The freeze-dried
funk
put forth by bands like
Spandau Ballet
is one of the most distinct musical genres that did not survive the '80s. Many bands in England used this mishmash of
new wave
instruments playing soulful music to contrast the
electronic
musicians that were also making more
techno
-oriented
at the time.
The Collection
is a set of 14 songs by the band that made its name with
"True,"
the legendary
ballad
that is surprisingly not included on this album. What is in its place is some of the most soulless
soul
music that was ever thrust upon the listening public; songs like
"Reformation"
and
"Foundation"
are devoid of the emotion and power that this sort of music needs to survive. Singer
Tony Hadley
tries his hardest to give the album a heart, but the crisp production style leaves out the minor blemishes that makes this genre as good as it is. The
/
combination disappeared with the decade, leaving behind some interesting music but obviously missing the essential elements that keeps certain kinds of music around longer than others. And
is the perfect model for that situation; they had a few interesting songs but did not have the staying power of their
-minded contemporaries, thus as the decade ended, so did their career. This album is a sad testimonial to a band and a genre that were never that great to begin with. ~ Bradley Torreano