Dozens of tracks from a moment when the UK scene was really on fire – inspired by the initial punk experiments, then taken into territory that was sometimes more tuneful and catchy, sometimes even more offbeat! There's definitely a fair bit of groups here that you might call punk – but the work in the package showcases a different side of their sound – and it's mixed with some artists who would really set the scene for the rest of the world in years to come, and others who maybe were on the rougher side of town, but learned to play their instruments a bit more – and developed an undeniably good ear for a catchy tune! As with all of these great 3CD sets from Cherry Red, the presentation is wonderful – detailed notes on everyone inside, in a massive set list of 77 tracks, with work from The Quads, Squeeze, The Vandells, Teenage Filmstars, Squire, The Stiffs, Ruts, Bram Tchaikovsky, Boomtown Rats, XTC, Teardrop Explodes, Joe Public, Vapors, Jags, Sta-Prest, Secret Affair, VIPs, The Jam, Revillos, Elvis Costello, Radio Stars, Rutles, Pretenders, Smirks, The Wasps, Avant Gardners, The Soft Boys, Wah Heat, Skids, Apartment, Echo & The Bunnymen, and many others!