Various Artists - On The Charts: I.R.S. Records 1979-1994 (1994)

The title is somewhat misleading but I guess "On And Off The Charts: One Track Each From The More Popular Artists And Their Spin-Off Groups on I.R.S. Records 1981-1992" is a little long and arguably pedantic. And don't get me started on the unimaginative cover art. But once I'm able to quit being petty about such things and listen to the tunes, this compilation ain't bad at all. The selections perfectly illustrate what a great label I.R.S. was for up and coming rockers in the '80s, moving from post-punk to new wave to pop to alt rock.

Peak on the US Billboard Top 200 chart: Did not chart

Tracks:

Song	Artist	Year	Hot 100	Rock
Our Lips Are Sealed	Go-Go's	1981	20	15
Mexican Radio (edit)	Wall Of Voodoo	1982	58	41
Only A Lad	Oingo Boingo	1981	-	-
The Future's So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades	Timbuk 3	1986	19	14
Save It For Later	The English Beat	1982	-	-
She Drives Me Crazy	Fine Young Cannibals	1988	1	-
Mad About You (single mix)	Belinda Carlisle	1986	3	-
Tenderness	General Public	1984	27	39
The One I Love	R.E.M.	1987	9	2
Joey	Concrete Blonde	1990	19	20
Rain In The Summertime (edit)	The Alarm	1987	71	6
Dizz Knee Land	dada	1992	102	27

The highlights for me are the tracks from the Go-Go's and English Beat. I was previously unfamiliar with the tune by The Alarm and am happy to have finally discovered it here - very Joshua Tree-ish to these ears. I've never liked the Concrete Blonde tune and had forgotten all about the dada track. While I'm being petty, I would have picked a different REM tune (probably Radio Free Europe) but since The One I Love was the group's only Top 40 hit on the IRS label, I understand its inclusion here.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: When I was in high school, I thought that silver label with the iconic maroon logo was the coolest LP label graphic going.