Gold Best Of [Best of]

In the days when boy bands played their own instruments, Spandau Ballet--a bunch of pretty boys from north London with kilts, shoulder pads, bad 1980s hair, eyeliner and unmistakable good looks--caused quite a stir and soon had both major record labels and teenage girls monitoring their every move. Major-league players among the New Romantic movement, the five piece lived the high life and churned out hit after hit between 1980 and 1986. This compilation features pretty much all of their offerings ("Gold", "True", "Lifeline", "Highly Strung")--some more memorable than others. Gold's sleeve notes boldly proclaim "...this is where it all began. Club culture, endless nocturnal adventures, white boys high on soul and funk-making electric dance music which moves the city." It's hard to imagine music like this doing that now--on the cover they look like a bunch of old guys in polo necks--but it was the 80s. --Ronita Dutta

These good-looking Brits were at the forefront of the early-'80s London club and fashion scene. This collection of their best includes their U.S. hits True; Gold; Communication , and Only When You Leave , plus Chant No. 1 (I Don't Need This Pressure On); The Freeze; Lifeline , and more infectious new-wave gems.