Just Can’t Get Enough: New Wave Hits Of The ’80s, Vol. 1

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It seems like only yesterday that MTV signed on with the Buggles’ “Video Killed the Radio Star.” But it’s been long enough to inspire a comprehensive collection on Rhino Records recalling the tunes that got us through the Reagan years. The first five volumes of Just Can’t Get Enough: New Wave Hits of the ’80s compile songs ranging from influential ("Pop Muzak" by M and "Money" by the Flying Lizards), to dumb fun ("I Want Candy" by Bow Wow Wow and "Turning Japanese" by the Vapors), to shoulda-stayed-forgotten ("I Ran (So Far Away)" by Flock of Seagulls and "Love Plus One" by Haircut 100). The weird thing is how current it all sounds. In no time at all, we’ll be listening to We’re All Losers, Baby: Alternative Rock Wonders of the ’90s, featuring similar throwaways by Radiohead, Blind Melon, Beck, and Crash Test Dummies. –Jim DeRogatis