REVIEW: Geffen Vintage 80's Volume 1 (Geffen)

- Bob Gajarsky

Geffen Records has recently jumped into the foray of 1980's compilation discs with their selection of favorites, Vintage 80's Volume 1.

Vintage 80's tenderly walks the fine line between alternative and pop. Although Wang Chung gets played on alternative stations today, during their time in the 80's, the group was a staple on exploratory pop stations. Conversely, with Blondie's revitalization in clubs and on the charts, Debbie Harry's "French Kissin'" is appearing more on pop stations today than when the record was first released.

Highlights of the compilation include the only appearance on disc of the debut Was (Not Was) single, "Knocked Down, Made Small (Treated Like A Rubber Ball)". It doesn't have the pop toss-away sound of "Walk The Dinosaur", but remains this reviewer's favorite song that the Was "brothers" have helped to record. The Quarterflash selection, "Take Me To Heart", also has not seen the disc light of day in the States, and fans of the teachers from Northwest America should eagerly welcome this cut.

Although some of the tracks appear elsewhere on multiple compilations (the Berlin tracks, Plimsouls, Madness), these were all jewels in the Geffen 80's crown, and their exclusion would not shine a light on tracks still featured during Flashback Lunch Hours.

All in all, it's an admirable entry into the 80's reissue market. If you're a fan of EMI's Living In Oblivion series, Geffen's release is right up your alley. Track listing: Wang Chung - Dance Hall Days, Everybody Have Fun Tonight; Debbie Harry - French Kissin'; John Hiatt - Living With The King; Berlin - Sex (I'm A...), No More Words; Stan Ridgeway - Goin' Southbound; Lone Justice - Ways To Be Wicked; Madness - Our House; Plimsouls - A Million Miles Away; Quarterflash - Take Me To Heart; Ric Ocasek - Emotion In Motion; Gene Loves Jezebel - Desire