This CD really comes to show how much the music industry has deteriorated in the past two decades. Why are talentless camera-hogs like Britney and Jessica constantly getting airplay in lieu of Kim Wilde, I ask? I could think endlessly, for hours, trying to find an answer to this puzzling question, but still probably couldn t. It s an enigma.

Anyways, I had never actually heard of Wilde until a few years ago - and I discovered her music in two different places. The first was through the video game Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, in which Kids in America became a standout favorite of mine, and the second was a cover of You Keep Me Hangin On by the Norwegian band Theatre of Tragedy. I found both songs to be incredibly addictive, so I decided I would try to look for a CD of hers, which brought me here.


The Singles Collection includes 17 excellent pop tracks (or a combination of punk-pop, dancepop and soft ballads) from the 80s and early 90s. Beginning with the faster-paced anthems like Kids in America and Chequered Love , and ending with the calmer, smoother sounds of In My Life and the If I Can t Have You cover, this compilation offers an excellent insight into the changes of Kim s character and voice over the years. Meanwhile, we have the energetic dancefloor hits Never Trust a Stranger and fan favorite You Came , as well as downtuned ballads like Child Come Away and the overlooked Cambodia that make you wonder why Kim never completely broke through to the American mainstream.

In conclusion, I think any fan of 80s music should track this down. Although Madonna was the prime diva of the decade, Kim Wilde makes a nice entrance into second place. Classic stuff.

Tracklist:

01. Kids in America [0:03:25.49]
02. Chequered Love [0:03:21.84]
03. Water On Glass [0:03:35.76]
04. Cambodia [0:03:56.46]
05. View from a Bridge [0:03:30.40]
06. Child Come Away [0:04:04.84]
07. Love Blonde [0:03:32.62]
08. The Second Time [0:03:52.90]
09. Rage to Love [0:04:19.89]
10. You Keep Me Hangin On [0:04:15.37]
11. Another Step (Closer to You) [0:03:31.36]
12. You Came [0:03:30.93]
13. Never Trust a Stranger [0:04:05.70]
14. Four Letter Word [0:04:02.89]
15. Love is Holy [0:04:02.60]
16. If I Can t Have You [0:03:28.60]
17. In My Life [0:03:46.93]