413 - The Go-Go's - Beauty and the Beat

[csberry]

I was very surprised with Beauty and the Beat. Sure, if you know the Go-Go's, you'll know "Our Lips Are Sealed" and "We Got the Beat," but there are so many other great songs on this album. It really should have had a couple more hit songs. As I listened to the album tracks, I heard the sound that 101 future female-centered alternative bands would record for, at least, a decade after this album was released. "How Much More" sounds like it could have been released by most of the acts that were signed with Olympia, WA's K Records in the early 90's. Much of the album made me want to pull out my copy of Belly's Star or sample some of The Bangles' uptempo singles. "You Can't Walk in Your Sleep (If You Can't Sleep)" reminds me of The Smiths (not just because it is a long song title).

The Go-Go's recorded an album that wraps up pop, surfer, and "punk" in a nice package. The songs are catchy, mostly sweet, nuggets of pop goodness containing smooth harmonies and plenty of energy.

Songs I knew I liked: "We Got the Beat" and "Our Lips Are Sealed"

Songs I didn't know but now like: "How Much More," "Tonite," "Fading Fast," "You Can't Walk in Your Sleep (If You Can't Sleep)," "Skidmarks on My Heart," and "Can't Stop the World"

Songs I can go the rest of my life without hearing again: "Lust of Love" was my least favorite track, although I'm not certain what it is about it that I don't care for.