Sweetheart of the Sun

I've been a huge Bangles fans since 1983 and was fortunate to see them in small clubs before they "hit the big time" and went pop. This album is very good and seems to be the logical follow-up to their album "All Over the Place" (vs. "Different Light", which was I find too pop mainstream). I only wish my favorite Bangle, Michael Steele was part of the group for this album; to me she has the most complex, interesting voice. Still, I highly recommend this album.

I've always been a fan of the Bangles. I liked the last album they made before this as well although it also got almost no hype. One reviewer said that this album almost sounded like it should have been the one that came after their first album: All Over the Place. All Over the Place has always been my favorite of theirs. Raw, simple, and I love the twangy guitar that reminds me of George Harrison on Revolve or the Byrds. And this does indeed have that same feel to it, I really love this album. My favorite songs are the title song (inspired by a book about Carol King and other female pop artists in LA in the 60's and 70's) and Under a Cloud (a Hoffs song about living with depression... I can relate) and I'll Never be Through with You (another Hoffs song about loving someone who doesn't quite love you back... can also relate). If you are a Bangles fan definitely check this out. Some groups just lose the magic as they get older but IMO this shows they are as great as ever.

The Bangles, Sweetheart of the Sun is forty – two minutes and twenty – three seconds and was released on September 27, 2011. The music is done in the style of Adult Alternative Pop, Rock Contemporary Pop and Rock Alternative. None of the songs charted and the album itself reach #148 on the US Billboard Album chart. This was the group fifth studio album and their first as a trio. Michael Steele had left the group by this time. Derrick Anderson plays bass on all tracks except for Through Your Eyes, Matthew Sweet plays on that one. The album itself is not bad, the music is nice to listen to. Sweetheart of the Sun gets an AAAA++++.

Track Listings

1. Anna Lee (Sweetheart of the Sun

2. Under a Cloud

3. Ball N Chain

4. I’ll Never Be Through with You

5. Mesmerized

6. Circles in the Sky

7. Sweet and Tender Romance

8. Lay Yourself Down

9. One of Two

10. What A Life

11. Through Your Eyes

12. Open My Eyes

I've been a Bangles fan since I was a child. This new album is a mixed bag to me. Some songs I like a lot, some are okay, others I skip. I like most of the album, but it does take a couple of listens to get into it. You won't really find any songs here like their hit singles. There is good and bad in that. I wasn't expecting that sound, but more like Doll Revolution. This album doesn't quite match that one, but it's pretty good.

The first single, Anna Lee, is catchy 60's-style pop but I don't love it as much as most fans do. Maybe it's the lyrics, because when I first heard it I didn't know what the song was about. The music and harmonies are good. Under a Cloud is better, the music reminds me of a spring day, and it has a nice guitar break that reminds me of their old music. I'll Never Be Through With You was co-written with one of the Go-Go's, and it has a pretty sound. Mesmerized and Lay Yourself Down are pleasant, mid-tempo songs. Their voices, especially Susanna's, sound the same as in the 80s.

Circles in the Sky, One of Two and Through Your Eyes are slow songs that venture more into folk and country territory. Not really my thing so they are my least favorites on the album. I love a good ballad or slowed-down song, but these are bland and seem to weigh down the second half of the album. They remind me of More Than Meets the Eye, the weakest song on All Over the Place. Their voices are great, but on these few songs they almost sound grating to my ears. The harmonies are good on the verses of Through Your Eyes, I like the music in it and the ending is nice. But the chorus is somewhat annoying and repetitive as they keep singing "through your eyes". What A Life picks up the pace after One of Two, and it reminds me of a 60s, folky "Be With You" in some way. Not especially catchy, but it's got energy. Many of the songs don't stand out. They seem to be lacking strong hooks and can be forgettable. I like them while listening to them, but they don't stick in my head and it's hard to remember them afterwards. Mesmerized and Lay Yourself Down are good examples. A few of the songs have nice instrumental breaks. The album sometimes feels like pleasant background music while you might be doing other things like housework or crafts.

It's the upbeat, rockier songs like Ball N Chain, Sweet and Tender Romance, and Open Your Eyes where they really shine. Ball N Chain is very good, and was written in the 80s. It has that 80s Bangles rock-pop sound. Sweet and Tender Romance adds some much needed energy to the middle of the album. Open Your Eyes is a great album closer, with that classic Bangles sound. It's very catchy and I think it was a good cover choice. These along with I'll Never Be Through With You and Under a Cloud are my favorites on the album. If there were a few more tracks like this-more hooky and catchy-I'd rate it 5 stars. Also, this should have included a booklet with lyrics and photos.

I do miss Michael Steele's contributions. She wasn't on the band's earliest recordings, but she became such an integral part of the band later that you can't help but notice she isn't on this. Overall, it still feels like a Bangles album, but I think Doll Revolution was better, with catchier songs and all 4 Bangles still singing. But this fits in with the rest of their catalogue, just not their best. I'm glad that they released another album and I hope they record more.

I wasn't sure on the 3 or 4 star rating. Amazon says 4 means "I like it", and I do like it, but truthfully I would give 3 1/2 stars.

Highlights-I'll Never Be Through With You, Ball N Chain, Sweet and Tender Romance, Under a Cloud, and Open My Eyes.

11 of 12 songs are good. All though the melody and vocals are good of Mesmerize the lyrics lacked depth. Under a Cloud, One of two, Anna Lee, Circle In The Sky and through your eyes stands out.

I played this about 3 times through. I do that with new music to allow it to grow on me. I think it's a great set of songs. Is it the Bangles of old... no. But, actually didn't want it to be.

Does it have hints in the guitar work and vocal harmonies, sure does. Ball and chain is a great song!! "If brains were clothes, you'd have nothing to wear" that line cracked me up! Glad I purchased this.

Back in the 80's I was a big Bangles fan, loved the girls' harmonies and musical abilities, playing and writing. I didn't realize this album came out until a couple of months ago, and now I can't take it out of my CD player. Every song is a winner, and they never sounded better. Do yourself a favor and purchase this CD. You'll be glad you did!

I can't understate how impressive this album is. The energy and songwriting is ALL there. From the ethereal, melodic haziness of "Under A Cloud" to the foot-stomping cover of Todd Rungren's "Open My Eyes", the Bangles are truly letting it all hang out. Three of the original four members are contributors here, but it certainly shouldn't be considered 3/4 strength. If pop/rock radio still existed like it did in the old days('80's), I can imagine four or five top 40 hits. Check out the hand-slappingly, dynamic "Mesmerized" or the folk-infused sing-along catchiness of "Circle in the Sun". I don't understand the reviewer or two that complained of the production quality here. All I hear is an inspired, mature rock band kicking ass again.

Excelente disco dessa banda feminina nascida nos anos 80. Péssimo acondicionamento do disco no envio, dentro de uma caixa com um livro que comprei junto, resultou na capa amassada e o vinil torto. Sugiro mais cuidado na remessa deste tipo de produto.

Schon auf ihrem zweiten Album "Different Light", mit dem die Bangles 1986 den Durchbruch schafften, war - bei aller Klasse die das Album zweifelsfrei selbst heute noch besitzt - eine Tendenz erkennbar die sich in noch stärkerem Maße auf dem letzten Album vor der Auflösung ("Everything") und dem ersten nach dem Comeback ("Doll Revolution") fortsetzte. Die Produktion und Instrumentierung wurde in ganz starkem Maße auf den jeweiligen MOR Radiogeschmack des Erscheinungsjahres abgestimmt. Das alles hat mit dem was die Bangles ursprünglich ausmachte und was sie wohl auch im Kern immer waren und sein wollten, eine 60`s orientierte beatleleske Gitarrenrockband, teilweise nur noch am Rande zu tun. Zumindest auf den Alben. Live stellte sich das immer etwas anders dar.

Nach dem relativem kommerziellen Scheitern des Vorgängers "Doll Revolution" - und wohl auch aufgrund der Tatsache das in den vorderen Rängen der Charts, respektive im Formatradio ohnehin kaum Platz für etwas angejahrte, rockende Damen ist, wirken die Bangles auf ihrem erst fünften regulären Album endlich wieder so als seien sie - von allen komerziellen Zwängen befreit - ganz bei sich selbst angekommen. Keine affigen Keyboardsounds, keine seifig klingenden Drumcomputer und ähnlicher Schnickschnack die den Bandsound verwässern. Stattdessen satte Gitarren, Drums, Bass (seit 2005 müssen die Bangles leider ohne Michael Steele auskommen, aber sei es drum) und gekonnter mehrstimmiger Gesang sind wie in den Anfangstagen die wenig originellen aber gekonnt eingesetzten Bestandteile dieses Sounds. Und die wirken nach wie vor.

Dieses Album klingt exakt so wie man sich die Band die als Debüt ein zeitloses Meisterwerk wie "All Over The Place" rausgehauen hat 30 Jahre später vorstellt. Die Stimmen (und die Gitarren) sind mit den Jahren etwas rauer geworden. Hier und da sind die Songs etwas getragener - aber deutlich erkennbar beruft sich die Gruppe noch noch auf die gleichen Einflüssen - Folk, Beat und R&R - wie früher.

Und Ideen für tolle Songs hat die Band noch immer. Der oberflächliche Hit der nach dem ersten Hören hängenbleibt fehlt zwar, aber es gibt auf der ganzen Scheibe keinen einzigen Ausfall (was seit "Different Light" nicht mehr vorgekommen ist) aber einige echte Höhepunkte die das Fanherz höher schlagen lassen. Und ganz besonders schön. Erstmals seit dem Debüt hat ein Banlges Album mal wieder ein wirklich gelungenes Coverdesign abbekommen.

Selbst ohne Sympatiebonus bekommt dieses Album von mir locker fünf Sterne. Und nach vier Jahren darf auch der Hoffnung Ausdruck verliehen werden das da mal wieder eine neue CD/LP ....... :-) es wäre wünschenswert.

Sur leur album Sweetheart of The Sun, les Bangles prouve une fois de plus qu' elles sont les reines incontestées des années 60's-inspirés du garage rock. La combinaison de leurs voix marques des harmonies cristallines avec les cliquetis des riffs de guitare, les membres du groupe sont: Susanna Hoffs, Vicki Peterson, et Debbi Peterson à rappeler à tous, pourquoi la carrière des Bangles a duré si longtemps. Les 12 titres rendent hommage à l'amour partagé de la musique des années 60-époque,

El último álbum hasta la fecha de The Bangles, producido junto a Matthew Sweet, es tan recomendable, sino más que sus trabajos de los ochenta. En formato trío, Susanna Hoffs y las hermanas Peterson siguen conservando su innata habilidad para crear brillantes melodías. Reeditado en vinilo color verde por Real gone music, suele ser bastante caro pero por fin lo he conseguido a un precio relativamente asequible, así que no puedo estar más satisfecho.

I do like the overall sound of this album. It's ummistakeable as a Bangles album, with lots of twangy guitars and psychedelic vibe. The three Bangles work their familiar vocal harmonies on all the songs. Vicki takes lead for 4 tracks while Susannah and Debbie twice take lead. Other tracks involve shared lead vocals. I do have one complaint. As much as the Peterson sisters can carry a lead vocal, the strongest vocalist in the band is Hoffs. She does have the most distinct and recognizable voice. She should be singing full-out lead on at least half the songs, which for this album would have been six tracks. It makes no sense that Vicki has 4 lead vocals to her two. At least we do have Susannah's solo albums and her collaborations with Matthew Sweet to enjoy her sweet vocal stylings. But there is something about Hoffs fronting the Bangles sound that is very appealing. Next Bangles offering needs to showcase their best singer, far more than this album does. Do Mick and Keith split their vocals. No, Keith gets a couple of songs and that's it. Hoffs should get at least half the songs, although on many of the shared-lead songs, her vocals are quite prominent, but please Bangles, give us a little more of Miss Manic Monday. Play to your strengths.

Vocal gripes aside, this album is generally an easy listening effort but it rocks quite well too. The girls can sure play guitar and beat the drums. It's great rock n' roll. They still have a bit of a garange band feel, which is a good thing, as opposed to an over-produced studio sound.

But as Hoffs can't capture the Bangles sound on her solo albums, even though we love the voice, we do need the girls to keep putting out new Bangles material to keep that great '80s Bangles vibe alive.