The Bangles - Walk Like An Egyptian: yea or nay?

[toomanyhatz]

I can listen to it now and enjoy it for what it is, but at the time it seemed a betrayal, coming as it did after the smart, emotionally-engaging garagey pop-rock of their self-titled e.p. and the 'All Over the Place' lp. That and their MTV-makeover made their descent into power ballad mediocrity inevitable.

This. Although certainly it doesn't completely lack "that sound" of AOtP, and that is a some small victory. Surely it could have been worse. (And "Manic Monday" probably is...)

[naughty boy]

I can listen to it now and enjoy it for what it is, but at the time it seemed a betrayal, coming as it did after the smart, emotionally-engaging garagey pop-rock of their self-titled e.p. and the 'All Over the Place' lp. That and their MTV-makeover made their descent into power ballad mediocrity inevitable.

Yep.

Actually - the single before this one was a peach:

[sloopjohnc]

I can listen to it now and enjoy it for what it is, but at the time it seemed a betrayal, coming as it did after the smart, emotionally-engaging garagey pop-rock of their self-titled e.p. and the 'All Over the Place' lp. That and their MTV-makeover made their descent into power ballad mediocrity inevitable.

Yep.

Actually - the single before this one was a peach:

I like this one and I like Manic Monday (written by Prince) alot more like Walk Like an Egyptian. It's just a stupid song and video.

[Darkness_Fish]

Jeez, these supposedly more credible, classier early tracks are really wretched. Is MOR really that appealing to you lot?

[naughty boy]

They haven't even got one toe in MOR.

[jimboo]

[clive gash]

They’re tiny, no wonder they have to walk like that

[pcqgod]

Jeez, these supposedly more credible, classier early tracks are really wretched. Is MOR really that appealing to you lot?

These are the Bangles that I like, sharp pop with a garage rock edge, Mamas & Papas harmonies meets Nuggets.

[sloopjohnc]

James was my favorite of those earlier ones.

[Ranking Ted]

Count me as a fan of AOTP and particularly the three tracks Fange calls out, all pop greatness. I like this one a lot too - it’s kinda goofy - the gongs, the whistling - but it’s still cool. And Teenage RT still like Susanna’s eye rolling and, er, smouldering. Hell, middle aged RT does too.

[fange]

I can listen to it now and enjoy it for what it is, but at the time it seemed a betrayal, coming as it did after the smart, emotionally-engaging garagey pop-rock of their self-titled e.p. and the 'All Over the Place' lp. That and their MTV-makeover made their descent into power ballad mediocrity inevitable.

This. Although certainly it doesn't completely lack "that sound" of AOtP, and that is a some small victory. Surely it could have been worse. (And "Manic Monday" probably is...)

Ok, i'll be honest and say i think this whole "betrayal" concept is bullshit. Not just in this case - coz as hatzt says, 'WLAE' actually does have some of the band's earlier signature sound still in it, especially the guitars - but pidgeon-holing an artist or group in general to grow and/or to achieve success in the way I as a fan want them too.

[Charlie O.]

Since this thread has inevitably morphed into "post your favorite Bangles tune," here's mine (unless "The Real World" is):





All Over The Place is a near-masterpiece.

[fange]

All Over The Place is a near-masterpiece.

Wow. I like it and think it's a pretty solid guitar pop record, but i've never really thought about it in those terms. If this is a near-masterpiece, then the same should be said for the Hoodoo Gurus' and the Smithereens' debuts.

[Charlie O.]

If this is a near-masterpiece, then the same should be said for the Hoodoo Gurus' and the Smithereens' debuts.

I prefer both those bands' second albums, as it happens. Green Thoughts might be in the same league as All Over The Place.

[fange]

If this is a near-masterpiece, then the same should be said for the Hoodoo Gurus' and the Smithereens' debuts.

I prefer both those bands' second albums, as it happens. Green Thoughts might be in the same league as All Over The Place.

Actually, i'd agree with you about Mars Needs Guitars!, but not about GT. Been a while since i heard it though, so maybe it'll click more now; let's see.

[The Prof]

I despise racism in all it's forms.

[fange]

I despise racism in all it's forms.

What about the Dutch?










(sorry maarts)

[sloopjohnc]

If this is a near-masterpiece, then the same should be said for the Hoodoo Gurus' and the Smithereens' debuts.

I prefer both those bands' second albums, as it happens. Green Thoughts might be in the same league as All Over The Place.

Prefer the Hoodoo Gurus second, but like the Smithereens debut. Their second isn't far off though.

[pcqgod]

I can listen to it now and enjoy it for what it is, but at the time it seemed a betrayal, coming as it did after the smart, emotionally-engaging garagey pop-rock of their self-titled e.p. and the 'All Over the Place' lp. That and their MTV-makeover made their descent into power ballad mediocrity inevitable.

This. Although certainly it doesn't completely lack "that sound" of AOtP, and that is a some small victory. Surely it could have been worse. (And "Manic Monday" probably is...)

Ok, i'll be honest and say i think this whole "betrayal" concept is bullshit. Not just in this case - coz as hatzt says, 'WLAE' actually does have some of the band's earlier signature sound still in it, especially the guitars - but pidgeon-holing an artist or group in general to grow and/or to achieve success in the way I as a fan want them too.

Yeah, but you know how it is when you love an artist. And I just adored the Bangles; was even in their official fan club. The sound on the early records just sounds so organic and pure and unlike what was being played on U.S. radio at the time. That radio ready sheen and use of synth drums starting around 1986 really didn't sit well with me. I remember actually returning a Soul Asylum album to the record store because I thought it was defective for having a gated snare sound!

[sloopjohnc]

This. Although certainly it doesn't completely lack "that sound" of AOtP, and that is a some small victory. Surely it could have been worse. (And "Manic Monday" probably is...)

Ok, i'll be honest and say i think this whole "betrayal" concept is bullshit. Not just in this case - coz as hatzt says, 'WLAE' actually does have some of the band's earlier signature sound still in it, especially the guitars - but pidgeon-holing an artist or group in general to grow and/or to achieve success in the way I as a fan want them too.

Yeah, but you know how it is when you love an artist. And I just adored the Bangles; was even in their official fan club. The sound on the early records just sounds so organic and pure and unlike what was being played on U.S. radio at the time.

Good way to put it.