Customer Reviews

Classic Alternatives, Vol. 2

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

 

 

SPG did this series right with some of the biggest new wave songs of the 80s in 12" format. If you didn't get any volumes yet, do yourself a favor and pick up "Classic Alternative: 12" Extended Rare Mixes [BOX SET]" and Classic Alternatives volume 4. BOX SET includes all 3 first volumes in the series, and volume 4 is a 3 disc set in itself!!! Selection here:

1. it's my life (6:14)
2. wonderful life (4:47)
3. imagination (5:27)
4. never say never (5:54)
5. collapsing new people (7:08)
6. reap the wild wind (4:45)
7. in a big country (6:18)
8. happy birthday (3:00) (not the 12"!!!)
9. sex (8:10)
10. our house (5:02)
11. talking to a stranger (7:30)
12. dead man's party (8:37)

The primary reason I picked up this disk was for 'Talking to a Stranger', which is the only appearance of this version on CD. The recording is of high quality, which impressed me considering a lot of the original Mushroom Records recordings of Hunters & Collectors were pretty mediocre. The other track selections are quite good, although i don't know why they included 'Happy Birthday' which doesn't appear to be a very rare track. Nonetheless, I have enjoyed other SPG collections and this one doesn't disappoint.

I really enjoyed the music on this CD. It has some over-played songs from the 80's (but at least most of those are nice 12" EP versions), and it has some interesting rarer music such as Fad Gadget's, "Collasping New People" and Hunters and Collectors, "Talking to a Stranger" (which is somewhat hard to find).

This CD contains some of my favorite tunes and will give you the urge to go look for the original albums. Two examples: "It's My Life" by Talk Talk and "Wonderful Life" by Black changed my tastes in music (for the better) permanently. Be warned, it might have the same effect on you.