Various Artists: Ministry Of Sound 'Anthems - Electronic 80's 2'

Following the success of the previous 'Anthems Electronic 80's' compilation, reviewed last week, available here, a 2010 followup was soon in the works. Once again containing some of the biggest names in the synth pop scene, this compilation offers another 60 tracks of electronic music.

Various Artists: Ministry Of Sound 'Anthems - Electronic 80's 2'

The release begins with 'Don't You Want Me' by The Human League, soon followed with tracks from Eurythmics, Kraftwerk, OMD and Yazoo. Unlike the first in the Ministry Of Sound's 'Electronic 80's' series, this volume contains a more varied selection of material. The inclusion of 'Love On A Real Train,' a New Age/Ambient track by the German groupTangerine Dream and tracks like 'Golden Brown' by The Stranglers add an extra dimension to the compilation, going beyond purely synth pop, which comprised the majority of the first volume.

This volume in the series also includes several tracks which were conspicuous in their absence in the previous release. Tracks such as 'You Spin Me Round (Like A Record)' by Dead Or Alive and the classic 'She Blinded Me With Science,' so deserving that the track received it's own review here, shine in amongst this collection which once again proves a very appealing purchase for the new romantics among The Sonic Music Review's readers.

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Various Artists: Ministry Of Sound 'Anthems - Electronic 80's'

To celebrate some of the finest electronic music from the 1980's, this Ministry Of Sound compilation, released in 2009, features some of the biggest names in the bygone synthpop era, including Ultravox, Soft Cell, Orchestral Manouvers In The Dark (OMD), and many more.

Various Artists: Ministry Of Sound 'Anthems Electronic 80's'

The compilation, which contains a total of 60 tracks running 16 seconds shy of a four hour runtime, begins with 'Vienna' by Ultravox. Some of the most favourable output of the era soon follows, including 'Cars,' 'Tainted Love,' 'Fade To Grey' and 'Don't Go' all within the first five tracks.

Among the highlights are some of the lesser known works, such as Thomas Dolby's 'Hyperactive' and The Human League's rendition of 'Being Boiled.' As such, the compilation does well to document some of the most successful releases of the 80s alongside lesser known works equally worthy of praise. Unfortunately there remains some tracks which would be expected on such a compilation. Thankfully, a second volume followed later to include a further number of tracks.

Through the inclusion of such varied works, this compilation is given far greater depth than the typical synthpop compilations which draw from largely the same material. For any children of the 80's, this compilation serves as a charming retrospective of the era where synthesisers got sexy. For volume 2, released in 2010, click here.

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