Doll Revolution

Some pretty catchy sounding tunes here, but The Bangles really missed an opportunity here by not featuring Susanna more.

After being Queens of the 80's, the Bangles parted ways-but reunited in 1999 to record "Get the Girl" for Austin Powers. Soon, they started jammin'-And this was the result! GREAT ALBUM-underrated if you ask me. They went back to their Folksy-nee-60's roots, take "Stealing Rosemary". But, they show that life has intervened. "Something You Said." Some songs are meditations on motherhood-cases in point "I Will Take Care of You" (although it could be more broadly applied to loving relationships generally). and "Grateful". Motherhood was one reuniting factor for Debbi and Susanna. But the Bangles haven't lost their capacities to be strong, independent women- see "Here Right Now", "Single By Choice". And of course, they can still rock the pop melodies-"Ride the Ride." If you want some great musical and lyrical range, check out this overlooked gem! And if you're lucky, see them live! (I did.)

As a huge fan of the Bangles' 1984 debut All Over The Place, I watched (and listened) as the band hit the big time with their next album, A Different Light, and worked to steer their career through the new wave and sonar drums of the 80's. It was pretty hit and miss, but sincere all the way. This comeback CD, released 15 years after their last studio album, is nothing short of fabulous. In this listener's opinion, it's the most consistently well-written, performed, and tastefully produced album of the group's career. Thank you Debbi, Michael, Susanna, and Vicky for so many great years. Hope you feel inspired to keep writing and recording.

They are all ok but they good stand to be more upbeat and more 'rock' sounding. I saw them in concert and both my friend and I fell IN LOVE with Single By Choice which they absolutly rocked out. But the actual recording here on the album is much slower and almost melancholy.

So the catch to this album is its their comeback. Its their due comeback at that. You will see many critics and fans of the Bangles split on the review of this album and I am here to tell you the truth in between both. You have to first understand that the Bangles you know is not the product of when you found them then or now. The fact is they evolved from multiple scenes and influences and this is why they are brilliant and underrated but also criticized and heralded between two different circles. They started in the L.A. garage 60's revival scene back in the early 80's and they did that well with their self titled EP which is rare and a classic (note: itunes please find this classic which is very out of print) but they also evolved well into the 80's modern rock scene. There is a bridge between the two versions we know them from their classic harmonies (Beach Boys and Mamas & Papas) and jangley, melodic guitars (Beatles) with a slight garage edge and that is the brilliant album "Different Light". No other band preserved the sound of Big Star while embracing the New Wave tastefully. Now fast forward to Doll Revolution and you will see these elements are all there while taking a stab at the modern production. This is also the album that allows all of the gal's to donate their creativity evenly without the 80's machine telling them which songs sell well. It perfectly captures the Bangles from heavy to soft to in-between. This is an impressive underrated gem and there is something for each generation to get from this album be it 60's-00's. If you don't trust the whole album then scroll through and buy 1/4 that appeals to you cause I guarantee there is something for everyone on this album weather you are chasing folk, rock, harmonies, hooks or just plain good musicians with chemistry.

I had no idea they were so talented. I can't get over the 60's style harmonies and energy. They are much more than the radio play they got. The title song is tremendous and their own compositions are very impressive. Ride the Ride brings back their old days and Mixed Messages is pure pop greatness. I suggest you get this if you love classic pop and harmonies.

Ok, this ain't yer mamma's Bangles. It won't bring back the 80's or make you dance like a teenager again BUT, it's good for other things like cleaning house, reading, lounging, cooking, etc. etc. I liked it and I also like AC/DC. and the Smiths. Good music of any kind has it's place.

Tear off Your Own Head is great - classic Bangles. Something That You Said is nice, Ride The Ride is cool. But the rest? They harmonize as great as ever, but these songs are lackluster and uneventful - in other words BORING. I optimistically bought this back in 2003, listened to it many times trying to like it, but it didn't happen. It wasn't worth the 15 year wait since Everything. Hopefully if the ladies try it again they rock a little harder. Also, this CD has The Bangles worst song - Single By Choice. What the heck is that???? Check out Susanna's 1996 solo CD - it's great.

This is really a terrific reunion album--better than I expected, and one of their best albums overall. I saw it on a Best of 2003 list (Village Voice, maybe), checked it out, and was knocked out. The sound here is more akin to "All Over The Place" (which I think is great) than it is to "Different Light" (also great) and "Everything" (which has its high points, but overall is weaker than their first two albums and weaker than this one) with a heavy reliance on guitars, a real group sound, and relatively few synthesizers. The vocals are, as always, terrific, and the songwriting is mostly very good and sometimes sublime. Highlights for me include Elvis Costello's "Tear Off Your Own Head", which shows that Susannah Hoffs can be a great rock vocalist when she wants to; "Stealing Rosemary", a perfect collaborative effort sung, I think, mostly by Vicki; Vicki's "Single By Choice"; and two of Michael Steele's songs, the dark "Song For A Good Son" and "Between The Two". "The Rain Song", written by Vicki and her Cowsill husband and sung mainly by Vicki is very good, has a bridge that is better than very good--check out 2:06-2:40, it's shivers-down-the-spine great. The weak points, IMHO, are the single, "Something That You Said", and the closer, "Grateful"--both are a bit too precious for my taste, but if you like them, fine. Highly recommended.

Sadly, I agree that this is over produced. I used to think you could take the band out of the garage ,but not take the garage out of the band......wrong. Girls ...go back to your garage roots! Less is more. The Bangles have everything it takes to make great music, but did not pull it off on this one. I like every other album except this.With the exception of their version of Tear Off Your Own Head and Stealing Rosemary this album was disappointing. Still looking forward to the next effort, hopefully soon. Seeing as they always have a cover song I would really like The Bangles to release their version of Bob Dylans' " I'll Keep it with Mine", heard it once and it was amazing, but again this album........not so much. Better luck next time