[Manic Memories] -- 40 years ago this week, the Bangles released their second studio album, Different Light. As a follow-up to their commercially and critically successful 1984 debut, Different Light exchanged the band's initial 1960s style for a more Top 40 sound. And did so quite successfully.
Different Light peaked at #2 on the Billboard 200 and #3 on the UK charts, as well as the top 40 of several charts around the globe. The album also featured five singles, all of which charted. The first three singles were Billboard Hot 100 hits and received the music video treatment: "Manic Monday" climbed to a peak position of #4, "If She Knew What She Wants" peaked at #29, and "Walk Like An Egyptian" raced up to the #1 slot. Of the other two singles, "Walking Down Your Street" peaked at #11 in the US while "Following" charted only in the UK and Ireland.
While some critics complained of the slicker production, others said this record showed the band finding a better balance. In hindsight, I think the latter were correct. And I even agree with Slant Magazine's Sal Cinquemani in saying that this record "sounds surprisingly fresh in hindsight" [Slant, September 2003].
Flashback: Different Light (January 13, 1986)
And that's all till next week. Dedicated 80s-philes can find more flashbacks in the Prophet or Madman archives or via Bookended's 80s Flashback tag. As always, your comments are welcome on today's, or any other, flashback post. And if you like what I'm doing here, please share the link with your friends. If, however, you don't like the flashback, feel free to share it with your enemies.
See you in seven!
No comments:
Post a Comment