BANGLES

The Bangles, a Los Angeles rock quartet, were the premier all-female band of the mid-'80s, stealing the crown from new wave goddesses The Go-Go's. Fronted by the doe-eyed Susanna Hoffs, the Bangles wielded imposing four-part harmonies in energetic pop arrangements. A DIFFERENT LIGHT is the Bangles' most successful recording, polished and powerful; and the substantial disc advances hit after hit, marking it among the best albums of the 1980's. The group's first major hit, "Manic Monday," is not quite as funky as Prince's (the song's author) live versions, but it is rockier, more accessible, and infectious enough to bring the band to the top of the charts. The hook-heavy "Walk Like An Egyptian," a rollicking novelty song, effectively displays the band's exuberance and Susanna's sexy purr. "If She Knew What She Wants" is smart, sassy and perky. "Following," bassist Michael Steele's contribution, is an eerie, disturbing song about obsession and paranoia. The remaining songs are equally strong. If The Go-Go's were the distaff punk cousins to the surf/girls/car-happy Beach Boys, then the Bangles were the female version of the polished, pop-perfect Beatles. On A DIFFERENT LIGHT it is obvious that these four women can sing, write and play their instruments as well as any of their male counterparts.

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