. They were recently inducted into the USA Hall of Fame, but don't let that put you off. ~~ Backtracking Their best known albums are Parallel Lines (1978), from which the tracks Picture This, Sunday Girl and Heart of Glass are taken, and 'Eat to the Beat', from 1979, with Dreaming and Atomic. During the mid to late 1980's, their singles experimented more with different styles, such as cross over rap. Debbie Harry's inspirational look, a mix of glamour and defiance and their outstanding music definitely influenced... Read review

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