I Want Candy

Despite its liner notes' somewhat misguided statement that the '80s and '90s "saw a blossoming of female artists," Shanachie's I Know What Boys Like is a decent collection of new wave, pop, and urban singles by women from those decades. However, the majority of the album focuses on the '80s, offering singles as different but equally classic as the Go-Go's "Vacation" and the Pointer Sisters' "I'm So Excited." Smash hits like Bananarama's version of "Venus" and Taylor Dayne's "Tell It to My Heart" coexist peacefully with cult singles like the Waitresses' title track, Total Coelo's campy "I Eat Cannibals," and the Gloo Girls' "Witch Is Witch." Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam's "Lost in Emotion," Scandal's "Masquerade," and the Riddles' "Boys Are Poison" are some of the other highlights from this collection, which is a bit scattered but still entertaining, nevertheless. ~ Heather Phares