Oingo Boingo - Dead Man's Party

Returning after a two-year recording hiatus (during which bandleader Danny Elfman recorded a solo album), Oingo Boingo forsook the excesses of smart-aleck humor and quirky production that had led critics almost universally to dismiss the band's first four albums. The sound is still maybe just a bit too uptight and over-determined, but the horn charts are more focused and sophisticated, and Elfman has matured considerably as a lyricist. Alongside such typically oddball fare as the title track and a surprise hit song called "Weird Science" are the faintly paranoid "Just Another Day" and the frankly romantic "Stay," as well as a glorious motown tribute called "Help Me." But "Weird Science" is what really brings things to a close with a bang -- though it reverts somewhat to the band's earlier indulgence in wacka-wacka sound effects and willfully crazy production technique, it's also one of Boingo's most satisfying pop songs ever. Overall, this is perhaps the first Oingo Boingo album to hang together really well as a whole. Recommended. ~ Rick Anderson, All Music Guide

Name Credits Bill Jackson Engineer Dale Turner Percussion, Trumpet, Trombone, ? Danny Elfman ?, Producer, Guitar (Rhythm), Vocals, Guitar David Leonard Engineer, Mixing John Avila Guitar (Bass), Vocals John Avtla Guitar (Bass), Vocals Johnny Hernandez Percussion, Drums Judy Clapp Assistant Engineer Kerry Hatch Keyboards, Bass, Vocals Larry Vigon Art Direction, Design Laura Engel Studio Production Assistant Leon Schneiderman Sax (Alto), Saxophone, Sax (Baritone) Michael Frondelli Mixing Mike Bacich Keyboards Mike Batch Keyboards Mike Kloster Assistant Engineer Paul Levy Assistant Engineer Richard Gibbs Vocals, Trombone, Keyboards, Synthesizer Sam Phipps Sax (Tenor), Saxophone Steve Bartek Guitar, Vocals, Producer