The first time I heard Wang Chung was in the early 80's. Dance Hall Days got a lot of airplay. When I was visiting a buddy in Ketchikan he had Points On The Curve so I decided to give it a listen. The first two songs were killers, then the third song came on, to make a long story short I didn't make it through the first side. Okay, I didn't give it much of a chance, but I still think those first two songs are among some of the best pop ever written.

In 1985 I heard To Live and Die in L.A. This album blew me away. I don't know much about the band, and I still don't. They were good enough to warrant repeated listenings but I'm not a rabid fan. I never bought Mosaic, and to this day still don't really care for Everybody Have Fun Tonight; however, they did produce some great tunes which were part of the soundtrack of my life during the mid 80's.

To Live and Die in LA (©1985 Geffen)

the songs: To Live and Die in LA / Lullaby / Wake Up, Stop Dreaming / Wait / City of the Angels / The Red Stare / Black-White-Blue / Every Big City

With To Live and Die in LA Wang Chung released a nearly perfect album. That's a pretty bold statement, but this is an amazing blend of pop / rock / and instrumental music. Nothing else the band recorded comes close to this effort. City of the Angels is a wicked piece of music, heck they're all excellent.

This album has seen fifteen years of regular play on my stereo. Biggest complaint is that this was released in the days of the 22 minute rule. If it was released today I'm sure it would clock in at over an hour rather than a mere 40 minutes. Oh well, maybe it's not so perfect after all.

Reviewed August 13, 2000

The Warmer Side of Cool (Geffen 1989)

the songs: Praying to a New God / What's So Bad About Feeling Good? / Snakedance / Swing / When Love Looks Back At You / Games of Power / At The Speed of Life / The Warmer Side of Cool / Logic and Love / Tall Trees in a Blue Sky / Big World

This was the final Wang Chung album (that I'm aware of) and it was different again from their previous releases. The first listen through I thought it stunk. But I kept listening and eventually it started to grow on me. Of the eleven tracks I can pull off six songs that I think are pretty solid, but for whatever reason the sum of the parts don't equal a good album. Strange really - I guess I expected more from a band who could produce an album like To Live and Die in LA

I will give a parting positive shot: If you can find this CD cheap pick it up, it's a pretty fair album, and if you like Wang Chung chances are you'll find something to like here.

Reviewed August 13, 2000

Everybody Wang Chung Tonight Wang Chung's Greatest Hits (©1997 Geffen)

the songs: Dance Hall Days / Don't Let Go / Don't Be My Enemy / Hypnotize Me / Let's Go / Praying To A New God / What's So Bad About Feeling Good? / Wait / To Live and Die In LA / Big World / Fun Tonight: The Early Years / Space Junk (Wang Chung '97) / Dance Hall Days (Flashing Back to Happiness 7" Mix)

As far a greatest hits go this is very good. Jeff Magid who compiled this collection did a pretty good job - all of the hits are here, and sadly so is a fair bit of filler. This is due to the fact that there just weren't that many exceptional songs to choose from. Dance Hall Days, Don't Let Go, Wait, Live and Die in LA are great tunes. Overall a very good listen.

Reviewed August 12, 2000