Music Notes: The Bangles, Everything

January 5th, 2007

This is a tough album for me to revisit, for as a teenager I listened to it incessantly. I think at one point I wrote out the guitar chords for each song. I’m sure the constant playing drove my parents nuts.

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However, in retrospect, Everything, the third Bangles’ album, while holding some nostalgic joy, hasn’t aged too well. My biggest sadness is an over-arching, commercial sheen to the production, which obscures some competent songwriting. It’s as if following the mega-hits of Walk Like An Egyptian and Hazy Shade Of Winter a bunch of producers and songwriters were summoned to gild this album up into some sort of glossy, light rock perfection - which sometimes works, but much of the Bangles’ sixties vibe was smothered.

Yet there are definitely some great songs on Everything. I’m still a sucker for In Your Room, Waiting For You, and Glitter Years. Each tune has a bridge, and every harmony is pitch-perfect. But through my current refamiliarization, I find I prefer the tight, Byrdsy sound on Doll Revolution, the bare-bones, drier approach found on All Over The Place, or even the one song Everything I Needed off of the Greatest Hits collection (that should have been on this album). Still, the hair styles were right on the mark for this one.

In Your Room

= 5 stars

I’m a sucker and Susanna Hoffs can play dress-up in a bedroom any day.

Complicated Girl

= 4 stars

This sunny Michael Steele tune has a neat, descending hook and a retro-harpsichord for the bridge.

Bell Jar

= 3 stars

This tune skitters by nicely, but a Sylvia Plath inspired song needs more insanity or at least darkness.

Something to Believe In

= 2 stars

The only moment of beauty here is the hook-laden instrumental section that makes an appearance about halfway through. The rest is rather inconsequential.

Eternal Flame

= 5 stars

I can barely listen to this song now, as it’s so overplayed, but it’s still a Bangles high point.

Be With You

= 3 stars

The beat to this tune unfortunately collides with the Cure’s Why Can’t I Be You in my memory. The middle is the best part, almost turning into another song.

Glitter Years

= 4 stars

Nice recollection of a time and place (the early seventies), with energy, and a short David Bowie imitation.

I’ll Set You Free

= 3 stars

Nice tune here, although I would have liked a more substantial guitar intro. The payoff comes in the latter half where the music drops out, leaving drums and vocals.

Watching the Sky

= 2 stars

There’s a lot I don’t like about this song, from the easy cliche title and a pretty boring verse. The middle section is fascinating but better than the song itself. Not a good thing.

Some Dreams Come True

= 1 star

Not cutting it. Less cowbell.

Make A Play For Her Now

= 1 star

There’s a songwriting credit with Vinnie Vincent, which makes no difference.

Waiting For You

= 4 stars

Good use of a minor to major chord progression and some nice harmonies recalling If She Knew What She Wants. The middle is similar to that in the newer song Something That You Said.
Crash And Burn

= 3 stars

Nice retro-rock album closer, featuring some warm siren vocals (no pun intended).