Customer Reviews

Vacation

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Don't believe the tripe! This is by far the Go-Go's best album! I was so tired of the mediocre reviews that I thought I'd set the record straight. Every song on 'Vacation' has something good going for it, from the high-energy 'Beatnik Beach' and 'Get Up And Go' to the driving emotion of 'I Think It's Me' and 'This Old Feeling'(my personal fave rave). No sophomore slump of any kind! I guess the other reviewers wanted the gals to repeat 'Beauty And The Beat', but I think this album is slightly better, in that there are no sludgy, dreary moments like 'Automatic' from that LP...everything is upbeat and shows the Go-Go's songwriting at it's near peak. If you like any other Go-Go's release, you won't be sorry you picked this one up.

The Go-Go's are one of those rare occurrences in rock 'n roll; a group that actually never released a bad album! In fact, I would go so far as to say that perhaps only one or two songs from all four major releases could be considered somewhat "lack-luster". Basically, all of the material released by the Go-Go's between 1981 and 1984 was outstanding. Even the 2001 release "God Bless the Go-Go's" is strikingly good! The Go-Go's have always been a group with determination, plenty of ambition, and a genuine love of the rock 'n roll fantasy!

"Vacation" was considered a bit weaker than the debut effort (Beauty and the Beat) by many critics of the day, but I strongly disagree! Songs like "Get Up and Go", "Beatnik Beach", "I Think It's Me" and "Worlds Away" are incredibly well crafted pop songs and are required listening for fans of the Go-Go's. I cannot imagine a stronger follow-up release!

I must point out that the career of the Go-Go's closely paralleled that of another "power pop" group of the late 70's and early 80's, "The Knack". Both groups had a hugely successful debut album that reached number one on the charts. Both groups quickly released a follow-up effort that was very successful and yet was considered a failure when compared to the success of the debut. Both groups released a third effort that received critical praise and yet failed commercially. Both groups broke-up shortly after the third and final album.

Regardless of commercial or critical success, the Go-Go's always delivered GREAT rock 'n roll. "Vacation" may not have escaped (commercially) from the long shadow of "Beauty and the Beat", but it contains some of the best songs by the Go-Go's. Belinda, Jane, Charlotte, Kathy and Gina were destined to deliver some of the most memorable and most perfectly crafted pop songs of the rock 'n roll era.

"Vacation" is highly recommended for fans of "early 80's", "power pop", "new wave", and just plain great rock 'n roll!

-JM

In July 1999, Universal Music Company came to their senses and reissued the last two Go-Go's albums. I mean, they were the epitomy of 1980's new wave power-pop, and how dare UMC keep this music out of print? For shame! The followup to Beauty And The Beat, Vacation, is the topic of this review.

The title track is one of their best songs, the epitomy of what time away from the usual drudgery is all about. It's still relevant today; as the song says, "vacation/meant to be spent alone." A vacation with people is a contradiction in terms.

The only two songs that rival the bounce of "Vacation" are "Get Up And Go" and "Beatnik Beach," the former with its pronounced bass lines and "hey!" refrain, and the latter with its surf guitar. "The Way You Dance" is another relentless song of honorable mention, which ends with a crescendo of crash boom and bams from Gina Schock.

They keep the rhythm up in fluffy songs such as "Girl of 100 Lists" and "We Don't Get Along", the latter which could easily be redone as a punk song.

"It's Everything But Partytime" and "Worlds Away" are for those who want to take a breather, otherwise, be prepared for ten songs that will tax your speakers.

This is a more cohesive album than Beauty And The Beat, and to add another merit, Belinda and friends wrote their own songs unlike some other groups we'd like to name. And contrary to popular belief, most second albums favor a consistent overall sound as opposed to a few standout songs that become singles. Vacation easily falls into this category.

To say Belinda has gone to better things is missing the point. Before her solo career, there had to be a beginning, i.e. the Go-Go's, and boy, what a beginning! Oh yes, and that goes for Jane Wiedlin, Gina Schock, Charlotte Caffey, and assuming she did other projects with that "bad, bad bass," Kathy Valentine.

Let me first say that obviously you can't go by what critics say on some of these reviews...however, what it all boils down to is just ones matter of opinion, which everyone is entitled to. I remember back in '82 when this album first came out the excitement of a new Go-Go's album...their 1st one was so good, you just couldn't wait for the follow up..and what an excellent one it is from start to finish. Though "Vacation" is well known for only having a "few catchy tunes, but mostly fillers"reputation ...i have to say that i strongly disagree with that. I love every song on this album..there is not a single bad one to be heard..all of them very well crafted..and no matter what band you're listening to, they all have their own sound so you're going to find some repetitiveness in all their music...Even though "Beauty and the Beat" was an excellent debut from the Go-Go's, "Vacation" would be my suggestion to any fan...it's been 27 years since it's original release and any time i listen to it enjoy it equally as much as i ever did...one of those albums that you never grow tired of. If you're deciding on a Go-Go's cd to buy for your collection...this is definately it!!

Hot of the heels of Beauty and the Beat, the Go-Go's quickly released 1982's follow-up Vacation. Propelled by the top ten singles, Vacation and Get up and Go, the Go-Go's seemed to shy away from their humble beginnings and began to play to a different audience. The record buying audience.

Unlike Beauty which had a somewhat gritty feeling, Vacation sounds too polished. With such tracks as The Way You Dance, This Old Feeling and He's So Strange, Vacation seemed to cater to a different beat. Grittier tracks include: Beatnik Beach, a remake of Cool Jerk, Everything But Partytime and Girl of 100 Lists.

I am not saying the album is bad by any means, it just shows that perhaps they should have taken some time inbetween releases to refocus.

Vacation stands as one of the premiere 80s tracks and this album, although better than some 80s pop just doesn't live up to expectations. Try Talk Show where they revisited their roots or try Beauty and the Beat and see where it all began.

Vacation was a rush-release in the summer of 1982 to capitalize on the huge success of the Go-Go's first album, Beauty & The Beat. The album does suffer a bit from the haste in recording, but overall the Go-Go's hit the mark more often than not. The title track is a perfect summer song with it's great chorus and beat. Their version of "Cool Jerk" pulsates along with Kathy Valentine's pumping bass as does "Get Up & Go". "It's Everything But Party Time" is one of their best songs and Belinda Carlisle sings it with the right amount of pain and anguish. Songs like "Girl Of 100 Lists", "Beatnik Beach", "I Think It's Me" and "Worlds Away" are all good party songs, but they miss on "He's So Strange", "This Old Feeling", "We Don't Get Along" and "The Way You Dance". The album is their least consistent, but still highly enjoyable.

Vacation by The Go-Go's is 36 minutes and 18 seconds long and was released in August of 1982. Vacation reached #8 U.S. Billboard 200 Album charts and went Gold. This was the group final album to achieve that kind of stature. None of their following albums would go platinum or gold. The music on this CD sounds rushed and the quality could have been a little better. The music critics argued that the Go-Go's abandon their original music genre and went pop. For most of the CD that is true. Only two songs come closely to their Beauty and the Beat greatness. There were only a few songs that I like: Vacation, Get Up and Go, and Worlds Away. Vacation gets a B-.

Vacation
#8 U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Singles
#13 U.S. Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks
#17 U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Play
He's So Strange
#46 U.S. Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks
We Don't Get Along
I Think It's Me
It's Everything but Partytime
Get up and Go
#50 U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Singles
#46 U.S. Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks
This Old Feeling
Cool Jerk
The Way You Dance
Beatnik Beach
Worlds Away

If you were to believe all the critiques of the Go-Gos albums you would have to believe that Vacation, the band's follow up to their debut Beauty & The Beat is a complete waste of vinyl and CD, but then you'd just be stupid.

The drama and Hollywood/Beach scenerios of the first album may not be as defined but with most of everyone's debut album, those are songs the band had done over and over again, the songs that got them signed and the songs they could do with their eyes closed. After that, it's coming up with the next step - an album of new stuff to keep the masses and your own artistry in check and for that I think the girls did it -

No one thought the single "Vacation" was a let down, in fact, I recall how excited everyone I knew was when that single hit the airwaves and the video along with it. This was a band about fun and surf and the whole album captures that very well. "Get Up & Go" should've been a huge hit with its big nod going to 60s California surf music, it's jumpy, it's fun - even the pseudo ballads "It's Everything But Party Time" and "Worlds Away" still rock in that oh so 80s fashion, sure the place to start with the Go-Gos is Beauty & The Beat but don't skip this one ever, it's an excellant little summer pop album that will make you pull the roof off your SUV and head to the beach.

The second album of the Go Go's is the one I like the most. And not only because of the cover where the five female musicians parade on water skis. The songs are also great. My favorite songs are „Vacation", „The Way You Dance" and the beautiful „This Old Feeling". However, as the first Go Go's CD their hits compilation „Greatest" may be more suitable.

I love the Go-Go's-what a very talented group of women, & I loved this album more than the first one--"Beauty & the Beat". The songs on this one are fun to listen to, great summer or party-time music to liven things up! The lyrics are very original, & the CD itself is very hip, cool, & one of my favorite CDs ever. These ladies have a very distinct sound in their music that's different from a lot of the other "junk" that's out there on CD. I really don't think you'll be disappointed having this one as part of your music collection!