Best 80s New Wave

@jplunkettj Kissing the Pink (KTP) was a cool band---I remember the club mix of Certain Things are Likely

@yyzsantabarbara I had the first 3 Pursuit of Happiness records, and I thought their debut ("Love Junk") was by far their best effort. My favorite cuts from that were: "She's So Young," "Tree of Knowledge" and "Ten Fingers."

@jplunkettj Your two compilation recommendations look good. I recommend the "POPTOPIA: Power Pop Classics of the 70's - 80's & 90's (3 single discs put out by Rhino Records). Excellent songs, booklet and packaging on all three. 

Here's a few more 70's - 90's bands of note.

Rhythm Corps: A Detroit band who only released 2 albums and a local EP. They were originally called Rhythm Method; but, they lost a legal challenge for that name (which is a shame because if that is not a rock n' roll name, I don't know what is!).

The Reivers: An Austin based band that was originally called Zeitgeist; but, they also lost a legal challenge to keep that name.

The Shoes. I thought these guys were better than The Cars; who they were often compared to. I preferred the Shoes darker and heavier sound (more guitars, less keyboards).

have to say there are some mighty good lists here, and wonder if any of you live in Dallas as I've yet to meet anyone here who has a passing knowledge of "good" music. 

Only will repeat a few that I was pleasantly surprised some people picked up on:

• The Chameleons - brilliant one of my favorites
• Bill Nelson
  
• Prefab Sprout - acoustic version of Faron Young is one of my favorites.
  
• China Crisis - baselines are awesome throughout
• Echo & the Bunneymen
• Sisters of Mercy, The Mission all that goth stuff.
• The Cult - Dreamtime Live at the Lyceum is one of my top 5 of all time
• Blancmange
• The Wedding Present
• Men without Hats - underrated because everyone just thinks safety dance
• The THE -
  

Some other goodies that perhaps I overlooked

• Abecedarians - hugely underrated and less well known band from Los Angeles.  Released on EP on Factory Records.....but others on Caroline Records.   Seriously one of the best.
• For Against - Great indy band from Lincoln Nebraska!!!
• The Drowning Pool
  
• Lowlife
• Ride, Slowdive My Bloody Valentine...all the shoegaze stuff.
  
• House of Love
  
• Tones on Tail
• Pale Fountains - Michael Head is a genius
• Shriekback
• Modern English - all of their stuff up to and including Ricochet Days is pure genius
• The Wake - on Factory records
• The Colourfield (and Fun Boy Three)
• Prince - 1999 and and before
• The dB's
• Monochrome Set
• Orange Juice - think someone said them....great call!
• The Sound
• A Certain Ratio

Love this thread.   I have one going with my closest friends who dig this music whereby every Friday we send each other a link to an 80's band (or one influenced by the 80's) that we are currently into.  Fun to be reminded of some old goodies.