What makes Strange Behavior by Animotion notable?

The album achieved commercial success, reaching the top of Billboard's Dance/Club Play Songs chart and featuring tracks that became staples in the 80s synth-pop scene. It also helped to further establish Animotion's reputation as a leading act in the genre, influencing future electronic pop musicians. Strange Behavior is Animotion's second studio album, released in early 1986 following their self-titled debut. At this point, the band was transitioning from emerging synth-pop artists to mainstream contenders, bolstered by their earlier hit 'Obsession'. The album marked a crucial step in solidifying their sound and presence within the new wave genre.

How many songs are on Strange Behavior?

Strange Behavior has 10 tracks, running approximately 39 minutes.

Released 40 years ago

Strange Behavior

Animotion · 1986

39 min · 10 tracks · new wave

Synth-driven melodies entwine with emotive vocals, creating a vibrant tapestry of new wave energy and introspective themes.

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Top tracks — play these first

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I Want You — This track exemplifies the band's signature blend of catchy hooks and synth-driven rhythms, making it an enduring favorite among fans of the genre.
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Strange Behavior — The title track encapsulates the album's overall thematic exploration of emotional complexity and societal expectations through infectious melodies.
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Anxiety — This song captures a sense of urgency and restlessness, using innovative production techniques that showcase the era's evolving sound landscape.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

48 /100

Foothills

Higher than 19% of albums we've rated

The album features energetic synth-driven tracks with alternating vocals but lacks standout compositions that elevate it beyond its peers.

What we noticed

The first three tracks feature driving synth lines and upbeat tempos, establishing a high-energy start before transitioning to more introspective themes in the following songs.
Several tracks incorporate layered synthesizers and rhythmic percussion, contributing to a dense soundscape that characterizes the new wave genre.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. 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.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 I Want You 4:34
2 I Engineer 4:15
3 Strange Behavior 3:58
4 Stealing Time 3:55
5 Anxiety 4:16
6 Out of Control 3:30
7 Stranded 3:22
8 The Essence 4:06
9 One Step Ahead 3:35
10 Staring Down the Demons 4:13

What to play next

Listen next

Animotion

1989

Go back to

Animotion

1984

Full Animotion discography Artists like Animotion

new wave synth-pop

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata