This is the album that launched the Bangles to superstardom with the singles Manic Monday originally written by Prince and the wonderfully quirky Walk Like An Egyptian, a song that got dance steps in a jiffy and everyone wanted to learn the Tutankhamen dance.

These two songs are not the only top tracks on this album, you also have the up-tempo Walking Down Your Street, September Gurls and If She Knew What She Wants superb in their own way. The sound of the album is also great, the harmonies are wonderful and the guitars sparkle.

There’s nothing cooler than an all woman rock band bringing out a slice of rock – pop melodies in the late 80s. The Bangles not only had good looks, good tunes, but their stage presence was high energy showing that the four girls namely Sussana Hoffs (guitar, vocals), Debbie Peterson (drums, vocals), her sister Viki Peterson (guitar, vocals,) and Annette Zilinskas who was later replaced by Michael Steele (bass, vocals) could deliver high octane music and get away with it.

The Bangles were one of the new generation of independent all-women bands that followed the 50s and 60s all female bands. The band was formed in Los Angeles in 1981 as The Supersonic Bangs, later shortened to The Bangs. However they were forced to change their name to the Bangles when a band from New Jersey, also named the Bangs, threatened to sue them. After 3 successful albums ("All Over The Place", "Different Light" and "Everything"), The Bangles broke up.

The reason of disbandment was obviously uneven attention on Susanna. Despite other three members having had same high skills and beauty, Susanna’s sweet pop voice and exotic pretty face were so characteristic that she garnered more attention wherever the band went. The lead vocal of all the hit songs and important songs were dominated by Susanna, except Walk Like an Egyptian that all members took lead.

But Suzanna’s strong persona was actually The Bangles’ highlight, which other members didn’t want to admit. While the other members were frustrated by the unfair spotlight, this trend was not only with the Bangles, but with many bands that came along, and mind you we’re talking of female bands like KISS who got Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons, Motley Clue got Vince Neil, and Destiny Child got Beyoncé.

Fortunately, The Bangles reunited again in 1998 and has been active since then though not really much since 2017. They constantly held tours mainly in the U.S. They still have the ability to make venues sold out and make their fans crazy with their everlasting hit songs.

The album has its other good moments too. You can even check out the very average rockers in Standing in the Hallway, Let it Go, Angels Don’t Fall In love and Not Like You, among a few others.

Its over 40 year since this album was released and believe me, this album is still rocks any time you want to play it. The songs never grow old. The Bangles are still my most favorite band of the 80s. The Bangles showed what Girl Power meant, much before the UK’s Spice Girls came.

Released: 2^nd January 1986

Genre: Pop – Rock

Length: 38.48

Label: Columbia

Rating: ****

Reviewed by Verus Ferreira