Youthquake (album)


Youthquake is the second studio album by the English pop band Dead or Alive, released on 13 May 1985 by Epic Records. The album was their commercial breakthrough in Europe and the United States, due to its lead single "You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)", which was a No. 1 hit on the UK singles chart and a Top 20 hit on the US Billboard Hot 100. Additional single releases from the album included "Lover Come Back to Me", "In Too Deep" and "My Heart Goes Bang (Get Me to the Doctor)".
This was Dead or Alive's first collaboration with the Stock Aitken Waterman production team. The recording was marked by tension and clashes between band and producers, which audio engineer Phil Harding alleges almost escalated to violence. Youthquake was re-released in the UK on compact disc in 1994, with the two bonus tracks that were previously included on the original CD and cassette versions of the album.
The album peaked at No. 9 on the UK Albums Chart and was certified gold by the British Phonographic Industry for sales of over 100,000 copies. It also peaked at No. 31 on the US Billboard 200 and was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America for sales over 500,000. In Canada, the album peaked at No. 8 and was certified platinum. The album cover was taken by the Peruvian fashion and portrait photographer Mario Testino.

Critical reception

Upon its release the album received a mixed reception. Smash Hits Ian Cranna gave the album a favourable 8 out 10 rating, but criticised the album's production which he found too often relegated the songs and the vocals to the background in favour of "emotionless, clattering computer rhythms. Played loud, virtually every track could be a dancefloor favourite or potential hit: played at home, it takes ages for the songs to come through their unsympathetic surroundings."
In an unfavourable review for Rolling Stone, Rob Tannenbaum wrote: "With layers of sleek sequencers and static percussion invoking the locked dance groove of disco, Youthquake maintains a high energy pace best suited for aerobics. Because without the dynamic production or provocative lyrics or even plain old good singing that recommend the best of its peers, this LP is like a night at Area – initially entertaining, occasionally sexy, but very suddenly a bore."

Track listing

  • The original vinyl, original US CD, and original Japan CD releases are 9 tracks only, omitting tracks 6 and 11.

Personnel

Dead or Alive
Production and artwork