As another reviewer on this page observed, VH1's 'Bangles-We Are the 80's' is the best Bangles compilation CD on the market...and there are many on the market. Before this one, the best you could do was either 1990's 'Greatest Hits' or 2004's 'Essential Bangles'. Both have their virtues: 'Greatest Hits' contained a decent, previously unreleased track ("Everything I Wanted") and a B-side ("Where Were You When I Needed You"). 'Essential' includes an early song from an independently released EP ("Getting Out of Hand") and antother B-side ("What I Meant to Say"). While all four tracks are missing from 'We Are the 80's,'(as are the spare ballad, "Following," the 'Goonies' soundtrack spot, "I've Got Nothing," and Susanna Hoff's melodramatic "I'll Set You Free") the four album tracks replacing them "Complicated Girl," "September Gurls," "Live," and "Dover Beach" are actually better choices than rarities and low-charting singles. When combined with the hits, these new additions help round out a more accurate presentation of the group. Also, each Bangle gets a turn singing lead. If you must only own one Bangles CD, look no further. However, the recent 'Rarities and Gems' collection is higly reccomended as an add-on to this stellar disc. Let's hope VH1 keeps up the good work!

Twenty years ago this spring The Bangles hit their stride with their sophomore release A Different Light "Manic Monday" proved to be a big success for the group. The group had a lot of hit singles from that album, other singles include "Walking Down Your Street," and "If She Knew What She Wants," but the albums biggest hit would prove to be the single "Walk Like an Egyptian."

The Bangles didn't take too long of a break between albums. They recorded the song "A Hazy Shade Of Winter" for the Less Than Zero soundtrack and in late 1988 they released their third album Everything. The album's first single was an up-tempo number titled "In Your Room," but it would be the second single released, the ballad "Eternal Flame," which would once again send the group to the top spot on the Billboard chart. After the release of Everything things cooled off for The Bangles and the group eventually faded away. There was no big break up announcement the group just went on a hiatus that lasted nearly a decade. Various members of the group pursued other projects. They got back together in the late 90's to record a song for the movie Austin Powers The Spy Who Shagged Me. In 2003, the group released an album of all new material titled Doll Revolution.

Columbia/Legacy records has released VH-1 Classic Presents Bangles-We Are The 80's. Now if you are a fan of The Bangles you may wonder why buy this album if say you own all of The Bangles albums including The Bangles Greatest Hits. The CD includes The Bangles biggest hits from their three albums released during the 1980's and the soundtrack cut Hazy Shade of Winter.

Different than the previous greatest hits collection this set includes the songs "Complicated Girl," "September Gurls live" and "Dover Beach."

I picked this up at a local retailer and immediately popped it into the car player for the ride home and was not disappointed! This collection is highly recommended - great track selection and it sounds awesome! I've already added 6 or 7 tracks from it to my MP3 player. If you only want one Bangles CD for your music collection, this is the one you need.

There are a few Bangles Grestest Hits collections out there. The two other popular collections are "Greatest Hits" and "The Essential"... this beats both for a few reasons. This collection takes the popular hits from "Different Light" and puts them right out in front and puts some of the lesser known album tracks in the back. This makes for a very pleasant listening experience. The album tracks used are all very well picked and hold their own against the hits and they aren't too overly poppy which makes these songs easier to enjoy. If fact some would argue that they are better than the hits. To me the hit "Eternal Flame" hasn't held up well over the years but the way this collection flows that song is much easier to take without hitting the skip button. Especially since all the songs that are similar to it like "I'll Set You Free" are no where to be found on this collection.

Another thing that works very well here is this CD clocks in at a little over 45 minutes. Many best of collections try to max out the CD or even carry over to a second CD. 45 minutes is the right amount of time to enjoy these songs without getting bored. I honestly couldn't sit through 79 minutes of Bangles songs.

If you like the Bangles and like 80s pop/rock check out this collection. This could easily be the only Bangles collection you would need and it has replaced my Bangles "Different Light" CD in my collection.