Rip It Up
Dead or Alive · 1987
35 min · 8 tracks · rock music
A vibrant blend of synth-pop and rock, pulsating with catchy hooks and flamboyant energy throughout its danceable tracks.
Top tracks — play these first
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You Spin Me Round (Like a Record) — This iconic track epitomizes the album's infectious energy with its driving beat and memorable chorus, becoming a staple of 80s pop culture.
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Brand New Lover Start here — The song showcases the band's flair for blending catchy pop melodies with dance rhythms, contributing to its chart success and enduring appeal.
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Something in My House — This track highlights the darker undertones of the album, combining gothic elements with upbeat production that reflects the band's eclectic style.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album combines catchy synth-pop hooks with rock elements, creating a vibrant sound typical of its era.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a high-energy track and maintains an upbeat tempo for the first five songs before slowing down slightly in the last three.
- Each song features prominent synthesizer lines that drive the melodies, often accompanied by layered vocal harmonies.
- Several tracks utilize a call-and-response structure between lead vocals and backing vocals, enhancing the dynamic feel of the songs.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady dance floor energy
- sing-along favorites with friends
- upbeat tracks for celebration
- consistent flow for parties
Maybe skip if you
- slow, reflective listening preferences
- minimalist soundscape enthusiasts
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — Followed the hit 'You Spin Me Round', solidifying their commercial success.
- Themes
- 1980s pop culture· dance floor allure· gothic undertones
- Career context
- Released on January 1, 1987, 'Rip It Up' was Dead or Alive's third studio album, following the commercial success of their breakthrough hit 'You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)'. This album marked a period of consolidation for the band as they sought to build on their newfound popularity in the UK and abroad.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Soft Cell· The Human League· Depeche Mode
Tracklist
- 1 Brand New Lover Start here 4:33
- 2 My Heart Goes Bang 5:22
- 3 Something in My House 4:26
- 4 Lover Come Back to Me 3:51
- 5 You Spin Me Round (Like a Record) 4:26
- 6 I’ll Save You All My Kisses 4:43
- 7 In Too Deep 3:56
- 8 Hooked on Love 4:11
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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