Reviews (page 8 of 14)
This is exactly what happens when an all-female punk band goes pop (and it's great). 8.9/10 Best Tracks: "Our Lips are Sealed" "How Much More" "We Got the Beat"
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.
Really liked this. Got some 60s vibes, got some punky vibes. Weirdly reminded me of the manic street preachers in parts.
Undeniably fun. The two hits from this album continue to hold up.
Groupe inconnu. En fait non, j'avais déjà entendu "Our Lips Are Sealed" il y a trèèès longtemps. Le groupe fait un pop/rock dynamique, avec une basse bien en avant, mais qui manque un peu de variété côté guitare (sons clairs uniquement, un peu de saturation aurait pu amener quelque chose en plus). L'album est entrainant, j'ai apprécié cette première écoute. Il ne rejoindra cependant pas ma collection (peu de morceaux vraiment mémorables, sauf ... le premier !). =>3/5
Couple of bangas, has aged very well. Vacation and Our Lips Are Sealed are very good.
This was full of bangers from start to finish. Loved it, will revisit.
Nahh
Sahara Hotnight-ish
I don’t think I ever really thought about the lyrics of the Go-Go’s, but listening to this particular album really made me focus on them, and they are really good. Overall, this is reminiscent of summer nights watching old teen movies on VHS cassette in the family room of my childhood home.
very 80s very dated. It alright
Hits
This album brings back many early teenage memories. Although it is a little too pop for me to have in heavy rotation, it is always a fun listen. It also paved the way for many female-fronted bands. "Our Lips Are Sealed" has always been a standout.
Und immer wieder ein Push nach vorne. Großartig!
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.
big david dobrik vibes
Cool
LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!
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.
Peak 80s pop-rock
Rating: 7.5/10 Punk without distortion, so many fun riffs and songs.
Did not like it
Listened before Favourite tracks: Our Lips Are Sealed, We Got The Beat, Skidmarks On My Heart
Enjoyable listen. Nothing earth-shattering though.
We got da beat
3
Uuuuuh, moving on I guess? Decent, but nothing spectacular ⭐⭐⭐
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
## In-Depth Review of *Beauty and the Beat* by The Go-Go's The Go-Go's debut album, *Beauty and the Beat*, released on July 14, 1981, is a landmark in music history. It not only defined the sound of early '80s new wave but also broke significant barriers as the first album by an all-female band to top the *Billboard* 200 while writing and performing their own material. Below is a detailed analysis of its lyrics, music, production, themes, and influence, along with its pros and cons. --- ### **Lyrics** The lyrics on *Beauty and the Beat* strike a balance between playful irreverence and emotional depth. Tracks like "Our Lips Are Sealed" and "We Got the Beat" showcase a carefree, youthful exuberance that resonated with audiences worldwide. These songs capture themes of secrecy, fun, and rebellion with catchy simplicity. For example, "Our Lips Are Sealed," co-written by Jane Wiedlin and Terry Hall of The Specials, uses cryptic yet relatable lines to explore themes of gossip and resilience[1][3]. On the other hand, deeper cuts like "Lust to Love" and "How Much More" delve into more personal territory. "Lust to Love" examines the emotional fallout of a casual relationship turned serious, while "How Much More" portrays jealousy and longing with raw vulnerability[4]. The lyrics throughout the album are relatable without being overly sentimental, making them accessible to a wide audience. --- ### **Music** Musically, *Beauty and the Beat* blends elements of punk rock, pop, and '60s girl-group harmonies into a cohesive new wave sound. The album's opening track, "Our Lips Are Sealed," features jangly guitars and a buoyant rhythm that set the tone for the record. "We Got the Beat," with its driving bassline and infectious drumbeat, became an anthem for youthful energy[1][2]. The Go-Go's also showcase their punk roots in faster-paced tracks like "Skidmarks on My Heart" and "You Can’t Walk in Your Sleep (If You Can’t Sleep)," which feature crunchy guitars and energetic drumming reminiscent of their earlier live performances[2]. Meanwhile, slower songs like "Fading Fast" highlight Charlotte Caffey's melodic sensibilities and provide emotional contrast. Each band member contributes distinctively: Belinda Carlisle’s charismatic vocals carry both sass and sincerity; Gina Schock’s precise drumming drives the rhythm; Kathy Valentine’s basslines add depth; and Caffey and Wiedlin’s guitar interplay creates rich textures[2]. --- ### **Production** Produced by Richard Gottehrer (known for his work with Blondie) and Rob Freeman, *Beauty and the Beat* has a polished yet vibrant sound. However, this production style was initially controversial within the band. Bassist Kathy Valentine later remarked that the album sounded too “clean” compared to their rawer live performances[5]. While this sheen may have alienated some purists, it undoubtedly helped make the album more radio-friendly. The production emphasizes tight arrangements and crisp instrumentation. Songs like "Tonight" benefit from layered harmonies, while tracks like "Automatic" use minimalist arrangements to create a hypnotic atmosphere[3][4]. Despite some compromises in capturing their live energy, the production ultimately enhances the album’s accessibility without diluting its edge. --- ### **Themes** Thematically, *Beauty and the Beat* captures both the carefree spirit of Los Angeles youth culture and deeper emotional struggles. Songs like "This Town" offer a satirical take on Hollywood glamour, juxtaposing its allure with its darker underbelly: “Discarded stars/Like worn-out cars/Litter the streets of this town”[1]. This duality reflects the band’s ability to critique their environment while celebrating it. Other tracks explore universal themes such as heartbreak ("Fading Fast"), unrequited love ("How Much More"), and empowerment ("Can’t Stop the World"). The Go-Go's soften punk’s defiance with relatable narratives that resonate across gender lines[4]. --- ### **Influence** *Beauty and the Beat* is widely regarded as one of the cornerstone albums of American new wave music. Its success shattered gender stereotypes in rock music by proving that an all-female band could achieve commercial dominance without compromising artistic integrity[1][3]. The album’s influence extends beyond music. It inspired countless young women to pursue careers in rock at a time when female representation in the genre was scarce. Its blend of punk attitude with pop sensibility paved the way for future acts like The Bangles and later Riot Grrrl bands[4]. Additionally, songs like "We Got the Beat" became cultural touchstones, appearing in films like *Fast Times at Ridgemont High*[1]. --- ### **Pros** 1. **Catchy Songwriting**: Nearly every track is memorable, with hooks that stick long after listening. 2. **Genre Fusion**: The seamless blend of punk energy with pop melodies makes it accessible yet edgy. 3. **Cultural Impact**: As a groundbreaking album by an all-female band, it holds historical significance. 4. **Timeless Appeal**: Decades later, songs like "Our Lips Are Sealed" still feel fresh. 5. **Band Chemistry**: Each member's contributions shine individually while enhancing the collective sound. --- ### **Cons** 1. **Polished Production**: Some fans feel that the glossy production detracts from their rawer live energy. 2. **Lack of Depth in Some Tracks**: While most songs are strong, tracks like "Skidmarks on My Heart" lean heavily on humor at the expense of substance. 3. **Uneven Tone**: The juxtaposition of lighthearted songs with more introspective ones can feel jarring at times. 4. **Limited Evolution**: Critics have noted that subsequent albums struggled to match or expand upon this debut’s success[3]. --- ### **Conclusion** *Beauty and the Beat* is more than just a debut album; it’s a cultural milestone that redefined what an all-female rock band could achieve. Its infectious melodies, sharp lyrics, and groundbreaking impact make it an enduring classic in American new wave music. While not without its flaws—such as overly polished production—it remains an essential listen for anyone interested in '80s music or feminist milestones in rock history.
God I hate pop.
Super fun album, 7/10 of their Spotify top10 tracks from this album. Hard to not cheer up when hearing some of these upbeat songs. Probably a bit inflated but going 4.5/5 as it was good fun
Sometimes an album just needs to be fun!
Solid album, nothing that really stands out as exceptional though. Just good rock. Favorite track was we got the beat
Band und Album waren mir völlig unbekannt, aber ich fands wirklich gut :)
New Wave ist mein Guilty Pleasure
Very catchy Californian pop. Never even heard of them before.
3/5
Much better than I thought it was gonna be! More punk and less pop than I expected. I enjoyed it and unlike some other albums on this list it didn't drag on forever.
If the 80s sounded more like this, I'd be more of a fan of the rest of the decade. I like this though!
A really fun upbeat album. Lots of catchy songs. Would definitely listen to it again!
Süß All women Punk ging schon hart
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.
Feel good new wave pop done really well, could be argued it’s a bit samey but not too much for me, standouts for me is most of the album but especially automatic, Tonite and the final two songs. 7/10
S nice power pop record with cool Melodies. Also the voices are awesome.
So middle of the road that it deserves nothing. A waste of time.
elevator music
Love this album. All the girls played really well and Belinda Carlisle’s voice has the perfect amount of sweetness without being squeaky and she can drop down enough to keep it interesting. Some timeless pop classics.
Funny. On Tonite as on ma y other tracks on this little gem ,if you close your eyes and lose the vocals its motnsomvery far away from, say REMs Murmur. It's a proper jangly guitar pop album amd deserves to be considered in that se space if it ain't already I think sometimes because its girls it gets put in a different bracket.
Never cared for pop music, starting with the early eighties stuff, I think. That said, after listening to the whole album, they rock harder than I expected. Still too poppy for my taste. However, an important album in the history of music.
Songs i knew: 0 Songs i liked: most of them Loved the energy on this one, more of this please. Mid 4.
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.
where was this album in my life when I needed it most
Better than I remember. Not sure I listens to the album before. Actually liked the other songs better than the hits.
Chad ladies.
Riktig gøyal nyveiv popråkk med engasjerende melodier. En god del fengende sanger. All musikken høres prikk lik ut, men jeg koste meg gjennom albumet for det om. Gruppen har ikke noen særlig særegne kvaliteter. Sonisk sett så tar de litt vel mye fra andre langt mer spennende nyveiv grupper.
Some great hits on here!
Ganz nett aber keine Erleuchtung.
Some songs are a little silly, but God the hits were important to me.
They're an all-female rock band with a fun album full of fun songs.
a peppy and fun start to the morning, helped by the fact i knew one (1) of their songs
Very fun listen. It complemented the warmest day of the year so far very nicely.
cheerful 80s new wave, but sang by a girl group. make me think of the bad old 60s. but becuse it's new wave and it sound great to a certain degree, 4/5.
Loved it!
Lively tunes
I had real fun with this one. Upbeat but not dull. The live versions are even better. 4.5/5
Didn't like, boring
Such a fun album
Pretty cool
so fun!!!!!! beach beach beach
One of the greatest debut albums in the history of punk and new wave. They cracked open the mostly male dominated punks and new wave on the charts in such a way that the American music industry was never the same again. One of my favorite power pop /punk / new wave / surf albums of all time. Love the cheeky way their album cover conveys their femininity in a punk way without actually sexualizing them. Favorite tracks "Our Lips Are Sealed", "This Town", and "We Got the Beat". Fun piece of trivia, "Our Lips Are Sealed" was written by Jane Wiedlin of the Go-Go's and Terry Hall of Fun Boy Three. Take a listen to the Fun Boy Three's version and hear a very different take.
Love me girl bands. Was distracted when listening to them but the guitars went hard.
This was such a fun and fresh album. Just wow, these four ladies rocked it honestly. Weirdly sounded like a happier Cranberries lol. We Got The Beat is definitely a favourite unsurprised it's the single, and an iconic song. Introduced me to someone I'm gonna follow so, excited for the next album tomorrow! Some of the songs sounded similar but I think it just added to the charm, it felt fresh and fun at the very least. Fave Songs: - How Much More - Lust To Love - We Got The Beat - Fading Fast - Skidmarks On My Heart - Can't Stop The World
I thought I'd like it more than I did. It was okay but no real stand out songs for me.
a super fun high energy pop-punk album that has some classic punk/new wave pop bangers that were quintessential to the 80s punk wave
Decent enough 80s album, though it does sound rather dated now. 3/5
Terribly mid I'm afraid :( a few standout singles and the rest kinda just gets left in the dust, I'll have to listen to Vacation sometime soon and give them a second chance!! 2.5/5
Not sure what I was expecting from this album, but this was definitely not it. It's much more of a punk album than it is a pop album. I'm old enough to recognize the singles, but not old enough to have ever listened to the album in full. Overall it was a fairly enjoyable listening experience.
I listened to it all the way through and enjoyed my time with it. It's an easy listening album and if it was ever on, I wouldn't complain about but wouldn't go out of my way to put it on.
I love this album! If you want to “feel” the 80’s, then the music that these ladies crafted will take you there.
really good
fun new-wave pop. not essential , but glad i heard it. 2.5
3 første kvindelig rockband hvor alle spillede på instrumenter hver især hvor fe ramte 1 Billboard. New wave glose med en smule punk energy. Inspirerede paramore bl.a..
Lovely sound, feels like the birth of a lot of modern girl bands. Really peppy and catchy. Easy 4.
Wow, this takes me back to my college years! As fun and infectious as I remember it!
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.
Never was my kind of music
Best way to define it is Wrigley's Power Pop Soiled Wig Punk. Enjoyed it - probably be quite forgettable though.
Groundbreaking for its time, but a little lackluster now. There are some bops and interesting musicianship, particularly on Automatic.
Beautiful.
Great 80s pop rock.
If The Beatles were a girl band in the 80's, they would sound just like this! I listened to "We Got The Beat" a few years ago for the first time, and I went crazy about it. At the time, I was discovering girls bands from the 70's and 80's like Blondie, Pretenders, Runaways, B-52's and many others, but never actually stop and listen to a Go-Go's album. They sound pop and very dancing. Simply but good lyrics and an amazing vibe. No mistakes here, 5 stars!
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.
Probably the best all girl band ever. They are highly underrated. Two absolute bangers here but every song is good. Great musicians, great vocals. They are synonymous with summer for me...partly maybe because I saw them play in July of 1984 (INXS opened...great show!)
I've always loved this album, but it's probably hard for the youngsters to appreciate how revolutionary it was for a bunch of young women to write their own songs, play their own instruments, and make a #1 record. I see that it's not everyone's cup of tea, but it's an absolute classic, and you would not have your Bikini Kills or Best Coasts without them.
I love it. I recently had a nostalgia trip through Best Coast and the thru-line there is obvious. Can’t give it a 5/5 because I don’t think it’s like… mind blowing but I think it’s poppy and fun and surprisingly fresh even now.
Awesome album
Good angsty power pop, new wave female rock.
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.
They had such a definitive sound from the get-go. American new wave pop with mild punk undertones. I also hear a lot Western & cowboy song influence in there, so giddy up, too!
Great album and fun first time listen.
Fun, great beats Lost a little interest in the middle towards the end
fun, familliar inoffensive. Not bad but it seems like every track sounds familiar.
A fun girl pop/rock album. I liked all the songs. It doesn't even sound all that dated considering it's from 1981. I'm giving it a 5/5.
meh,
Imagine being 42 years old, sitting in front of your computer at work, and pressing play on your new listening assignment, "It's that gal band that play a couple of fun tunes!" Memories of America's Funniest Home Videos classic montages run through your mind - pants falling down, drunk granny at the wedding, dogs wearing sunglasses, and the like. Once you press play you're instantly faced with the realization that this is nothing like you thought. You adapt or die! It's equal parts punk, new wave, and rock with super slick production. I came back for seconds! This record absolutely rips! Highlight(s): This Town/How Much More/Fading Fast Lowlight(s): Skidmarks on My Heart
Fun!
Lots of fun!
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.
Screams, and ladies. rock and kind of Blondie but for my taste...
Tonite // Lust To Love // This Town // 2.5/5
I don’t like the nasally vocals that were so popular in this era. Decently fun, nonetheless.
It’s one of those albums where it’s fun to listen but forget about after
Interesting . Two great singles. Probably a little too poppy?
Classic 80s album. Great songs
3.5 start album with some 5 star tracks
Fun listen
Can't knock the pun used for the album name, and the album itself was an easy enough listen, but felt a bit bland and by the end I couldn't really remember anything significant, it all just melted into one. A middle of the road 3 stars for me.
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
The opening song is the best on the album, I prefer the Fun Boy Three cover. I can hear their influences on loads of female led bands like The Long Blondes, Echobelly, The Breeders, Bikini Kill and Sleeper. This is quite similar to The B-52’s first couple of albums. Bubbly, shimmery new wave pop. It's a bit samey, but a pretty fun listen.
Trallvänligt men inte mer än så. Lyfter inte. Känner mig måttligt engagerad.
För mig är det här så mycket trea det kan bli. Inget fel på hantverket och man gungar med hyfsat i låtarna, som puttrar på med samma struktur och ”formulaiska” uttryck genom hela skivan. Det är något som saknas för att lyfta det till nästa nivå, inte ens hitsen tycker jag sticker ut särskilt mycket. Solid trea som sagt.
Better than I expected!
multiple great songs. Underrated. Solid album.
Aggressively upbeat
Fun
Pretty enjoyable. Had an oh its that song moment.
oh I LOVE this
5/10 - The main singer's vocals are kind of annoying in my opinion. The songs themself kind of blended together but they were alright.
Like Blondie but I was paying less attention
As upbeat as monotonous
I don’t think this holds up. But at least it was relatively short
nothing standout just some poppy rock i’m not gelling with
Sure this might not be incredibly innovative or influential, but its perfection. I always ask, " does this record accomplish what the band set out to d" and its a resounding YES here
Sounds like the Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater soundtrack but without guitar distortion.
Fuck yeah 🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻 What a comeback after the string of emo muppets. Also just a kick ass album!
forglemmelig
Somewhere between good and great. This album feels 80s in a good way. It falls into some of the 80s tropes of being repetitive and tonally samey but they own the sound and they do some fun stuff with it. Lust to Love particularly stood out to me as a little grittier that I think was the highlight. It leaned more on the edgier side and I wish I got more of that. Still though it's a solid album that I'm not the biggest fan of the genre.
One can easily see how this put them on the map. Our Lips are Sealed and We Got the Beat are all timers. The rest is kind of one note and filler.
They got the beat
Phenomenal album. Fell really fresh like it was released yesterday. Nice melodies, good vocals, really well produced. Immediately added to my library
This is an absolute classic album that I believe is still underrated, as far as the general public remembering and continuing to laud and give it its praises. The level of brilliant pop and new wave on this record and consistency is not found in most other new wave and 80's pop albums. There are several 5-star songs on this album, but I don't think every song is at that level, and I think that brings it down a bit. However, as I said, this is a classic and deserves to be on this list, for sure.
Just a decent pop album. 3 stars
They just made great songs. The album started to drag a bit in the back half, but still solid.
Didn’t realize I knew a couple of these songs, and enjoyed them
Serviceable and efficient pop music. It's from '81 so it's from pretty early on in new wave's life cycle, which is probably why it's here. It's fine! None of it really stuck with me which is a pretty big problem with music like this. If it's not catchy, then what is it?
okay im doing coursework so these r sparse n late notes but the level of technical talent on display here is better than some of the big serious classic rock or etc albums lmfao to say nothing of the catchy + enjoyable tone + subject matter. i think it would be easy to make a song like our lips are sealed cloying + its aaalmost too sweet + peppy for me but theres a kind of robust energy to it n a bit of edge even for the like "hush my darling" section. maybe its the chords? goddamn this is an earworm. same with how much more--this isnt the Mood of music i normally seek out but little turns like the 2nd verse being a bit diff + darker than the 1st verse is enough to hook me. the harmonies are so good. and then THEEEERES A CHARGE IN THE AIR (TOOOONIIIITE) ITS KIIND OF ELECTRIC OUT HEEEERE (TOOONIIIITE) THERES NOTHING AND NO ONE TO STAND IN OUR WAYY. oh my god the post chorus OOOHs are B ) i feel like im a little awkward freshman in gym class but hanging out w the popular senior girl who ended up stuck taking a gym class also and is not the kind of person i would think would be nice to me but is actually chill n big sister energy. yknow. like that vibe. LUST TO LOVE THIS IS THE STANDOUT OF THE ALBUUUUMMM god this is a "music video in my head" fodder of all timer. and the drums in this one also rule. like i think its having sick ass really competent prominent drums that make this stand out beyond generic Music From the 80s to Music From the 80s (Positive). this town is extremely people from california think theyre main characters i would not live there if i could even tho thats where sixty percent of the video game jobs are but it does sound rlly cool. also like damn its nice to get smth talking abt the experience of being a woman trying to break into entertainment instead of [gestures]. can we apply bbc rules to a 1001 albums list where 50% of it needs to not be cis men. WE GOT THE BEAT THIS IS ANOTHER GOOD AS HELL ONE. the bass!! the little just clapping section. fuck yeah this is truly the gold standard of albums to listen to all the way thru doing a task that requires energy but focus. okay i know im like THIS IS A GOOD ONE abt all of them but FADING FAST THATS A REALLY GOOD ONE like you fucking tell him. love how much minor key they do on this album btw + like the drums im not kidding. this stuff is rocking! i love how mysterious automatic is. okay YOU CANT WALK IN YOUR SLEEP (IF YOU CANT SLEEP) THIS IS MY WRITING MUSIC. FINALLY. DELICIOUS. also mood sleep is 1 thing you cant buy goddamn mood. i love how its so peppy while also being juuust kind of a little bit ominous musically. skidmarks on my heart is like the 1st track where im like okay the album doesnt need this its just kinda there. i do just adore their really cinematic chords all the time <33333 okay by title youd think cant stop the world is defeatist just learn to live with it but WHY LET IT STOP U?? is a much MUCH better n more inspiring message. the go gos say, take it easy....but take it! reallyyyyy nice here i was expecting a 3 + got ngl a 5! standout tracks: tonite, lust to love, fading fast, you cant walk in your sleep (if you cant sleep). would i buy a physical copy: you bet your fucking ass i would. biggest weakness: i guess they could go even more ham on subject matter like you cant walk in your sleep but tbh i feel like for what it is (fun kinda punk kinda pop energetic girl band) this is the platonic ideal
Girls fucking rule. The Go-Go’s write fantastic pop rock that could have come out of 1966 or 2076. They bring a pink edge to bubblegum pop that’s been the inspiration for tons and tons of acts after them. Their two hits, “Our Lips are Sealed” and “We Got the Beat” are classics for a reason but there’s so many other gems on here. “How Much More” and “Can’t Stop the World” keep the beat rolling along while “Lust to Love”, “This Town” and “Fading Fast” take a darker edge with vibes of the Shangri-Las. And it’s not just the songs - this is just an incredibly solid band, right on beat, always in sync, perfectly working together. Zero bad things to say about this album.
wow this RIPS still not a fan of we got the beat but the energy throughout this whole thing utterly rules. will be coming back
Its fun. Simple, but they have a whole defined sound and it's pretty catchy and energetic and fun.
fun girly pop album, not much substance
I don't hate this but I also don't have any desire to listen to it again. It's fun, it's been copied, it's consistent, but while it's bouncy, it lacks a certain kind of energy that I think would improve a lot of new wave stuff.
Yess finally a fun one
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.
This kind of jangly-pop/post-punk is exactly my kind of music, and this album does it incredibly well. Love everything about it, fun riffs, rhythm is tight, love the vocals. Wish i'd heard it earlier, but i'll be replaying it very soon.
Super enjoyable.
I only knew one of the songs before. I like them all. Great. Favorite song: tonite
Really fun, enjoyed a lot
Yeah it’s ok. 3.
Finally an album with female artists!
Solid 80s pop
Easy 9/10. Just a fantastic album I will be returning to constantly. Already loved "We Got the Beat," and "My Lips are Sealed," but tracks like "Skidmarks on my Heart" and "Lust to Love" are new favorites that I never heard of before today. Also, I just want to shout-out the fact that it's an all woman band. Women rule the world and are the best to ever do it <3
Fun high energy new wave that emphasizes the drums banging out the Bo Diddley beat, guitars borrowing style and sounds from surf rock, and a direct popping bass bouncing along, all in support of sing songy vocals. Mostly it's bright and poppy but a few cool moments when it's a bit darker and more post-punk. Favorites: automatic, skid marks on my heart, our lips are sealed
This album is great! It's got a couple of bangers, and generally has a great energy to it. Strong 3/5.
Let's Go-Go und ballere mir die volli Ladig 80er Punk fadegrad in Schnabel! Ayyy ich und d 80er Jahr Punk/Post-Punk/Synthpop Szene wäred absolut besti Fründ*inne gsi (natürlich nach eu mini herzige). Für so Musig isch d front row bi Konzert erfunde worde. (krass das früener Konzert immer erst bide zweite reihe ahgfange hend). Ufjedefall sind d Go-Go-Punkerinne en grosse Spass gsi und au de Album-Name git fetti Pluspünkt. Wenn er mich sueched, ich bin de wo im Mosh pit ufd fressi bechund. Vier ellboge in Solarplexus und hasta la vista!
‚Neu, erfrischend, schwungvoll‘ The neduziner post, 27.01.2025 Wake me up, before you ? ? Sehr überrascht wurde vum sound aber fritig morge bett home office, mit dem sound us de böxli, isch e cheibe-chogge spass gsi. Mis herz hed wäred dem album beat-beats. Fritig morge im bett und d sunne shine-shines. Ihlüte vum wucheend, it come-comes Elon & donald chönted sich e schiebe abschniede vum bandname und entli go-go, oder verpiss-verpiss 4 glänzendi einhörner für das album-album
(insert classic 3 star review here)
1978 trafen sich 5 Girls, die sich nicht kannten und kein Instrument spielen konnten und präsentieren 3 Jahre später dieses Album. Es ist witzig, wavig und weiblich. Ich kannte die Vand nicht und bin begeistert und werde das Album Wiederhören. Manchmal muss man auch mal was machen und nicht zu viel nachdenken. Mein Topsong ist „Lust To Love“. Gelungen sind aber auch „Fading Fast“ oder „Automatic“
Fun
This was the first album I listened to twice. Not necessarily because it was that great, but because I didn't realise it had looped. It was good enough for me to not wait for it to be over, but samey enough for me not to realise. I think it was probably pretty unique at its time, but hearing it now it just felt perfectly decent.
How did a not know about an all girl punk band from the early 80s from LA?! Madness. Loved it!!
I’ve always like the Go-Go’s played on the radio and Carlisle’s voice. This is the first complete album of theirs that I listened to and rather enjoyed it.
Surprisingly good didn’t know a lot about them but the lead singer had a solid voice
Really nice, liked her voice and the lyrics they were better than I was expecting from an early 80's pop album. The album was more than just the two hits which is always nice to see. Sounded really good, not terribly long, very nice.
usually I don't really care for Belinda Carlisle's voice, but on this album it works. tracks were short, guitar driven, & enjoyed the listen.
Good solid 80s music.
Very 80s, but not necessarily in a bad way. "This Town" has a fun vibe. Ditto "You Can't Walk In Your Sleep (If You Can't Sleep)."
3/4
Actually loved this and didn’t think I would. It’s a solid 80s pop album that is so close to being a glam metal album. I mean if you had put a shredder behind this it would’ve been right at home with bands like Poison or Queensryche or Ray. Funnily enough I think the two singles while mainstream hits are two of the weakest tracks on the album.
This song makes me smile from start to finish! Of course I spent hours dancing to it as a teenager, so I’m biased. It holds up though! All these years later! Other albums have disappointed me by not aging well, but this still has me moving. It’s actually better than I remember! Peppy beat, good production, fun lyrics. The Go-Go’s are a great fun vibe.
I find my mind blanking on what to wit about this album. It really didn't do anything for me. There was a couple songs I recognized on it.
3/4 idk
Fun and bouncy easy to listen and dance to
Super fun. Good beat. Ha ha. Really enjoyed it. Couple weird tracks. Guess that’s why it’s new wave.
+Our Lips Are Sealed, How Much More, We Got The Beat
3.5 - Generally a fun sound, fairly consistent quality, but no real stand-out tracks to me (except Got the Beat which is easily my least favorite - and the only one I'd heard before) and occasionally the lyrics detract.
Lovely 80s tune with some critical smashes.
Fun, upbeat, familiar!
Just fun. Nothing serious, fun pop music then bop along to. A great early 80's album to show the direction music was heading. Some good familiar songs here and there, and the ones I've never heard of are still pretty good. 4.5
Just a perfect bubblegum pop album. Pure fun. I had only heard the singles before this listen but the Go-Go’s have a new fan!
Big fan of 70s/80s new wave/pop punk. I’ve listened to the Go-Go’s before, and I still appreciate their influence. Good, fun, upbeat rock that’s unapologetically authentic. Women fucking rock.
They found a sound and they stuck with it. Our Lips Are Sealed is a classic, the rest had more or less the same ambience.
Flirty, bouncy, and so much fun. More all-girl rock groups, please!
Say “thank you”, every surf rock band
A great example of 80s new wave This Town is one of my favorite tracks along with You Can't Walk in Your Sleep (If You Can't Sleep). With the 2 singles We Got the Beat and Our Lips Are Sealed, a solid album.
On the first song, I really thought they were saying "Alex I see you" which creeped me out. This album breaks the stereotype of the 80s new wave pop album. Lust to Love is low-key punk? The fact that this album came out in early 1980s and yet boring 80s pop still dominated the decade baffles me.
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.
A perfectly solid album with several upbeat, high-energy bangers.
This album pairs exceptionally well with my morning caffeine buzz. Jam after jam it’s such a blast
This was a bit of fun, but nothing really moving for me. Now I understand the Bieber reference tho
listening to this immediately after jamc's darklands was such a relief. what a vibrant, stark contrast to whatever the fuck that other album was. this is bursting with youthful enthusiasm! i adore how upbeat the tracks are & how all the elements fit together to cohere into a universe of tight, intentional syncopation. good stuff!
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.
Pretty good 4/5
it was okay, standard 80s pop album
There’s a reason they called it the cocaine 80s. This whole album feels like one big snort. Like pop rocks in a can of Jolt … ready to boogie.
One of the great New Wave albums, Beauty and the Beat hit the market just as New Wave and (first wave) Punk were peaking. The New York scene had spun off the London scene and eventually migrated to Los Angeles. The Go-Gos were born out of this LA punk community and released this debut only a year or so after New Wave and Punk had gone mainstream. The birth of MTV also worked in their favor. Their timing was impeccable. Timing alone wasn't enough. This is one of those albums where every song is really good or great. Sure, everyone's heard radio and MTV favorites Our Lips Are Sealed and We've Got The Beat, but those are just the singles they chose. Skidmark's On My Heart is one of my personal favorites, yet it's only a favorite amoungst more favorites. Beauty and the Beat is the classic example of lightning in the bottle - an amazing debut, full of incredible songs that captured the zeitgeist of the early 80s and New Wave in general. It belongs in every serious collection.
solid album, not my fav genre but appreciate the era of music, we got the beat was my fav song
Very 80s and lovely!!! Full girl band rockin out!
Quite enjoyed it. Liked Fading Fast and Automatic
Upbeat and fun
Fun with with an all ladies group, don't get that very often unfortunately! I think this was a pretty decent album. 'Our Lips Are Sealed' was my favourite song of the album, it had a nice groove to it. I also enjoyed 'How Much More' and 'Fading Fast'. I can see this being quite fun to dance to at a party or something as it had quite much energy. The runtime of 35 minutes was just perfect before it started getting tiresome. Wish more albums could keep it down in that area, it makes it much more digestable in a sitting. Strong 3!
Really enjoyed this, was different than a lot of other stuff here. Felt like new wave and punk with the all girl band really managed to make it feel fresh. Listened to this quite a few times to figure out which part i really liked. Favourite song was probably "Our Lips are Sealed". Weak 4 stars.
This record is a little more punk-y than I remembered. Good Stuff
A true 80s classic with more depth than the band is popularly known for.
Pop, fun, and a girl group! What else do you need??
A wonderful album of power pop.
Trochę cukierkowa, balonowa, ale bardzo wpadająca w ucho. Lekko retro, taki vibe lat 60. 7/10. We got the beat wpada w ucho jak mało co. Plus za ogólny vibe “girl-power”. 7/10
I don't know. It faded into the background a bit. Nothing really gripped me
Girl power Doet me denken aan fun-fun Wel leuk album, heel slim bedacht dat je niet kan slaapwandelen als je niet slaapt
Love it shocked that it was this good
Correcto
Why didn’t anyone ever tell me that The Go-Go’s were so good?! I’ve heard the singles off this album on the radio and everywhere else they get played, but they’re not even close to the best tracks on this record. This is equal parts new wave, surf punk, and good old fashioned grrl power! As a big fan of Best Coast, I really enjoyed listening to this record, and I also enjoyed discovering how influential this album and band were on a lot of my favourite surf band. I think my favourite track is “You Can’t Walk In Your Sleep(If You Can’t Sleep). The bassline drives the whole song, the lyrics are catchy and witty. I really struggle to complain at all here. I’m going to have to dive further into this groups discography, I think. I don’t know what I was expecting, but this album really blew my expectations away. 5*
Hell yeah. Girls rule - or in this case, they rock 😎 The songwriting on this album is rather simple, but it’s used very effectively. In its simplicity it reminds me of early-mid 60s pop or Motown, but the sound is undeniably new wave, and it’s a fantastic new wave record. I can think of at least a dozen indie bands who are at least partially indebted to the Go-Go’s for the blueprint this album created, especially female-fronted groups of the late 2000s-mid 2010s. It’s very fun. It’s very 80s. Their harmonies are great. It’s sunshine-soaked new wave - whats not to love?
..
Super fun pop, flew by and I enjoyed the whole time. No complaints
Definition of bop. 4.5.
This is a solid album from start to finish and may be one of the best debut albums I've heard. Personal enjoyment: 5/5 Relevance to this list: 5/5
Yay!
3+ Stars (9/15)
Unexpected jewel Gran rock 90tero
I've been such a fan of Belinda Carlisle and her voice ever since I was a kid. So revisiting this classic from The Go-Go’s made my morning. This is such a fantastic Pop Rock album with New Wave sounds blended in. It’s some of the best The 80’s had to offer and is an album that stands the test of time. I was jamming out at the grocery store while listening to this one. 4.5 / 5
I hadn’t heard of The Go-Go’s before today. Almost immediately, I felt like this would be an album that I’d like a lot. The reason for this is because it reminded me quite a lot of Plumtree. It’s raw and messy garage rock, made by the rarity that is a fully female rock band (further paralleling Plumtree). I love how fun this album feels. It sounds like the band were having a great time recording it, and that leaked onto me as a listener too. If you like garage rock, or generally enjoy when music isn’t overly polished, give this a listen.
Solid Soft Rock Album, nothing special
A delightful collection of dumb songs with one exception; Our Lips Are Sealed is actually legit. From there its just dumb and dumber which renders a complete mystery the fact that We Got The Beat is so damned fun to listen to. Try doing something like that AI!
Perfect summertime record – I can imagine it was a total breath of fresh air in the early 80s. The punk influence is nicely weaved in (more than once I felt like I was listening to a slowed down Iron Maiden, oddly). Whole thing feels like a California lost to time. Lovely when paired with a palm tree. 3.5.
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...
This is a refreshing surprise. An actually upbeat album on this list? I was having an angry day at work today, and listening to this lightened my mood slightly. My employees thank the Go-Gos for this magical delight.
I think I might have enjoyed this at the time but it just can’t compete with the wealth of music available nowadays
As a girl child of the 80s who also really enjoys punk sounds, I fully recognize that I am contractually obligated to love The Go-Go's, and of course this album is no exception. I'm taking back one star, however, because whoever greenlit the inclusion of that fucking apostrophe in their name should be punched and then sent to grammar prison.
Fun listen. Doesn’t try to be something it’s not. 4 stars because I won’t go out of my way to listen to it again.
Some awesome punk with some banger tracks, but also filled with lots of really forgettable tracks. I was teetering toward a 4 but "Skidmarks on my Heart" was so bad I can only give it a 3
Pure power 80s pop! Fantastic listen!
Fun album.
Incredible album from start to finish! Their influence on other later awesome bands like Sleater-Kinney and Haim is palpable. Solid 5/5
Καποια catchy κομματια, ωραια vocals και hooks. Αλλα οκ συνολικα οχι κατι ιδιαιτερο ή ενδιαφερον
Other than the nostalgia factor, there's not much here.
Day357 - not just the hits but the whole album is amazing. they were long overdue for induction into the rock and roll hall of fame
Bubblegum 80’s pop of no interest to me at all. Only good thing is that The Go-Go’s included Jane Wiedlin who went on to record a great single Rush Hour which is one of my top guilty pleasures. None of the tracks on this album resemble or come anywhere near that. 1/5 27/12/24
awesome
i wasnt familiar with the go-gos before this listen but i had a lot of fun!!! awesome 80s girl pop vibe! its currently summer so this was a really fun listen.
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).
Meh.
I really liked this one, fun and easy to listen to.
Fun and catchy pop tracks, especially the hits Our Lips Are Sealed and We Got The Beat.
A fun romp in pop history.
Solid New Wave album by a bunch a hot rockin' chicks who would likely drink me under the table, and I'm alright with that.
Pretty damn enjoyable 80's pop rock. Consistently upbeat and solid throughout
Tidy.
250/1001 🌕🌕🌕🌑🌑
For the initial half of the first track I was a bit skeptical that it wouldn't be all that good, but it grew on me very quickly from there. The music is light but still retains some depth and it's very pleasant to listen to and holds my attention. It's not hard to see how this debut would go double platinum - especially in 1981. I would not be surprised if this album set a lot of the tone for the entire decade Standouts Lust To Love Automatic Skidmarks On My Heart 4/5
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.
A super fun listen. Makes me wish I was riding in a convertible somewhere sunny on the west coast.
Great Energy! But not much variation in the production or the voice.
Might have been really avant garde when it came out but now it sounds dated. Instrumentals are nice though
Really good. Some nice songs in there. Didn’t absolutely blow me away but was very strong and would listen again.
Pretty fun actually
As per usual with me I'm not the biggest in power pop/pop rock stuff that this album leans into but the points where it goes for more obvious new wave stuff as well as the strong melodies that they have it just makes it a good time. It's the kind of bright new wave thing that I can get behind for a change
I had no idea this was Belinda Carlisles band!! I loved a couple of her solo songs! At first listen I thought, Another generic female punk group and album. I was wrong, I enjoyed this album. it’s a good listen. What can go wrong when an album has great music and fun lyrics. There are some great tracks like, tonite, automatic and lust for love. Favourite song: Tonite was a good song Least favourite: All songs are fun and a good listen. Album artwork: Cool cover
Pop agradable. Prefiero a Blondie
I was not as into this at the time of its release, I considered it more “chick pop” music based on the radio hits. I did recognize it was ground breaking. Upon listening now all the way through I hear so much more punk flair in the deeper cuts. Amazing that they decided to form a band with no hands on musical experience and just three years later came up with this. One things for sure, the moment Belinda screamed “Jump baaaak!” , she had already arrived. Almost a 5 for impact and influence. 4.5/5
Distant memories of this album on repeat blaring down the hall from my sister’s room only prompted me to dive into it myself during the 80s. Not a go-to for me then, but outside of the two big hits songs like “Lust To Love”, “This Town”, and “Skidmarks On My Heart” were real standouts and showcase a style that definitely layed the post-punk new wave foundation for many other bands, female-driven or not. Just a really good pop punk vibe here.
Chick rock! Didn’t really expect to enjoy this after the opening track, which I was obviously familiar with. But really enjoyed the rest of this.
This sounds like the 80s. I was thinking it’d be more like the middle of the decade so wild to hear this sound so early. Definitely had a massive influence on what would come after. A fun listen and has some corny moments but overall quite solid. And apparently was the all female band to hit #1 on the billboard 200 charts. Mad props. 3.5 and showing some love to my womens by rounding up.
Not necessarily my cup o tea but you can’t deny the two well known singles from this album. And the rest of it had my head bopping so I’m rounding up. 3.5/5
Our Lips are Sealed and We Got the Beat are great singles. Unfortunately stretched across whole album it got a little tiring even though its only 35mins- not sure if it was pitch of vocals - but certainly best in small doses for me.
I’m quite partial to some 80s cheese
Not bad at all. Simpsons: No
Enjoyed this, good vibes, worth listening to again.
not for me. thankfully it was short.
These guys are just fun and I’ll listen whenever. They caught me in a good mood but they do what they do so well. No song stands out but it’s just a solid whole album with every song being at least a 4/5. This album has left Skidmarks On My Heart.
A very impressive slice of pop/ punk Will come back to this one
i maybe would have ranked this album higher if i got it on a day where i wasn’t in an abysmal mood. its okay. our lips are sealed is iconic though fav songs: our lips are sealed, skidmarks on my heart
Pop animado. Ni fu ni fa.
Grupo de Belinda Carlise.
Just some 80's pop fun.. It also really good loud.
Wow, I didn’t remember this being such a good record. In fact, I don’t remember ever listening to the whole album before. The hits, sure, but there are a lot of fun tracks here. Power pop with a hint of 70’s punk and new wave in the mix. And it’s still mind boggling to me that Belinda Carlisle was briefly the drummer for the Germs.
Some quality 80s pop. I still love "We Got the Beat"
Really fun album! I really enjoyed listening to this. And even Anna said it "wasn't that bad" though she said she had never hear We Got The Beat before which I find crazy.
This album is upbeat and extremely fun. Big standouts are the famous ones: "Our Lips Are Sealed" and "We Got the Beat". But How Much More would lead on lesser albums. Easy to listen to. Fun to dance to. Last 3 songs are kind of filler compared to the rest of the album.
Surprisingly catchy! I've heard the 2 popular songs on there, We Got the Beat and Our Lips Are Sealed. This was pretty good have on in the background without focussing too much on but I did enjoy this
This album is a fun listen. Elements of West Coast Punk, but pop-ier. Belinda Carlisle sounds great, even when she's doing the punk "lazy vocals" thing. Lots of interesting stuff going on with the instrumental parts, too. Much better than I anticipated.
Perfectly fine album. Belongs on this list but I only come back to it occasionally.
On the world if upcoming pop princess escaping the disco ecstasy of the ‘70s roared in the GoGo’s, and this album is awesome! Combining pop& punk and feminine rage these gals lay down back to back to danceable hits! You Can’t Walk In Your Sleep and Fading Fast are contrasting pop-punk and ballad-ish feel. But they sit right in the pocket with their most famous hit We Got the Beat. I may be over rating this one but I really dig this tonight!
Beyond the hits this album was just alright. I just couldn't get into this one. Respect for the more poppy but still a bit punky music. I bet this music would have been quite good at a club show live. As for recorded music, it's just alright.
Wonderfully surprised at what a great album this was. usually I am not a big fan of the 80s but this album had some great lyrics with the perfect accompanyment.
Very poppy side of new wave. Not a bad album, I just think it’s pretty generic sounding to my ears at least. For its time, it may have been considered more innovative, but I’m not sure as it’s before my time. Fun, but generic is how I’d describe it.
Very good