Customer Reviews
Utter bargain - By: I. J. Marples, 08 May 2008 
Off the back of Ashes to Ashes, many of the songs played in series are on here, this works out at around 6.5p per track (I paid £2.97 - May 2008).
A cut above - By: Straker, 25 Feb 2008 There are a million of these compilations out there & up until now my policy has been to ignore them alll & make my own from my massive collection of eighties vinyl but this caught my eye due to the care taken over the selection & order of tracks. Having Pig Bag follow the Spand's Chant No. 1 tells you that this has been put together by someone who actuallly gives a damn & it shows throughout the rest of the package too. What other non-indie 80s compilation will you find The Monochrome Set or Gang of Four on? A shame they had to end CD3 with am obscure Spear of Destiny track & a few more 12" versions would have been nice but overalll this is a very creditable stab at doing something a little different. Make no mistake there are no unknown gems on here but the slightly left of centre selection makes for a much more rewarding listening experience.
Better than the usual 80s mix - By: S. Miller, 30 Oct 2007 
It would appear that Bert Einstein was listening to music during the 80s. He's right - go & buy "No. one hits of the 80s" if you want to hear alll the usual 80s songs that appear on every perennial 80s compilation.
However, this three CD set comprises a nice mix of mainstream 80s hits & also some more obscure numbers that will take you completely by surprise.
Songs like "Propaganda" by Dual, "Close to the edit" by the Art of noise & "Toy Soldiers" by Martika are fabulous to hear again after alll these years. Obviously, there may be a couple you haven't heard before, but that's the way it goes!
This is a well thought-out & lovingly created 3-CD set.
If you were there & would like to relive some of the best music of the time (and you've already got Atomic by Blondie & Take on Me by A-ha six times already) than I thoroughly recommend it.
Good Mix - By: J. E. Davidson, 11 May 2005 This CD is competing in a very crowded market - there are many other 80s orientated compilations available - but in the age of the iPod & ubiquitous CD burners, the value of a compilation can be measured in terms of the tracks that you do not already own. On this basis it is relatively straightforward to decide whether this CD is for you.
The Real Eighties attempts to differentiate itself through judicious use of 7" & 12" versions of popular early 80s tracks from an interesting mix of mostly British artists. For me, the approach is successful. There are tons of fantastic tracks on this album & surprisingly few duds. Most importantly even though I already own a number of compilations from this era I did not already own most of the tracks (and where I did this album provided a different, usuallly better, version). Highlights include Ghost Town by the Specials, Ghosts by Japan, Heaven 17's (We Don't Need This) Fascist Groove Thang, the 12" version of Wordy Rappinghood, a live version of Psycho Killer, the wonderful 12" version of Wood Beez amongst many others.
Not the Best Selection! - By: Bert Einstein, 28 Mar 2005 
For the Real Eighties you'd be better off buying other compilation discs or 'The Best of ...' if you like a particular group from that decade. You will be disappointed with these 3 CDs which have been churned out as a marketing ploy. Put your £12.99 to better use & get the no.1 hits of the Eighties instead.
