Anthology

Vapors | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 30, 1995)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: One Way Records Inc
• ASIN: B000002R09
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #370,576 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Turning Japanese

2. Sixty Second Interval

3. Waiting for the Weekend

4. Spring Collection

5. Letter from Hiro

6. News at Ten

7. Somehow

8. Prisoners

9. Trains

10. Bunkers

11. Jimmie Jones

12. Spiders

13. Live at the Marquee

14. Magnets

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Often derided as one-hit wonders (for the 1980 hard-wave anthem "Turning Japanese"), or as imitators of the mid-period Jam, the Vapors were nevertheless a fine and worthy band whose two LPs have weathered extremely well. The evidence: They've spawned more greatest-hits packages than they had albums. Anthology is the best introduction, with the entire US version of their debut, New Clear Days, and four-key tracks (including "Jimmie Jones") from Magnets. It omits the latter album's great "Daylight Titans," but you can't have everything on a single CD. For New Clear Days and some single A- and B-sides, try the Turning Japanese collection. For both of the original albums and no frills, try the Vaporized double-CD set. --Gavin McNett

Product Description

This is the 1st domestic compilation from this British new wave/power-pop combo best known for their hit 'Turning Japanese'. Contains that song, plus all of the other tunes from the U.S. version of their debut album 'New Clear Days', plus 4 tracks from th

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Vapors: Misunderstood & Underrated!, March 14, 2000

By 

T. L. BROWN "magdalen" (Portland, OR United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Anthology (Audio CD)

Even in the '80s, I didn't know a soul who appreciated this band as I did in my teen angst, new wave way. Sure, "Turning Japanese" was great fun, but the Vapors' effect was really a cumulative one. You need to hear a number of songs (preferably taking in _Magnets_ as well as _New Clear Days_) before passing judgment on these guys: Letter from Hiro, News at Ten, Trains, Sixty Second Interval, Magnets... it's purely random that Vapors aren't considered classics of the era.

As for the Jam complaints: you'll hear Jam moments here, but that's hardly anything to get pissy about. The overall tone and *style* of the Jam v. Vapors are different enough that comparing them is a bit ridiculous. Rather like asserting that you can't have fun listening to Madness because The Specials were so good. Who cares? They're both good.

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fire the Critic - This is a Masterpiece, July 19, 2000

By 

Dale Sparks (Scottsdale, AZ United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Anthology (Audio CD)

Not sure what John Aizlewood was listening to in the 1980's but the Vapors rate with ANYONE as true masters of the Post Punk/New Wave era. 1. Turning Japanese is NOT about masturbation (see sleeve to similar anthology called 'Vaporized' ) 2. of all the great albums of the 1980's (and there were 100's), this rates in my top ten. I think about this album in the same light as Regatta de Blanc by the Police or the Pretenders first album or Joe Jackson's Big World or Elvis Costello or U2's Boy, or some of Peter Gabriel's work - The Vapors were masters and remain completely undiscovered. Don't miss this if you liked music in the 1980's even slightly.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Super, October 6, 1999

By 

douglas lowenthal (Reno, NV USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Anthology (Audio CD)

Jam? I may be dated at 50, but I never noticed them (or much else on the pop scene during this period). In 1980, the Vapor's first album was essential, discrete, high-energy, disaffected British youth punk. I loved it then and still do. Makes me feel 16. I had been looking for this CD for years and finally found it. Thanks Amazon.com.