Top 10 Synthpop Albums (in alphabetical order)
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This somewhat expensive (yet totally worth it) Swedish import is an all-remix album with contributions from Paul Van Dyk, Eiffel 65, De-Phazz, and others. It's definitely time to turn off the 80's radio station and crank up Staggman's "Sounds Like a Melody" remix!
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De/Vision was one of the earliest polished synthpop acts to bring quality post-80's synthesized music to the masses. This best-of album shows off their early hits and proves their music has passed the test of time.
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If you don't know who Depeche Mode is (or at least the song "Enjoy the Silence"), I'm sorry to say there is very little hope for you in the world of synth. Best of luck with your Dolly Parton support group.
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Erasure is one of those bands that is synonymous with synthpop. You really can't go wrong with any of their albums although I especially like Cowboy because it's a little less known (i.e. overplayed).
Information Society - Peace And Love, Inc.
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Okay, so everyone knows Depeche Mode / Erasure and 80's buffs can quote Alphaville in their sleep and techno fans rave to De/Vision but who's heard "Where Would I Be Without IBM"? Only die-hard synthpop fans! Information Society is mostly a carefree throw-back to the bygone 80's generation, but Peace and Love, Inc. was their most modern-sounding, polished album with commercial success. Note: feel free to skip the rather lame hidden track.
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On average, all-remix albums are typically duds, but Reconnect is a brilliant exception to the rule. Iris is one of those rare underground bands that should be featured in every action movie but somehow slips beneath the mainstream radar. This lavishly layered album is a prime example of why people buy subwoofers.
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"Blue Monday"... need I say more? A synthpop Top 10 list would not be complete without New Order - they started in 1980 and their most recent album was released in 2005! I especially like their 2001 music video for "Crystal". The video, directed by Johan Renck (otherwise known as Stakka Bo) does not feature New Order; instead, it depicts a younger band miming to New Order's music and words. At the end, a large number of people coming on stage towards the end to pull them off stage. The fictional band is named "The Killers" (the name appears on the bass drum in the video). This name later inspired a real band of the same name, who lifted a number of elements of the layout of the set in the "Crystal" video for the their own video "Somebody Told Me". In 2005, at Scotland's T in the Park festival, New Order performed the song with The Killers' frontman Brandon Flowers singing the main vocals in a guest performance.
Pet Shop Boys - Discography: The Complete Singles Collection
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Some songs never grow old. Pet Shop Boys are one of the few bands that incorporate the seldom-used technique of periodically speaking the lyrics (as opposed to singing them) as in "Domino Dancing" and "What Have I Done to Deserve This?" - very cool.
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New, catchy, solid. Some critics say it's too bouncy and mainstream pop, but I find it fun and approachable.
West End Girls - Goes Petshopping (+ bonus track)
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Yes, I know it's a rediculously expensive Japanese import. Yes, I know it's a cover album of Pet Shop Boys songs. Yes, I know most cover albums are terrible. YES, this album is worth it! This two-girl band from Sweden remake the original Pet Shop Boys songs so completely and originally that it takes you utterly by surprise. A must-have for true synthpop fans.