So you’re probably puzzled as to why I’m reviewing such an old album. 1985 is not a typo and this album is 25 years old! However, I also believe that this particular album has stood the test of time quite well! Nope, this is not the video game called “Dead or Alive”. This is the band that rocked the 80’s with their unique synthesizer sounds, and provocative attitude/attires. Started in 1980 in Liverpool, England, their album “Youthquake” (released in 1985) is probably their most recognized album, as it also contains their most famous song, “You Spin Me Around”.

So why should you even continue reading this review, since it’s about an extremely archaic album? I think we can all agree that today’s music lacks uniqueness, and most of it, including the rhythms and beats, sound the same! So I offer you a chance to taste an “older wine” that you have perhaps never tasted before. Of course, most people have heard of “You Spin Me Around”, but have you heard of the other songs by Dead or Alive? You’re not alone if you haven’t, as most people in the USA, including myself before 2009, have no clue as to the other songs they’ve played. Most of all, it may surprise you that many of their other songs are actually better than “You Spin Me Around”. Therefore, I offer you a chance to delve into the past, and try something new, or should I say very old, but different!

1. You Spin Me Round (Like A Record) (Original 7″ Mix) – 3:18 (Listen – Low Quality)

Who doesn’t know this song? It was made famous in the 90’s again by the movie, “The Wedding Singer”, with Adam Sandler. Unfortunately though, this is really the only song people are aware of in America by Dead or Alive. Mixed with classic 80’s synthesizer beats, and its cool repeating lyrics of “You spin me right round, baby right round like a record, baby”, it’s almost difficult not to know this song. In fact, the song has been remade so many times by different artists that it was remade again last year by Flo Rida, with their song called “Round, Round”.

It’s amazing how popular this song is, but at the same time, how creepy the lyrics are!

For example, the first line of the song reads, “Yeah I, I got to know your name… Well and I, could trace your private number baby”. Wow, just wow. Talk about being a super stalker!

Then it continues,

“All I know is that to me
You look like you’re lots of fun
Open up your lovin’ arms
Watch out, here I come”

“Watch out, here I come” … sounds like he’s referencing another form of “coming”. But then again, all the lyrics to this song are weird to the max!

And of course, it goes into the main chorus of him getting spinned around, and around, like a record. This is probably another reference to some form of sex being done on him by the girl he’s stalking.  So how did this song get so popular? I would say that it’s probably not the lyrics, but the 80’s synth sounds!

Rating: ****

The lyrics for this song are quite interesting. It seems to be about a boy who is currently being treated poorly by his peers and his father. He has to “push, push, shove, shove” to be treated well. So what does the boy ask for? Treat him like a toy and that way he can be treated like a physical object than an ordinary boy. I know it doesn’t make much sense. Since this isn’t an English assignment, I won’t try breaking down the lyrics anymore than that, but needless to say, it’s not a bad song. Again, it has some pretty good rhythms, and neat 80’s sounds, but it’s not enough with the lyrics to keep you hearing it more than 2-3 times in a given setting.

Rating: ***

3. DJ Hit That Button – 3:26 (Listen – Low Quality)

Wow, what can I say… this song is truly “HiNRG”. Maybe it’s not officially classified in that particular category, but the adrenaline that rushes in your veins from the very first sounds of a bass instrument really gets your heart pumping! The song is about how one feels like losing control and living the moment when the DJ “hits that button” and plays music for the listeners. “It feels right for me” and “that’s the way it was meant to be”. It’s filled with amazing 80’s sounds, but could get old after a while. Nevertheless, it’s an awesome song!

Rating: **** ¼

4. In Too Deep – 4:08 (Listen – Low Quality)

This song seems to be about a guy who cheated on his girlfriend or his girlfriend in fact cheated on him. He complains that he can buy her all the jewelry she wants, but she wouldn’t care. And now, he’s simply “in too deep” and that he could “take a plane and fly away”, but it would not matter. Simply put, “there’s no getting out of it”. Not a bad song with its excellent rhythm and awesome 80’s sounds. It would be nice if the lyrics were a little better though … there’s not much sophistication to it.

Rating: *** 3/4

5. Big Daddy Of The Rhythm – 3:21 (Listen – Low Quality)

The song begins with the lyrics “Turn your head around”. It starts off with an absolutely astounding rhythm of beats. I totally forgot how good this song is. Upon looking at the lyrics, it’s a song about a man who wishes he was a good dancer and talker, so he could appeal to the woman he desires. It’s almost reminiscent to “You spin me around”, just without the entire stalker aspect.

Rating: **** 1/4

6. Cake And Eat It – 4:37 (Listen – Low Quality)

The song starts off with old fashioned Asian drum sounds and whistles? It’s an interesting beginning, but it soon gets very boring. I would say this is probably the worst song on the album, by far! The main lyrics, “Cake and Eat It”, seem to be an oral sex reference with women. Again, the lyrics are about a guy trying anything to impress the woman he desires, including buying her diamond rings. This is the first time I realized that almost all the songs on this album are about the same obsessive compulsive desire for a woman. And probably the same woman! Errrr… somebody show the writer of these songs that there are other women out there than the one he’s obviously obsessing about!

Rating: *

7. Lover Come Back (To Me) – 3:06 (Listen – Low Quality)

This song is about a guy who lost contact with his girlfriend. He wishes, “she would telephone” him, and that now he’s “lying here lonely”. So he’s screaming out for his “lover to come back” to him and he’s asking her to “kick it right down” (the door of his house) to be with him again. In my opinion, seems like the girl finally found out the man was a total freak! Sorry, she’s probably going to get a restraining order against you, and won’t even be near your door.

Rating: **

8. My Heart Goes Bang (Get Me To The Doctor) – 3:10 (Listen – High Quality!!)

Okay, this song is *the only* reason why I even decided to review this album! I just love this song. Its jaw dropping 80’s geeetar in the beginning and lyrics about a man who actually has a girlfriend is finally my style.  In the lyrics, he has to “get to the doctor” because he can’t understand how his depression has suddenly disappeared. What really happened is that his new girlfriend appeared and washed away all his sadness. However, the girl also has the power to break his heart. You have no idea how many times I’ve played this song in my car, on my iPod, almost everywhere, even on UCLARadio!

How did this song not get popular in the USA? If I ever make a movie, I’m going to start the opening credits with this song playing in the background. It would work great for a romantic comedy.

The 80’s synthesizer rhythms and beats are almost unheard of in any other song I’ve heard. When I first listened to this song last year, I was speechless. How could such a song be made? I hope to find more songs like these throughout my life!

Rating: *****

Editor’s Choice

9. It’s Been A Long Time – 7:54 (Listen – Low Quality)

This song starts with a very good beat and some sounds of guitar, drums, and 80’s synthesizer’s. The rhythm is very unique and truly beautiful. However, the power of the lyrics don’t hold the song. It’s simply about a guy realizing how long it’s been since he’s seen his last girlfriend. Overall, not a bad song, but almost 8 minutes? You probably won’t want to listen to this song more than once.

Rating: ***

Overall, this album is pretty awesome if you love old 80’s synthesizer music. However, the lyrics can be a bit weird at times, and definitely not something you’d want to say out loud if it gets stuck in your head! If you like this album, you should definitely check out Dead or Alive’s other stuff. However, just to briefly mention, Pete Burns, the lead singer of Dead or Alive, had a massive face lift over the years… and quite frankly doesn’t look as well as he once did. But hey, we’re listening to the music, not staring at faces!

Final Rating: Thumbs in the middle, leaning up.