Various Artists - Just Say Yo (1988)

This is the second of the seven volume Just Say Yes sampler series that Sire Records put out to promote their alternative artists. This CD has many cuts from C86-type indie groups, a genre that was just developing.

Tracks:

• Ofra Haza - Galbi
  I really can't stand Middle Eastern singing that uses quarter-tones. I'm sure Haza had a great voice; it's just a cultural thing.
• Morrissey - Will Never Marry
  Typical Morrissey. Beautiful and depressing Britpop.
• k.d. lang - Black Coffee
  lang has a wonderful voice and this 1948 piece is right in line with her neo-torch song period of songs as she tried to be the next Patsy Cline or Brenda Lee. She has the voice for it.
• Depeche Mode - Behind The Wheel/Route 66 (Mega-Single Mix)
  Heard this version at a Dallas dance club (Sparx, maybe?) in the summer of 1988 and then spent years looking for a copy. The Behind The Wheel is typically dark and moody which is a nice counterpoint to the upbeat Route 66.
• The Wild Swans - Bible Dreams
  Never heard of this band before or since. Sounds like Icicle Works or Echo.
• Erasure - Chains of Love (Truly in Love with The Marks Bros. Mix)
  Yes, you know this song. Yes, you've danced to this song. Yes, now this song is stuck in your head.
• Book Of Love - Tubular Bells/Pretty Boys and Pretty Girls (Regan's House Medley)
  This medley clocks in at 14:26 which is long even for dance remixes. Though the group was American, they sounded like labelmates Depeche Mode and Erasure. I gave a recording of this to a friend who said he put it in his car and was able to run around town and do all his errands before the song ended. I would have been OK with a version that didn't include the theme from The Exorcist.
• Martini Ranch - Hot Dog (12" Remix)
  Actor Bill Paxton doing his best Devo/Was (Not Was) imitation. The song includes the B-52's Cindy Wilson singing, "Knick knack paddywack, give the dog a bone," which is actually the highlight of the track.
• Throwing Muses - Mexican Women
  Was never a fan a Hersh's voice even though I enjoyed deciphering her lyrics. Can't get past the voice, though. That's a dealbreaker.
• A House - Call Me Blue
  While I haven't heard of this band, apparently they are cult favorites in their native Ireland. They stole the guitar riff for this song from fellow countryman The Edge.
• The Mighty Lemon Drops - Inside Out (Live)
  When I hear songs like this, I don't understand how I wasn't a fan of this band. This sounds like lots of other British pop music I listened to in the '80s.
• James - What For
  Pass.
• The Soup Dragons - Kingdon Chairs
  A bad sort of post-punk Buzzocks. This song didn't hit and the band was dropped from Sire not long after.
• David Rudder & Charlie's Roots - Bacchanal Lady (Extended Remix)
  Who put a calypso track on this alt disc?!? It's not a bad tune (reminds me of Under The Sea from The Little Mermaid), it's just out of place here.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: I bought this CD solely for the Depeche Mode recording of Route 66.