Various artists now 12” 80s: 1985 part one/ now yearbook ‘97 now ★★★★☆/★★★★☆

The accessibility, affordability and portability of synthesizers in the late 70s had a profound effect on popular music, particularly in the UK, where the likes of Ultravox!, Gary Numan and OMD reshap

Of course Trevor Horn is a genius. But part of Horn’s talent is in seeing ideas through to their maximum potential. And this gigantic boxset of possibly the ultimate 80s album reveals how the initial

WHEN YOU’RE IN LOVE WITH A BEAUTIFUL WOMAN DR HOOK(CAPITOL) If, like Alan Partridge, you were confused as to whether Dr Hook was a fully qualified medical practitioner then note that you wouldn’t call

£35, Anastasia Publishing, hardcover, 176 pages, ISBN: 9781739116606

The third Thompson Twins Best Of and first since 2003 is significant as the only compilation the trio have authorised: Tom Bailey and Alannah Currie chose the tracklist and are extensively interviewed

The onset of 1985 found Eurythmics in a commercial sweet spot as they rode a wave of successive hits on the global stage. It was barely two-and-a-bit years since Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) in Jan