Customer Reviews

Back to Back Hits

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The pairing of Missing Persons with The Motels on a greatest hits-type album was an interesting and astute choice. Though the groups have similarities in style and sound, there are also noticeable differences.

Missing Persons' "Destination Unknown" is a classic pop song, and even shines amid all the other hits and great songs on this "Back to Back" compilation. With syrupy vocals, an overtly pop sound and a surprisingly philosophical outlook, the song is a true 1980s gem that still sounds great and relevant. Missing Persons' lyrics are great; tunes like "Walking in L.A.," "Words" and "Windows" cut to the core and leave little room for misinterpretation. "Words" especially carries a lot of weight; it's a space-age sounding song with a theme of total isolation and being ignored in the great big wide world -- and in one's own relationship with someone else. The Missing Persons boast an otherwordly look and sound, and this song truly captures that essence -- new age and punk all at once. They're a tight band that practically bleed a 1980s aura, but you can't deny the fact that they write good songs. MPs' lead singer seems world-weary and street smart, while her message in "Give" is as generous and non self-involved as rock stars get.

The Motels have a slightly different focus. A little less sexy and more organic than Missing Persons, The Motels are nonetheless sonically playful at times, with lyrics that can be just as forlorn as what Missing Persons write. "Only the Lonely" and "Suddenly Last Summer" -- the band's two biggest hits -- could strike a nerve with anybody; they truly sound lonely. The Motels lead singer probably has a better, more natural voice than the woman in Missing Persons, and she brings a bit more soul to the table. Interestingly, her themes of isolation in a cruel world don't stray far from The Missing Persons' mantra. Though the last two Motels songs on this album are not well known, they are nonetheless great.

It's hard to pick who's better between the two bands; maybe there is no better. I prefer Missing Persons just slightly, but overall these are two classic groups from the '80s that beat out a majority of today's lesser pop bands.

I initially bought this CD just for The Motels' "Only the Lonely", but the entire album soon grew on me being on inveterate fan of 80's music. For the low price of this double hits album, you really can't go wrong for you buck!

Missing Persons & The Motels / Back to Back: Five of the best from Missing Persons combined with five of the best from The Motels. A natural combination and a nice collection without Any possibility of filler. The Back to Back series does not always work, but it suits these two bands very well. Four Stars

Let's face it - there's not much evidence of effort in this assemblage of songs. The formula is very simple: take two bands who appeared around the same time, with appeal to fans in the same genre, and let's try to make a single album out of it. No liner notes, no fancy cover art work, but just the meat of the music. There's a bit of filler on here for both bands as each didn't quite crank out enough hits to fill out their fair share, but if that's what it takes, so be it. You end up with a nice collection of some great stuff, and in the end, that's all you really need for a quick trip back to the new wave glory days of the 80's. For $10, it's a bargain for the journey.

These groups were around AFTER I graduated from collage- so I had no money to buy music at the time, I was going to buy each ones greatest hits but this worked out great.

As a die-hard fan of 80s pop/rock, these are 2 of what I would consider the best examples of what was offered in that era. Both bands reportoires come complete with upbeat peppy dance numbers such as MP's 'Words' and 'Walkin' in LA', and of course the moody and thoughtful 'Only the Lonely' and 'Suddenly Last Summer' by the Motels.
There are only ten tracks on this disc but they are well chosen. Hats off to these talented tunesmiths on the latter 20th century.