The Bangles

The Bangles still had one foot in the Paisley Underground when they released their full-length debut in 1984. The band harmonize and jangle like the '60s-obsessed guitar pop freaks they once were. This album features the minor hit "Hero Takes A Fall," as well as cover versions of songs by Emitt Rhodes and Katrina & the Waves. A guitar pop blessing.

Definitely reduces the nostalgia-cum-nausea factor that it's women who execute these familiar heart-stopping harmonies, and thank God there's not a trace of Liverpool or even Britannia in the accents. But the value of these songs isn't merely negative--they're thoroughly realized in both the writing and playing. Though the style is as derivative and even retro as on EP, they don't seem to be dabbling any more. Maybe they project such confidence because they know exactly what they want to say: don't f*ck me over. (Grade - A-)