Social Dancing [Import]

Editorial Reviews
Album Description
Japanese edition of the vociferous Scottish alternative rocktrio's 1999 & second album, produced by Andy Gill of Gang Of Four. 15 tracks, including the singles 'Eurodisco' & 'Action And Drama', plus the bonus tracks 'Famous' (Andy Gill Version) and 'Germ Free Adolescents' (a cover of punker's X-Ray Spex's 1978 anthem).

Tracks:

Chan Chan
La Bamba
Besame Mucho
Guantanamera
Abrete Sesamo
Miami Beach Rumba
Oye Negra
Quizas, Quizas, Quizas
Quandro, Quandro, Quandro
Tequila
Amour
Qien Sera
Brazil
Nunca En Domingo
Ojos Espanoles
Misirlou
Cherry Pink

Average customer rating:

Social Dancing
Bis
Manufacturer: Import [Generic]
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Britpop | British Alternative | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Alternative Rock | Imports | Stores | Music

Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00000IHBA
Release Date: 1999-04-13

Tracks:

Making People Normal
I'm a Slut
Eurodisco
Action and Drama
Theme From Tokyo
Hit Girl
Am I Loud Enough
Shopaholic
Young Alien Types
Detour
Sale or Return
It's All New
Listen Up
Famous [Andy Gill Version][*]
Germ Free Adolescents [*]

Album Description

Japanese edition of the vociferous Scottish alternative rocktrio's 1999 & second album, produced by Andy Gill of Gang Of Four. 15 tracks, including the singles 'Eurodisco' & 'Action And Drama', plus the bonus tracks 'Famous' (Andy Gill Version) and 'Germ Free Adolescents' (a cover of punker's X-Ray Spex's 1978 anthem).

Album Details

Japanese Version featuring Three Bonus Tracks.

Average customer rating:

Sure sounds like they're having fun, doesn't it?
A vivid electronic landcape for discerning lovers of music
Disco crack
Underground GREATNESS!
A new kind of revolution...

Social Dancing
Bis
Manufacturer: Capitol
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Britpop | British Alternative | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Intendo
This Is Teen-C Power!
Plastique Nouveau
Return to Central
Detour

ASIN: B00000JPXY
Release Date: 1999-08-10

Tracks:

Making People Normal
I'm a Slut
Eurodisco
Action and Drama
Theme from Tokyo
Hit Girl
Am I Loud Enough?
Shopaholic
Young Alien Types
Detour
Sale or Return
It's All New
Listen Up

Amazon.com's Best of 1999

It's a revolution you can dance to. The kids in Bis--Manda, Sci-Fi, and Disco--put the disco back in discordant on Social Dancing, combining fresh beats, punk-rock rage, and savage political rants to create a heady mix sure to incite the masses to either riot or dance--take your pick. --Tod Nelson

Amazon.com

Bis is a revelation. Their in-your-face combination of disco and punk rock may confuse the feet--they don't know whether to boogie or stomp--but it sets the blood, and ultimately the brain, on fire. While the Scottish trio's earlier albums have a cheeky, cartoonish take on life, Social Dancing actually has an agenda, one that begins with a musical epiphany and culminates in a millennial cultural revolution. "Trying to keep up with the DJ / he has no voice and no say," they decry in "Action and Drama"; soon they beg, "I just want some personality / give me action and drama." They further rail against the faceless bleeps and whistles of techno on the frenetic "Eurodisco," then later on the LP's standout cut, "Detour" (featuring a cameo and cowriting credit from Lois Maffeo), they ask, "Do you wanna go my way?" Bis is forging new ground and they know it, and with discovery comes responsibility (a lesson one wishes more trailblazers had learned). What use is a trend or fashion or even dance music in the face of a crazy, inhumane world? A previous generation of disco kids once declared, "Fuck art, let's dance," but Bis understands that's just empty posturing. Their slogan would be: "Don't just dance, take action." The title of the album isn't referring to a gaggle of ravers squirming into oblivion. On the stunning final cut, "Listen Up," a snarly vocal reminiscent of vitriolic Johnny Rotten cries, "You've never thought about power," as a disco pulse urges listeners into a frenzy. Then comes the coup d'etat: "The power / to riot / is anger / united." Turns out, the social dance is the one an empowered crowd steps to. Don't forget: when Paris burned, people danced in the streets. This time the revolution has a back beat. --Tod Nelson

Customer Reviews:

Sure sounds like they're having fun, doesn't it?.......2005-01-21

This obscure little outfit from across the pond knew damn well that they were never going to be more than a tiny blip on the music scene (and even that much only because of that once-in-a-lifetime Cartoon Network deal), so they decided to do exactly the kind of album they wanted, and to hell with the critics.

And wouldn't you know it, it worked. Although the 13 tracks have nothing in common and employ a multitude of styles, as has already been mentioned, it's a fun, enjoyable trip all throughout. My favorite tracks are the energetic Listen Up and the fairly hard-edged The Hit Girl, but it's all good. It's tough to follow the lyrics sometimes (um, what exactly did the shopaholic go for after the 7" heels?), but this isn't supposed to be anything deep, so that's no biggie.

If this was a seriously attempt to break into pop (and they say as much in the liner notes), it was a valiant attempt, and it's just too bad that nothing as edgy as I'm a Slut or Action and Drama could ever gain success in a genre that seems to forbid ever having any fun. If they just wanted a well-done pop/punk/dance album, well, mission accomplished. More than anything, Social Dancing shows that if you're going to have a short ride, what the heck, might as well enjoy it.

A vivid electronic landcape for discerning lovers of music.......2004-04-27

I had the good fortune to come across this album in a bargain bin at a local trendy and "indie-cool" used record store. I'd heard from a friend with (mostly) remarkable taste in music that the Bis are a band worth checking out. Actually, I had heard a couple of their songs before I even knew who they were: "Plastic People", and "Pop Star Kill", which I really dug, and I was more than pleased when I popped this CD in on my drive back home. This isn't even supposed to be their best album-- and, admittedly, I don't know too much about the Bis-- but it's damn good enough for me. Love it. They are a great fusion of poppy electronic music and interesting and quirky lyrics. (Many bands attempt to do this, yet fail miserably, and end up recording insufferable "teeny-bopper" tripe). This album is absolutely fun, yes, and "danceable" (the title doesn't delude), yet it has enough substance, style, and quirkiness to keep (or even captivate) the audiophile's attention, and for him/her to actually care about what they have to say. Another thing that strikes me about this band is their ability-- nay, their talent--to merge the female and male voices in their songs to create really unique and catchy harmonies. I played this album for my boyfriend, who adheres more to the "acoustic set", and he told me his honest opinion, which was something to the extent of the Bis' sound being that of a electrotrashy/eurotrashy party band. I was insulted, but he's more than entitled to his own opinion. One of his favorite musicians happens to be Chris Isaak, so I realize that I shouldn't take his assessment of the Bis' talent too seriously. So, basically, if you're into Chris Isaak, you might not like the Bis, unless your musical tastes are really diverse and all over the map. I think the song "Detour" is the best on the album; I find it absolutely intoxicating and enchanting and well, supercool. . . "I'm a slut" is irresistible. "Theme from Tokyo" is yummy. And although the Bis aren't (or at least don't seem to be) the most "political" band, one inclined towards social isues, "Sale or Return" nevertheless offers a sort of social critique, under the guise of a few layers of bubble gum. I highly recommend this album to anyone who has certain indie sensibilities, and who really enjoys original and quirky music. Or perhaps to "young alien types" :). . . I have to beg the age-old question, however, in relation to the genre of "pop" music: since the Bis could be categorized (or pigeonholed) as "pop", why oh why can't we hear stuff like this on commercial radio? Sigh. . .

Disco crack.......2004-04-20

I was surprised when listening to this one, produced by Andy Gill (of Gang of Four). I know Bis has youth and energy on their side. All the more reason to hate them. But by the time you hear songs like "I'm A Slut" and "Eurodisco" you want to be jumping around the room high on E too. The enthusiam is catchy. I saw this woman stumbling on the corner of 10th and C this afternoon, high on some non-motivating drug. She obviously hadn't heard this Social Dancing record. This Scottish group is all about looking good and buying the right accessories. Even by the end, Social Dancing is inventive and doesn't let up. I know Bis has released many EPs in the past. I know many people wrote off Gang of Four when they came out with "Hard." Not me. Hats off to them for giving us a long playing delight!

(www.freewilliamsburg.com)

Underground GREATNESS!.......2001-11-29

I bought this album because of a review, not ever hearing a single note beforehand, and I have to say it has become one of my favorite albums ever. This is a departure from the (...) on the radio. The sound is a cartoony-80's pop...and it's a perfect cd for long trips. Everyone I play this for ends up buying their own copy!

A new kind of revolution..........2001-06-16

The second full length album from the Glasgow, Scotland trio Bis shows marked growth in all areas: lyrics, vocals and musicality. The album is like a mixed bag of styles. There are harder, driving rock/punk oriented songs like Manda Rin's 'The Hit Girl', a trip-hoppy, Portishead-esque song, 'Detour', as well as their all out pop blasts like 'Shopaholic' and 'Action And Drama'. Again, Rin has one of the album's strongest songs...Equal parts whip-smart and witty, 'Social Dancing' is the best pop album of the year. All others can only pale in comparison to the burgeoning talents of Manda, Steven and John.

Average customer rating:

Do it again, Bis! Agaaaaaiiiinnnn!!!! :)
Yeah!

Social Dancing
Bis
Manufacturer: Wiiija
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Britpop | British Alternative | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00000INLO

Album Details

Newest Release from the Latest Scottish Faves. A Mixture of Rock, Punk, and Disco, all Blended Into Bis. Produced by Andy Gill (Gang of Four).

Customer Reviews:

Do it again, Bis! Agaaaaaiiiinnnn!!!! :).......1999-06-23

As much as I hate to buy imports, I took one look at this in my local Newbury Comics and immediately snatched it up, whimsically shirking the hefty $ price tag attached. I've done this with Bis for a while - buying all of their import stuff, sometimes in the need of just one track (and YES it pisses me off that I didn't get the Social Dancing with xtra trax :P but oh well).

But after listening to their American debut, New Transistor Heroes, you kind of go ga-ga over 'em. What was once a catchy, silly mix of ska and bubblegum pop has become much, much more. One can see it in the album art, which has drastically changed (how in hell do I win that car???). Their Bubble has popped, so to speak, and Bis - while maintaining alot of their adolescent charm and pure Buffy-the-Vampire-Slayer wit - has done some growing up overall.

I truly hope that these three get some American exposure this time around, for I'm not sure that the album will be getting a US release (a la Republica's "Speed Ballads," which I also paid $ for). Tracks like "Eurodisco" and "Am I Loud Enough" (my faves) are palpable and thoroughly irresistible, while songs like "Detour" and "Sale or Return" push Bis into the realms of the music which seemed to shun them - nominally, those which get alot of airplay.

From someone who's been bouncing along with Bis SANS DOUTE for the past two years, Social Dancing will be the album which will determine whether or not our listening ears are open wide enough. You have been too great for too long, Bis. Good luck :)

Yeah!.......1999-05-30

I'm the first one to review this CD. I'd hoped there would be a dozen of them, cause it's a great CD. It's not the average boring music, but original good music. I don't know how to say it, but you people should buy this CD, so you can listen to something ORIGINAL. Some bands/groups don't know the magic word original, but you're safe with Social Dancing. And now let me listen to it!