?The sun became as black, the moon became as blood. The revelation has begun? ? Dead or Alive burst forth, from the ashes of Nightmares in Wax, into the UK pop charts with a raunchy version of K.C. & The Sunshine ... more »Band?s That?s The Way (I Like It). This cover may have been a ?Cheese whiz moment? for the enigmatic DOA front man, Pete Burns, but it was an important record for many of DOA?s fans. Coordinating and compiling ?Rocket? was indeed a labour of love for us, and it was particularly satisfying to decide what bands to approach and on what songs to give them. One of our objectives with this release was to shift the focus away from their biggest hit ?You Spin Me Round? (track 13) and to concentrate on the band as songwriters, by showcasing their other pop gems first. ?Black Leather? (tracks 2 &14) is a prime example of this, and is a seminal track in itself, dating from the pre-DOA days as Nightmare In Wax. It?s a song that today still sells for big money on the likes of ebay and record collector. All the artists included here took hold of the DOA mantel with flair, passion and determination. So thank you for supporting us and Dead Or Alive with your purchase of ?Rocket?. Sit back and enjoy all the hard work contained in these interpretations. This Tribute was twenty years in the making, but only months in the realization? so watch out, here we come!« less
?The sun became as black, the moon became as blood. The revelation has begun? ? Dead or Alive burst forth, from the ashes of Nightmares in Wax, into the UK pop charts with a raunchy version of K.C. & The Sunshine Band?s That?s The Way (I Like It). This cover may have been a ?Cheese whiz moment? for the enigmatic DOA front man, Pete Burns, but it was an important record for many of DOA?s fans. Coordinating and compiling ?Rocket? was indeed a labour of love for us, and it was particularly satisfying to decide what bands to approach and on what songs to give them. One of our objectives with this release was to shift the focus away from their biggest hit ?You Spin Me Round? (track 13) and to concentrate on the band as songwriters, by showcasing their other pop gems first. ?Black Leather? (tracks 2 &14) is a prime example of this, and is a seminal track in itself, dating from the pre-DOA days as Nightmare In Wax. It?s a song that today still sells for big money on the likes of ebay and record collector. All the artists included here took hold of the DOA mantel with flair, passion and determination. So thank you for supporting us and Dead Or Alive with your purchase of ?Rocket?. Sit back and enjoy all the hard work contained in these interpretations. This Tribute was twenty years in the making, but only months in the realization? so watch out, here we come!
CD Reviews
A Synthpop Gem !
pfd | Western Australia | 08/23/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This is a great little album ~ Fun, varied and full of electro-synthpop to keep most fans very happy. And with 16 tracks it's a decent package.
It took me a couple listens to really get into, but once I stopped comparing vocals to those of Pete Burns which are just so powerful and strong (with such a unique resonance and texture), I actually began to really love this collection.
All kinds of synthpop are explored, with hints of Depeche Mode vocally and arrangement wise, a singer that reminds me a little of Neil Tenant, and the musical arrangement of SPECIAL STAR by Empire State Human which is a little Erasure-ish to me. SEX DRIVE by Giallo also has a Madonna-esqe Ray Of Light intro.
There are a couple undesirables though IMHO. The robo-speak version of BLACK LEATHER by Qubiq is nowhere near as good as the version by Andromeda Rising, and I'm not really fussed by ISN'T IT A PITY by Astromill. The vocal intro by Ganymede to LOVER COME BACK TO ME made me laugh out loud the first time I heard it (when compared to Pete Burns powerhouse original), although the song is not that bad.
However, some of the creative versions of songs like the thumping YOU SPIN ME ROUND by Spray, are really worth the purchase price of the cd. I really love SOMETHING IN MY HOUSE by Shadow Valley which creates a whole new song so far removed from the original. And Audiodoll's SON OF A GUN is so much fun ~ I'd love to see a further mix of this song as it has great potential. Versions of other lighter, "poppier" songs such as HOOKED ON LOVE and PLEASE STOP KICKING MY HEART AROUND stay true to the DOA originals, but add their own arrangement / vocal nuances.
All in all, a worthy purchase for sythnpop and DOA fans alike !
"
DJ Hit that Button
Rusty Nail | Manchester, UK | 06/16/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I was sent a copy of this album by another DJ friend of mine. He had played a few tracks during a retro/electro night and literally the crowd went mad! I felt this was possibly an over reaction until I put it on in my car, on my way to work last week. Were did all these bands come from? I had heard of Baxendale and Empire State Human but now the rest look certain to follow their reputation. There's plenty of love put into the release, from the exceptional artwork to the informative sleeve notes. Maybe this might relaunch DOA's flagging career? Instead of being big in Japan, they may become big world wide again. Surely a new DOA album can't be that far off now?"
Rockets ablast
T. KENNEDY | SEATTLE, WA | 05/03/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I have been a huge fan since i was 13years old. Twenty years later, hasn't changed that.
This tribute album, for a lot of Dead or Alive fans is kinda a confirmation of sorts. The group has never really spent their due in the lime light. Rocket, is brillaint music.......that moves you. Its "Simply Alive" if your not up and moving to "Rocket" then re-insert CD correctly! Empire State Human, should take a bow.
I am sure Mr.Pete Burns is very pleased with the love and efforts to this project. So, run out and get a copy soon...
It really is that good!!
"
Even better than the real thing! NOT!
Stefan Crane | CA USA | 02/14/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"NOTHING is better than the cavernous voice of Ms. Pete Burns.
Yet, this LP is fun.
1. Isn't It A Pity (Astromill) - The fem voice is a change, a nice twist.
2. Black Leather (Andromeda Rising) - Nothing special.
3. Son Of A Gun (Audiodoll) - Another fem sounding vocal. This is one of the best covers on this collection.
4. Come Home With Me Baby (Baxendale) - Naughty but nice. Nice instrumentation.
5. My Heart Goes Bang Bang (Fr/action) - Okay.
6. Hooked On Love (Heaven Bent) - Great vocals and sound.
7. Special Star (Empire State Human) - Best vocals on the LP.
8. Baby Don't Say Goodbye (Tristraum) - Okay.
9. Something In My House (Shadow Valley) - Droning, but nice.
10. What I Want (Electroluvs) - Fair.
11. In Too Deep (The Dignity Of Labour) - Great sound. This track sounds most like the original.
12. Sex Drive (Giallo) - Okay.
13. You Spin Me Round [Like A Record] (Spray) - Not so great. A nice acoustic sound would have been better.
14. Black Leather (QUBIQ) - Better than the first, but I've had crappy lipstick shades that pleased me better than this.
15. Lover Come Back To Me (Ganymede) - Good, good.
16. Stop Kicking My Heart Around (Royal Visionaries) - Fair.
Even if you're not a DoA fan, which you should be, you'll enjoy this collection of pop gems."
Excellent
G. Sanchez | 09/19/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"O.K.
If you are a fan of DOA, you might want to add this to your colection. However, the cd is not so great. I recomend this cd to the DOA collectors."
Track Listings (16) - Disc #1