Beauty And The Beat

Fun, boring, and not something I have any strong feelings on.

Too poppy

Very repetitive. Only liked their popular song.

Is a 2.5

Kjedelig, ikke min type musikk. Men ikke slitsom. to stjerner.

Never heard of this band or album before. I'm guessing that I'm in for something characteristically 80s. Perhaps something synthpoppy given the album cover and colour palette of this album. Let's get into it. I'm surprised this is an American album. The band name and album cover are characteristically British. Anyways. Poppy, female-focused punk, huh? These ladies were ahead of the curb by quite a while. Doesn't mean that this impresses me, sadly. The vocals are adept for this style of music. It's just that the music is very deeply samey. Similar guitar hooks, unvaried performances. It also doesn't help that I'm not into punk music, so many of these tunes failed to register with me. I also couldn't help but compare this album to Le Tigre's self-titled album. The vocal style on both albums are pretty similar to one another, yet Le Tigre is lively, varied and, above all else, fun. Almost the platonic ideal for what this album should be, really. Overall, this passed by without me really noticing, though I can commend this album for being short and concise. Book time. The band apparently had no idea what they were doing when they were starting out. Topped the Billboard chart for six weeks. Genre-blending. Wikipedia reveals that this album had two hit singles, is one of the most commercially successful debut albums ever, has a solid critical reception and has received somewhat of an enduring critical acclaim. I'm a woman respecter, so I'm happy to let this one through. I cosign this inclusion.

This isn’t exactly my cup of tea. Not bad, kinda generic, and certainly not my cup of tea.

hated it so much i changed to phoebe bridgers

Not bad but get pretty generic and same-y halfway through.

I really enjoyed the bass playing but the singles were not enough to overcome the sameness of the rest of the album.

God, I feel like I just left a 90s coming of age movie. Seriously, how many movie soundtracks have We Got the Beat and Our Lips Are Sealed been on in hindsight? I really just cannot get into this album. It's like a dessert so saccharine sweet that it's unpalatable to me. There's just so much bubble gum dripping from every song, and they all blend together for me. Even tracks like Lust To Love and This Town which start promising something fresh seem to revert to more comfortable ranges and tempos by the end of the first verse. The drums specifically sound practically identical to my (admittedly very untrained) ear almost all the way through. There's plenty of albums that aren't for me, but I understand what people see in them. This is not one. I legitimately have no idea how or why this ever got so popular.

4/10

Gear: Hifiman HE6se v2 SE Artwork: 🎭💅🧖 Production (2011 Remaster): 🐍⚡🆗 Music: 🧼🧷⏳ Rating: 🫧🫧(🫧)/5

I’ve heard enough

Not really memorable

not my type of music at all but it’s good

Another pretty mid album. Again not a big fan of the singing. A couple of songs I liked but they weren’t too good either. Just an average/slightly below average album. 4/10

The basis of all pop-punk albums. Same key, same bpm, same same same.

also not really my thing but willing to give a second listen

fun different

solid but nothing special for me

has not aged very well - 2.6* rounded down. Inoffensive but lacking interest

meh

Not bad, just not my thing

Talvez uma década inteira de cultura pop invocando uma pseudo nostalgia dos anos 80 (maldito seja Stranger Things) tenha me insensibilizado contra esse som específico de bandas oitentistas

inoffensive, very 80s, but pretty uninspiring to me. shame really as i want to support these slay queens and they sound like they’re having a great time

Pretty generic, one-note, 80's power pop. Not offensive, just boring. Forgot I was even listening many times. Standout Tracks: Our Lips Are Sealed

I heard enough of it already in the 80's but decided to listen to it again. A couple of the songs are OK. I don't care for the the album as a whole though.

Didn't need to hear this one before I die. Album did nothing to move me. Very stale, flat, didn't go anywhere. "We got the beat" is the only catchy tune on here, and it's just catchy. No groove, no hooks, 2 stars, the one hit saved it from being a 1 star.

A couple of great tracks, like the opener, but overall very one-paced and not overly invigorating.

Not bad, but mostly just good for feeling 80s vibes.

This band is like the 80’s incarnate. Not really sure what their place is in the 21st century if at all.

not for me at all.

no notes

After Phil Spector's Christmas wall of sound I was hoping for some a little more chill, but this album was extremely shout-y. Maybe I just wasn't in the right state of mind for it, but I was relieved when it ended.

#220/1001. I have my doubts as why this album is on the list. Oh well, We Got the Beat is already on my 80s playlist, no need to add anything else.

meh

Meh

So, I’ve always viewed this band as one of the many one-hit wonders. Nothing I’ve heard here changes my perspective. That one hit became an anthem for a truly classic flick, and it is of course on this album. The rest, is rather pedestrian from my point of view.

This albums excels when it stops focusing on crusty ass men.

This record is decent at best. There's nothing really memorable here. Favourite Track(s): Automatic Least Favourite Track(s): Our Lips Are Sealed, Fading Fast, This Town, Can't Stop The World

Plucky, ear wormy bubble gum pop that is mostly forgettable. Top tracks: “Our Lips are Sealed,” “We Got the Beat”

Always had a passing respect for the Go-Go’s although if I drill down enough, that’s about punk rock integrity and well, that’s not what this is. Which can be a foolish idea, depending on who is wielding it. Anyhow, I could use a bit more melancholy or angst here, less rah-rah new wave let’s just have a good time at the dance sensibilities. But it’s not bad...

Fun! Listening to a whole album really puts what I wrongly considered to be just gimmicky songs (Our Lips are Sealed, We Got The Beat) into context. A good morning walk album.

on dirait la musique d’adolescent dans les années 80, au début j’me suis dit belek y’a un truc et enfait non ct naze. Ça m’a fait penser à du surf et c’est dommage je suis pas adepte du surf.

Vite insupportable les voix trop aigu

It was okay. I knew We Got The Beat

Wasn't for me.

Honestly, disappointing. One-single album that establishes the band's sound but doesn't yet really allow them to shine.

Bouncy, fun, upbeat. Musically simplistic and with all the lyrical depth of a puddle. It struggles into a 3. Oh, sod it. It became more tedious the further I got through it . 2/5.

Liked "Our Lips are Sealed", "Lust to Love", and "We Got the Beat". Didn't feel much like a cohesive album though.

War mir unterm Strich gefühlt zu repetitiv. Band- und Albumtitel gefallen mir aber außerordentlich.

A fun vibe to help start a dreary winter day and get me through emailing. Our Lips Are Sealed - never actually listened to this song before when it wasn't in the soundtrack of a movie. I like it! It's boppy and unfussy. Kinda dynamically flat though (I have a working theory about this) Its the vibe of the time, but How Much More reminds me a little bit of Shadowy Men on a Shadowy Planet (Kids In The Hall theme song lol). Lust To Love - this sounds like it could almost be an AFI song from Sing The Sorrow This Town - sick guitar riff We Got The Beat - same thing here as Lips Are Sealed. Automatic - the band is kinda having a tough time staying together here until the drums come in. They do it, but barely haha. I don't particularly like this song, but that big pause/reverse back in near the end was cool You Can't Walk - lil bo diddley rhythm here. Verses are really cool but the choruses sucks Interesting decision to end the record with a super quick reversed cymbal. I started off having a decent time, but I don't feel much substance here. I'm sure there's cultural significance of an all-girl band even just existing in the early 80's. The whole record is just very one-note, very samey, very safe and middle of the road. Maybe it's the production style. Those 2 huge hits paid for everyones entire livelihoods and that's great.

The mix of new wave and surf is just not really my jam, but the album is fun! I hate the first thing I thought of hearing 'Our Lips are Sealed' was the old Gillette Venus ad from when we were kids. I swear it played non-stop. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOToMeTI6eY To think this cool girl new wave band ended up being co-opted to sell pink-tax razors kinda sucks - fuck the patriarchy! The era of just a 3-second reverb on everything lmao. A lot of the backing vocals are really dope. Crazy that apparently they saw the sex pistols last show and decided to learn instruments and start a band. Love a {friend-group before band} situation. Shout out to them. Favs: This Town, Automatic

More manufactured sounding than I remember

More or less kinda just generic 80's pop

Many tracks on this album are pretty grating. They remind me of Bananarama. I'm not a fan of the signing and the pop instrumentals are not interesting. There are some rock-influenced tracks that are, in my opinion, much stronger ("Lust to Love", "Fading Fast", "Can't Stop the World"). Those have an edge and creativity that I don't see in most of this album.

Nervig.

Not to my liking.

Nicki Minaj and Justin Bieber did it better. 2/5

did not particularly enjoyed it. maybe i was in a foul mood

I can understand the appeal: catchy pop/punk songs, glossy production, tight instruments, harmonizing vocals. Definitely some feel good tunes with an 80s summer vibe. That said, I felt it was underwhelming and generic pop music. I didn’t hate it, but likely won’t listen again. 2.5

Meh not my type of music

very fun and 70s!

Always odd when a band is described as at all related to punk and then it just sounds like generic pop. 2.5 maybe? I was close to giving it a 3 but all songs are a blur.

At the end I was absolutely tired of her voice. It's a 1,5

it was ok not really my thing

Easy going , light hearted. Sunny beach vibe. Lätt att lyssna på men aning tråkigt. Sångrösten och genre ej min smak. + automatic (bäst instrumentalt)

Is this on the IRS record label? Times were tough all around for the Go-Go’s. Which one is beauty and which one is the beat? Wasn’t that also a title for some horrible 2010s pop single? Nicki Minaj or something. Who cares. Look. It’s early, I’m too fat to move and that has produced a concoction of misery that can only be mended by 80’s girly pop. I will apply my face mask thusly. Our Lips Are Sealed - The hit right out of the gate. It’s fine enough. Sweet melody. I’m less miserable, so that’s a start. How Much More - How much more music can we endure? Over 750 albums? Oh. This one started off as a jaunty little heartbroken pop tune and devolved into repetitive tripe. Sad. Tonite - The second coolest and raddest way to spell the boring “tonight.” 2Nite is of course the coolest way. Come on. This is giving me like soft skate punk energy. You can hear Rise Against in this. If that bothers you, well, please consider that I don’t know anything, BUT, I’m also right all the time. Lust to Love - She’s detailing how she used to capture and kill people. It’s a gritty diary of a female serial killer in desperate attempt to be caught. All she wants is to stop, but the monstrous society that created her just puts it on the radio for their enjoyment. The cycle continues. This Town - Unless it’s about Pugwash, can we drop this whole “this ol’ town” type of song? We Got the Beat - They’ve indeed, got the beat. Which beat you might ask? The mediocre radio song beat. Fading Fast - This is more of the same. I don’t care about it, but it’s more of the same. Automatic - This song actually has a cool kind of energy to it. The slowed down vibe works in this situation. A little meh, but what hasn’t been? You Can’t Walk in Your Sleep (If You Can’t Sleep) - You can’t read between the lines, if you can’t read. We’re inching ever closer to metalcore song titles from the late 2000s. It nears with each passing album. Skidmarks on my Heart - Gross. Unless we’re talking about the tire thing? We are. Don’t know why my mind went to shit. Well. The consequences of microplastics. This is a dumb song loaded to the gills with racing puns. Can’t Stop the World - Try me. I can stop this album. Well, I can’t, because of the completionism gene that controls me, but at least it’s over. This was fine. Middle of the road pop that had a punk edge. I’m sure it was very influential and an important crossover for the time, but in 2025, I’ve heard better pop, and I’ve heard far far better punk. Obviously. This would fit on a Disney skateboarding game soundtrack, which isn’t the worst thing I’ve said or will say about a record. Grating at times, kind of fun at others, this right here is your true C album. Use it as a benchmark. I hope I don’t get audited by the IRS. Considering I’m Canadian, I’m not even sure how that would work. I probably should do my part for the North American dream and pay more taxes in service of furnishing a dystopian billionaires paradise. God bless the American way. Now Go-Go Away. 2-2.5 HIGHLIGHTS: Our Lips are Sealed, Automatic

captures the 80's girl rock so perfectly

5/10

Boring

- tight vocal harmonies and some nice bass parts that keep the energy high all the way to the end of the album, which was fun - it's occurring to me that I don't regularly listen to a single band or group that consists of all women (and likely never would have listened to this one all the way through, had it not been for this project) - just a #woke thought: the dudes of daft punk wore masks to avoid having their personal identities distract from the music they were making, but it's kind of the opposite situation here: gender is the mask girl groups have historically not been able to shed when it comes to being recognized for musical innovation. in the same way scar-jo or anne hathaway can't seem to do an interview without someone asking about their diets or outfits on set while their male costars don't receive the same questions, all-female groups will always have to dodge gender being part of the conversation and perhaps even explicitly counter the assumption that their gender must be a large part of their identity as musicians or a theme in their projects (which may certainly be true for some female musicians, but not all) - in other words, some girls sitting down to make some cool tunes together may not be actively trying to make a feminist statement or serve as a vocal mouthpiece for women's rights etc., but they may still be viewed that way by others and judged for it (perhaps both positively and negatively) as a result - but given all this (+ my own experiences I bring to the table as a listener), the album was objectively a little silly. "You Can't Walk In Your Sleep If You're Asleep," "Lust to Love," and the song about skidmarks on your heart -- which I know is in reference to cars, but still -- didn't stand out in any meaningful way to me. it was mildly fun, but that was the extent of my experience - I gave NPR's online writeup on the band ("How The Go-Go's Perfected Pop-Punk," August 2020) half a read to see what I might be missing, and it really illustrated how important context (or lack thereof) is to a band's legacy: to me, this is an album that still resides solidly under the umbrella of 80s pop, but the group formed in the heart of LA's punk scene. "We Got the Beat" and "Our Lips Are Sealed" have been in so many girl- or kid-focused movies and productions over the years (hello, Jimmy Neutron movie) that it influenced my perception of the group as being entirely pop, even though I definitely recognize the punk influence now

Whatever. 1.5/5

This was alright.

Charging forward, dense female harmonies, powerful girl group energy. Bit of a driving 60's instrumental feel in the bass, drums, and electric movement. Infused with light rage and definite power. "We Got the Beat"

Pretty sure this is my first 2, which I feel bad about as it's a great fun album from the 80's. A lot of radio friendly pop hits. I just don't see this album that influential and if we are to have a grading curve of any sort I can't give all 4's and 5's

My friend Aug writes pun-laden comic pieces full of music references. Van Halen and Kiss mostly. American stuff. I usually keep up, but not with a piece called We Got the Beet. I grasped the root vegetable, not the pop song. Never heard of it. Aug was shocked. Perhaps it never made it over here. (I just checked and it didn’t.) I only knew Our Lips Are Sealed via Fun Boy Three, which remains the better version. Jane Wiedlin of the Go-Go’s co-wrote it with Terry Hall during a fleeting tour romance. Both bands recorded it. The British rendering is lusher, gloomier, more apt to the subject. The Go-Go’s take is lighter, frothier, determinedly Californian. Inexplicable really, as though the affair itself had no real tangible effect. That distinction seems to frame the whole record. American new wave here is all cheerful affect. But it is less well-crafted than the Cars, less arch than the Waitresses, less shiny than the Bangles. Harmonies nod to the retro, but without the B-52s’ bravado. Even the eccentricities feel half-hearted: This Town could pass for Wall of Voodoo, but only if they toned themselves down. On How Much More they sing “tonight” until you’re weary, then title the next track Tonite as if one repetition weren’t enough. It is pop by rote, like a salad assembled from pre-chopped bits. The Go-Go’s are all surface, all bounce, all beat. Aug would say they had the beet, though I’d add it was more garnish than substance. (I also know nothing about salad, so don't concern yourself too much about that last line). 2 This is pleasant enough. There are some neat twists on procedure in these numbers and everything is done very slick. I can’t disapprove of anything, I just can’t remember anything either. It’s like lemonade that is all fizz and no flavour. Where’s the lemons? 1.5/5

So relentlessly cheerful. It was extremely tiresome. I probably would have loved this if I was 15 in 1981, but now it just really grated on my nerves. Fading Fast and Automatic were pretty good. We’ve Got the Beat and Our Lips are Sealed were fine, of course. But no breaks from the gals being gals having fun up-beat-ing-ness.

ну есть и есть

Its okey

Go go's were a "girl band" in the time when there really weren't that many bands with only women playing all instruments. Quite mediocre punk pop, but you have to give some respect for trailblazers like this group.

New Wave has always been a bit of strange genre for me, as it just sounds like pop music with mildly punk-pop influenced sound. I get that for journalists it's important to differentiate for the listener, but these labels have just grabbed so hard! Belinda Carlyles voice is very recognizable and I might have to listen to the first album a bit too since they apparently sounded a lot harsher, but other than that, I've had enough of The Go-Go's.

Eh

De nuevo, otra americanada mas, me apetece ponerme em huelga quien coño ha hecho esta lista? Un 4 porque tienen dos o tres que se salen un poco de la misma guitarra todo el rato

2-3

Good rythm but thats it. I enjoyed some of the songs but its not my style of music I wouldnt listen to it again 4/10

Loved the first song and you can't walk in your sleep but other than that, not my fave

Pure 80s pop. I find the singing annoying though and while the songs can be pleasant, they don't really stick.

Sugar pop from not my favorite era or my favorite vocalist. We got the beat’s vocals always bothered me and it didn’t help essentially copy and pasting it 11 times

Bit bland. Needs some seasoning.

A couple hits but mostly filler… nothing memorable

Mukavaa tyttöenergiaa bändin muodossa. Jotain proto-punkkia tämä kai on?

*Beast

Had potential, but too poppy for my liking.

I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. Bright and energetic, but not enough to hold my interest. I got through the whole album though. Good for what it is, but can’t see me revisiting it.

Not really a Go-Go's guy

2/5 - everyone’s 5 star reviews have surprised me, as this is simplistic and quite boring. I really wanted to like this as I’m having a bit of a new wave phase at the moment, and I have been in love with Kim Wilde’s debut album for years, so I know I am capable of liking music like this, but this album was far off the mark for me. This Town reminded me a lot of Our Town by Kim Wilde… Standout tracks: - Our Lips Are Sealed: 3.5/5 (Hilary and Hailey Duff did a cover of this and I prefer that version 😭) - Skidmarks On My Heart 3.5/5

Startlingly jangly and grating, but the hits are the hits

Decent but not something I can get into really

no kuul, aber chli langwiilig.. chli es schlechters abba

Just didn’t do it for me

Sure this was influential. But just was so bored throughout

It is very much about the singles here. They are great. Our lips are sealed is a true classic. The whole album is average though

Sure? As someone who wore out a Go-Go’s Greatest Hits cassette in the 90s, I’m here for this, but other than the novelty of the all-girl band, it’s just an ok album surrounded by a hit song. I get that 1001 albums has to be a long list, but does that mean that every Taylor Swift album makes it? Or Radiohead? Or The Rolling Stones?

“Can we listen to the Talking Heads?” “We have new wave at home” New wave at home: Highlights: Fading Fast Automatic

Nope

Had fun with it. Got Janice up and dancing around.

meh

Poppy, early punky, girl rock. I know this was trend setting and popular when it came out, and it has been a common anthem since for girly power, but I'm neither a girl nor really into crack jack pop. If I wanted to listen to something similar to this I would probably just listen to Cindy Lauper as she's way more complex musically and has deeper lyrics.

Sorry these seemingly nice ladies. I took one listen and had to cut it off. “We got the beat,” is a classic and I will acknowledge that but I will not be returning. Thank you for your service

Light, sweet and fluffy like cotton candy. One step removed from bubble gum music of the 60s and 70s.

Another boring new wave album that at least is an all girl group I'm a fan of that but a lot of these songs just kind of sound the same little to no variation 5/10 Favourite: None Least Favourite: This Town

So-so album.

Boring

Very 80s the non singles didn’t stand up to the quality of the hits

Nieee

A bit generic eighties...

A record that feels like a mix between a new-age album and a pop rock album, but does neither particularly well. It’s super unremarkable fare.

Meh

This lightweight album is not rough enough to be punk and not weird enough to be avant-garde, but instead takes an overly-safe middle path. Aside from "Our Lips Are Sealed" (better done by Fun Boy Three), there's not much to get excited about here.

Not my favorite type of music, fun and easy listening though.

The vocal performances are a little all over the place, but it does make me want to take an aerobics class. Mission accomplished I suppose. Standout track is: “Tonite”

This was a nice enough listening experience, but couldn't imagine myself listening to it again. I can see why they've had such an impact on the genre, but to be honest, I'd prefer listening to Belinda's solo material. Highlight is We Got The Beat (which could have done with one last chorus in my honest opinion), and Skidmarks On My Heart... because... it's called Skidmarks On My Heart.

Nahh

very 80s very dated. It alright

gut gibt es spotify und bandbios. die sängerin der go-go’s war belinda carlisle - kennt man?! gefällig, dann aber zu gefällig und fast nicht mehr auszuhalten - ist ja auch mal gut.

So gerne ich früher New Wave hatte, so alt und einfach erscheint es mir heute.

It was beautiful in parts but repetitive. Enjoyed the post punk/ new synth vibes but not a project I see myself visiting often down the future road.

Did not like it

the 2 singles are genuinely good and catchy. unfortunately, that’s where the positives end for this album. just wasn’t a fan of the album cuts

God I hate pop.

3/10 I was happy to give this boppy, candy-floss album a mindless 6/10. As the cover suggests, it's exactly the sort of thing you'd listen to whilst getting ready for a night on the town with your mates. ... That was until I heard "You can't walk in your sleep." with the earth-shattering lyrics: "... That sleep is one thing you can't buy/You can't walk in your sleep/ if you can sleep/ you can't talk on your sleep/ if you can sleep." Seriously, that is assault against songwriting, and words in general.

Not my thing!

Way too airy & twee for my liking. I get it - they were the first all female band to have success who played their own instruments & write their own songs. But where’s the bite? It’s still just bland, easy listening. Nothing special.

fun new-wave pop. not essential , but glad i heard it. 2.5

Initially, I thought “We Got The Beat” was one of the cringiest songs from the new wave era, so I wasn’t exactly thrilled to dive into this album. I went in with a bit of a bull-headed attitude. But once I put my guard down, I started to appreciate it for what it was. As I progressed through the tracks, I found that the music had more credibility and a raw edge than I had anticipated. All in all, it turned out to be a pretty decent album.

This is possibly the most bland pop I’ve ever listened to. None of the songs stood out and it sounds like something you’d maybe put in the background of a birthday party while you’re not paying attention to the music at all. They didn’t do anything especially bad in the album but also nothing actually good. So there’s that.

Mid af. Really boring, nothing interesting, or standoutish.

Rimligt att det var fart i ett gäng med det namnet. Introt ”Our Lips Are Sealed” är ett perfekt exempel på att sätta tonen för ett albumsound. Omvänd kronologi men de registreras hos mig som Rock-Rebecca&Fiona, snarlik energi och röst. Flera låtar hör hemma på actionrullar, ex. ”We Got The Beat”, ”Automatic”. Trots det kan de inte få mig att digga punkrock.

I'm just not here for them. Some of the songs in the middle are nice enough, but I don't see myself listening to this album again.

All sounded very much like background music you’d get sort of semi faded out in an old 90s chick flick. Wasn’t shit though and easy to sway side to side to

As upbeat as monotonous

forglemmelig

fun girly pop album, not much substance

This is nice. It's post punk where you can still hear the punk. Energetic and melodic. Very anthemic. It's good fun music. The lead guitar is very post punk sounding, and the lead vocals are great. I can't say that I get why this album is on this list though. I mean, if somebody told me they really like Mission of Burma and the Buzzcocks and want something similar I might let them have a listen to this. It's far from a must listen though, it's just nice and cool. That's what I call two stars.

Uhh, this is fine? Kinda unremarkable 80s pop vibes. I’m guessing it was added to the list because it started the 80s sound or something historic. Nothing wrong with this album, but I find it pretty forgettable. Though I guess I always like albums less on a first listen.

Some of this album was surprisingly good with some very strong poppy songs even outside of the ones everyone knows. Unfortunately it's bogged down by a lot of dead weight and legitimately bad songs. I wanted to give this three stars but I can't quite get there.

Correcto

..

Solid Soft Rock Album, nothing special

Meh... other than the two singles, I hadn't heard any of these songs before... and based on those two singles, I had always (correctly) assumed I didn't really need to, either... If I were a young girl hearing this for the first time in 1981, it probably would have hit harder... but I'm not, and it isn't, so it doesn't...

I think I might have enjoyed this at the time but it just can’t compete with the wealth of music available nowadays

The classic Our Lips Our Sealed can't save this mediocre bubble gum pop. Personally, I like the Fun Boy Three version of Our Lips Are Sealed better. It's interesting that the song was co-written by Jane Wiedlin and Terry Hall of The Specials (and FB3).

We got the Beat alright, they have their hit and did capture the essence of the early 80's but didn't really stick around to define much else.

Background music to a coming of age Hollywood film. Not bad, not great. Some of the beats throughout were really cool and the voices were super effective throughout at keeping me listening. However I was bored a lot of the time. In the context of how this fits into the music industry would be interesting to me. I can see an album and a group like this being influential and can even hear some of the beats and guitar styles used in a number of more modern songs, like Jimmy Eat World - The Middle. Fun at times, but overall uninspired.

not for me. thankfully it was short.

Eh

If you like the 80s sound, you’ll like this. I don’t, so…

En 1981, le punk, le vrai, celui qui sentait la bière tiède et le cuir moisi, était déjà en train de crever la gueule ouverte à Londres et à New York. À Los Angeles, la scène était encore plus hardcore, plus violente, avec des groupes comme Black Flag ou les Circle Jerks qui jouaient leur haine de la banlieue à 200 à l'heure. C'était un truc de mecs, un truc brutal et sans concession. Et puis, au milieu de ce champ de mines de testostérone, cinq nanas ont débarqué. Elles venaient de ce même milieu punk, mais elles avaient commis le péché ultime : elles savaient écrire des putains de bonnes chansons pop. Et le pire ? Elles souriaient. The Go-Go's, c'était ça, une anomalie, une bouffée d'air frais californien dans une cave londonienne. Quand leur premier album, "Beauty and the Beat", est sorti, et surtout quand le clip de "Our Lips Are Sealed" a commencé à tourner en boucle sur MTV, c'était une petite révolution. Cinq filles, qui jouaient de leurs propres instruments et écrivaient leurs propres morceaux, qui n'étaient pas les marionnettes d'un producteur véreux. Rien que pour ça, historiquement, ce disque est un jalon qui a prouvé à toute une industrie que "girls band" ne voulait pas forcément dire "potiches interchangeables". Et il faut le reconnaître, quarante ans plus tard, l'efficacité de la formule est intacte. Les deux singles qui ouvrent quasiment le disque sont des monuments de power pop. "Our Lips Are Sealed" est une merveille de mélancolie adolescente, avec cette ligne de basse rebondissante et ces guitares surf qui carillonnent comme le soleil sur le Pacifique. "We Got the Beat" est un hymne hédoniste et irrésistible, une invitation à danser qui ferait se trémousser un régiment de la garde républicaine. C'est brillant, c'est frais, c'est le son d'un été éternel. À l'époque, j'étais gamin, et je découvrais ce genre de sons à la télé et ça ne ressemblait à rien de ce que j'écoutais. C'était coloré, fun, et ça avait le goût sucré de l'interdit facile. Des années plus tard, cet album était un classique du rayon "New Wave" ou "80's Pop" mais jamais, au grand jamais, on ne l'aurait classé dans le bac "Punk". Et c'est là la raison de mon 2 sur 5. Car si on gratte le vernis pop ultra-brillant, que reste-t-il de l'attitude punk dont elles se réclamaient ? Pas grand-chose, pour être honnête. C'est du punk pour les bals de promo où la rébellion des Go-Go's se limite à sécher un cours ou à mentir à ses parents. On est à des années-lumière de la rage sociale des Clash ou de la poésie crasseuse des Ramones. Les paroles parlent de mecs, de fêtes, de fringues... C'est charmant, mais c'est terriblement superficiel. Mais le plus gros problème de "Beauty and the Beat", c'est qu'il est construit comme un 45 tours avec une face A monumentale et une face B anecdotique. Une fois que les deux tubes imparables sont passés, le reste de l'album s'écoute sans déplaisir, mais sans surprise non plus. C'est une succession de morceaux de power pop bien ficelés, mais interchangeables, qui suivent tous plus ou moins la même recette. Ça manque de relief, de profondeur, de ce petit grain de folie qui fait qu'un bon album devient un grand album. C'est un disque terriblement attachant, une capsule temporelle parfaite d'une époque d'insouciance et il a un mérite historique immense. Mais dans le cadre de ce projet "1001 albums à écouter avant de mourir", on est en droit d'attendre plus qu'une poignée de singles brillants. On attend une oeuvre cohérente, qui vous transporte, vous bouscule, vous marque au fer rouge. "Beauty and the Beat" vous fait taper du pied pendant dix minutes, puis vous laisse poliment retourner à vos occupations. C'est un excellent EP déguisé en album un peu paresseux. Parfait pour une boum, mais un peu léger pour le Panthéon.

Quite forgettable

Two songs, worth 2/5

The songs are quite plain and rather boring. It has a nice positive energy though. I guess they are in the list for being among the firsts to use this style? 5/10

Kinda unexpectedly punky. Only a few songs that stood out though. High 2.

Eighties pop that does what it does quite well without excelling. Sounds like a group of people working out how to be musicians. Lyrically and musically simple but I guess that's what pop is. It's a two or three

Not much variety, didn't care for it, basic 80's sound

Fun!

Lightweight.

Not feeling it. I know they were a hit when it came out, but it does r have enough octane for me.

Not one I will revisit

Was decent

Not impressed… We got the beat and Our lips are sealed are certified jams but the rest is filler music. Nothing very impressive and their guitar style is annoying. Great bass tone on Our Lips Are Sealed. Very Lorelei Gilmore vibes coming from this group though.

Mag ich nicht so, hab ich aber auch nicht durchgehört

Lamr

Pretty inoffensive early pop punk which kind of defeats the point. Really good vocals though

Two hit singles don't make an album one of the most important of all time. Similar gripe to that horrible Kings if Leon album. At least this album has some groove to it occasionally, though many of the songs sounded identical. 1.5/5 -> 2/5.

Not my cup of tea

Too poppy for me.

2.5 but 2

Does not sound unpleasant, it is cheerful and could be good for parties. Musically it is very simple/ a bit boring though; bog standard pop time measures and chord changes. I wouldn't "listen" to this album, it would be background at best. So, can't give it more than 2* even though it sounds alright (like a million other pop albums).

Catchy and poppy but not really my style.

But blah

Hmmm, I guess it was fine. Not really my thing.

Not as seminal as the reviews would suggest

A couple of great pop songs, but was disappointed in the rest of the album.

Wished I had more fun with it. Eh

Definitely my least favorite album I’ve checked out so far. I’m trying not to be hyperbolic, but it’s also one of the most boring albums I’ve ever listened to. Just the same shit over and over again, empty songwriting, bland surf rock instrumentals. I think my breaking point was the track “You Can’t Walk in Your Sleep (If You Can’t Sleep)”. As soon as I heard that awful title I broke. 4/10

Rock muy básico de minitas. Bastante choto, poco que rescatar.

Ok

Album de pop promedio, not my thing, pero tiene un par de temas lindos 5/10 TF: This Town/Automatic

Not much to say about this album. Not a fan of new wave or punk, so this one doesn't really land for me. Some of the slower tracks are good, and it makes me wish the album had more of them. Top tracks: Just to Love, Fading Fast

Obviously recognized a couple songs. Overall not terrible, but seemed a bit dated.

Ponderous 80s bubblegum pop dross.

It’s fine? Production sounded good for the early 80s. Music is catchy enough - reminded me of the B-52s and early REM with the guitar sound and the surf inspired solos/flourishes. None of the lyrics really grabbed my attention. Overall, it’s similar to the ABBA album Arrival. It’s not bad, wouldn’t mind if these songs came up on shuffle, but I won’t be searching this one out for repeat listening.

This was fun

Not my jive, has a great beat and a couple iconic songs but overall I don’t think I’d use it for self enjoyment.

Iconic high energy 80s sound. I like the bright, energetic punk vibe but vocals can get a bit annoying. Their hits (Our Lips are Sealed, We've Got the Beat) are good, but I've heard them so many times in movies, on the radio, and on every 1980s playlist that they've become a bit stale. Did like Automatic and You Can't Walk in Your Sleep (If You Can't Sleep). "Can't stop the world, so why let it stop you" 2/5

boring punk

1. our lipz are zealed - 1 2. houu much more - 1 3. tonight - 1.5 4. luzt to love - 1.5 5. thiz touun - 1 6. uue got the beat - 1.5 7. fading fazt - 1.5 8. automatic - 1 9. you cant uualk - 0 10. zkidmarkz - 1 11. ztop the uuorld - 0

Fun girl band out of the 90’s. Made it big with a couple of good songs.

Absolutely not my style

This wasn’t bad but Im not that into the go gos.

Like a middle aged music critic I found myself nostalgic for guitar driven pop music. All the songs are kind of the same and various degrees of catchiness. Our lips are sealed holds up

A pretty homogeneous new wave album with some frankly ridiculous lyrics. It is quite fun though, not too bad at all, just if you’ve heard We’ve Got the Beat you’ve basically heard the whole thing

meh again

meh

Not my jam

2/5. A whole album of songs that sounds like we got the beat is too much for me.

Le debut album de ce groupe de new wave. Le vibe est pas plate, mais pas assez pour m'accrocher plus qu'il faut.

A couple of fun songs from the way back machine. The remainder is nothing to write home about and sounds very dated.

ok .... Better than expected but there is better music from this time period. 2.5 for the hits .......

Cute, kind of catchy, didn't grab me

Beauty And The Beat by the go-go’s is a pop album with good moments but can become incredibly boring. the influence of this album in modern pop is clear and this band set the way for female pop stars but the album has little memorable moments. the opening song is the best of the album by far and is also the most popular. the album overall is very forgettable despite its influence

Very pop-y good album but just not my genre

This album has a fun, punk, teenager feel. While this is not really my style, I liked the drums and occasionally riff through the album. I did not love the style of singing, however. I felt it sounded whiny and a little too high pitched. It was still a fun listen though, and would be an album I would recommend for a dance or a party with an 80s theme.

Ik wil echt graag lange reviews geven, maar dit album pakt me niet vast. Ik heb geen zin om te blijven luisteren dus al snel glijdt het naar de achtergrond. Jammer

This album reminded me of a later female group from the USSR, Kombinatsiya. It seems to me that they were inspired by Go Go's. Overall, the album is fun, fresh, light, but I didn't really like the sound quality and performance.

Didn’t really care for. It’s fine but not for me.

I guess this was pretty fun but it feels very throwaway. Won’t be revisiting.

Not my jam

Were already have Beatles.

Very 80s. Nothing offensive, but not really rocking my boat. Moments of almost pop punk sounds, but they don't push enough into it.

belanglos

Next 5 songs played by my Spotify Algorithm: XTC - Statue of Liberty Squeeze - Another Nail in my Heart R.E.M. - Radio Free Europe Modern English - I Melt With You The English Beat - End of the Party

22/100 Based on this scale: 1 star - 0 to 19 2 stars - 20 to 39 3 stars - 40 to 59 4 stars - 60 to 79 5 stars - 80 to 100 1981 cookie-cutter pop. Life's too short to waste time on this.

Really not a new wave guy

Ни ту ни тамо 4/10

It was alright. Pretty basic pop album and probably only made the list because of Our Lips are Sealed which is definitely iconic so I will give it that.

A girl band. Yay.

"We got the beat" slaps, everything else is skippable

OK, not my thing so didn't like very much.

Decent. 2/5

Sorry, don't get it.

Mehh

Had to deduct a star for Skidmarks on my Heart

Meh

Eleven songs roll by at a break neck pace, but without many standouts. Our Lips Are Sealed is great, We Got the Beat is well known, but what else here is memorable? None of it is bad, it’s all well executed new wave bubblegum pop punk, but if those two songs weren’t on this album what else would we talk about?

don't have much to say - decent album but nothing special to my ears. 2/5. Listed 2x.

Cute songs, but nothing really special about this album.

Bof bof, ça faisait très pop rock générique

Nope. Felt weird listening to that at my age

Forgettable, cookie cutter, boring.

I thought some was real nice and some was pretty boring and repetitive

Not for me.

THIS IS REAAAALL RADIO MUSIC https://i.imgur.com/bdNo99O.png

Viisaus... uudelleenkuuntelua... objektia..

Fine

I guess it was different in their hey-day being an all girl rock band, but it sounds a bit dated now.

How feminist of me

Not special

sorta annoying

Got bored, samey.

Super simple music. Not really my thing either

This felt like I was listening to Josie and the Pussycats. Kinda fun for a driving-in-the-sun day but would never listen to this album intentionally again

They really 'beat' you over the head with the repetitiveness of these melodies. 2 advils out of 5 💊 💊

It's pop from back in the 80s. Way better than the commercial pop songs now, but still have lost my interest already I'm afraid.

I'm all for girls rock band sounding fresh, even naïve at times. It's a nice change of pace compared to the usual rock male circus. That said, and exactly like I expect this for bands only having guys in their ranks, I need a minimum of, well... *substance* in an album--either lyrically or melodically. And if not, at least I want something that's intense, even if only a little. Or something genuinely fun and/or thrilling. Alas, apart from a couple of tracks like "This Town", *Beauty And The Beat* is none of those things. Every time you think a song is gonna reach a certain level of genuine excitement, it actually lets you down. Some of those songs sound like a subpar version of REM, without the stellar arrangements or the romantic choruses. Others, like "The Beat", clearly foretell Bikini Kill/Kathleen Hannah's riot grrrrrl odyssey (The Go-Go's were clearly an inspiration for her). But without a healthy amount of true punk rock in the proceedings, *Beauty And The Beat* mostly sounds cheesy and shallow now--like a cheesier version of Blondie, if you will. Hannah would probably disagree here, but hell, where's the true energy in all this? Make no mistake, the record is competently played and produced, and it has a few nice guitar licks (as in "Skidmarks On My Heart" or "Can't Stop The World"). But most of the *songs* are oh-so boring... There's been many essential albums made by girl rock bands since the eighties--bands such as The Breeders, Bikini Kill, Elastica, L7, Sleater-Kinney, Wet Leg, Porridge Radio... Unfortunately, most of them are overlooked in Dimery's list. And this is not the inclusion of this old and clearly dated LP that's gonna make up for such blatant mistakes here... Number of albums left to review: 648 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 177 Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: Albums from the list I will certainly *not* include in mine (many others are more essential to me): 97 (including this one)

Blaah, nyt tiedän mistä Icona Pop on saanut vaikutteensa.

Ihan perus-ok-hömppä-rokkialbumi. Sounds vaikuttais saaneen näiltä vaikutteita? Ei mitään mullistavaa kuitenkaan

Fun pop punk?? Not so sure

I can appreciate that it was groundbreaking but I didn't find the album too strong aside from the two singles. Kind of boring pop rock.

I really don't care for this music style, but I suppose this was a decent version of it.

Allegedly they were fiery punks when they started. You wouldn't know it from this watered down slab of major label corporate New Wave. The aural equivalent of the skinny tie and check jacket that pop bands put on around this time to fit in (looking at you the Cars). Our Lips Are Sealed is a brilliant song (co-written with Terry Hall, perhaps that's why), We Got The Beat less so and the rest forgettable. Belinda Carlisle would go on to dull out the late 80s as a solo star. Yes they were the famously first all-female band to write their own songs, yes that's important. But just not enough going on here.

+ Our Lips Our Sealed (4 STARS) -- a classic + How Much More (3 STARS) -- really simple, but decent + Tonite (2.5 STARS) -- too simple and the backing vocals freak me out + Lust to Love (2 STARS) -- Meh + This Town (1 STAR) -- So boring + We've Got the Beat (3.5 STARS) -- At least some energy & catchy + Fading Fast (1 STAR) -- Boring. Sounds like every other song + Automatic (1 STAR) -- Boring and annoying annunciation + You Can't Walk in Your Sleep (3 STARS) -- Good beat + Skidmarks on My Heart (2 STARS) + Can't Stop the World (2 STARS) OVERALL: 2 STARS

Album a little ahead of its time, early alt/new wave vibes like the pixies. Song structures are repeated and only 2 songs stand on their own no surprise its their 2 big songs. Overall lackluster.

Charming but easily forgettable jangle pop. I feel this is another album that is on here because it is historically significant. Its so lightweight. Our Lips are Sealed is a great song but Terry Hall's (he co-wrote it) FB3 version is a lot better. Sorry Go-Gos, 2.

I think the voice is not good, but the music is not so bad.

I really didn’t need to hear this before I die.

Wasn't crazy about it. A lot of similar New wave-y songs that sounded pretty similar to me. We got the beat is a bop tho

Generic

Nah

Would not recommend, 1 decent song and the rest are garbage

I have rarely heard an album oozing 80s as hard as this one. Unfortunately, I'm not a big fan of 80s sounds and this album really doesn't have much more to offer than that. Boring to me, didn't finish it.

I listened to it. I thought 'this is passable new wave pop. Nice texture, the occasional good song. I can't recall a single thing about it now.

I don't like 80s pop

Poppy pops

Langweilig.

They sing good and theosophist are quitte catchy sometimes, but it’s just not something I enjoy listening to so much.

pretty boring. Jingle jangle. 2

Bread shed

Dirge

Some promising songs (the town, fading fast) but overall has an immature, underdeveloped sound. Up tempo is a hair too fast, underwhelming vocals aim for edginess but falling short. I can see the relevance of the album but don’t love the delivery.

Nope

Insipid 80s pop by numbers.

Not a full nappy but some skidmarks

Ok..

Veel van hetzelfde.

ok

not my style

I thought it was good for the era but not one I would rush to put back on.

I like their valley of the go-gos better.vits more punk less new wave

its not bad, its not good. pretty boring

eh

Too much Belinda :D

Passable and hooky

It's meh. Not for me.

Decent vocals and production, bass was enjoyable.

It didn't really stick in my mind. There's a couple of fun songs on it, and you can definitely hear the progenitors of punk and riot grrrl on this, but hearing it for the first time this year it doesn't sound that special.

Very 80s girl band sounding. Not that great though. I like certain bits that sound a bit like old school punk beats (similar beat to The Clash and similar bands) 2/5

I can't say I will remember it in a few days.