Oglio Records have made something of a name for themselves in the past couple of years with their "Flashback Favorites" compilations of classic 80s songs and re-releases of `lost' 80s albums such as Freur's Doot Doot.
This new release is something of a departure for the label. While retaining the 80s flavor of the "Flashback Favorites" series, an attempt has been made to give the compilation a more specific feel or theme. Although the underlying theme of music suitable for an `alternative cafe' is somewhat tenuous, the music chosen *does* slot together nicely, and the overall mood is relaxed but far from soporific.
How `alternative' the music is depends very much on your own background. If you use the "alternative = relatively obscure" yardstick, then most of the acts here certainly fit the bill from a U.S. perspective. However, from a British or European perspective (I'm British, and thus come fully equipped with the former) several of the artists here were decidedly mainstream. Only one of the tracks here missed the UK charts and, of those that did, at least four went top 10.
The music spans a full ten years, ranging from Nick Lowe's "Cruel To Be Kind" in 1979 through to Tears For Fears "Advice For The Young At Heart" from 1989. In between it covers both the synth-dominated early 80s (ABC, Fiction Factory and, of course, Freur) and the more conventional pop that co-existed with it (Dream Academy, Feargal Sharkey, Haircut One Hundred). Room is also found for Aztec Camera's wonderful "Oblivious", the Stranglers at their poppiest with "Always The Sun" and the Psychedelic Furs for once singing something other than "Pretty In Pink", namely "Heaven".
Overall a decent if unassuming compilation. The choice of material pretty much ensures that it can't make *that* big an impact, but the pace and mood is satisfyingly consistent. While rarities and must-haves are conspicuous by their absence, the compilation does contain several great songs, and I'm glad to have added it to my collection. If unavailable at your local store, Flashback Cafe can be purchased directly from Oglio at 1-800-COOL-CDS.
- Al Crawford
