Sony International's Pop & Wave, Vol. 8 collects two discs' worth of poppy new wave and college rock tracks by some of the biggest names as well as some one-hit wonders and very obscure groups too. If the two discs were boiled down to one it would be an incredibly strong collection, but even as it is with a of bit filler included, the collection has some of the biggest hits of the new wave era. Songs like the Specials' "Ghost Town," the Dream Academy's "Life in a Northern Town," Split Enz's "I Got You," the Human League's "Don't You Want Me," XTC's "Generals and Majors," and the Psychedelic Furs' "Pretty in Pink" are the type of tunes that define the era. Even the filler is entertaining, especially "Nellie the Elephant" by Toy Dolls, "Square Rooms" by Al Corley, and "Love System" by the Twins. So if you are looking for a disc that captures the feel and sound of the synthetic '80s, this disc (and any in the Pop & Wave series) will fit the bill. This is probably the best volume in the series, as it has the most memorable songs and the least amount of filler. ~ Tim Sendra, All Music Guide