Two CD set. Jon Savage serves us up another of his spectacular insights into popular culture, this time for the years 1983 to 1985. Born out of the ashes of post-punk, there were plenty of experimental singles during the early part of this period: Siouxsie's 'Swimming Horses', Shriekback's 'Lined Up', Soft Cell's 'Heat', Echo & The Bunnymen's 'Gods Will Be Gods', and the Smiths' 'Girl Afraid' - a perfect kitchen sink scenario. Pete Shelley and Scritti Politti went the electronic route to great effect, while the Special AKA delivered the perfect riposte to 'Hard Times' and having fun on the dole with the under-appreciated 'Bright Lights'. But by the end of 1984, the true action throughout this period was to be found in electronic, black American and club music: whether the metal beat of Section 25's 'Looking From A Hilltop', Trans-X's daffy hi-NRG Eurobelter 'Living On Video', Shalamar's pure electro 'Disappearing Act', or the new music coming out of Sugarhill and Tommy Boy - Grandmaster Flash, Double Dee and Steinski, and the sampled Malcolm X. This compilation begins in the mainstream and ends in the underground. Play loud and enjoy the trip.

Track List

1. All Tomorrow's Parties - Japan
2. Soweto - Malcolm McLaren with the McLarenettes
3. Lined Up - Shriekback
4. Telephone Operator - Pete Shelley
5. Gods Will Be Gods - Echo ; the Bunnymen
6. Heat (12-Inch Version) - Soft Cell
7. (Hey You) the Rock Steady Crew - the Rock Steady Crew
8. Disappearing Act (12-Inch Version) - Shalamar
9. Bright Lights - the Special Aka
10. White Lines (Don't Do It) (12-Inch Version) - Grandmaster ; Melle Mel
11. Techno City (12-Inch Vocal Version) - Cybotron
12. Swimming Horses - Siouxsie ; the Banshees
13. Heartbeat (12-Inch Version) - the Psychedelic Furs
14. No Sell Out (12-Inch Version) - Malcolm X (Keith Leblanc)
15. What Presence?! - Orange Juice
16. Girl Afraid (12-Inch Version) - the Smiths
17. Why? (12-Inch Version) - Bronski Beat
18. Love Resurrection (12-Inch Version) - Alison Moyet
19. Looking from a Hilltop (12-Inch Version) - Section 25
20. Think Fast (12-Inch Version) - Pamela Joy
21. Hypnotize (Version) (12-Inch Version) - Scritti Politti
22. Close (To the Edit) (12-Inch Version) - the Art of Noise
23. Life's a Scream (12-Inch Version) - a Certain Ratio
24. Never Understand - the Jesus ; Mary Chain
25. Sunspots - Julian Cope
26. Johnny Come Home - Fine Young Cannibals
27. In the Night - Pet Shop Boys
28. Single Life - Cameo
29. I Want You (12-Inch Version) - Cabaret Voltaire
30. Crazy - R.E.M