#414

The Go Go’s, Beauty and the Beat

Release Date: 1981
Previously Owned: No
First Time Listen: Yes

Impressions: In the early ’80s, I recall a general attitude toward the Go Go’s of “aw, an all-female band, that’s cute.” Stupid stereotypes. Even though they were on I.R.S. Records, I never really listened to this album, outside of the hits. Let’s put this on…”Our Lips Are Sealed” is still a winner, with the sunny harmonies and hooks are hard to resist (not to mention that awesome falsetto bridge!) “How Much More” has a snappy early ’80s indie jangle like The Smiths or The Housemartins, but with a ’60s girl-group taking the vocals instead of a sardonic Brit. The album is loaded with perfect catchy odes to love like “Can’t Stop The World,” “You Can’t Walk In Your Sleep (If You Can’t Sleep,)” and “Skidmarks On My Heart.” The songs are packed with smart arrangements, energetic playing, and enough surf and girl group touches to delight without sounding like a nostagia act. All this and the anthemic, stomping “We Got The Beat” too. In some ways, they are similar to Devo sonically and that they rarely got their props as an actual band (but in the Go Go’s case it was probably due to sexism compared with, I guess, nerdism.)

Starred Songs:  “Our Lips are Sealed,” “We Got The Beat”
Sneaky Track: “How Much More,” “Fading Fast,” “Can’t Stop The World”
Should this album be on the list? Yes
Will you listen to this again? Yes

Verdict: Thrilling hook-filled ’80s indy rock with subtly complex girl-group vocals proves to be an underrated winner.

Rating: ★★★★1/4