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Various Artists - Totally Wired (Razor & Tie)

Track listing:
  1. To Hell With Poverty - Gang Of Four 4:36
  2. Feast On My Heart - Pylon 3:33
  3. You - Delta 5 3:50
  4. White Mouse Disco - Mo-Dettes 3:05
  5. Die Matrosen - Liliput 3:48
  6. Come Again - Au Pairs 3:54
  7. Never Say Never - Romeo Void 3:27
  8. The Light Pours Out Of Me - Magazine 4:37
  9. Acceleration - Urban Verbs 4:35
  10. Kick In The Eye - Bauhaus 3:30
  11. Dance With Me (Extended Version) - Lords Of The New Church 5:50
  12. Lined Up - Shriekback 3:49
  13. Love Will Tear Us Apart - Joy Division 3:25
  14. Hungry So Angry - Medium Medium 3:58
  15. Too Many Creeps - Bush Tetras 4:01
  16. Instant Hit - Slits 2:45
  17. Off Duty Trip - The Raincoats 3:16
  18. Totally Wired - The Fall 3:28

Notes


As the 1970s turned into the 1980s, the first explosion of punk had run its course, and what we now call "post-punk" or "alternative rock" had yet to really coagulate. In the meantime, there were many bands who took their unconventional attitude from the punk era, but sought a more musically diverse format. Totally Wired is an 18-song compilation of bands that were staples of college radio during the time, although they were virtually ignored (or scorned) by the mainstream. Featured are key cuts by bands like Gang of Four, the Fall, the Raincoats, the Slits, Joy Division, Bauhaus, Magazine, Au Pairs, and Pylon, as well as even more cultish acts like Delta 5, the Mo-Dettes, and Bush Tetras. Those who followed this fragmented scene at the time won't find much here they're not already familiar with or own. But for others it's a pretty useful intro to acts that embodied an era which has yet to generate much historical commentary or preservation.