← Back

Sophisticated Boom Boom

by Dead Or Alive

Released: April 20, 1984

Dance-pop, Hi-NRG

musicOnOff editorial

Why This Album Matters

This album matters because its strongest editorial story is: Breakthrough.

The Album

"Sophisticated Boom Boom" is the debut album by British synth-pop band Dead or Alive. Also featured on the album, which is mixed with a dance-oriented synth-pop and new wave sound, are versions of other covers, including U2's "Even Better Than The Real Thing", Jim Steinman's "Tonight Is What It Means To Be Young", and The Doors' "Hello, I Love You". The band, led by flamboyant singer Pete Burns, had previously released several singles and an EP, but "Sophisticated Boom Boom" was their first full-scale album released under the watch of the major record label, Epic Records.

Stories and details

Interesting Facts

Despite its varied reception, "Sophisticated Boom Boom" has…

Despite its varied reception, "Sophisticated Boom Boom" has remained a popular choice among fans of 80s synth-pop and new wave music and serves to document the band's early career and roots.

Start listening here

Essential Tracks

That's The Way (I Like It)

Released in 1984, it contains their first UK Top 40 entry, a cover of KC and the Sunshine Band's "That's The Way (I Like It)", which peaked at number 22 on the UK Singles Chart.

Watch and listen

Explore the Album

Dead Or Alive - Sophisticated Boom Boom

Open in Albums Gallery

Then

Reception

Released in 1984, it contains their first UK Top 40 entry, a cover of KC and the Sunshine Band's "That's The Way (I Like It)", which peaked at number 22 on the UK Singles Chart. The album met with moderate commercial success in the UK but had a more significant impact in Japan, where it reached the top 30 on the album chart.

Full background

The Complete Album Story

"Sophisticated Boom Boom" is the debut album by British synth-pop band Dead or Alive. Released in 1984, it contains their first UK Top 40 entry, a cover of KC and the Sunshine Band's "That's The Way (I Like It)", which peaked at number 22 on the UK Singles Chart.

Also featured on the album, which is mixed with a dance-oriented synth-pop and new wave sound, are versions of other covers, including U2's "Even Better Than The Real Thing", Jim Steinman's "Tonight Is What It Means To Be Young", and The Doors' "Hello, I Love You".

The band, led by flamboyant singer Pete Burns, had previously released several singles and an EP, but "Sophisticated Boom Boom" was their first full-scale album released under the watch of the major record label, Epic Records.

The album met with moderate commercial success in the UK but had a more significant impact in Japan, where it reached the top 30 on the album chart. Despite its varied reception, "Sophisticated Boom Boom" has remained a popular choice among fans of 80s synth-pop and new wave music and serves to document the band's early career and roots.