Albums: Now Yearbook 85-89 - The Final Chapter

Now Yearbook 85-89 - The Final Chapter
(Sony Music/EMI)

For some, the eighties was one of the best decades for music. The first half was more about pop bands, ska and New Romantics. By the time 1985 had arrived, the music scene had started to be dominated by American artists.

That trend is reflected here on this new compilation, which features, amongst others, Chaka Khan, Chicago, Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi and Debbie Gibson.

The Americans were not having it all their own way; a strong British contingent makes up this comprehensive compilation too. Pet Shop Boys made their breakthrough in November 1985 with West End Girls – the stark and chilling production fit well with the dark and gloomy onset of winter. Conversely, It’s a Sin, also included here, heralded the start of summer in June 1987 when the track was released.

Another band making their debut was Texas in 1989 with I Don’t Want a Lover – like many of the acts here, they are still touring and recording new material. Another Scottish act came to the fore – The Proclaimers had their debut hit with I’m Gonna Be (500 miles)

Rock music also has a renaissance too, as witnessed with Out in the Fields by Gary Moore and Phil Lynott and Burning Bridges (On and Off and On Again) from Status Quo.

The period also saw the arrival of a more sophisticated style of pop that mixed jazz tendencies, as heard in Is It a Crime by Sade, Twilight World by Swing Out Sister, and Blow the House Down by Living in a Box.

There are a few tracks that might not be easily recalled, Living on Video by Trans-X, International Rescue by Fuzzbox and Excitable by Amazulu being good examples.

Dance music was starting to change on the eve of the House music evolution – Round and Around from Jaki Graham and We Call It Acieed from D-Mob's fearless Gary Haisman paved the way for what was to come.

This four-CD collection is a good reminder of a fine period in music that was eclectic, energised and exciting.