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Written by LEROY RICHARDSON / Photos by BARRY BRECHEISEN
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Thursday, 20 July 2006 |
Belinda and the girls are back on the road this time celebrating the 25th anniversary on their first album, “Beauty and the Beat”. Although it was great to have them back it didn't seem like they were fully there as they were at The Vic the last time they were in town four years ago.
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The Go-Go's
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 Entertainment
 Art
House of Blues
Chicago, Ill.
June 30, 2006
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Instead, the girls seemed a little bit older, a little rustier and not focused as they have been in their past outings. Perhaps it's simply the fact they are tired of playing the same ole songs from the 80's. In fact, they have only released one studio album in the last two decades in 2001 and have instead continued to release a series of rehashed greatest hits packages with the occasional new enticing tune for the diehard fan. Don't get me wrong, The Go-Go's had their reign on MTV and the radio back in the day and deserve the credit of being one of the first successful all girl pop band. Not to mention they have the songs to prove it but what happened to them?
Of course no one really seemed to notice or care in the packed House of Blues and the girls did deliver the hits playing songs like “Our Lips Are Sealed” and “This Town” early in their set. Later not even an hour into their set, after tearing through a fine version of "We Got the Beat", the girls huffed off the stage as a video screen lowered down to give us The Go-Go's history that we all already know so well. A mistake that ruined any momentum the girls were achieving and only reminded us how much fun they were in their younger days.
After the short pause, they girls kicked into "Head Over Heels" and it looked like they were finally getting into a nice flow until a few songs later when drummer Gina Schock began playing "Unforgiven" (off of their last studio album of new material, God Bless the Go-Go's) as the rest of the band were in tune playing the bouncy "Vacation." The moment was both funny and at first tense, as Carlisle darted Schock a look that may have been in jest but she appeared to obvious be a bit irritated. Fortunately, Jane Wiedlin came to the rescue and in comic relief stated, "What we meant to play was "Walk Like An Egyptian.” An obvious nod to the The Bangles that quickly cleared the air with smiles and the girls were soon all in sync with "Vacation" that turned out to be a crowd favorite as everyone sang along.
For the encore, the band picked Carlisle's solo song "Mad About You" which seemed like an odd choice but ended the night right with the under-rated, “(Remember) Walking In The Sand.” Overall, it was a very uneven night that ranked lower than their performance at The Vic just 4 years ago but perhaps the girls were just having a bad night. Let's hope the next time they are in town they play “Turn To You” from 1984's “Talk Show” (I love that tune) and they bring back the fun and the wit we remember and love The Go-Go's for so much…fingers crossed. Powered by AkoComment 2.0! |
