VARIOUS – ’80S SYMPHONIC

Suddenly, everyone’s discovered the multigenerational appeal of digging through classic hits and redoing them classical music-style by cranking up the syrupy strings. Pete Tong’s Classic House took the right approach by collecting dancefloor stormers and adding layers of atmosphere to them. Unfortunately, this collection of

’80s rock/pop hits is more miss than hit.

Unmissable is Bronksi Beat’s stirring gay liberation battle cry Smalltown Boy and The Cars’ moody deconstructed Drive. Less successful are David Bowie’s Let’s Dance, virtually the same as before, and Simply Red’s weepy Holding Back The Years with a new vocal that spoils the original’s yearning charm. Tina Turner, a-ha, Simple Minds and Roxette, among others, are accorded the symphonic treatment, but proceed with caution. Shoulder pads required!