Doll Revolution

The title’s no idle joke. Anybody who got the down and dirty on The Bangles’ bizarre career arc on the relevant episode of Behind The Bike Shed will know that here was a good band gone bad through in-fighting, mismanagement and record company interference. In short, their handlers failed to recognise that the band’s strength was in four part – as in four-part – harmony, not just Susannah Hoffs’ pretty face and 60s sweetheart voice.

The Bangles were a brilliant singles band and a dodgy albums act (notwithstanding the odd lost classic like the creepy stalker ballad ‘Following’). They excelled as adept interpreters (‘Hazy Shade Of Winter’, ‘Going Down To Liverpool’), penned the occasional original nugget (‘In Your Room’), and shone brightest on material that showcased those uber-Californian harmonies; part Mamas & Papas hits of sunshine, part big Mac perfection, part Go-Gos effervescence.

15 years later, the good news is Venice Beach is back in vogue, with acts like Beechwood Sparks and The Thrills espousing the value of strong melodies, chime-y guitars and unison vocalising. Plus, The Bangles have still got friends in the biz – Elvis Costello weighs in here on the songwriting credits (and his contribution, the title track, is the highpoint of both this and his last album) while Dave Grohl shows up on backing vocals.

Wisely, they haven’t tampered with the periodic table of elements. Tunes like ‘Stealing Rosemary’, ‘Song For A Good Son’ and ‘Single By Choice’ could’ve been minted in the Paisley Underground boom of ’84, all autumnal aaaaahs and gossamer Rickenbacker arpeggios earthed by beat-group backing tracks. Also, Ms Hoffs’ pipes are in pristine condition, making ‘Something That You Said’ the perfect hymn to summer yearning. These are songs that deserve a place on any Bangles Best Of.

Elsewhere, the songwriting skills waver – but this Doll Revolution is worth tuning into.