Politics of Dancing

Re-Flex | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 28, 1994)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: One Way Records Inc
• ASIN: B000002QZO
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #329,214 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Praying to the Beat

2. Hit Line

3. Hurt

4. Couldn't Stand a Day

5. The Politics of Dancing

6. Something About You

7. Pointless

8. Jungle

9. Sensitive

10. Keep in Touch

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of my all-time favorites, February 5, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Politics of Dancing (Audio CD)

Totally agree with the previous reviewers. This album is marvellous 80s pop-synthesizer rock at its best. If you're not foot-tapping all the way through to these infectious tunes, you're probably dead.

I've loved this album since the 80s and it still hits my music player on a regular basis. Just can't seem to tire of these upbeat songs no matter how hard I try. It seems to me that almost every track could have been a single.

I apologize in advance because it is impossible to describe these (or any) songs in words for those who have never heard them but enthusiasm for this album has got the better of me so here goes anyway...highlights of the album for me (in no particular order):

- The Politics of Dancing
The extended version of the title track just rocks so powerfully and majestically. The single version of this track is the one Re-Flex track you may just have heard of (you might find it on 80s collections CDs) and if you like it, buy this album now - all the songs are of this quality and catchiness.

- Something About You
This song is all about lusting after your favorite lady and I love the way this builds to an incredible screaming climax with those amazing keyboard stabs in the background. One of the reasons I play keyboards to this day was the hypnotically-compulsive way they were used in this song.

- Keep in Touch
What an intro to a song. Layer upon layer of synths, drums and percussion mesh together and then burst into the catchy finale of the album.

- Hurt
All about turning the tables to get revenge. Even the chords in this one sound angry (in a pop way).

- Praying to the Beat
The starting track of the album starts with a sampled speeded-up talking clock..."Good morning, the time is 6.30am". Whenever I wake up at this time, I'm thinking of this line (boy, am I sad!). This is a clever social satire on how we are slaves to the office working day. You'll be humming this one to work for sure.

- Hitline
Incredibly cynical lyrics about commercial contrived pop songs in the form of a commercial contrived (and brilliant) pop song. Hilarious irony - done so well. These guys were so good they could mock their own artform while creating an outstanding example of it. I'm often reminded of other 80s artists like Nik Kershaw listening to this one - he similarly hid away biting lyrics in the guise of innocent catchy tunes.

I'll stop there before I bore everyone to tears.

I've hardly written any reviews on Amazon in the past seven years but really felt compelled to say something about this gem of an album.

A friend of mine who first introduced me to this album back in the mid 80's once remarked how it was strange that what was one of the best and theoretically most marketable (every song could be a hit) pop records of all time never got anywhere.

I don't understand it to this day. It is amazing to me how these guys just seemed to vanish into thin air. Still, they created something outstanding while they were around.

It's a testament to the pop artform. The 80s at their very best. Your friends will thank you time and time again for introducing them to this album.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Ultimate in '80s pop!, September 23, 2002

By 

Steve Carrabis (West Roxbury, MA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Politics of Dancing (Audio CD)

So I stumbled upon this cassette (hehe) in 1983 while a Freshmen in college. My frat brothers thought I was nuts, but after listening they too were hooked, and the title song quickly became an anthem for us! I sold the tape to a used music store four years later when I moved from school. Missing and regretting selling that cassette a year later, I visited that same shop and re-purchased my cassette (it wasn't on CD yet)!

Now I own it on CD (and still have the cassette!).

I guess, I am HIGHLY recommending it. Especially if your music tastes revolve around the '80s! The thunderous beat just transports you. Love it.

Enjoy

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't overpay for this! Wait for the new releases...., May 24, 2008

By 

Jennifer Klimowicz (Cuero, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Politics of Dancing (Audio CD)

I have to agree with other posters here. What some people are asking for used (or new) copies of this LP and CD is outrageous. It's an excellent album; don't get me wrong. Re-Flex is one of a handful of bands from the '80s I still listen to regularly, and I own a collection of their material on both CD and vinyl. (And, once upon a time, cassette tape!)

But when, as the former band members themselves have criticised, you have a number of people out there taking advantage of fans by selling "Politics" for exorbitant prices and pushing bootleg copies of their unreleased LP "Humanication" as authentic "promos" on eBay and the like, plus the fact that Re-Flex don't see a DIME of any of this money that's changing hands, something is very wrong, indeed.

In acknowledgment of the fan following that has persisted over the past two decades, Re-Flex are re-releasing "The Politics of Dancing" on CD, digitally remastered, later this year. They will also be releasing CDs of the much sought-after "Humanication" and two other albums -- "Movement of the Action Fraction" and "Jamming the Broadcast", which include some of their very early stuff from the late '70s with a fairly different sound, in my opinion. A fifth CD entitled "Music Re-Action" will feature singles and B-sides. These CDs will also be sold in a limited edition boxed set, entitled "Re-Fuse". From what I understand, there will likely be some music videos included, as well.

I, personally, am looking forward to these new releases with great anticipation, and I encourage other fans of Re-Flex to wait and save your money for either the individual CDs or the boxed set. It certainly makes more sense to have 5 CDs for less than the price of what some sellers here (and elsewhere) are asking for a used copy of "Politics" on vinyl -- and to have that revenue go where it belongs: to the artists, themselves.