45 REVELATIONS
If it weren’t for Suzanne Vega, the Bangles’ “Following” (import only) would be Single of the Month. A dramatic change of pace by bassist Michael Steele, it’s a sparse, moody, enchanting acoustic plaint and the best track on Different Light.
45 REVELATIONS
Ken Barnes
If it weren’t for Suzanne Vega, the Bangles’ “Following” (import only) would be Single of the Month. A dramatic change of pace by bassist Michael Steele, it’s a sparse, moody, enchanting acoustic plaint and the best track on Different Light.
Hits and near-hits: Australia’s Pseudo Echo pull off the coolest cover coup of the year, super-charging an otherwise faithful rendition of Lipps Inc.’s ultra-happening disco novelty classic, “Funky Town,” with power chords for an instant smash.
I grew to greatly appreciate Crowded House’s “Don’t Dream It’s Over” for its clunky Beatlesque guitars and Procol Harum organ, and the New Zealand trio’s “Something So Strong” is similarly seductive, spotlighting fine harmonies. Added bonus: the last great Split Enz single, “I Walk Away,” in a new, galvanic version.
The Other Ones sound so much like the Pretenders at times it’s scary, but that’s never a black mark in my book, and “We Are What We Are” is just mysterious and catchy enough to enthrall.
Billy Idol in tuneful shock! “Sweet Sixteen” is a pretty, acoustic semi-ballad that’s really quite affecting, as opposed to affected.