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80. The Best Of O.M.D. by O.M.D. (1988)
This is one of the greatest "Best Of" albums ever, hands down. While most people only know one, maybe two songs by OMD, they were one of the best synth pop bands of the '80s, and this is a perfect compilation of their career. Nothing here that shouldn't be and, more importantly, nothing missing. "Electricity" is the first song, a super catchy addictive tune. Very good for a debut single. Next is "Messages", a bit slower, but a bit better than "Electricity". It's the first song where they truly show off their vocal range. "Enola Gay" almost sounds like a mixture of the previous two songs, but not like a copy. Something that pretty much defines this album and their career, really. They never stray too wildly from their comfort zone, just hammering out great, consistent music. "Souvenir" is the first of several straight slower ballad-type songs, although none are actually ballads. It's a really pretty song, though. "Joan Of Arc" is bad ass, just a great song. "Maid Of Orleans" is almost a sequel, still singing about Joan Of Arc, and is also pretty kick ass. "Tesla Girls" gets back to the upbeat music, a pretty good tune as well. "Locomotion" is probably the weakest song here, I think, but it's at least tolerable. "Talking Loud and Clear" is another slower pretty song, great mix of soft vocals and somewhat subdued yet aggressive music. Hard to explain. "Secret" is an amazing song. I'd never heard it before I got this album, and I've loved it since the first time I listened to it. Just a great tune. "If You Leave" is next, and I know you all know how great that song is. Classic. "(Forever) Live and Die" follows, and this song should really have been a hit for these guys. Love this one, too. Next is the other song you've probably heard by them, "Dreaming". You'll remember it when you hear it in a minute or two. "We Love You (12" Version)" and the final song, "La Femme Accident (12"Version)" are remixes of earlier singles, both pretty popular in dance clubs at the time, and both of these versions reflect that dance club vibe. Overall, in case I haven't clarified, I love this album. I'll never get sick of it, and can't imagine a time when I won't own it. Love it.
5 Best Songs:
5. "Dreaming"
4. "Enola Gay"
3. "If You Leave"
2. "(Forever) Live and Die"
1. "Secret"
79. X by INXS (1990)
This one kicks off with the two big singles. "Suicide Blonde" is first, and includes one of the most awesome harmonica parts ever. "Disappear" is next, the far superior single. Excellent song. "The Stairs" should have been a single, plain and simple. This was one of the best INXS songs ever, and it's baffling why they didn't release it. "Faith In Each Other" on the other hand is pretty bland. Just sounds kind of generic. "By My Side" is awesome also. Take what I said for "The Stairs" and apply it here. From here on out, the album just gets kind of average, the only reason it's not higher. "Lately" sounds like they were trying to write another song around the guitar riff from "Devil Inside" on Kick. "Who Pays the Price" and "Know the Difference" are both decent, but too similar to really be notable. "Bitter Tears" is pretty good, saving the last half of the album from total mediocrity. "On My Way" sounds like "Faith In Each Other", almost like they're the same song with slightly altered words. The final song, "Hear That Sound", is better than most of the songs on the tail end of the album, but still not great. Basically, coming off the success of Kick, this album just feels a tad too rushed, like they wanted to keep their name out there while people were still talking about them. The thing is, though, there were three years between the two albums, the longest between any INXS albums to that point. They really should have tried to broaden their sound a bit more. Nothing too excessive that would drive away the new fans they'd earned, just enough to keep things interesting and keep X from sounding like a poor man's Kick.
5 Best Songs:
5. "Suicide Blonde"
4. "Bitter Tears"
3. "Disappear"
2. "By My Side"
1. "The Stairs"
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