Tartan

Issue date: 4/21/05 Section: Entertainment

The front panel of the collection

To the joy of videogame fans everywhere, videogame music has been gaining respect in the industry ever since Sony released the CD-based Playstation. Still, it remains implausible for there to be a successful videogame soundtrack industry due to poor overall sales. Videogame retailers such as EB Games and Game Stop have periodically tried carrying multiple videogame soundtracks, but otherwise the industry resides almost entirely on the internet.

Then came a controversial Playstation 2 game called "Grand Theft Auto III." One of the many charms of that game was its insistence on delivering an experience as close to reality as possible, so when choosing music for the game the developers insisted on licensing music that would be played whenever the player entered a car.

With that game's sequel, "Grand Theft Auto: Vice City," the amount of licensed music jumped from a mere 30 in the original to a gargantuan 120 songs, the largest amount in the entire industry (at the time). There is a higher reasoning for such a large jump - the sequel takes place in the 80s, and the developers wanted to capture the decade down to the last detail, which happened to include what was being played on the radio at the time.

"Grand Theft Auto: Vice City - the Official Soundtrack Box Set" takes videogame music to a whole new level, into territory even gaming-phobic music fans can appreciate. With 120+ licensed and audience approved 80s classics, what is there not to love? So what if the electronic pop-stylings of the 80s are often attributed to the downfall of the music industry! Admit it - there's a certain nostalgic charm to the synthesizer-heavy songs of that musically notorious decade.

This box set not only contains classic 80s artists such as Toto, Michael Jackson, Frankie Goes to Hollywood and INXS, it contains some of the absolute defining songs of the 80s such as "Billy Jean" and "I Ran (So Far Away)." Compared to other 80s music collections, this one holds up extremely well, and offers quite a few aesthetic set-pieces that only add to the overall package.

This box set is split up into seven separate CDs, with each CD containing a specific genre of 80s music and their very own 80s inspired DJs. Each CD also contains exerts from the original commercials and DJ banter created specifically for the game.

Here's a volume-by-volume analysis of this box set. Which one fits your musical tastes?

Volume 1: V-Rock

This is the hardcore-rock album of the box set. Featured artists include Judas Priest, Motley Crüe, Slayer, and Ozzy Osbourne, with semi-classics such as "You've Got Another Thing Comin'" and "Bark at the Moon."

For those not friendly to the annoyingly loud and indecipherable-singing genre, "V-Rock" may not be their cup-a-tea. Even though this volume contains the most instantly recognizable list of artists (most of which are still relevant today), the actual song quality leaves much to be desired. Unlike other volumes, no song really sticks out and begs to be replayed. On the flip side, "V-Rock" contains the best original commercial in the entire set - "Exploder," a Robocop/Rambo parody complete with melodramatic acting and overly masculine voice-over. Otherwise, this volume gets a limp C-.

Volume 2: Wave 103

This volume of the box set contains the spirit of 80s music in its purest form - highly synthesized new wave pop. From the Flock of Seagull's classic "I Ran (So Far Away)" to the 80s radio staple "99 Luftballons" by Nena, "Wave 103" captures the essence of the 80s better than any other volume in the set. Whether or not this is a good thing is debatable, but nevertheless, this is the volume to own for 80s aficionados.

This volume's DJ personality, Adam First, borders on obnoxious during his multiple appearances on the CD. Luckily, one of the commercials located at the CD's end pokes fun at the synthesizer revolution, self-referentially admitting that most of the box set is, in fact, a guilty pleasure. And since I like guilty pleasures, "Wave 103" gets a B.

Volume 3: Emotion 98.3

What? A collection of weepy soft-rock ballads that is actually good?

With the help of the self-referential DJ Fernando Martinez opening the CD, "Emotion 98.3" gets away with murder by offering enjoyable Michael Bolton rip-offs such as Mr. Mister and Night Ranger. It also offers songs so cheesy that they're good such as "(I Just) Died in Your Arms" by Cutting Crew and "Never Too Much" by Luther Vandross.

Though the 80s inspired synthesizing diminishes the emotional impact of most of the songs, some select few show a level of longevity most never thought possible from 80s music such as Toto's sublime "Africa" and Squeeze's masterpiece "Tempted." Again, the DJ personality Fernando Martinez, voiced by actor Frank Chavez, is absolutely hysterical as a Latin lady's man offering embarrassing love advice (some NC-17 rated). This is perhaps the most well-rounded volume in the set. Emotion 98.3 gets a B+.

Volume 4: Flash FM

"Flash FM" defies most categories of music, except that it's distinctively from the 80s. The DJ personality, Toni, presents the volume as "the ultimate party album." So, is this party memorable, or is it limp?

Unfortunately, it's more parts limp than memorable. The negative effects of 80s synth-pop on the music wears on most of the songs with good vocals, but ultimately painful instrumentals. Some of the more well-known songs include Hall and Oates' "Out of Touch," the tired Michael Jackson staple "Billie Jean," and then the highlight of the entire CD, Yes's "Owner of a Lonely Heart."

Only with Toni's inspired voice acting and script does this volume hold much value. Also, the glaring omission of Animation's "Obsession," which appears in the actual game, is almost unforgivable. When the nostalgia runs dry listening to 80s music, all that's left is tired synthesized beats. Flash FM gets a C-.

Volume 5: Wildstyle Pirate Radio

As much of an educational tool on the evolution of rap music as an enjoyable collection of rap, R+B and dance music, "Wildstyle Pirate Radio" combines raw energy with a pop sensibility not usually reserved for 80s music.

Some of rap's early breakout artists, such as Run DMC and Herbie Hancock, make appearances on one of the box set's most diverse albums. Club tracks such as Mantronix's "Bassline" and Grandmaster Flash's classic "The Message" round out a truly impressive collection of underground 80s music. Too bad the DJ personality is unmemorable and the commercials unoriginal. Otherwise, "Wildstyle Pirate Radio" offers a history lesson in the origins of some of today's most popular genres. A-

Volume 6: Fever 105

This volume stands out for containing some of the best hidden gems of the 80s, the Pointer Sisters' "Automatic" and Michael Jackson's "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'."

Otherwise, "Fever 105" runs into the same problems as volume 4, "Flash FM". First, the album is never limited to a particular genre, and second, after that initial nostalgic kick, there isn't a whole going for most of these songs. Good luck getting through Tenna Marie's "Behind the Groove" or Oliver Cheatham's "Get Down Saturday Night" without heading straight for the 'next' button. Also, the Barry White rip-off that is the DJ personality left a lot to be desired.

But the commercials? Hilarious! Perhaps the most memorable original commercial in the whole set is the commercial for the saliva-substitute 'Salivex,' to be used "When you have personal dryness upstairs!" Now that's creatively interesting, unlike most of the music contained on this CD. "Fever 105" gets a B-.

Volume 7: Radio Espantoso

This volume is quite a stretch for this album's American buyers - most of the songs are either vocals in Spanish or jazz improvisational pieces.

If you're thinking "What does this have to do with the 80s?" you're right - it really doesn't have a lot to do with the decade, except for the fact that these songs all were released between 1980 and 1989. The reason why "Grand Theft Auto: Vice City" included a Spanish radio station for the game is because the game is set in Miami, a Florida city with a very large Spanish speaking population. Thus, "Radio Espantoso" is a realistic entry, though one not terribly exciting for those looking for a little "oomph" (and English vocals) in their 80s music. Grade not applicable.



At the amazingly low price of $31.99 at some stores, this box set is a steal (especially since this box set reportedly originally sold for $79.99 back during its first release in late 2002). Compared to other collections of 80s music, you can find other collections with a higher percentage of actual hits ("The Ultimate 80s Collection" comes to mind). With the extra embellishments and unique style, "Grand Theft Auto: Vice City - The Official Soundtrack Box Set" stands on its own as a must-own music collection. Plus, if you're a big fan of the videogame attached to the box set (and there are many of you), the nostalgia value becomes two-fold.

Though some people wish the 80s would stay gone and locked away forever, for those of us that can accept synthesized 80s music as a viable art form can do no wrong with buying this box set. Visit your local Game Stop now to find this box set, or www.vicecityradio.com for a complete song list and ordering information.

Presentation: A Song List: B- Overall Grade: B

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