Vacation [ORIGINAL RECORDING REMASTERED]

Go-Go's

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 13, 1999)
• Original Release Date: August 1982
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: Interscope Records
• ASIN: B00000JMIR
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #8,259 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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  #6 in	Music > Indie Music > Alternative Rock > New Wave
  #14 in	Music > Indie Music > Pop > Pop Rock

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Despite a great cover/title concept, the second album from the Go-Go's is the weakest of their original three. Rushed out after the breakthrough of Beauty and the Beat, Vacation sounds affecting in retrospect, but suffers nonetheless from one or three too many so-so songs--a shame, given the top-flight writing throughout Beauty. Frontwoman Belinda Carlisle continues gaining control of her voice, while drummer Gina Schock all but steals the show. But a murky mix obscures the group's charms this time out, and where the debut was sometimes dark in mood, this follow-up too often sounds simply tired. By no means a must-miss, Vacation is still unmistakably weak compared with Talk Show, which came next. --Rickey Wright

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I Think It's Me..., February 25, 2002

By	winkingtiger ";oD" (Oakland, CA) - See all my reviews

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.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An outstanding follow-up release to "Beauty and the Beat"., April 3, 2006

By	J. McDonald - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

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

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A fun vacation, but check with your travel agent first!, February 14, 2006

By	James W. Tinder (Stockton, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I first saw the Go-Go's in 1980, some time before their national success, and heard their early demos on college radio stations at the time. So my comments are not without consideration.

When "Beauty and the Beat" was released, I felt it was one of the strongest debut albums ever. Every song was catchy, the performances were crisp, and the production and engineering were sound.

In July 1982, the follow-up "Vacation" was released, and fans like myself everywhere listened to the album from beginning to end. After an initial playing, the verdict was in - "Vacation" was decent, but didn't compare to "Beauty."

The main problem: the album has a rushed feel to it. The older songs written by the group on the album ("He's So Strange," "Beatnik Beach") sound better that the newer songs rushed out for release. Some songs are sluggish and tired ("Girl of 100 Lists," "We Don't Get Along"). Mostly, the problem lies in the mix. The singing is mixed into the background, and the ladies sound like they are playing in an echo chamber. The crisp production values of "Beauty" did not transfer to the muddled sound of "Vacation."

"Vacation" is still the key track to the album, and other good songs ("It's Everything But Partytime," "Get Up and Go" lift the album out of mediocrity.

In retrospect, the Go-Go's themselves don't think highly of the album (as witnessed on VH1's "Behind the Music") and admit they needed a break instead of recording "Vacation" when they did. There are enough good songs to merit constant listening, but ultimately "Vacation" is the weakest of their first three albums.