Various Artists - Just Can't Get Enough: New Wave Hits of the '80s, Vol. 2 (1994)

This is the 2nd volume of a fantastic 15 volume set released in the mid-'90s by the always wonderful Rhino Records. I usually think of New Wave music as happy and upbeat, but at least half the songs on this volume are moody and dark. It's got Joy Division on it, if that tells you anything. Songs on this volume are from the years 1979-1981.

Tracks:

• Pop Muzik - M (#1 pop, #4 dance)
  This highly synthesized song almost sounds like a novelty song now. Oddly, I like it more now than I did in 1979.  This single went to #1 in November 1979, knocking Herb Alpert's Rise out of the top spot, which says a lot about where top 40 music was at the time. 
• Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick - Ian Dury & The Blockheads (#79 dance)
  Dury's rough, monotone voice and a screeching saxophone almost ruin this song, but the strange disco groove won't be denied.
• Love Will Tear Us Apart - Joy Division (#42 dance)
  This post-punk group could make the most upbeat tempo into a depressing song. I'm amazed the wife of Ian Curtis could listen to his music and not think her husband was suicidal. Still, he led a fascinating life and I've seen all the movies and read the books as well as listening to the music.
• What Does Sex Mean To Me? - Human Sexual Response
  Not a bad art-school song, but the singer's quirky voice probably ensured that the group would never make it big. The world didn't need another art-school collegiate band with a quirky singer - we already had Talking Heads.
• My Mistake - The Kingbees (#81 pop, #94 dance)
  Good neo-rockabilly song in the style of Dave Edmunds/Rockpile. This should have been a bigger hit.
• The Funky Western Civilization - Tonio K.
  I was unfamiliar with this song until I heard it on this CD. It's a 3 chord rock song complete with backing sax. It's a well-written song sung poorly. Not surprisingly, Tonio had his greatest success writing music for other performers.
• You Won't Be Happy - The Beat
  Skinny tie rock à la The Knack or The Plimsouls. Not really my thing, but good for what it is.
• I Don't Like Mondays - The Boomtown Rats (#73 pop)
  One of two Boomtown Rats' songs I've ever heard (the other is Up All Night). Bob Geldof is a better humanitarian than a songwriter. Great band name tho
• I Got You - Split Enz (#53 pop, #82 dance)
  Best song on the compilation. This song should have been more popular here. It's the kind of song that wasn't popular when it was released but now radio stations play it during "Retro '80s" shows.
• Danger - The Motels
  To me, this band is hit-or-miss. This is a miss. They later produced better music. That said, I love Martha Davis' voice.
• Echo Beach - Martha & The Muffins (#37 dance)
  I dig the guitar, but not the vocals and minor key harmonies. Pass.
• Whip It - Devo (#14 pop, #8 dance)
  No explanation necessary - if you know, you know. Pass me my Energy Dome, please.
• Vienna - Ultravox
  I had an import copy of this LP back in the '80s. The entire album, but particularly this moody techno-ballad of a title track, appealed to the wannabe-artiste persona I was trying to cultivate in high school.
• So Long - Fischer-Z
  Never heard of it. And for good reason: generic three-chord synthpop with weak vocals.
• Away From Home - Klark Kent
  Kent (a.k.a. Police drummer Stewart Copeland) can't sing very well but he put out some solo music in the late 70's/early '80s under this pseudonym. It's a fun little tune. Sounds like Stewart's contributions to Police albums, so if you like those...
• Turning Japanese - The Vapors (#36 pop, #34 dance)
  This song about self-gratification is catchy as hell. A one-hit wonder classic. At least the compilation doesn't end on a solemn note.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: None. It's too depressing to listen to the disc as a whole. Better to rip this to iTunes and just hear songs as they come up on shuffle.