Customer Reviews

Just Say Yes

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"Just Say Yes," Sire Records' first sampler in the "Just Say..." series, is not the best IN the series. However, it does have some fantastic bands (D-Mode, The Ramones, Echo & the Bunnymen, Aztec Camera), a healthy dose of modern rock nostalgia for anyone who grew up in the Reagan years, and it also spawned a terrific series of discs. And hey, for seven bucks (as of 15 March 99), how can you go wrong?

Picked up this sampler for cheap in a box of cds from an antique auction. To my surprise, when i started listening, the music was amazing. The first song by Depeche Mode goes on for 9 minutes, but somehow it works extremely well. Most songs on this sampler are bearable, and even impressive. Good songs from Echo and the Bunnymen, James, the Smiths, the Ramones, and an out-of-place, funny song by Ice-T. My copy was almost free, but you might pay the full price for this to find some rare gems.

As many out there would undoubtedly agree, most samplers record companies put out are disposable (and quickly become outdated). Their low introductory tag is not even worth the price of admission at times. This particular sampler that Sire records put out in 1987, however, is the exception to the rule. The reason for this might be that Sire records in the late 80's signed some of the finest talent around in 'modern' rock (the Smiths, Depeche Mode, Replacements, Erasure... you get the picture). However, I think the main reason why these samplers work so well is the quality of songs that were included. Instead of including a handful of minor singles and album cuts, plenty of rare cuts, live numbers, and extended mixes are included. Over time, these samplers have evolved from marketing ploys to nice documents of an important era in 'alternative' rock. That can be said of many simplers, which, as I previously mentioned, usually do not age well. I would recommend all the samplers in this series... except for the last one (Volume VII... Just Say Roe). Sire sacrificed the quality of the musical selections in order to push their political agenda. Shame really, especially coming after the release of possibly the finest in the series, Volume VI (Just Say Yesterday). The forgotten gems on that one make it a must. And hey, at this price...what are you waiting for!

Here is a little CD that has some fantastic songs on it. Take for example the extended mix of Depeche Mode's "Never Let Me Down Again"...9+ minutes of sheer pleasure. "Out of My Hands" (Lemonheads)and "Lips Like Sugar" (Echo and the Bunnymen)are both extended remixes as well. There is a Smiths song that (I believe) is not available anywhere else. Toss in Aztec Camera, James and the Throwing Muses and you've got an unbelievable compilation. Get it before it goes out of print!!

... and I have all of them too! The first 3 tracks are all epic extended remixes of already fantastic songs. In fact, I can't even listen to the original versions of Lips Like Sugar, Out Of Hand, and Never Let Me Down Again ... as good as those songs are, they just seem lacking now when compared to these remixes. These are more than worth the price of the CD ( which can be had for super cheeep now ). The last track remix of Erasure is really excellent too. I easily give this disk 5 stars because those 4 songs alone are that good ... the rest of the songs to me are so-so, but you may really love them. That was the cool thing about the Sampler disks ... you got a nice collage of songs from diverse artists.

Oh- yea--its in the title- JUST SAY YES. great fidelity I enjoyed all the songs but would probably skip the rap sometimes, worth more then you have to pay for it- bottom line--good music-good sound- good price- Goodbye

I still have all of these samplers and love them. I was a poor college student when the volumes started being released, but I always bought them. The music on the sampler's was rarely played on the radio so if you wanted to hear it you had to own it. Various artists were seldom mixed together on albums back then so this was a great party mix. Friends always wanted to make a cassette copy of it. Lips Like Sugar & Never Let Me Down Again were great remixes most people hadn't heard (back then).

WOW!!! is the best way to describe this CD. If you like new wave, 80's Post-Punk, or just good damn music in general there is something for you on this CD. Not every song is great on this, but thats Ok because where else are you going to find awesome songs like these,

Never Let Me Down - Depeche Mode. if you like 'em, you'll love this.

Lips Like Sugar - Echo & the Bunnymen. Haven't seen it on any other comps.

Out of Hand - The Mighty Lemondrops <--Yeah, good luck. It's Soo good too

Work is a 4 letter word - The Smiths, exclusive to this compilation!

No Stars - Figures on a Beach, also quite rare, very good.

I wanna live - The Ramones, example of diversity. Good damn song tho'

The rest is skippable in my book, but thats just me, you may find something else you like here, but the above forementioned are what make this a great compilation and earn it 5 Stars. Sire Records put it out, and they were a big name back when this music was created. I wasn't even born yet. Luckily my father introduced this music to me at a very young age. Even I was able to recognize good music, and it's still a favorite of mine over 20 years later.