Kim Wilde

The daughter and sister of two showbiz pros, Kim Wilde was destined for the stage — although she succeeded where her family members didn’t with the massive hit “Kids in America,” which has been covered by everyone from The Muffs to Lawnmower Deth. The combination of old-school pop rock songwriting and cutting edge synths makes for a strangely enthralling combo. Kim certainly has the charisma to pull it off, and while she drew a lot of comparisons at the time to Blondie from lazy reviewers, it’s a sleeker model of pop punk — she definitely lacks Debbie Harry’s edge. “Water on Glass” and “Everything We Know” have moody hooks that make the full album more than just a holder for the hit single.