REVIEW: Thomas Dolby, Retrospectacle: The Best of;

Billy Squier, The Best of (Capitol)

- Bob Gajarsky

Two pioneers of the early 1980's have travelled different routes through their musical journeys. Boston's Billy Squier took the straight forward rock and roll route, through hip-hop, while England's Thomas Dolby circumvented most traditional circles in establishing himself as one of the world's premier keyboard and synthesizer players. Both of these artists have come full circle on Capitol issues of their recent greatest hits collections.

Although it's easy to casually dismiss Squier's work, this would show the same closed-mindedness that causes people to ignore bands because they're not heard on top 40. Squier's first successful work, Don't Say No, was produced by Mack (who also worked with Queen) and spawned several songs ("My Kinda Lover", "The Stroke", "In The Dark") which have, even today, withstood the test of time. The subsequent follow-up, Emotions In Motion, featured more of the similar riffs that, when sampled, helped drive early Run-DMC and hip-hop recordings.

However, Squier's output started to wane at this point, with 1984's Signs of Life being his last truly productive album. Subsequent efforts at the latter part of the decade were less innovative then his early works, and, even today, the songs don't evoke feelings of excitement. In conclusion, this album is half brilliant and half traditional rock and roll.

Thomas Dolby's career was more circuitous - and is still active today. While some may know the pre-famous Dolby for writing the alternative hit "New Toy" for Lene Lovich, others may know he helped out with synthesizers for well known rockers Def Leppard and Foreigner. "She Blinded Me With Science" is, like Randy Newman's "Short People", his fifteen minutes of (American) fame - and not a fair indication of where Dolby's musical talents lie.

Retrospectacle gives a much better idea of the man behind the image. While songs such as "Science" and "Hyperactive" may be familiar to American listeners, "I Love You Goodbye" and "Close But No Cigar" (which includes master guitarist and Dolby neighbor Eddie Van Halen) are classics-that-should- have-been. "Europa and the Pirate Twins" is another track which was ignored by radio upon its release but shouldn't be ignored today. Each layer of music is carefully crafted to alterna-pop perfection - without sacrificing musical integrity.

European readers won't need to purchase Retrospectacle, as the American version of this disc is no different from the one released overseas in 1994. But, for American readers? Anyone who wants to see what the real Thomas Dolby is about, and marvel at his talents, should race out and pick up this worthy compilation.

Track listing: Billy Squier: The Stroke, In The Dark, My Kinda Lover, Emotions In Motion, Everybody Wants You, She's A Ruunner, Rock Me Tonight, All Night Long, Eye On You, Love Is The Hero, Don't Say You Love Me, Don't Let Me Go, She Goes Down, Tied Up, Facts of Life, (L.O.V.E.) Four Letter Word Thomas Dolby: Europa and the Pirate Twins, Urges, Leipzig, Windpower, Airwaves (7" Version), She Blinded Me With Science, One Of Our Submarines, Screen Kiss, Hyperactive!, I Scare Myself, The Flat Earth, Pulp Culture, Budapest By Blimp, Cruel, Close But No Cigar, I Love You Goodbye