Disco de The Bangles: “Different Light [Bonus Track]”

Not to go too much into myself because most people don't want to read a bio of the reviewer but I would like to share a little bit of history. In 1986, in the 6th grade I started collecting 45s. That was the beginning of my obsession with mid-80s pop music. Back then I was a little more choosy what albums I would buy on Vinyl and this was one of those I felt was worth getting. I would play this album over and over and never get tired of it. Last week I decided to buy the reissue.

There are many hit singles on this album. 1986 through 1987 the singles from "Different Light" ruled the top 20 charts. These songs definetly sound very 80s yet they are still timeless. I think one thing that makes this album stand out 12 years later is that you don't hear a lot of synth music that was prominent in the 80s. You hear REAL drums and the songs are just as fun as many of the Beatles early tracks. Just fun pop music. Nothing more nothing less. Yes, many have mention that this isn't their best album but maybe it is nostalgia being that this was within the first 3 records I ever bought but this one will always be my favorite Bangles album.

If you are a fan of the Bangles there is a rare dance track of Walk Like an Egyptian. It is fun to listen to and a must for Bangles fans.

There are some things that might upset longtime Bangles fans. There really isn't any remastering here. It is a reissue with the volume turned up to match modern CDs. The lack of remastering is fine with me because this is the sound that I remember. There is no new booklet. It is just a copy of the old LP sleeve.

If you are a casual fan I would say you are better off going with the "We Are The 80s" collection. That collection features all the hits and some great album tracks. Also "We Are The 80s" is remastered.

Back when it was released on LP, I immediately fell in love with this second full-length album from the girls from my hometown of L.A. Maybe they'd left behind some of the Mersey Beat-isms that I loved from the first EP and from ALL OVER THE PLACE, but DIFFERENT LIGHT was still about as perfect a pop album I'd ever heard, and I knew that it would surely have about 4 or 5 hits from it (and, sure enough ...).

I have been waiting and waiting for a decent CD release to come along. I'm still waiting. Wounded Bird Records apparently didn't have the resources to take the edge off the original digital sound, and it's just as harsh as ever. (To these ears, anyway.) I think the original LP still sounds fine, but if I wanted my CD of this album to sound this way, I would have purchased a second-hand copy of the original Columbia album.

Very disappointed.

This is not their best record-- that would be the power pop classec All Over the Place-- but this is their 80s-est, Biggest-hair record. It's got "Manic Monday," a "1999" rewrite given to the band by admirer Christopher, also knnown as Prince. It's got "Walk Like an Egyptian," which swept the nation like no song had since Steve Martin's "King Tut." So if you're into the whole "Rock Me Amadeus," Oh Mickey"" 80s nostalgia thing, grab this (or at least donload those two songs.) For those of us already grooving to this band when Different Light first dropped, it had their sublime cover of Alex Chilton/Big Star's "September Gurls," the prototypical power pop song; it is to their divine credit that they pull it off. The Jules Shear cover "Let It Go" has great 4-part harmonies. The title track, "Walking Down Your Street," and "Return Post" all rock, even if these takes are dripping with 80s production (but then, if you have that 80s nostalgia thing going that's a good thing.) What you hear on this record is a great band, great jangle folk rock players and singers, figting for control over their sound with a Big Music Business producer (David Kahne.) Sometimes he wins ("Egyptian"); sometimes they do ("Gurls"); and sometimes they find a glorious common ground ("Walking Down Your Street.") Probably an essential 80s record, but I swear, All Over the Place is the classic. And the recent reunion record Doll Revolution is pretty happening as well.

PS: As cute as Susannah Hoffs and her upwads-glancing eyes are, Vicki Peterson is my rock'n'roll dream girl. Vicki, if you read this, please leave your husband and have my baby!

The tune "Angels Don't Fall In Love" is rare for being a candy-flavored dismissal of Western Civilization - the Sex Machine is Broken.

Listen while reading Posner's "Sex and Reason".

In summary it's rare to find pleasant-sounding-tunes which make you think a little more deeply about sexual roles. Even "Manic Monday" is along these lines, if you think about the words.