Bangles - Doll Revolution WDvd (15 tracks) +Album Reviews

The Bangles are back... YES!

Daniel J. Hamlow | Narita, Japan | 10/11/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I was so thrilled when their reunion album finally happened. I did not, however, expect it to exceed classics such as All Over The Place and Different Light, and it doesn't, but the songs are as fresh as if hearing them for the first time ever. After fifteen years... Wow! Getting this prevented me from tearing off my own head, to paraphrase the leading song. Key=[lead vocalist]After the phrase, "One must tear off one's own head," comes a quick burst of snarling punkish guitar and Susanna's familiar sugary voice. I haven't heard the original Elvis Costello version, but they really jam on "Tear Off Your Own Head (Doll Revolution)" This opening number makes this yet another classic in the Bangles pantheon of hits."Stealing Rosemary" is a simple song of a woman doing the title action for her man. What, without parsley, sage, and thyme? Kidding. [Debbi]"Something That You Said" is another classic, with the solid Beatles/Byrds influence heard with the guitar and the harmony vocals. The drum machine in the background paints a modern addition. And Susanna's voice never sounded so good!"Ask Me No Questions" has rhythmic overtones of the Beatles "Rain" without the feedback guitar. The main chorus goes "Oh, I'm in love with you/But I turn away when you look in my eyes/Ask me no questions I'll tell you no lies." [Debbi]"Rain Song" sung by Vicki is an upbeat guitar-oriented number where when it rains, she remembers her ex. And there's a bitter taste with this line: "I'm doing fine as long as you stay locked up/Inside a cloud of grey" Whoa! [Vicki]That's quite a fancy dresser in "Nickel Romeo", someone who's described as "a Cheshire cat in yellow Beatle boots". "Strange desperation-you gotta cop that fix/Making every little girl is keeping you alive." That bad, huh? [Michael]"Ride The Ride" has a similar beat but less ferocious than "Doll Revolution". With signature guitar hooks, call it a close cousin to "In Your Room" [all]Just what I needed, another tender ballad to melt my heart, and my favourite song here. "I Will Take Care Of You" is an affirmative song of support from a loved one who will stand tall alongside through times of fear and sadness: "Smile, if you can now/Smile through your tears/Here where your fears are known/
Know you're safe at home." Magic! [Susanna, of course!]Guitar and soundwise, the upbeat "Here Right Now" sounds like Green-era R.E.M. and calls for one to slow down. "Stand back and take a look around you/Running from the pressures of a restless world/Hush for a moment, baby, just be still/Here now./Spend a minute next to me." Amen to that!The woman in bittersweet "Single By Choice" is affirmative of the title, adding "Never marry, never ever divorce/Listen to the solitary voice." Even though she gives bad experiences she had, sad, isn't it? [Vicki]"Lost At Sea" details a couple who's lost so far in arguments that it's as if they are lost at sea. The solution: "Take my hand, come to me/Save a life, rescue you, rescue me." Another Byrdsy song replete with harmonies. [Vicki]"Song For A Good Son" details a woman explaining to her son why she seems emotionally cold. She is scarred by the loss of her mother, taken by the ocean current. There are suicidal overtones: "Waterside so deep and wide/If I follow, maybe I will find her." [Michael]"Grateful" is a lullaby to one's young son, enhanced by chorus harmonies of "All we are and all we need is" while Susanna's whispery sweet voice does lead.The bonus DVD contains "A Day In The Life Of The Bangles" mini-documentary, which basically explains how they felt about getting back together, story behind "TOYOH", and their amazement at the large fan base they had, the "Something That You Said" video, audio and lyrics pages.All the familiar elements are there, Susanna's sweet voice, the tight harmonies, the 60's rock influenced sound, the brand of garage pop/rock hybrid. It's as if they never broke up. A warm welcome back!"

The pleasure of their company

Dudley-Brian Smith | Louisiana | 12/27/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"When was the last time you bought an "album" and the artist DIDN'T disappoint you. Well, welcome back the Bangles - proving with Doll Revolution that they were more than pretty faces. This is sophisticated songwriting and performance that leaves the listener aching at the beauty of it. Every track is a treat and it's one of those albums one can put on and just daydream. It is an aural pleasure to be back in their company. No one can ever say these ladies - excuse me, these musicians - weren't deserving of their fame. This is music that doesn't disappoint - real people making knocked-out real music. As I said, it's a pleasure to be back in their company."

The Bangles are Back!

Richard A. Siler | Chamblee, GA United States | 09/24/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Its been well over a decade since the last new Bangles studio album (EVERYTHING was released in 1988!) In the music biz, that's a very long time. But Susannah, Vicki, Debbie and Michael have finally come back together...after 15 years of exhaustion, hurt, anger, arguments, seperate careers, marriages, kids...and you know what? They come back clicking together like they'd never been apart.All the notable Bangle elements are here: Excellent vocals, great songwriting, competent musicianship, good production. Its not as "poppy" as previous works, but its still very catchy, "hooky" tunes. In a way, I was sort of hoping that this album would include "Get the Girl" from the Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me soundtrack, the song that brought the Bangles back together. Not that the album is hurt by it not being included.The strongest tracks here, by far, are the brilliant first single, "Something That You Said," and the mostly group-written rocker "Ride the Ride," which the newly-reformed girls debuted in club dates and on TV appearances almost 2 years ago. The album kicks off in very fine fashion with "Tear Off Your Own Head," a cover of a fantastic Elvis Costello. Debbie has a number of really shining moments on the album, especially "Stealing Rosemary" and "Here Right Now." Michael contributes some great tunes as well, with the best being "Song for a Good Son" and the rockin' "Between the Two."The reason that I rated this album 4 stars is that to me, I don't hear the same strength as usual in Vicki's tunes. Nothing here compares with "Angels Don't Fall in Love" (one of my fave Bangle tunes ever) or "Different Light" from the album by that same name, nor "Bell Jar" or "Watching the Sky" from EVERYTHING. Her best tune here is "The Rain Song." Still the rest of it is good, if not as good as her norm (forgive me, Vicki!)All-in-all, this is a fantastic album that will greatly please Bangle fans. My concern is that with such a lengthy hiatus, fickle American pop radio won't pick them back up. That would be a shame. This is extremely well-crafted American Pop.Congratulations gals! Thanks for a great new album, and...welcome home."

This is a great album!

Andrew Furst | Illinois, USA | 04/28/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Bangles ARE back, big time, with this CD. I hope we won't have to wait another 15 or so years for the next one. I can't imagine anyone being disappointed with this, unless they were expecting "Walk Like an Egyptian, part 2". For me, although I too was probably drawn originally by "Walk Like an Egyptian" and "Manic Monday", the Bangles were a great jangle/pop/rock band with awesome vocals (nice looking too, of course); not the "novelty act" that some of the hit singles might imply. Easily the best of the female groups I've heard, a real band too (i.e. real musicians), not just a singing act.

The 80's Bangles were probably underrated as a live band. And while "Walk Like an Egyptian" was a great record, it didn't really feature what the band did best in their live performances (the vocals, with their own jangle/pop/rock instrumentation). This CD comes close to the appeal of their live act; the producer of the CD deserves credit for not overdoing it (though "Nickel Romeo" appropriately does have some extra production, which works). I'd have liked just a little more live sound on a few of the songs, such as "Something that you said" - the Bangles did this song live for AOL, and live it sounds better to me than on the CD. Susanna Hoff's vocals seem slightly too "affected" here (especially on "Something"), while they sound more natural (and thus better) live. Also I thought Vicki's "The Rain Song" sounded a little better live, but I still like it here. But those are minor quibbles (I do recommend that anyone with AOL access check out their six song live set though, called AOL Studios "full set" or something).

The only other - again very minor - quibble I'd have here is with the lyrics on some songs. Not offensive (thankfully), just could be a little more suited to my taste, if we were to get truly picky (everyone's a critic!). The Elvis Costello title track for instance, sounds great but the lyrics are a bit strange (maybe I just don't "get" them?). The Hoffs ballad "I will take care of you" is really good, no doubt heartfelt (about her husband? child?) too, but sounded a bit syrupy when I first heard it; then again I just let this CD play without skipping anything, so I should probably admit I like all the songs, including that one. Also - "Stealing Rosemary", a song about taking herbs from the neighbors garden? At least it's original, so in that way it's appreciated. It sounds awesome however, as do the other songs. Ok, on second thought, the lyrics are just fine. And a lot of them are excellent, which are the ones I remember anyway.

Aside from those minor quibbles, this is easily the best CD I've heard, of those issued in the past dozen years. Definitely one you can listen to over and over again. I won't comment too much on the individual songs. But I have to agree with many others that the Michael Steele songs are the strength of the album, especially in that they set it apart from prior Bangles albums, give it a new dimension. Without her songs, it would still be a very nice Bangles album, very worthy of the reunion. But Michael's songs take the album to another level, both with her singing and the songs themselves. "Nickel Romeo" sounds a lot like a Beatles song from their "psychedelic" era, the others aren't as Beatlesque but they are also great. I understand that Michael had been reclusive and reluctant to join the reunion, but she sure brought a lot when they convinced her to come back. Beyond Michael's terrific songs, hugely enjoyable vocal and instrumentation from the entire band, throughout the CD. Debbi also sounds particularly good, better than I recall in the past, but they all sound great. Excellent CD, even if I feel slightly altered lyrics would have made it even better, still very worthy of 5 stars. And let's hope for another Bangles CD in a years or two, or maybe even a live DVD. But if you don't buy this one and listen to it a few time, you are truly missing out."

FINALLY - a Bangles record that sounds like the Bangles!!!

Edmond E. Seay III | Brussels, Belgium | 10/05/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"For those of us who heard the Bangles (or even the Bangs) live in the early 80's, all we ever wanted was a production team that could capture the essence of the Fab Femme Four's live sound on CD. (FYI, no one has ever rocked Love's "7 and 7 Is" like Debbi Peterson. Ever.)

It has finally arrived.

The whole package is on display in "Doll Revolution": Chiming folk-rock guitars, glorious four-part harmonies, intelligent use of minor keys -- and some songwriting skills that have matured and mellowed like fine wine. The Gurls are all very much three-dimensional human beings, and they actually get to display their versatility on "DR" thanks to Brad Wood's sympathetic presence behind the mixing board. Susanna Hoffs is in excellent voice, to be sure, but so are Vicki Peterson, her sister Debbi (so often shortchanged on 80's albums), and the luminous Michael Steele.

(And hey -- SOME of us have no problem discerning who is singing lead on Bangles records, thank you very much...)

;)

"Something That You Said" was a great choice for the first single -- Susanna Hoffs proves that she has not lost a step vocally from the late 80's, and "I Will Take Care of You" indicates that motherhood has added new dimensions to her songwriting. In many ways, though, this is Michael Steele's finest hour as a Bangle. "Nickel Romeo" is an awesome psychedelic pastiche; "Song For a Good Son" will elicit real grief from anyone who has suffered the loss of a loved one; and "Between the Two" just flat-out ROCKS.

Overall, this is the strongest album the Bangles have ever turned out -- these 15 songs stand as a statement for a new millennium."

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