Gather Music Review: We Are the 80s - The Bangles

American culture in the 1980s was jam-packed with icons representing the new teenage rebellion: Big hair, peg-leg jeans, acid-washed denim, and of course, the pop-rock hair band. One of the truly quintessential groups of the decade was The Bangles, comprised of Susanna Hoffs (vocals and guitar), Debbi Peterson (vocals, drums and guitar), Vicki Peterson (vocals and lead guitar), and Michael Steele (vocals and base). Formed in the early 1980s in Los Angeles' Paisley Underground and originally known as The Bangs, the Bangles were one of just a few truly stand-out girl groups of the age. Their music was a unique and critically-acclaimed blend of folk and hipster rock that attracted legions of fans who were searching for something a little different than the dominant synthesized-pop-rock radio invasion of the time. The foursome produced numerous hits with just the power of girls and guitars, rather than relying on the overused synthesizer that earmarked the decade.

The recent Columbia/Legacy Recordings release We Are the 80s: The Bangles is a fabulous compilation of this girl band's chart-topping greatest hits. It features 14 songs that work together to effectively showcase the range of their musical talent - from the clearly Beatles-inspired Going Down to Liverpool and Live to unique, poppy but rock-inspired Walk Like an Egyptian and Manic Monday.  Since the songs featured on this CD also appear on their 1990 Greatest Hits album as well as 2004's Essential Bangles, these's no point in buying it if you already own either of those discs. But it's a great choice for a newer fan of the band and gives an accurate representation of who they are as a band.

Poppy, cheerful Manic Monday, penned by Prince under a pseudonym, serves as the introductory track. Taken from the January 1986 release Different Light, its opening bars - tinkling keyboarding followed by that ever-distinctive bass - make it one of the more recognizable and relatable songs of the decade. After all, haven't we all been awakened from a pleasant, unfinished dream by the call of the daily grind? The upbeat tempo and purely fun lyrics certainly shine and make it a favorite.  And there's something just plain special about Susanna's lead vocals in this one - clean, clear and precise. 

The band switches gears with If She Knew What She Wants, the second offering. This song, also from Different Light, is somewhat slower and more soulful; despite my affinity for Manic Monday, this song does more to showcase Susanna Hoffs' rich vocal talent. It strikes me as vaguely whiney at times, but it suits the lyrics well and isn't bothersome in the least.  What is bothersome is how hard it was to understand the lyrics; it may just be me, but it took several listens before I 'got it'.  I still think it's an appealing song, despite my issues with comprehension.

Despite the fact that it discredited the band in the eyes of some fans, track number three, Walk Like an Egyptian, was a bona fide mega-hit and perhaps The Bangles' most recognizable song of all. It hit number one on Billboard's music chart in late 1986 and played a large role in making Different Light one of the hottest albums of the year. It features fun lyrics delivered at almost break-neck speed by each of the girls, and peppy, decidedly strong instrumentals. Look up the words and follow along for a fun listen to an iconic hit. It's a cheerful, bee-bopping fun song for sitting in traffic, too.  It makes my head spin in a good way; like being intoxicated without having even a drop to drink.

Song number four, Walking Down Your Street, is another catchy, uptempo tune.  The harmonies are fabulous and sound very natural.

The slow, melodious opening bars of track five, Hazy Shade of Winter, are a little more than vaguely reminiscent of Gregorian Chant.  It lulls you into a sense of calm and peace, and then BAM! the tempo completely changes!  It might be jarring at first listen, but the switch to an upbeat, uptempo tune feels right.  This song is filled with great harmonies (as opposed to a single lead singer, as the earlier songs on the album feature).  Though I like the sound quite a lot, it's very different than the other tracks - it sounds more like music from a Broadway musical than a Bangles offering.

In Your Room takes us back to the usual sound:  Snappy beat and lyrics.  And once again, equally solid instrumentals.

Sticky-sweet Eternal Flame, the seventh track, has its own unique place in the hearts of those who were young in the 80s and searching for a real, meaningful relationship. The song is most definitely a love-ballad and the only ballad on the CD.  It combines heartfelt, mildly angsty lyrics, gentle guitar strums, and Hoff's gentle lead vocals to create a memorable piece.  In fact, her voice simply shines - this song was just made for her to sing. Anyone who dated in high school and was ever convinced that her boyfriend-of-the-moment was THE ONE can relate to this song.

Track number eight, Be With You, reverts to the usual upbeat melody that the first tracks on this CD lead us to expect.  The refrain is extremely catchy and could easily get stuck in your head if you're not careful!  A different Bangle takes the lead vocals on this one, and I'm not as sold on her voice as I am on Susanna's.  It has a more sultry quality, and less of the upbeat, perky sound that I tend to associate with the band.

The opening bars of Hero Takes a Fall remind me of Walk Like an Egyptian.  The lyrics are once again catchy, and this uptempo tune is sung with a great deal of attitude.

Track ten marks the beginning of that I call the 'second half' of the album.  Beginning with Going Down to Liverpool, the songs (ironically) take on a clearly Beatles-inspired sound.  I enjoyed the first nine tracks much more than the final five.  This song isn't one I could relate to at all; the lead vocals are too gruff for my taste, and the lyrics seem pointless and overly repetitive.  The one redeeming quality is a solid guitar solo in the middle of the song.  Otherwise, this is a rare miss in my book.

Complicated Girl features the same lead vocalist as the previous tune, but this song is much better suited to her voice.  She has a decidedly folksy-sound to her vocals, and reminds me very much of Mary Chapin-Carpenter, or Roseanne Cash in Runaway Train.  Complicated Girl is a solid song with a (not surprisingly) folksy sound.

Track twelve, September Gurls, continues the second half's folksy trend.  The melody is good; not peppy like earlier offerings, but also not slow like Eternal Flame.  It isn't one of my favorites.

The Beatles' influence on the band is clear in Live.  When I first heard it, there was no doubt in my mind that the girls had been listening to Ringo and the gang before they recorded it.

The final track, DoverBeach, serves to loop back to the beginning of the CD, with the return of Susanna's strong and distinctive vocals and the girls' impressive harmonies.  It adds a bit of cohesiveness to an otherwise thematically-divided collection. 

Personally, this already-appealing CD would be much more appealing if the tracks had been better mixed and integrated in terms of lead vocalist and theme.  It feels strange to have such a flagrant change in tone and sound right smack in the middle of what's essentially a greatest hits collection.  The songs are all strong enough in their own right (though I like some more than others and prefer the first half to the second), so it isn't a major flaw, but it's irritating nonetheless.

The one major flaw with this album is the liner notes.  Although they feature great pictures that are fun to look at and really take you back to the 80s, the song lyrics are not included.  Since the music is generally intellectual in nature (or at least fast-paced), it would be helpful to have them handy.  I was disappointed to have to look up the words to some of the songs online rather than being able to refer to the CD case.

In the world of music, there are one-hit wonders, moderately successful groups, and time-tested hit-makers. I don't think I exaggerate much to say that The Bangles fall into the latter category. Just check out We Are The 80s: The Bangles, and be convinced for yourself.  Though I'm not a big fan of all of the features songs, I admit that they are all highly dance-able and just plain fun.