VA - Lost Hits Of The 80s (1997)

EMI-Capitol Special Markets' Lost Hits series is unusual, as far as budget-line series go. Usually, budget-line collections have a few hits and a lot of filler, topping out at ten or 12 tracks. Lost Hits contains no less than 20 tracks, and instead of relying on predictable material, the compilers have balanced underappreciated hits, cult favorites and forgotten singles from the EMI vaults, resulting in a thoroughly entertaining disc. Lost Hits of the '80s sticks to mainstream pop for most of its 20 tracks, but there are jangle-pop singles (the Grapes of Wrath's "Oh Lucky Man"), new wave (Total Coelo's "I Eat Cannibals"), prog-rock (Marillion's "Kayleigh"), rockabilly revival (Phantom, Rocker & Slick's "Men Without Shame") and lots of pop-rock, hard rock and arena rock from the likes of John Taylor, the Pursuit of Happiness, Martha Davis, the Jon Butcher Axis, the Tubes, Rob Jungklas, Vixen, Red Rider, Industry, Amy Holland and Glass Tiger. There might not be many songs that are instantly recognizable, but that's the very reason why it's worth a gamble at this bargain price.