Album Spotlight: The Bangles - Greatest Hits

Put your hand up if you know 'Walk Like an Egyptian'? If you do, then there's the likelihood you'll know that in the 80's we had Bananarama, The Runaways, The Go-Go's and The Bangles. Females bands ruled the world, and The Bangles were the reigning Queens, earning hit after hit.

The Bangles Greatest Hits is a tribute to some of their best tunes. One of the first things you realise while scouring this CD is that nearly every hit The Bangles had was with Susanna Hoffs and her sugary sweet vocals at the helm. There was just something magical about her voice, allowing it provide hit after hit for the band. Unfortunately her solo career didn't allow her the same justice, which just goes to show it was the combination of her vocals and a phenomenal band that brought forth the magic. All that magic in here on this CD.

Of course there are songs on this album that weren’t sung by Hoffs that are equally brilliant such as 'Hero takes a Fall', 'Going Down to Liverpool', and 'Be With you', but it was Hoffs that really stood out in the band. So, it was not surprising that she took the final step to become a solo artist.

The Bangles Greatest Hits not only shows off the decade in which the Bangles were at the top of their game, but also the variety of music they performed. Their influences - from The Beatles, Cream, The Yardbirds and The Mamas and the Papas, shine through and the quartet draws from this as well as their own individual strengths to create an all-girl band, who are a cut above the rest.

One of the saddest aspects about The Bangles was they were a band often not taken serious because of their hit song 'Walk Like an Egyptian'. It's a shame because they drew some truly great songwriters to them, include Prince and they also were fairly solid songwriters themselves. They actually wrote and co-wrote most of the songs on each of their albums.

Songs on this album to listen to? The Prince-penned 'Manic Monday', 'I'll Set you Free', 'In Your Room' and 'Eternal Flame'. There really isn't a song on this album that isn't worthy.