Released a decade after the band had dissolved,
Collection Version 2.0: Chronology is a bracing overview of the music of
Images in Vogue, initially released sporadically by various record labels as the band went through numerous personnel changes. Sequenced chronologically, the CD begins with two previously unreleased early tracks, "Travel" and "Quiet Room." "Travel" is the more interesting, a dynamic instrumental track recorded by Don Gordon, Gary Smith, Kevin Crompton, and Joe Vizvary, giving clear insight into their musical vision and influences -- most notably Vienna-era
Ultravox -- with its precision drumming and sweeping synth lines; while "Quiet Room" introduces Dale Martindale vocals over a bubbling synthesizer à la
Depeche Mode. Nice stuff. Following are rare recordings from their early EPs, then the hits "Lust for Love" and "Call It Love," both showing a skillful melodic pop sensibility. The much-maligned
Gary Wright tracks are here, fitting into the
IIV catalog seamlessly, doubtless due to the careful remix and mastering job by Smith. Especially impressive are some of the neglected later recordings: "In the House" and "King's Service" are big and well-produced without being bombastic, and are definite highlights of the set. Three more unreleased songs -- "Look Me in the Eye," "Someday," and "Piece of Your Heart" show Martindale as a mature and confident singer carrying the lesser material well.
Collection Version 2.0: Chronology is a definitive overview of
Images in Vogue, compiling their scattershot release history into a nicely digestible whole. The detailed liner notes give it sufficient gravitas, and it easily succeeds as a "best-of" compilation; more importantly it serves the thoughtful listener by providing a basis for a revisionist historical view of the band, modifying their image from a trendy new wave lightweight to that of a solid contributor to Canadian pop music in the '80s. ~ Laurie Mercer