#shakespearssister — Public Fediverse posts
Live and recent posts from across the Fediverse tagged #shakespearssister, aggregated by home.social.
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Hit That Perfect Beat: The London Records Story – an awesome compilation of pop and indie rock songs of the ’80s and ’90s
I haven’t received a compilation CD to review in quite a while. The digital nature of music distribution today means most of my sampling of what’s new on the music scene – including the release of reissues and anniversary issues of classic albums – is pretty much all done online. So it was nice to receive a copy of the CD compilation Hit That Perfect Beat: The London Records Story – an engaging collection of songs that highlights the remarkable breadth of London Records during the 1980s and 1990s. Finally, a quality CD I can play in my car!
Scanning the tracklisting of this double-disc set and you might be surprised by the sheer diversity of artists who were on the London Records label. From Bananarama to Bronski Beat, All Saints to New Order, every genre of the times – from pop to early EDM – makes an appearance.
A lot of these songs I’ve heard before, of course, most of them actually, and it’s so good to hear them again, seemingly mastered so that I’m hearing subtle nuances that I didn’t pick up when they were first heard. Blancmange’s Living On The Ceiling kicks the proceedings off and the version of that song alone reveals beeps and buzzes I’d not picked up on previously. Bananarama’s Cruel Summer follows – a pop classic if ever there was one. And then everything Jimmy Somerville has touched appears to follow – LGBT-proud anthems by Bronski Beat, absolute grooves by the Communards, and even a Somerville solo single. You might suspect, actually, that Jimmy had shares in the production of this compilation, his vocals appear so regularly.
Then there are the huge hits – like Fine Young Cannibals’ She Drives Me Crazy; Armand van Helden’s You Don’t Know Me (a massive one in the clubs that one was); Shakespears Sister’s You’re History, All Saints’ Never Ever, and Sugarbabes’ Overload.
And if the songs themselves don’t seem like they’ve left a major mark on the pop and indie maps, the artists certainly do. New Order’s Regret kicks off CD two with that guitar riff, and while it wasn’t as big a hit as, say, Bizarre Love Triangle or the band’s legendary Blue Monday, it has all the hallmarks of a New Order classic and it’s a nice surprise to see on here (I had forgotten the band had links to London Records). Then there’s Happy Mondays’ rave favourite Stinkin’ Thinkin’; Echo And The Bunnymen’s dream pop gem Nothing Lasts Forever; Gay Dad’s alt-rock ode To Earth With Love; and Dannii Minogue’s classic club staple I Begin To Wonder. Even without Dead Or Alive’s You Spin Me Round Like A Record – which features on an alternative version of that latter song, it’s still a good, hooky number that sits nicely amid the broad artistry here.
That sheer diversity of London Records artists also meant artists were free to move around, test the solo life, move into other fields. It’s because of the chilled vibe of the label that lead singer of Fine Young Cannibals, Roland Gift, was able to go do runway work for big designer labels; why Siobhan Faye of Bananarama was given the chance to move on from her bubblegum blonde roots and into darker, gothic-romantic territory as half of Shakespears Sister (their name taken from a Smiths song, the apostrophe and letter ‘e’ purposely missing); why the Mike Flower Pops were allowed to absolutely crucify Oasis’ sacred Wonderwall (that’s on here, too).
The London Records Story moves confidently through synth-pop, nu-wave, indie rock, dance, electronica, ska, and other alternative sounds, demonstrating how the label consistently embraced artists who reflected bold and changing musical trends.
Familiar hits sit comfortably alongside deeper cuts, making the collection appealing to both casual listeners and longtime fans.
The sequencing keeps the energy flowing, with polished pop anthems giving way to club classics and guitar-driven tracks that capture the evolving tastes of two transformative decades. The mastering is generally strong, allowing songs from different years to coexist without sounding jarring. More importantly, the compilation illustrates how London Records balanced commercial success with artistic ambition, signing acts that often influenced the direction of popular music, not merely followed it.
As a summary of the 1980s and 1990s, however, it is best viewed through the lens of one label rather than as a complete portrait of either era. What this compilation does well is capture many defining styles and moods but inevitably omitting major movements and artists released elsewhere (not much New Romantic on here, put it that way). Even so, it succeeds as a vivid snapshot of its catalogue and an enjoyable journey through two decades of memorable music.
A great double-disc set that’s still regularly rotating on the car stereo.
‘Hit That Perfect Beat: The London Records Story’ is available on CD and in digital format through London Records (naturally).
The label also presents a beaut podcast which you can subscribe to here.
Curating the Ultimate Luxury Weekend Getaway in the Heart of Sydney
Still loving this track.
Hands in the air for a ‘Romy and Michele’ movie sequel is finally in production
Rate this:
#AllSaints #ANTONINOTATI #bananarama #BREATHE #breatheRedux #bronskiBeat #communards #compilationAlbums #compilationCds #CREAMMAGAZINE #DanniiMinogue #e #echoAndTheBunnymen #happyMondays #hitThatPerfectBeat #indiePop #indieRock #jimmySomerville #londonRecords #marcellaDetroit #MUSIC #musicReviews #newOrder #POPCULTURE #popMusic #popReviews #REVIEWS #shakespearsSister #siobhanFahey -
Hit That Perfect Beat: The London Records Story – an awesome compilation of pop and indie rock songs of the ’80s and ’90s
I haven’t received a compilation CD to review in quite a while. The digital nature of music distribution today means most of my sampling of what’s new on the music scene – including the release of reissues and anniversary issues of classic albums – is pretty much all done online. So it was nice to receive a copy of the CD compilation Hit That Perfect Beat: The London Records Story – an engaging collection of songs that highlights the remarkable breadth of London Records during the 1980s and 1990s. Finally, a quality CD I can play in my car!
Scanning the tracklisting of this double-disc set and you might be surprised by the sheer diversity of artists who were on the London Records label. From Bananarama to Bronski Beat, All Saints to New Order, every genre of the times – from pop to early EDM – makes an appearance.
A lot of these songs I’ve heard before, of course, most of them actually, and it’s so good to hear them again, seemingly mastered so that I’m hearing subtle nuances that I didn’t pick up when they were first heard. Blancmange’s Living On The Ceiling kicks the proceedings off and the version of that song alone reveals beeps and buzzes I’d not picked up on previously. Bananarama’s Cruel Summer follows – a pop classic if ever there was one. And then everything Jimmy Somerville has touched appears to follow – LGBT-proud anthems by Bronski Beat, absolute grooves by the Communards, and even a Somerville solo single. You might suspect, actually, that Jimmy had shares in the production of this compilation, his vocals appear so regularly.
Then there are the huge hits – like Fine Young Cannibals’ She Drives Me Crazy; Armand van Helden’s You Don’t Know Me (a massive one in the clubs that one was); Shakespears Sister’s You’re History, All Saints’ Never Ever, and Sugarbabes’ Overload.
And if the songs themselves don’t seem like they’ve left a major mark on the pop and indie maps, the artists certainly do. New Order’s Regret kicks off CD two with that guitar riff, and while it wasn’t as big a hit as, say, Bizarre Love Triangle or the band’s legendary Blue Monday, it has all the hallmarks of a New Order classic and it’s a nice surprise to see on here (I had forgotten the band had links to London Records). Then there’s Happy Mondays’ rave favourite Stinkin’ Thinkin’; Echo And The Bunnymen’s dream pop gem Nothing Lasts Forever; Gay Dad’s alt-rock ode To Earth With Love; and Dannii Minogue’s classic club staple I Begin To Wonder. Even without Dead Or Alive’s You Spin Me Round Like A Record – which features on an alternative version of that latter song, it’s still a good, hooky number that sits nicely amid the broad artistry here.
That sheer diversity of London Records artists also meant artists were free to move around, test the solo life, move into other fields. It’s because of the chilled vibe of the label that lead singer of Fine Young Cannibals, Roland Gift, was able to go do runway work for big designer labels; why Siobhan Faye of Bananarama was given the chance to move on from her bubblegum blonde roots and into darker, gothic-romantic territory as half of Shakespears Sister (their name taken from a Smiths song, the apostrophe and letter ‘e’ purposely missing); why the Mike Flower Pops were allowed to absolutely crucify Oasis’ sacred Wonderwall (that’s on here, too).
The London Records Story moves confidently through synth-pop, nu-wave, indie rock, dance, electronica, ska, and other alternative sounds, demonstrating how the label consistently embraced artists who reflected bold and changing musical trends.
Familiar hits sit comfortably alongside deeper cuts, making the collection appealing to both casual listeners and longtime fans.
The sequencing keeps the energy flowing, with polished pop anthems giving way to club classics and guitar-driven tracks that capture the evolving tastes of two transformative decades. The mastering is generally strong, allowing songs from different years to coexist without sounding jarring. More importantly, the compilation illustrates how London Records balanced commercial success with artistic ambition, signing acts that often influenced the direction of popular music, not merely followed it.
As a summary of the 1980s and 1990s, however, it is best viewed through the lens of one label rather than as a complete portrait of either era. What this compilation does well is capture many defining styles and moods but inevitably omitting major movements and artists released elsewhere (not much New Romantic on here, put it that way). Even so, it succeeds as a vivid snapshot of its catalogue and an enjoyable journey through two decades of memorable music.
A great double-disc set that’s still regularly rotating on the car stereo.
‘Hit That Perfect Beat: The London Records Story’ is available on CD and in digital format through London Records (naturally).
The label also presents a beaut podcast which you can subscribe to here.
Curating the Ultimate Luxury Weekend Getaway in the Heart of Sydney
Still loving this track.
Hands in the air for a ‘Romy and Michele’ movie sequel is finally in production
Rate this:
#AllSaints #ANTONINOTATI #bananarama #BREATHE #breatheRedux #bronskiBeat #communards #compilationAlbums #compilationCds #CREAMMAGAZINE #DanniiMinogue #e #echoAndTheBunnymen #happyMondays #hitThatPerfectBeat #indiePop #indieRock #jimmySomerville #londonRecords #marcellaDetroit #MUSIC #musicReviews #newOrder #POPCULTURE #popMusic #popReviews #REVIEWS #shakespearsSister #siobhanFahey -
Hit That Perfect Beat: The London Records Story – an awesome compilation of pop and indie rock songs of the ’80s and ’90s
I haven’t received a compilation CD to review in quite a while. The digital nature of music distribution today means most of my sampling of what’s new on the music scene – including the release of reissues and anniversary issues of classic albums – is pretty much all done online. So it was nice to receive a copy of the CD compilation Hit That Perfect Beat: The London Records Story – an engaging collection of songs that highlights the remarkable breadth of London Records during the 1980s and 1990s. Finally, a quality CD I can play in my car!
Scanning the tracklisting of this double-disc set and you might be surprised by the sheer diversity of artists who were on the London Records label. From Bananarama to Bronski Beat, All Saints to New Order, every genre of the times – from pop to early EDM – makes an appearance.
A lot of these songs I’ve heard before, of course, most of them actually, and it’s so good to hear them again, seemingly mastered so that I’m hearing subtle nuances that I didn’t pick up when they were first heard. Blancmange’s Living On The Ceiling kicks the proceedings off and the version of that song alone reveals beeps and buzzes I’d not picked up on previously. Bananarama’s Cruel Summer follows – a pop classic if ever there was one. And then everything Jimmy Somerville has touched appears to follow – LGBT-proud anthems by Bronski Beat, absolute grooves by the Communards, and even a Somerville solo single. You might suspect, actually, that Jimmy had shares in the production of this compilation, his vocals appear so regularly.
Then there are the huge hits – like Fine Young Cannibals’ She Drives Me Crazy; Armand van Helden’s You Don’t Know Me (a massive one in the clubs that one was); Shakespears Sister’s You’re History, All Saints’ Never Ever, and Sugarbabes’ Overload.
And if the songs themselves don’t seem like they’ve left a major mark on the pop and indie maps, the artists certainly do. New Order’s Regret kicks off CD two with that guitar riff, and while it wasn’t as big a hit as, say, Bizarre Love Triangle or the band’s legendary Blue Monday, it has all the hallmarks of a New Order classic and it’s a nice surprise to see on here (I had forgotten the band had links to London Records). Then there’s Happy Mondays’ rave favourite Stinkin’ Thinkin’; Echo And The Bunnymen’s dream pop gem Nothing Lasts Forever; Gay Dad’s alt-rock ode To Earth With Love; and Dannii Minogue’s classic club staple I Begin To Wonder. Even without Dead Or Alive’s You Spin Me Round Like A Record – which features on an alternative version of that latter song, it’s still a good, hooky number that sits nicely amid the broad artistry here.
That sheer diversity of London Records artists also meant artists were free to move around, test the solo life, move into other fields. It’s because of the chilled vibe of the label that lead singer of Fine Young Cannibals, Roland Gift, was able to go do runway work for big designer labels; why Siobhan Faye of Bananarama was given the chance to move on from her bubblegum blonde roots and into darker, gothic-romantic territory as half of Shakespears Sister (their name taken from a Smiths song, the apostrophe and letter ‘e’ purposely missing); why the Mike Flower Pops were allowed to absolutely crucify Oasis’ sacred Wonderwall (that’s on here, too).
The London Records Story moves confidently through synth-pop, nu-wave, indie rock, dance, electronica, ska, and other alternative sounds, demonstrating how the label consistently embraced artists who reflected bold and changing musical trends.
Familiar hits sit comfortably alongside deeper cuts, making the collection appealing to both casual listeners and longtime fans.
The sequencing keeps the energy flowing, with polished pop anthems giving way to club classics and guitar-driven tracks that capture the evolving tastes of two transformative decades. The mastering is generally strong, allowing songs from different years to coexist without sounding jarring. More importantly, the compilation illustrates how London Records balanced commercial success with artistic ambition, signing acts that often influenced the direction of popular music, not merely followed it.
As a summary of the 1980s and 1990s, however, it is best viewed through the lens of one label rather than as a complete portrait of either era. What this compilation does well is capture many defining styles and moods but inevitably omitting major movements and artists released elsewhere (not much New Romantic on here, put it that way). Even so, it succeeds as a vivid snapshot of its catalogue and an enjoyable journey through two decades of memorable music.
A great double-disc set that’s still regularly rotating on the car stereo.
‘Hit That Perfect Beat: The London Records Story’ is available on CD and in digital format through London Records (naturally).
The label also presents a beaut podcast which you can subscribe to here.
Curating the Ultimate Luxury Weekend Getaway in the Heart of Sydney
Still loving this track.
Hands in the air for a ‘Romy and Michele’ movie sequel is finally in production
Rate this:
#AllSaints #ANTONINOTATI #bananarama #BREATHE #breatheRedux #bronskiBeat #communards #compilationAlbums #compilationCds #CREAMMAGAZINE #DanniiMinogue #e #echoAndTheBunnymen #happyMondays #hitThatPerfectBeat #indiePop #indieRock #jimmySomerville #londonRecords #marcellaDetroit #MUSIC #musicReviews #newOrder #POPCULTURE #popMusic #popReviews #REVIEWS #shakespearsSister #siobhanFahey -
Hit That Perfect Beat: The London Records Story – an awesome compilation of pop and indie rock songs of the ’80s and ’90s
I haven’t received a compilation CD to review in quite a while. The digital nature of music distribution today means most of my sampling of what’s new on the music scene – including the release of reissues and anniversary issues of classic albums – is pretty much all done online. So it was nice to receive a copy of the CD compilation Hit That Perfect Beat: The London Records Story – an engaging collection of songs that highlights the remarkable breadth of London Records during the 1980s and 1990s. Finally, a quality CD I can play in my car!
Scanning the tracklisting of this double-disc set and you might be surprised by the sheer diversity of artists who were on the London Records label. From Bananarama to Bronski Beat, All Saints to New Order, every genre of the times – from pop to early EDM – makes an appearance.
A lot of these songs I’ve heard before, of course, most of them actually, and it’s so good to hear them again, seemingly mastered so that I’m hearing subtle nuances that I didn’t pick up when they were first heard. Blancmange’s Living On The Ceiling kicks the proceedings off and the version of that song alone reveals beeps and buzzes I’d not picked up on previously. Bananarama’s Cruel Summer follows – a pop classic if ever there was one. And then everything Jimmy Somerville has touched appears to follow – LGBT-proud anthems by Bronski Beat, absolute grooves by the Communards, and even a Somerville solo single. You might suspect, actually, that Jimmy had shares in the production of this compilation, his vocals appear so regularly.
Then there are the huge hits – like Fine Young Cannibals’ She Drives Me Crazy; Armand van Helden’s You Don’t Know Me (a massive one in the clubs that one was); Shakespears Sister’s You’re History, All Saints’ Never Ever, and Sugarbabes’ Overload.
And if the songs themselves don’t seem like they’ve left a major mark on the pop and indie maps, the artists certainly do. New Order’s Regret kicks off CD two with that guitar riff, and while it wasn’t as big a hit as, say, Bizarre Love Triangle or the band’s legendary Blue Monday, it has all the hallmarks of a New Order classic and it’s a nice surprise to see on here (I had forgotten the band had links to London Records). Then there’s Happy Mondays’ rave favourite Stinkin’ Thinkin’; Echo And The Bunnymen’s dream pop gem Nothing Lasts Forever; Gay Dad’s alt-rock ode To Earth With Love; and Dannii Minogue’s classic club staple I Begin To Wonder. Even without Dead Or Alive’s You Spin Me Round Like A Record – which features on an alternative version of that latter song, it’s still a good, hooky number that sits nicely amid the broad artistry here.
That sheer diversity of London Records artists also meant artists were free to move around, test the solo life, move into other fields. It’s because of the chilled vibe of the label that lead singer of Fine Young Cannibals, Roland Gift, was able to go do runway work for big designer labels; why Siobhan Faye of Bananarama was given the chance to move on from her bubblegum blonde roots and into darker, gothic-romantic territory as half of Shakespears Sister (their name taken from a Smiths song, the apostrophe and letter ‘e’ purposely missing); why the Mike Flower Pops were allowed to absolutely crucify Oasis’ sacred Wonderwall (that’s on here, too).
The London Records Story moves confidently through synth-pop, nu-wave, indie rock, dance, electronica, ska, and other alternative sounds, demonstrating how the label consistently embraced artists who reflected bold and changing musical trends.
Familiar hits sit comfortably alongside deeper cuts, making the collection appealing to both casual listeners and longtime fans.
The sequencing keeps the energy flowing, with polished pop anthems giving way to club classics and guitar-driven tracks that capture the evolving tastes of two transformative decades. The mastering is generally strong, allowing songs from different years to coexist without sounding jarring. More importantly, the compilation illustrates how London Records balanced commercial success with artistic ambition, signing acts that often influenced the direction of popular music, not merely followed it.
As a summary of the 1980s and 1990s, however, it is best viewed through the lens of one label rather than as a complete portrait of either era. What this compilation does well is capture many defining styles and moods but inevitably omitting major movements and artists released elsewhere (not much New Romantic on here, put it that way). Even so, it succeeds as a vivid snapshot of its catalogue and an enjoyable journey through two decades of memorable music.
A great double-disc set that’s still regularly rotating on the car stereo.
‘Hit That Perfect Beat: The London Records Story’ is available on CD and in digital format through London Records (naturally).
The label also presents a beaut podcast which you can subscribe to here.
Curating the Ultimate Luxury Weekend Getaway in the Heart of Sydney
Still loving this track.
Hands in the air for a ‘Romy and Michele’ movie sequel is finally in production
Rate this:
#AllSaints #ANTONINOTATI #bananarama #BREATHE #breatheRedux #bronskiBeat #communards #compilationAlbums #compilationCds #CREAMMAGAZINE #DanniiMinogue #e #echoAndTheBunnymen #happyMondays #hitThatPerfectBeat #indiePop #indieRock #jimmySomerville #londonRecords #marcellaDetroit #MUSIC #musicReviews #newOrder #POPCULTURE #popMusic #popReviews #REVIEWS #shakespearsSister #siobhanFahey -
Hit That Perfect Beat: The London Records Story – an awesome compilation of pop and indie rock songs of the ’80s and ’90s
I haven’t received a compilation CD to review in quite a while. The digital nature of music distribution today means most of my sampling of what’s new on the music scene – including the release of reissues and anniversary issues of classic albums – is pretty much all done online. So it was nice to receive a copy of the CD compilation Hit That Perfect Beat: The London Records Story – an engaging collection of songs that highlights the remarkable breadth of London Records during the 1980s and 1990s. Finally, a quality CD I can play in my car!
Scanning the tracklisting of this double-disc set and you might be surprised by the sheer diversity of artists who were on the London Records label. From Bananarama to Bronski Beat, All Saints to New Order, every genre of the times – from pop to early EDM – makes an appearance.
A lot of these songs I’ve heard before, of course, most of them actually, and it’s so good to hear them again, seemingly mastered so that I’m hearing subtle nuances that I didn’t pick up when they were first heard. Blancmange’s Living On The Ceiling kicks the proceedings off and the version of that song alone reveals beeps and buzzes I’d not picked up on previously. Bananarama’s Cruel Summer follows – a pop classic if ever there was one. And then everything Jimmy Somerville has touched appears to follow – LGBT-proud anthems by Bronski Beat, absolute grooves by the Communards, and even a Somerville solo single. You might suspect, actually, that Jimmy had shares in the production of this compilation, his vocals appear so regularly.
Then there are the huge hits – like Fine Young Cannibals’ She Drives Me Crazy; Armand van Helden’s You Don’t Know Me (a massive one in the clubs that one was); Shakespears Sister’s You’re History, All Saints’ Never Ever, and Sugarbabes’ Overload.
And if the songs themselves don’t seem like they’ve left a major mark on the pop and indie maps, the artists certainly do. New Order’s Regret kicks off CD two with that guitar riff, and while it wasn’t as big a hit as, say, Bizarre Love Triangle or the band’s legendary Blue Monday, it has all the hallmarks of a New Order classic and it’s a nice surprise to see on here (I had forgotten the band had links to London Records). Then there’s Happy Mondays’ rave favourite Stinkin’ Thinkin’; Echo And The Bunnymen’s dream pop gem Nothing Lasts Forever; Gay Dad’s alt-rock ode To Earth With Love; and Dannii Minogue’s classic club staple I Begin To Wonder. Even without Dead Or Alive’s You Spin Me Round Like A Record – which features on an alternative version of that latter song, it’s still a good, hooky number that sits nicely amid the broad artistry here.
That sheer diversity of London Records artists also meant artists were free to move around, test the solo life, move into other fields. It’s because of the chilled vibe of the label that lead singer of Fine Young Cannibals, Roland Gift, was able to go do runway work for big designer labels; why Siobhan Faye of Bananarama was given the chance to move on from her bubblegum blonde roots and into darker, gothic-romantic territory as half of Shakespears Sister (their name taken from a Smiths song, the apostrophe and letter ‘e’ purposely missing); why the Mike Flower Pops were allowed to absolutely crucify Oasis’ sacred Wonderwall (that’s on here, too).
The London Records Story moves confidently through synth-pop, nu-wave, indie rock, dance, electronica, ska, and other alternative sounds, demonstrating how the label consistently embraced artists who reflected bold and changing musical trends.
Familiar hits sit comfortably alongside deeper cuts, making the collection appealing to both casual listeners and longtime fans.
The sequencing keeps the energy flowing, with polished pop anthems giving way to club classics and guitar-driven tracks that capture the evolving tastes of two transformative decades. The mastering is generally strong, allowing songs from different years to coexist without sounding jarring. More importantly, the compilation illustrates how London Records balanced commercial success with artistic ambition, signing acts that often influenced the direction of popular music, not merely followed it.
As a summary of the 1980s and 1990s, however, it is best viewed through the lens of one label rather than as a complete portrait of either era. What this compilation does well is capture many defining styles and moods but inevitably omitting major movements and artists released elsewhere (not much New Romantic on here, put it that way). Even so, it succeeds as a vivid snapshot of its catalogue and an enjoyable journey through two decades of memorable music.
A great double-disc set that’s still regularly rotating on the car stereo.
‘Hit That Perfect Beat: The London Records Story’ is available on CD and in digital format through London Records (naturally).
The label also presents a beaut podcast which you can subscribe to here.
Curating the Ultimate Luxury Weekend Getaway in the Heart of Sydney
Still loving this track.
Hands in the air for a ‘Romy and Michele’ movie sequel is finally in production
Rate this:
#AllSaints #ANTONINOTATI #bananarama #BREATHE #breatheRedux #bronskiBeat #communards #compilationAlbums #compilationCds #CREAMMAGAZINE #DanniiMinogue #e #echoAndTheBunnymen #happyMondays #hitThatPerfectBeat #indiePop #indieRock #jimmySomerville #londonRecords #marcellaDetroit #MUSIC #musicReviews #newOrder #POPCULTURE #popMusic #popReviews #REVIEWS #shakespearsSister #siobhanFahey -
Hit That Perfect Beat: The London Records Story – an awesome compilation of pop and indie rock songs of the ’80s and ’90s
I haven’t received a compilation CD to review in quite a while. The digital nature of music distribution today means most of my sampling of what’s new on the music scene – including the release of reissues and anniversary issues of classic albums – is pretty much all done online. So it was nice to receive a copy of the CD compilation Hit That Perfect Beat: The London Records Story – an engaging collection of songs that highlights the remarkable breadth of London Records during the 1980s and 1990s. Finally, a quality CD I can play in my car!
Scanning the tracklisting of this double-disc set and you might be surprised by the sheer diversity of artists who were on the London Records label. From Bananarama to Bronski Beat, All Saints to New Order, every genre of the times – from pop to early EDM – makes an appearance.
A lot of these songs I’ve heard before, of course, most of them actually, and it’s so good to hear them again, seemingly mastered so that I’m hearing subtle nuances that I didn’t pick up when they were first heard. Blancmange’s Living On The Ceiling kicks the proceedings off and the version of that song alone reveals beeps and buzzes I’d not picked up on previously. Bananarama’s Cruel Summer follows – a pop classic if ever there was one. And then everything Jimmy Somerville has touched appears to follow – LGBT-proud anthems by Bronski Beat, absolute grooves by the Communards, and even a Somerville solo single. You might suspect, actually, that Jimmy had shares in the production of this compilation, his vocals appear so regularly.
Then there are the huge hits – like Fine Young Cannibals’ She Drives Me Crazy; Armand van Helden’s You Don’t Know Me (a massive one in the clubs that one was); Shakespears Sister’s You’re History, All Saints’ Never Ever, and Sugarbabes’ Overload.
And if the songs themselves don’t seem like they’ve left a major mark on the pop and indie maps, the artists certainly do. New Order’s Regret kicks off CD two with that guitar riff, and while it wasn’t as big a hit as, say, Bizarre Love Triangle or the band’s legendary Blue Monday, it has all the hallmarks of a New Order classic and it’s a nice surprise to see on here (I had forgotten the band had links to London Records). Then there’s Happy Mondays’ rave favourite Stinkin’ Thinkin’; Echo And The Bunnymen’s dream pop gem Nothing Lasts Forever; Gay Dad’s alt-rock ode To Earth With Love; and Dannii Minogue’s classic club staple I Begin To Wonder. Even without Dead Or Alive’s You Spin Me Round Like A Record – which features on an alternative version of that latter song, it’s still a good, hooky number that sits nicely amid the broad artistry here.
That sheer diversity of London Records artists also meant artists were free to move around, test the solo life, move into other fields. It’s because of the chilled vibe of the label that lead singer of Fine Young Cannibals, Roland Gift, was able to go do runway work for big designer labels; why Siobhan Faye of Bananarama was given the chance to move on from her bubblegum blonde roots and into darker, gothic-romantic territory as half of Shakespears Sister (their name taken from a Smiths song, the apostrophe and letter ‘e’ purposely missing); why the Mike Flower Pops were allowed to absolutely crucify Oasis’ sacred Wonderwall (that’s on here, too).
The London Records Story moves confidently through synth-pop, nu-wave, indie rock, dance, electronica, ska, and other alternative sounds, demonstrating how the label consistently embraced artists who reflected bold and changing musical trends.
Familiar hits sit comfortably alongside deeper cuts, making the collection appealing to both casual listeners and longtime fans.
The sequencing keeps the energy flowing, with polished pop anthems giving way to club classics and guitar-driven tracks that capture the evolving tastes of two transformative decades. The mastering is generally strong, allowing songs from different years to coexist without sounding jarring. More importantly, the compilation illustrates how London Records balanced commercial success with artistic ambition, signing acts that often influenced the direction of popular music, not merely followed it.
As a summary of the 1980s and 1990s, however, it is best viewed through the lens of one label rather than as a complete portrait of either era. What this compilation does well is capture many defining styles and moods but inevitably omitting major movements and artists released elsewhere (not much New Romantic on here, put it that way). Even so, it succeeds as a vivid snapshot of its catalogue and an enjoyable journey through two decades of memorable music.
A great double-disc set that’s still regularly rotating on the car stereo.
‘Hit That Perfect Beat: The London Records Story’ is available on CD and in digital format through London Records (naturally).
The label also presents a beaut podcast which you can subscribe to here.
Curating the Ultimate Luxury Weekend Getaway in the Heart of Sydney
Still loving this track.
Hands in the air for a ‘Romy and Michele’ movie sequel is finally in production
Rate this:
#AllSaints #ANTONINOTATI #bananarama #BREATHE #breatheRedux #bronskiBeat #communards #compilationAlbums #compilationCds #CREAMMAGAZINE #DanniiMinogue #e #echoAndTheBunnymen #happyMondays #hitThatPerfectBeat #indiePop #indieRock #jimmySomerville #londonRecords #marcellaDetroit #MUSIC #musicReviews #newOrder #POPCULTURE #popMusic #popReviews #REVIEWS #shakespearsSister #siobhanFahey -
🇺🇦 #NowPlaying on #BBC6Music's #DonLettsCultureClashRadio
Shakespears Sister:
🎵 Black Sky (Dub Extravaganza, Pt.1)https://shakespearssister.bandcamp.com/album/black-sky-remastered-expanded
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🇺🇦 #NowPlaying on #BBC6Music's #DonLettsCultureClashRadio
Shakespears Sister:
🎵 Black Sky (Dub Extravaganza, Pt.1)https://shakespearssister.bandcamp.com/album/black-sky-remastered-expanded
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🇺🇦 #NowPlaying on #BBC6Music's #DonLettsCultureClashRadio
Shakespears Sister:
🎵 Black Sky (Dub Extravaganza, Pt.1)https://shakespearssister.bandcamp.com/album/black-sky-remastered-expanded
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🇺🇦 #NowPlaying on #BBC6Music's #DonLettsCultureClashRadio
Shakespears Sister:
🎵 Black Sky (Dub Extravaganza, Pt.1)https://shakespearssister.bandcamp.com/album/black-sky-remastered-expanded
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🇺🇦 #NowPlaying on #BBC6Music's #DonLettsCultureClashRadio
Shakespears Sister:
🎵 Black Sky (Dub Extravaganza, Pt.1)https://shakespearssister.bandcamp.com/album/black-sky-remastered-expanded
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Shakespears Sister - Stay (1992)
#45vinyl #shakespearssister #stay #1992 #1990s #90smusic #pop #synthpop #downtempo #7inch #gxml
Wordpress - https://genxmusiclover.wordpress.com/2025/07/10/shakespears-sister-stay/
Blogspot - https://genxmusiclover.blogspot.com/2025/07/shakespears-sister-stay.html -
Shakespears Sister - Stay (1992)
#45vinyl #shakespearssister #stay #1992 #1990s #90smusic #pop #synthpop #downtempo #7inch #gxml
Wordpress - https://genxmusiclover.wordpress.com/2025/07/10/shakespears-sister-stay/
Blogspot - https://genxmusiclover.blogspot.com/2025/07/shakespears-sister-stay.html -
Shakespears Sister - Stay (1992)
#45vinyl #shakespearssister #stay #1992 #1990s #90smusic #pop #synthpop #downtempo #7inch #gxml
Wordpress - https://genxmusiclover.wordpress.com/2025/07/10/shakespears-sister-stay/
Blogspot - https://genxmusiclover.blogspot.com/2025/07/shakespears-sister-stay.html -
Shakespears Sister - Stay (1992)
#45vinyl #shakespearssister #stay #1992 #1990s #90smusic #pop #synthpop #downtempo #7inch #gxml
Wordpress - https://genxmusiclover.wordpress.com/2025/07/10/shakespears-sister-stay/
Blogspot - https://genxmusiclover.blogspot.com/2025/07/shakespears-sister-stay.html -
I will never tire of the video for Sty by Shakespears Sister.
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I will never tire of the video for Sty by Shakespears Sister.
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I will never tire of the video for Sty by Shakespears Sister.
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I will never tire of the video for Sty by Shakespears Sister.
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2025 Hey Siri Songs - Day 179
"Hey Siri. Play Emotional Thing by Shakespears Sister."
#Nite #HomePod #Music #ShakespearsSister
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/gb/album/emotional-thing/1553515725?i=1553515936
YouTube: https://youtu.be/lHnFEp_9w-o
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2025 Hey Siri Songs - Day 179
"Hey Siri. Play Emotional Thing by Shakespears Sister."
#Nite #HomePod #Music #ShakespearsSister
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/gb/album/emotional-thing/1553515725?i=1553515936
YouTube: https://youtu.be/lHnFEp_9w-o
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2025 Hey Siri Songs - Day 179
"Hey Siri. Play Emotional Thing by Shakespears Sister."
#Nite #HomePod #Music #ShakespearsSister
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/gb/album/emotional-thing/1553515725?i=1553515936
YouTube: https://youtu.be/lHnFEp_9w-o
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2025 Hey Siri Songs - Day 179
"Hey Siri. Play Emotional Thing by Shakespears Sister."
#Nite #HomePod #Music #ShakespearsSister
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/gb/album/emotional-thing/1553515725?i=1553515936
YouTube: https://youtu.be/lHnFEp_9w-o
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Oh, and this one too. “Stay” on a loop on the Walkman, and then tuning into ¿G-A-Y? radio on ¿LBC? with 🤢Jeremy Joseph🤢 to listen to Jeff Stryker shilling porn #ShakespearsSister #TOTP
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"Stay" - Shakespear's Sister
The classic video, with Marcie giving a sponge bath to a man in a pink-and-yellow suit.
Sold just 34,000 copies to be number one this week, the ninth-lowest weekly number one total of the decade.
Our first Mystery Year was 1992, Mark Franklin and Claudia Simon hosted.
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Sticking with female singers, next up was #ShakespearsSister. I used to adore Marcella Detroit’s voice and Siobhan Fahey’s sense of drama when I was about 12. ‘Hello’ feels prophetic now…
‘Woke up this morning and my head was in a daze
A brave new world had dawned upon the human race
Where words are meaningless and everything's surreal
Gonna have to reach my friends to find out how I feel
And if I taste the honey is it really sweet?
And do I eat it with my hands or with my feet?’ -
...although on another listen, this looks and sounds like Alanis Morissette circa 2002.
Siobhan Fahey, simultaneously ahead of her time and massively unfashionable.
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"I can drive" sing Shakespears Sister. Returning to its original form - Siobhan Fahey and session musicians - the act release a stream of consciousness set to a glam rock beat.
Four years since Siobhan was last around, during which time we'd had Riot Grrl and 4 Non Blondes and Juliana and Alanis. Other folk had moved onto Siobhan's patch, and were more convincing.
The single flopped, Siobhan was dropped, the album was canned - eventually got self-released in 2005.
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#ShakespearsSister - Hello (Turn Your Radio On) (Official Video)
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Shakespears Sister, Stay
Albüm: Hormonally Yours (1992)
#90s #shakespearssister #stay -
Po tym, jak ostatnio wkrecilo mi sie #ShakespearsSister, dzisiaj w trasie do Gdanska w aucie leciala playlista utworow skojarzonych tym duetem (jeden z niewielu przypadkow, kiedy jakis algorytm jest do czegos naprawde przydatny i dobrze dobiera podpowiedzi).
To byla rewelacyjna podroz do przeszlosci i najlepiej wspominanych przeze mnie utworow pop i rock z lat 80 i poczatku 90.I tu pada moje pytanie, a moze zaczatek do dyskusji (boosty mile widziane, jesli ten temat uwazacie za ciekawy).
Jakie byly Wasze domowe, rodzinne inspiracje muzyczne? Przelozyly sie na to czego sluchacie teraz? Moi rodzice raczej za bardzo inspiracja dla mojego gustu nie byli xD O ile u mamy jeszcze uszlo (Wodecki, Santor, ostatecznie Rodowicz) to do muzycznych preferencji ojca nie bede sie przyznawal xD
U mnie to byl przekroj od starych kaset z kawalkami Modern Talking i Bananaramy sluchanych na walkmanie Sony, rockowe klipy gdy jeszcze MTV puszczalo muzyke, przez Liste Przebojow 30 Ton na TVP2, nagrywanie telewizyjnego koncertu Jarre'a ze Spodka na magnetofonie, po liste Hop-Bec na RMF i w koncu utwory klubowe w Planecie FM - wiec chyba gust muzyczny mam bardzo szeroki (klasyczny rock, troche metalu, stary pop, rap, elektronika, muzyka klubowa, itp.), ale jednak zawsze najwieksze ciary czulem wtedy, gdy w tle bylo duzo elektroniki i syntezatorow.
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Nie wiem czemu, ale mam na ten kawalek ostatnio straszna faze ;) Oryginalna wersja ma niezwykly klimat pomieszania popu z rockiem i elektronika (jak na przelom 80s i 90s przystalo), ale tym wspolczesnym wykonaniom tez niewiele brakuje - o ile Marcella #Detroit troche przekombinowuje, o tyle Siobhan #Fahey jest w swojej czesci nadal (pun intended) szalenczo bezbledna
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgmftRP2IVo
