Various Artists - Sedated in the Eighties, Vol. 3 (CD)

All Music Guide

Direct competitor with the excellent Living in Oblivion set, Vol. 3 of the Sedated in the Eighties series does a fine job of consolidating 70 minutes of pop artifacts that will never ride the airwaves again. Any compilation kicked off by the classic Plimsouls nostalgia trip "A Million Miles Away" is headed in the right direction. Next stop shows Concrete Blonde "Still in Hollywood." The best Smithereens song precedes Peter Murphy's biggest solo moment. Iggy pops up to annoy and stimulate, as always. Graham Parker and Faith No More contribute two lost essentials: record company dig "Get Started, Start a Fire" and kickin' call-and-response "We Care a Lot." OMD's "Enola Gay" and the English Beat's "Save It for Later" are totally '80s and totally rad. Sure, you have to deal with Laurie Anderson, but her cyber-art comprises a crucial component of the decade and "O Superman" is only eight minutes long (ouch). The sound quality on this choice collection is superb and the liner notes expertly crafted, so make it happen; make Sedated in the Eighties, Vol. 3 your own.

- Doug Stone, All Music Guide