80s Tribute Volume One is the first of two 80s cover albums from Tooth and Nail. Volume one features 12 previously released tracks. Volume two is supposed to feature all unreleased tracks.
Volume one is extremely eclectic featuring everything from Furthermore to Stretch Arm Strong and everything in-between. While some may enjoy such a variety, there is little congruity as an album. Another problem is that outside of "Walking on Sunshine," "Take on Me" and "Every Breath You Take," the rest of the tracks are relatively obscure.
The first four tracks rock, but it's questionable why Ghoti Hook's version of "Where is My Mind?" and MxPx's version of "Summer of '69" were left out in favor of inferior covers. The last two-thirds of the album loses steam, despite including the best song Blenderhead never wrote "Once in a Lifetime" and Fanmail's punked-up version of "Every Breath You Take." What's also sad is that the Huntingtons' cover of "We're Not Gonna Take It" or "We've Got the Beat" couldn't be included instead of a no-name Ramones song.
80s Tribute Volume One is a bit of a disappointment, but re-releasing old music is hardly cutting edge. It doesn't set the bar too high, so volume two just might be a delightful thematic arrangement of unforgettable 80s songs.
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