If It Ain't Stiff...A Stiff Records Collection CD

It's hard to finger the exact purpose of this 21-song compilation of '70s and '80s material from the renowned Stiff label. Is it a best-of sampler of sorts? No, especially considering there's nothing by Stiff stalwarts Elvis Costello, Nick Lowe, Ian Dury, or even the Rumour. Of the artists who are on here, were their best or most famous songs selected? Not necessarily; would anyone say Dave Edmunds' cover of Chuck Berry's "Jo Jo Gunne" is one of his shining moments? There are a decent mix of cuts by some of the label's more high-profile acts (Lene Lovich, Wreckless Eric, Kirsty MacColl, Dr. Feelgood, Tracey Ullman, and Rachel Sweet) and ones who have largely vanished into early-'80s college radio new wave program play lists. Of the latter, Theatre of Hate's grim "Do You Believe in the Westworld?" is probably the most remembered. Other items might have not crossed even the new wave maven's consciousness for quite some time, like the French version of Department S's "Is Vic There?" and Jona Lewie's silly synth pop 1980 British Top 20 hit "You'll Always Find Me in the Kitchen at Parties." There are also the Elvis Costello-isms of Any Trouble's "Girls Are Always Right" and the quirky power pop of the Yachts' "Suffice to Say." In its own way, this is a decent cross section of the diverse forms of rock that were classified as new wave, though it certainly would help neophytes to have dates listed for more than just a few of the tracks. ~ Richie Unterberger

Features Dr. Feelgood, Lene Lovich, Tracey Ullman, and more.