Sophisticated Boom Boom is the debut studio album by the English pop band Dead or Alive, released on 20 April 1984 by Epic Records. Featuring mostly synth-pop and dance elements, the album contains the band's first UK top 40 single, a cover version of KC and the Sunshine Band's "That's the Way (I Like It)". That song, along with "Misty Circles", were hits on the US Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart. The album was a minor success in the UK where it peaked at No. 29.
The original cassette version of the album was released with three bonus tracks. In 2007, the album was re-released on CD by Cherry Red Records with seven bonus tracks. The cover photograph was taken by Peter Ashworth and was inspired by the cover of Kate Bush's second studio album Lionheart (1978). The original title for the album was Mad, Bad and Dangerous to Know, but it was rejected by the label. It would later become the title of the band's third studio album. The title matches that of the song made famous by the Shangri-Las, "Sophisticated Boom Boom", first released on their second album, Shangri-Las-65! (1965).
Track listing
Personnel Dead or Alive Pete Burns – vocals Mike Percy – bass guitar Tim Lever – keyboards Steve Coy – drums Wayne Hussey – guitar (uncredited on album artwork)
Additional musicians Jackie Challenor – backing vocals Lorenza Johnson – backing vocals Mae McKenna – backing vocals Kick Horns – horns Caroline's Quartet – strings
Production and artwork Zeus B. Held – producer; mixer Dead or Alive – producer Tim Palmer – engineer; mixer Chris Sheldon – engineer Peter Ashworth – photography
Chart performance +Chart performance for Sophisticated Boom Boom Chart (1984) Peakposition UK Singles Chart 29
References
External links