The '80s introduced us to the synthesizer in the form of new wave. It seems it took a good decade or so for musicians to truly figure out this, at the time new, but now staple of pop music. I say this because most eighties pop tunes hold this certain quirky range of tone with their synths and processed guitars that lend such a taste of, well, the '80s. If you were there, it will be defended by claims of, "it was cool progressive for the time," and techno kids of today's DJ culture will probably sneer at the dated sound.

Bands like New Order, Human League, Missing Persons and Naked Eyes doused the pop scene with the warm bubbly electronic pop. Enter the "Thompson Twins," which actually consisted of three members, none of whom were twins, most recognized by their romantic gem "Hold Me Now" - and rightfully so, since even within its context, it still holds up as a great pop song.

The rest of these "Master Hits" are more like the one afore mentioned big hit and a couple of other less notable songs that charted like "Lies," "Lay Your Hands On Me" and "In The Name Of Love." Like most compilations of an artists work, this is worthy of the time capsule of sound it represents, as well as the radio nugget that most will recognize. If one was seriously into the band the first time around (they've gone into seclusion in New Zealand or something according to a "Where Are They Now" type show I've seen), this doesn't offer much in the "hard to find" category. Your collection probably included these exact versions already. When a retrospective hits album comes out well over a decade past its original shine, something rare would have added some worth to this for the fan. So, "Master Hits" serves as an expected selection of the "Thompson Twins" radio efforts. Very '80s, but in a good way.