School Reunion - The Party - Various Artists

I don't normally buy these School Reunion type albums because typically you get one or two excellent tracks, another couple of decent tracks and the rest are average at best. When my mother-in-law bought me this for Christmas I was initially sceptical for the reasons above, but boy what a shock I had when I actually listened to this. Yes there are the normal dodgy tracks, yes there are some decidedly average tracks, but the number of brilliant tracks ...
...it being played at the school disco, or indeed at any other time. Instantly forgettable.


Genesis - That's All

Genesis were definitely on the wain when this was released, and this track is symbolic with their decline. Once again, another forgettable track.


Culture Club - Do you really wan't to hurt me?

Boy George probably did more for make-up sales than any adverts ever could. ... more

I don't normally buy these School Reunion type albums because typically you get one or two excellent tracks, another couple of decent tracks and the rest are average at best. When my mother-in-law bought me this for Christmas I was initially sceptical for the reasons above, but boy what a shock I had when I actually listened to this. Yes there are the normal dodgy tracks, yes there are some decidedly average tracks, but the number of brilliant tracks far outweigh these. If you grew up in the 80s, or just like 80s music this is a must for your collection.

As I said above, I received this as a present and therefore do not know how much it cost. However, I have seen it in HMV for £11.99 which for a triple album is tremendous value for money.

That's right, a triple album with 62 tracks, for under twelve pounds, with only a small number of tracks which can be described as disappointing. My assessment of each of the tracks is detailed below.

DISC 1

Queen - Don't stop me now

This isn't the greatest Queen track, or indeed their most up-tempo number, but nonetheless it is a great track to start the album off and get you into the party mood. Don't stop me now, I'm having such a good time writing this review.

Frankie Goes to Hollywood - Relax

Would Frankie ever have made it if it wasn't for the BBC banning the record from the airwaves, and banning them from Top of the Pops, given the risque lyrics, and homesexual sex undertones. Who knows. This is however still a classic which rekindles memories of the sixth form disco for me. One of many classic tracks from the Welcome to the Pleasuredome album.

Wham ! - Bad Boys

One of Wham's early hits, which was instrumental in catapulting George Michael to international fame. Another classic from a classic generation.

Buggles - Video Killed the Radio Star

A difficult group to describe, a sort of retro pop type of music. This, fortunately, was their only hit, although their claim to fame with this was that it was the first record ever played on the Multi Coloured Swap Shop. Not my favourite track by any stretch of the imagination but has stood the test of time over getting on for thirty years.

Phil Collins - You Can't Hurry Love

The former Genesis drummer turned solo artist. This was his first solo hit and once again had a strong synthesiser pop type influence.

Dexy's Midnight Runners - Come on Eileen

An all time classic, even if Kevin Rowlands dress sense left a lot to be desired. Everybody of a certain age must have lost count of the number of times they have stamped their feet to this one.

Madness - My Girl

One of the Nutty Boys better numbers. My girls mad at me, been on the telephone for an hour. Ah the memories keep flooding back.

Tenpole Tudor - Swords of a Thousand Men

Another classic, and unbelieveably, another one hit wonder.

Blondie - Call Me

Not the greatest Blondie number, but quite a sharp, female punk type effort.

Gibson Brothers - Que Sera Mi Vida (If you Should Go)

Bit of a disaster of a song, with its very luvvy duvvy lyrics, but at the time it seemed to work. However, best to fast forward past this track.

David Bowie - Modern Love

Bowie had a bit of a renaissance period during the early 1980's, which songs such as this and China Girl brought about. Another very good song.

The Human League - Mirror Man

It was always going to be hard for Phil Oakey and the girls to follow up Don't you want me, which you'll all recognise from the car adverts, but this wasn't a bad effort nonetheless. Similar sort of poppy feel to their debut hit.

Heaven 17 - Temptation

Never really created an identity for themselves, with much of their music being very similar to that of the Human Leage, and much of their image being similar to that of the rest of the New Romantic era. An OK track, but nothing more than that.

Soft Cell - Tainted Love

Another all time classic, with Marc Almond providing his unique style of voice to it. Still a floor filler to this day.

Imagination - Just an Illusion

A bit of a slow, smoochy type number, which twenty plus years ago was great !! However, not quite got the same appeal now.

Tight Fit - The Lion Sleeps Tonight

Yet another one hit wonder, which is probably more memorable for the video than for the song. The song is more remembered for the high pitched warbling at the start, which sounded nothing like the jungle which it was supposed to. All in all not a bad song, but there are far better ones on here.

Shakin Stevens - You Drive Me Crazy

What can I say about the Welsh Elvis aka Michael Barratt? Not a patch on his earlier hits such as Green Door or This 'Ole House, or indeed later numbers like Lipstick, Powder and Paint, but not a bad number. Although he tried to look and sound like Elvis, he failed miserably.

Paul McCartney - Coming Up

Although this tracK originally charted at number 2, I certainly do not remember it being played at the school disco, or indeed at any other time. Instantly forgettable.

Genesis - That's All

Genesis were definitely on the wain when this was released, and this track is symbolic with their decline. Once again, another forgettable track.

Culture Club - Do you really wan't to hurt me?

Boy George probably did more for make-up sales than any adverts ever could. I remember when Culture Club first appeared on Top of the Pops and me and my sister spent the whole of the night trying to decipher whether it was a man or a woman and ended up having a little wager. I was convinced he was a woman, while my sister was convinced he was a man. I'm not telling you which one of us won the bet !!. Having said that though, this is an all time classic track, which you can't have failed to hear, especially if you have seen the film "The Wedding Singer".

Roxy Music - Dance Away

One of Bryan Ferry's better numbers, only surpassed in my opinion by Jealous Guy, his tribute to John Lennon. Bryan had his own unique type of voice, which had quite a pop / synthesiser feel to it.

Yazoo - Only You

This song was butchered by the Flying Pickets, but Alison Moyet's and Vince Clarkes (Erasure) version is far superior. Once again, another pop / synthesiser type track.

DISC 2

Irene Cara - Fame

The soundtrack from the programme which had the whole of the UK enthralled, and made an overnight star of Leroy. God, who thought wearing leg warmers would catch on and look sexy. They were awful, pretty much like this track.

DeBarge - Rhythm of the Night

Yet another one hit wonder, it's surprising this album wasn't entitled one -hit wonders!!. Yet another poppy type number, but this time there is much more of a soul influence over the lyrics and melodies. Not a bad little number.

Laura Branigan - Gloria

A bit of a rock chick type anthem, I think Laura tried to model herself a bit on Chrissie Hynde of Pretenders fame. Whilst Chrissie will always be the original rock chick, Laura isn't a bad second. All in all a creditable track.

Nik Kershaw - I won't let the sun go down on me

What Nik lacked in height, he certainly made up for in stature. Undeniably this was Niks biggest hit, and once again is very poppy in its nature. Quite an upbeat and bouncy track. One of the better tracks on the album.

Duran Duran - Wild Boys

These boys made the 80's what they were. This arguably was their best hit, if not their biggest, and they are still going strong twenty five years later. An absolute classic.

Spandau Ballet - Gold

Not as big a hit as Tue, but given its title, it still gets plenty of airplay especially when there is a major Athletics event taking place. The influence of this one was very much pop, but there is an interesting element of sax, and Tony Hadleys vocals are to die for. Even my mum used to have the hots for him !!

Men Without Hats - The Safety Dance

Another track best remembered for the video, and once again another one hit wonder. Extremely difficult to describe although once again very poppy in nature. Extremely uplifting. All in all a good song, even it the video is well dodgy.

Huey Lewis & The News - The Power of Love

Not to be confused by songs with the same title by Frankie Goes to Hollywood and Jennifer Rush, but with different lyrics which were all hits in the same year. This was definitely the weakest of the three, although not that bad a track.

Frankie Goes to Hollywood - Two Tribes

The follow up to Relax, and no less a tune. Memorable for the video with comedy performances of Reagan and Gordachev going toe to toe with one another. An upbeat rock / pop number. A great tune.

Bonnie Tyler - Holding out for a hero

Bonnie had one of those voices which sounded like she had swallowed a load of barded wire, really really husky. Not a bad song, but her voice grates on you after a while.

J Geils Band - Centrefold

Yet another one hit wonder. Very poppy although the video is very good !! Not one to play over and over again.

Talking Heads - Road to Nowhere

Talking Heads were very much an under-rated band, and this is without doubt their best tune. Very upbeat sort of number, with a strong synthesiser and pop ifluence.

Daryl Hall & John Oates - Maneater

I'm not the duos biggest fan, but this fits in quite nicely with the other songs on the album. Definitely listenable to if not very often.

The Maisonettes - Heartache Avenue

Not to be confused with Eddy Grants "Electric Avenue". This song is best avoided.

Sheena Easton - Modern Girl

Catapulted to Hollywood fame following her starring role in 9 to 5 to which she sang the title track, this was her follow up. Her scottish twang is evident throughout the song, and once again is very poppy in its style. Not my favourite track but listenable all the same.

Limahl - Never Ending Story

Limahl aka Chris Hamill never really made it on his own after the hugh success of Kajagoogoo. This was his debut single which actually isn't that bad, but he flattered to deceive after this one.

Erasure - Sometimes

Fairly typical sfuff from the duo of Andy Bell and Vince Clarke with their high pitched warbling and synthesiser pop. You either like them or you don't. I don't.

Belouis Some - Imagination

Not to be confused with Just an Illusion by Imagination, this was a somewhat dreary ballad, and believe it or not yet another one hit wonder. Not my cup of tea.

S.O.S Band - Just be Good to Me

A typical track from this era with its poppy beats and synthesiser influence. Not one of my favourites.

Tina Turner - We Don't Need Another Hero (Thunderdome)

This track received plenty of publicity and airplay courtesy of the Mad Max film, but undoubtedly would have been a massive hit anyway. A great feelgood track to end the second disc.

DISC 3

Yazz & The Plastic Population - The Only Way is Up

Yazz burst on the scene with this jolly, poppy record which once again had a large synthesiser influence. She disappeared fairly soon afterwards. This is however, a pretty good track.

Kylie Minogue - Hand on Your Heart

Not content with inflicting Neighbours and Home and Away on us, the Aussies had to make us endure the Stock,Aitken and Waterman inspired sounds of Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan (see below). Some of Kylies stuff wasn't too bad, but this one was awful. It may appeal to females of a certain age, but certainly not one for me.

Jason Donovan - Too Many Broken Hearts

See comments above. Absolute dross.

Bros - I owe you Nothing

Bros were supposed to be the UKs answer to New Kids on the Block and both lasted for a similar period of time. They spurned a few half decent tunes including When will I be famous and this one which actually weren't that bad. Very poppy in its nature.

Snap - The Power

This song saw a move away from the new romantic era of the early 80s and pop era of the mid 80s to a more dance / indie style of music. An absolute classic.

Vanilla Ice - Ice Ice Baby

Dreary lyrics, dreary tune, dreary artist. Need I say any more.

Paula Abdul - Opposites Attract

Now best known for her role as a judge on American Idol Paula Abdul spurned a few minor hits, this being by far the biggest and best. Once again, moving back to the pop style of influence. Not a bad little number.

M C Hammer - U Can't Touch This

The original rapper, and best remembered for the dance routine. Had a huge influence on many a teenager. Another classic.

Black Box - Ride on Time

Unbelievable record and surprisingly a one hit wonder. This was probably the catalyst for the success of dance music.

Alexander O'Neil - Criticize

American soul singers biggest hit, and very much a floor filler at the time. Very easy listening.

Hue and Cry - Labour of Love

Whilst this was their biggest hit, they never really made it. Pretty unmemorable stuff.

Mental as Anything - Live it Up

Catapulted to fame via the Crocodile Dundee movie, this is an absolutely brilliant tune with such a feel good factor about it. Once again a one hit wonder.

Belinda Carlisle - Leave a Light On

Belinda was huge (not in size but in stature !!) in the 80s and rivalled Madonna at one stage as the most successful female artist of her generation with hits including this one and Circle in the Sand. This was quite poppy in its nature but with Belinda's unique style stamped all over it. One of her better numbers.

Whitesnake - Here I Go Again

This is quite a surprising entry given all the pop and synthesiser stuff surrounding it, but you can't beat a bit of rock, albeit gentler than their normal fare. An excellent track.

EMF - Unbelievable

Arguably the greatest indie / dance track of its generation. A classic.

The Proclaimers - I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)

The brothers grim were hardly the lookers of the 80s and their music was reminiscent of their look ie not pretty. Their scottish roots came out in abundance with this number, but any following they had was only a cult following. Having said that, it is quite funny to hear the Proclaimers now and this record certainly puts a smile on your face. Actually improved with time.

Roxette - The Look

The follow up to It Must Have Been Love but not a patch on it. Not a bad track but it certainly isn't one of the greats on the album.

Billy Idol - Hot in the City

The token punk record on the album although this is very mild. Not too bad but there are better tracks on the album.

Danny Wilson - Mary's Prayer

One of my all time favourite tunes, and once again another one hit wonder. Anybody who grew up in the 80s will know this one. Danny Wilson had their own undescribale style of music but certainly the synthesiser influence had disappeared by now.

The Steve Miller Band - The Joker

Made famous by the Batman movies, the Band also enjoyed success with Abracadabra. The Joker is by far the better of the two although personally I would have finished the album of with a more upbeat number or one of the other classics mentioned earlier in this review.

So all in all a pretty good album with the usual one or two dodgy tracks but some abolute crackers. If you grew up in the 80s you will love this one. If you like 80s music you will love this one. 

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