Doll Revolution

The Bangles (Artist)

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 23, 2003)
• Original Release Date: September 23, 2003
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Koch Records
• ASIN: B0000AM6HR
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (57 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #95,201 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

They used to be seen as sex kittens. Now, on Doll Revolution, they look like the cast of Sex and the City. Yet 15 years after the Bangles' last album, Everything, the California power-poppers breeze back in looking and sounding as though they've been gone a mere 15 minutes. Eloquent, assured, and sensual, Doll Revolution is measured yet mesmerizing, considered yet colossal. This is one 80s comeback that really is a good idea.

So is this "doll revolution" some L.A. take on Girl Power? Or a glossy update on Riot Grrrl? Hardly. The Bangles never were ones for manifestos. Melodies are more their game, and these mostly self-penned songs display a beautifully developed sense of songcraft. "Something That You Said" is an exercise in sepia longing, while the sublime West Coast harmonies of "Stealing Rosemary" is a reminder that the quartet originally began life, 20 years prior, as Paisley Underground psychedelics named the Supersonic Bangs.

The gentle ballad "I Will Take Care of You" will have lighters aloft on the comeback tour, yet is also achingly intimate. And the yearning "Single by Choice," glancing back over a life half-done, is both a shoo-in for the soundtrack of the next Bridget Jones movie and also a knowing, experience-heavy poem that they simply couldn't have crafted the first time around. The Bangles have returned older but wiser and there is, as Doll Revolution amply demonstrates, simply no substitute for experience. --Ian Gittins

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Bangles are back... YES!, October 11, 2003

By	Daniel J. Hamlow (Narita, Japan) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

I was so thrilled when their reunion album finally happened. I did not, however, expect it to exceed classics such as All Over The Place and Different Light, and it doesn't, but the songs are as fresh as if hearing them for the first time ever. After fifteen years... Wow! Getting this prevented me from tearing off my own head, to paraphrase the leading song. Key=[lead vocalist]

After the phrase, "One must tear off one's own head," comes a quick burst of snarling punkish guitar and Susanna's familiar sugary voice. I haven't heard the original Elvis Costello version, but they really jam on "Tear Off Your Own Head (Doll Revolution)" This opening number makes this yet another classic in the Bangles pantheon of hits.

"Stealing Rosemary" is a simple song of a woman doing the title action for her man. What, without parsley, sage, and thyme? Kidding. [Debbi]

"Something That You Said" is another classic, with the solid Beatles/Byrds influence heard with the guitar and the harmony vocals. The drum machine in the background paints a modern addition. And Susanna's voice never sounded so good!

"Ask Me No Questions" has rhythmic overtones of the Beatles "Rain" without the feedback guitar. The main chorus goes "Oh, I'm in love with you/But I turn away when you look in my eyes/Ask me no questions I'll tell you no lies." [Debbi]

"Rain Song" sung by Vicki is an upbeat guitar-oriented number where when it rains, she remembers her ex. And there's a bitter taste with this line: "I'm doing fine as long as you stay locked up/Inside a cloud of grey" Whoa! [Vicki]

That's quite a fancy dresser in "Nickel Romeo", someone who's described as "a Cheshire cat in yellow Beatle boots". "Strange desperation-you gotta cop that fix/Making every little girl is keeping you alive." That bad, huh? [Michael]

"Ride The Ride" has a similar beat but less ferocious than "Doll Revolution". With signature guitar hooks, call it a close cousin to "In Your Room" [all]

Just what I needed, another tender ballad to melt my heart, and my favourite song here. "I Will Take Care Of You" is an affirmative song of support from a loved one who will stand tall alongside through times of fear and sadness: "Smile, if you can now/Smile through your tears/Here where your fears are known/
Know you're safe at home." Magic! [Susanna, of course!]

Guitar and soundwise, the upbeat "Here Right Now" sounds like Green-era R.E.M. and calls for one to slow down. "Stand back and take a look around you/Running from the pressures of a restless world/Hush for a moment, baby, just be still/Here now./Spend a minute next to me." Amen to that!

The woman in bittersweet "Single By Choice" is affirmative of the title, adding "Never marry, never ever divorce/Listen to the solitary voice." Even though she gives bad experiences she had, sad, isn't it? [Vicki]

"Lost At Sea" details a couple who's lost so far in arguments that it's as if they are lost at sea. The solution: "Take my hand, come to me/Save a life, rescue you, rescue me." Another Byrdsy song replete with harmonies. [Vicki]

"Song For A Good Son" details a woman explaining to her son why she seems emotionally cold. She is scarred by the loss of her mother, taken by the ocean current. There are suicidal overtones: "Waterside so deep and wide/If I follow, maybe I will find her." [Michael]

"Grateful" is a lullaby to one's young son, enhanced by chorus harmonies of "All we are and all we need is" while Susanna's whispery sweet voice does lead.

The bonus DVD contains "A Day In The Life Of The Bangles" mini-documentary, which basically explains how they felt about getting back together, story behind "TOYOH", and their amazement at the large fan base they had, the "Something That You Said" video, audio and lyrics pages.

All the familiar elements are there, Susanna's sweet voice, the tight harmonies, the 60's rock influenced sound, the brand of garage pop/rock hybrid. It's as if they never broke up. A warm welcome back!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The pleasure of their company, December 26, 2005

By	Dudley-Brian Smith (Louisiana) - See all my reviews

When was the last time you bought an "album" and the artist DIDN'T disappoint you. Well, welcome back the Bangles - proving with Doll Revolution that they were more than pretty faces. This is sophisticated songwriting and performance that leaves the listener aching at the beauty of it. Every track is a treat and it's one of those albums one can put on and just daydream. It is an aural pleasure to be back in their company. No one can ever say these ladies - excuse me, these musicians - weren't deserving of their fame. This is music that doesn't disappoint - real people making knocked-out real music. As I said, it's a pleasure to be back in their company.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Bangles are Back!, September 24, 2003

By	Richard A. Siler "rasiler2" (Chamblee, GA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Its been well over a decade since the last new Bangles studio album (EVERYTHING was released in 1988!) In the music biz, that's a very long time. But Susannah, Vicki, Debbie and Michael have finally come back together...after 15 years of exhaustion, hurt, anger, arguments, seperate careers, marriages, kids...and you know what? They come back clicking together like they'd never been apart.

All the notable Bangle elements are here: Excellent vocals, great songwriting, competent musicianship, good production. Its not as "poppy" as previous works, but its still very catchy, "hooky" tunes. In a way, I was sort of hoping that this album would include "Get the Girl" from the Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me soundtrack, the song that brought the Bangles back together. Not that the album is hurt by it not being included.

The strongest tracks here, by far, are the brilliant first single, "Something That You Said," and the mostly group-written rocker "Ride the Ride," which the newly-reformed girls debuted in club dates and on TV appearances almost 2 years ago.

The album kicks off in very fine fashion with "Tear Off Your Own Head," a cover of a fantastic Elvis Costello. Debbie has a number of really shining moments on the album, especially "Stealing Rosemary" and "Here Right Now." Michael contributes some great tunes as well, with the best being "Song for a Good Son" and the rockin' "Between the Two."

The reason that I rated this album 4 stars is that to me, I don't hear the same strength as usual in Vicki's tunes. Nothing here compares with "Angels Don't Fall in Love" (one of my fave Bangle tunes ever) or "Different Light" from the album by that same name, nor "Bell Jar" or "Watching the Sky" from EVERYTHING. Her best tune here is "The Rain Song." Still the rest of it is good, if not as good as her norm (forgive me, Vicki!)

All-in-all, this is a fantastic album that will greatly please Bangle fans. My concern is that with such a lengthy hiatus, fickle American pop radio won't pick them back up. That would be a shame. This is extremely well-crafted American Pop.

Congratulations gals! Thanks for a great new album, and...welcome home.