Compilation: Smash Hits '94
Released: 1994 – Columbia
Number of tracks: 20
Number one singles: 1 – "The Sign" by Ace Of Base
Other top ten singles: 10
Best track: "Doop" by Doop
Hidden gem: "Light My Fire" by Club House
Smash Hits magazine, the Australian edition that is, was marking its tenth anniversary in 1994, and at the end of the year (although the CD shows no copyright year) they released their annual compilation. So, what was cranking the magazine staff's cheese wheel that year? For the most part, high energy (or hi-NRG if'n ya wanna be a bit wanky about it) dance music. It'd be a pretty decent rave if you cranked out some of these tunes in quick succession. You've got "The Key: The Secret", the ace rave anthem coming out of the UK courtesy of Urban Cookie Collective; "Satisfy The Groove", a bit of piano-house from Culture Shock; "The Winner Is..." from Australian techno crew Southend with Nik Fish, which celebrated Sydney winning Olympic Games hosting rights (I lived in Perth then, so I didn't give a shit); Corona's "The Rhythm Of The Night" and Doop's signature Charleston-meets-techno tune; and Culture Beat's underrated third single "Anything" which I must point out has a music video that supposedly takes place on March 17, 2020 which is just over a month away.
Phew!
If the cartilage in your joints isn't worn out after all that, there's a bit more dance music at a slightly slower tempo from 3 The Hard Way, Beverly, Tag Team, Dr. All-Bran (he'll keep ya regular), and Jam & Spoon. Good stuff there, except the Beverly tune is just a techno-fied version of '80s hit "The Power Of Lurve". Then there's "Steppin' On" by Sexing The Cherry, which was almost going to be my hidden gem rather than the Club House track, as it was the only other song I hadn't yet heard, but "Light My Fire" is more stylistically varied and has some killer pianner riffs and whatnot. Plus one of the blokes from 49'ers is behind it. What's not to like?
Lighter moments come towards the tail end, from Frente (nothing against "Bizarre Love Triangle", but I wish they'd put "Lonely" on instead), and the Badloves, before The Poor wind things up with their antics involving, but not limited to, requesting more alcoholic beverages from servers in dining establishments. And being Smash Hits, there's Take That and Peter Andre in there as well. Because if they were left out there'd be teenage girls rioting in the streets of Darlinghurst. And we can't have that, oh dear me no!
Smash Hits: I miss you. Oi!
Rating: 7/10
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