Oingo Boingo Album: “Dead Man's Party”

This CD, and the others from Oingo that followed, were "producer's records" - much like the Doors' "Soft Parade", or the Tubes' "Remote Control". It is the sound of a band that has given it's best shot creatively, and is now ready to concentrate their efforts to "make a hit record".

That said, this record was successful in that attempt - the sound and melodies are fully accessible mainstream pop, and yet the substance is fully recognisable as "Oingo Boingo" (crystalizing in the title track, and "Wierd Science"). That's a rare achievement, and deserves kudos.

But, as indicated earlier, the band was having more fun when putting together the earlier releases, and even a casual listen to their first few albums will confirm that.

Fans of XTC, Thomas Dolby, or Devo will probably like this album more than Oingo's other records. People who appreciate this band's first album ("Only a Lad") will probably feel slightly betrayed when listening to this one. Caveat emptor.

It defines the age in which it was produced, but earlier Oingo albums defined the band.

So basically, Danny Elfman is a genius. Everything he does is brilliant (The Nightmare Before Christmas soundtrack is proof!). Fool's Paradise and No One Lives Forever are my favorites on this CD, even though every song is amazing. If you don't buy it you will become 25% less tollerable as a human.

Oingo Boingo is a band for all the eccentric, dramatic people out there. Dead Man's Party is their most accessible and least "bizarre" album---its tunes are quirky, energetic and incredibly fun. Even those who avoid pop music, and especially idiosyncratic 80's pop music, can find something to like. The songs range from wacky soundtrack themes ("Weird Science") to unusual "alienation" songs ("Heard Somebody Cry") to songs that are the core of the group's attitude---delectable macabre-fests like "No One Lives Forever" and unique "Dead Man's Party." Elfman's voice is original and a trip to listen to, Steve Bartek's guitar work and orchestration are flawless, and none of the songs are truly weak. If you take joy in the strange, darker things in life but like living it anyway, DMP is your album.

Yes, Oingo Boingo, one of 2 of my favorite bands. (the other being They Might Be Giants) I guess I should start off by saying that this is not my favorite Oingo Boingo CD. I like this one very much, but It can't beat earliar Oingo Boingo. This CD was most likely the most famous of all Oingo's CD's, I mean, it had Dead Man's Party, (I guess a lot of people heard it in the movie "Back To School," which I saw on Comdey Central.) and the great song "Weird Science," which I have heard all my life. (I used to watch the show on USA, but I can't remember if it has the original song) I thank the song Weird Science everyday because if it wasn't for that song, I would have never discovered Oingo Boingo. Well, anyways this CD holds great music and great lyrics as well. The only song I don't like is the opened "Just Another Day," I just don't care for Oingo Boingo slow songs, I love the ones with hyper energy. But if you enjoy Oingo Boingo, or you love 80's music, then try this CD out. It has no disappointments on it, and it really shows the genious that is Danny Elfman.

I first heard this album when I was on the road to and from the beach with a couple of good friends. While the rest of the album rocked my socks, it was "Stay" that got stuck in my head. I was singing it all the time, and the melody was so haunting, that I had to run out and get it. I got it on LP, and as a testiment of how much I loved it, I pulled out my record player out everyday for 3 months because I needed to hear it. Thankfully, I eventually got the cd too.

I hope that everyone who experiences this album will enjoy it as much as I did.