Ladies And Gentlemen…The Bangles
Omnivore, 2016
REVIEW BY: David Bowling
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED: 08/16/2016
If you are, or have ever been a fan of the Bangles, then this new release is one for you. Ladies And Gentlemen…The Bangles gathers rare tracks from their past, including those when they were known as The Bangs, and presents them in a clean, remastered form.
The Bangles was and still is a bright, melodic pop and rock band. Formed as The Bangs in 1981 by guitar/vocalist Susanna Hoffs, drummer Debbi Peterson, and guitarist Vickie Peterson, they received their greatest fame during the 1980s. They produced a number of upbeat, radio-friendly pop hits such as “Manic Monday,” “Hazy Shade Of Winter,” “Eternal Flame,” and the number one single from 1987, “Walk Like An Egyptian.”
The material on this release predates their most successful time period. If you want an introduction to the band, any of their greatest hits albums would be preferable to this one, which digs more deeply into their formative years.
Their only single release as The Bangs, “Getting Out Of Hand/Call On Me,” coupled with their early recording “Bitchen Summer/Speedway,” both showcase a band learning their craft.
The heart of the release is the five tracks that were originally issued as a self-titled EP in 1981. “The Real World,” “I’m In Line,” “Want You,” “Mary Street,” and “How Is The Air Up There” approach the sound that characterized their best work in a couple of years.
Throw in some early demos, including the old Paul Revere & The Raiders song “Steppin’ Out,” plus a couple of live tracks from 1984 (“7 + 7” and “Tell Me”) and you have an interesting, if not classic release.
Like many albums that explore the history of an artist, Ladies And Gentlemen…The Bangles may not be of the quality of their best work but it creates a nice timeline of their career while filling in the gaps in their catalogue of music.