Pete's Review:
It was through a little effort on the internet that I "found" the pre-release of the Go Go's reunion album. I won't give my source, but there are tools other than Napster to accomplish this feat! The Go Go's represent to me what was pure and fun while growing up during the early 1980's. Their music wasn't to be taken too seriously, and it was a fresh breath of air when their first album "Beauty and the Beat" was released way back in 1981. Showing off a nice combination of three-chord pop, new wave, and a punk attitude, these five ladies were the rage of every girl in high school... at least until Madonna came along! I'm not really sure if a reunion of these this band is that relevant in 2001, but the Go Go's are the latest 80's band to ride the reunion bandwagon. With a handful of good songs on this release, The Go Go's plan on supporting this with a new tour. The question is, will anyone listen to them 17 years after their last release?
"God Bless The Go Go's" starts out very promising. Living "Life in La-La Land" kick starts the cd with very nice sounding guitars. The reunited band uses this song as a statement to anyone who's listening; "Hello world we're here again. Living life in la-la land". I like the fact that the band makes now apologies for coming back to the music world. This kicks some serious booty, and I'm pretty sure it will be used as the first single from the cd. The same energy can be found on "Unforgiven". Guest staring Billie Joe Armstrong from Green Day plays guitar on the track and shares co-writing credits. The song features tight driving guitars and surprisingly strong vocals from Belinda Carlisle. The song's attitude is what makes it an interesting track. "Once I forgave you but I did not forget. Now I'm taking back everything I've said". It would be easy for this song to turn into a generic "I used to love you but no I forgive all the rotten things you did to me" type of song. I like the fact that it's bitterness gives it a great edge. I'm sure that entering into their mid-40's, these women have plenty to say about relationships. But, what makes this cd so charming at times seems to become too predictible and routine in other spots. "Apology" fetures some very nice harmonies, especially at the end of the track. But the song comes off as being a little to "trite" and bubblegum for my tastes. "Kissing Asphalt" sounds like a promising title, but the song fails to deliver on this promise. The band tries a little too hard to make it work, and it comes off without a true "hook" to the song. The cd does rebound a bit towards the end. "Throw Me A Curve" is a fun rocker that is reminiscent of their first album. "Talking Myself Down" features deep sounding guitars and honky tonk piano. The song was written with Susanna Hoffs of The Bangles. It's funny because I thought the biggest rival The Go Go's had in the 80's were The Bangles!
I think that there are still a solid six or seven songs to tour behind with this new album. It would be sort of fun to see them play some of their 80's hits in support of this cd. I was in love with Gina Shock, the drummer, when I was 16 years old. She's still my favorite of the five...
Guest Review courtesy of Chris Baierl (Chicago, IL. 5/7/01):
Peter! Holy crap! I just heard "God Bless the Go-Go's" streamed on Musicmatch. THAT WAS WORSE THAN "VACATION!" But at least then they were wearing swimsuits, and had a narcotic excuse for the bad songs. Now they're wearing hooded robes. And putting together the most contrived pile of clich�s over hook free melodies, and for what? My worst fear come true: to get on board whatever Xer nostalgia gravy wagon? To regain a shred of the lost glory that none of them could get on their own (Belinda came close, Jane must be desperate, and Gina's "House of Schock" still gives me the willies)? It can not be that they had something new, or even equivalent to the long ago past, to show. What the HELL was that line about "fell down your gravity well"? I'm a damn scientist, and I had trouble explaining that to my wife. How is that equal to any part of 'Mercenary' or 'Skid Marks On My Heart'? "Stuck in my Car": Is that where that was written? And this theme of "forgiveness" in, what, three songs? What committee came up with that after the VH1 "confession"? Bored Now. There was no lyrical maturity or simplistic charm. Anywhere. Anytime. Solid Drumming? Guitar Hooks? Vocal Melodies? Yes on the first, no on the second, and once on the third. Jane got buried AGAIN behind Belinda's warbling. She should've held out longer to get the "Keith Richards Allowance". For one damn song anyway, that would've been DIFFERENT. This totally under my already lowered expectations. The Go-Go's of the 80's will always have a special place in the tiny corner of my heart saved for nostalgia. "Beauty and the Beat" and "Talk Show" are still mainstays of the charm and talent that once was the reflection of the conflict and cooperation. But God Bless the Internet for saving me $15 that can be spent on a female icon for the 00's. Who's got the best Buffy the Vampire Slayer page? That's my review, and I'm sticking to it. Chris B
