College students lead simple lives. They study, they eat, they date and they listen to music – all on a tight schedule. 

Ways exist to get an ‘80s pop fix while saving face to the roommate who happens to be an avid collector of all music that emerges today only to disappear tomorrow.

Enter Punk Goes ‘80s, a cover album from Fearless Records, complete with obnoxious hot pink and electric blue cover design. 

It offers proof that in these modern times, there is no need to listen to totally slammin’ contemporary punk music at the expense of yesteryear’s favorites (those of the magnificent, tubular and bodacious ‘80s).

When a college student craves “Manic Monday,” listening to the Cyndi Lauper version in these rough times could get a kid beat up, or maybe some disgusted (jealous) looks.

But, the student does have a mind of ingenuity, and into the player goes Punk Goes 80’s. This music history buff hears an ‘80s favorite, and the dense, live-in-the-moment roommate hears Reliant K grinding out a mystery track.

True, the ‘80s roots are unmistakable to the trained ear, but ‘80s roots are en vogue (remember Good Charlotte’s “Boys and Girls”?) The ‘80s-savvy student could even mention to the roommate, “Oh yeah, just blastin’ a little Reliant K.” Coolness maintained.

Other bands on the CD include Sugarcult, Rufio, Motion City Soundtrack, The Early November, and Amber Pacific along with others.

Picture again, the same college kid on a date with a girl he must impress. As stated before, college students date. They may also eat on the date, putting music in the natural progression.

 A special date calls for the perfect acoustic track. It’s time for “Power of Love,” the anthem made famous by Huey Lewis and the News. This time it’s revamped acoustic-style by The Early November.

The girl may not know of her date’s ‘80s obsession, just of his sensitivity and love of acoustic guitar. Who knows? He could have written this song for her.