The Hard Rock Cafe, the world's largest rock & roll theme restraunt chain, entered a partnership with Rhino Records in 1997, presumably to release various-artists compilation like Classic Rock and its companion
New Wave. Each collection captures a specific era -- namely, the '70s and '80s -- by rounding up 16 radio hits. While neither offers any surprises, each is a good collection of familiar material.
New Wave doesn't strictly devote itself to songs from the new wave era --
INXS' "Devil Inside,"
the Bangles' "Walk Like An Egyptian,"
Tears for Fears' "Shout,"
Simple Minds' "Don't You (Forget About Me)" were from new wave bands, but they weren't new wave songs -- but it's still a strong collection of songs, featuring such staples as "Call Me," "My Sharona," "Don't Stand So Close to Me," "Is She Really Going Out With Him?," "The Look of Love," "Cars," "Down Under," "Tainted Love/Where Did Our Love Go," "Do You Really Want To Hurt Me" and "Dance Hall Days." ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide