VA - New Wave - Gold [Remastered] (2007)

When it comes to new wave compilations that attempt to strike a balance between well-known hits and lesser-known singles that deserved more play, the New Wave installment in Hip-O's Gold series has to be considered exceptional. If you already own a good number of new wave comps, you will likely have a good portion of what is here, including Soft Cell's "Tainted Love," the Waitresses' "I Know What Boys Like," Bow Wow Wow's "I Want Candy," and Nena's "99 Luftballoons." This being a generous 30-track, two-disc set, there's a lot of room left for the deeper inclusions. These songs -- like the Passions' "I'm in Love with a German Film Star," Ultravox's "Slow Motion," and Altered Images' "I Could Be Happy" -- tiptoed around the margins of the mainstream and were only played on some of the more adventurous U.S. radio stations. These are just as representative of the era as their oft-heard counterparts, so those who are beginning to familiarize themselves with new wave should by no means feel as if this set is out of their depth.