Monster '80s certainly lives up to its name, collecting some of the decade's most memorable singles, from the suave, sophisticated pop of
Spandau Ballet's "True" to the ultra-perky cheerleader chant of
Toni Basil's "Mickey." The Stray Cats' "Stray Cat Strut" and
Adam Ant's "Goody Two Shoes" relive the '50s via the '80s, while
Rick Springfield's "Jessie's Girl" and
Huey Lewis & the News' "If This Is It" are perfect examples of the decade's mainstream rock sound. A-Ha's "Take On Me," Kajagoogoo's "Too Shy," and
After the Fire's "Der Kommissar" represent different strains of '80s synth-pop, and
Culture Club's "Do You Really Want to Hurt Me,"
Duran Duran's "Hungry Like the Wolf," and
Men at Work's "Who Can It Be Now?" exemplify new wave's pop heights. Tracks from
Mr. Mister,
Thomas Dolby,
Billy Idol, and
the Bangles round out this entertaining '80s compilation. ~ Heather Phares, All Music Guide