Great Rock Albums of 1982: The Go Go’s- Vacation

Owing to a heavy work schedule over the past few days and going to visit family tomorrow, I’m afraid I won’t be getting two posts out this week,  my apologies. Although I do have to share some blame because instead of getting on the computer on Monday evening, I decided to watch the recorded Eagles-Cowboys game and seeing the way the Eagles played this week, I would have been better off posting on here.

Eagles vs Cowboys

I was still not tired of listening to The Go-Go’s debut “Beauty and the Beat” album in June of 1982 when browsing the record section at the PX in Rota, Spain, I discovered that they had put out a second one. I made a mental note to get it once I returned to the States a few weeks later, although I didn’t need to because my sister had recorded several songs off of it. My reaction was that it pretty much sounded like the previous album while at the same time being rather good.

Keeping with the trend of 1982, “Vacation” begins with the hit single which is also the title track. It’s not a bad song, probably what you would expect from a single, quite lively. It’s the songs that come after it that tingle my interest a bit more. The very next track, “He’s So Strange” has a lot more substance to it and is quite a good listen. It sounds as if they are at least trying to venture forth a little and be creative. With several of the other tracks, there is a strong guitar start to the songs. At least The Go-Go’s were trying to be a little hard rock. “Girl of 100 Lists,” “Everything But Party Time” and “Beatnik Beach” are examples of this and the closer, “Worlds Away” does an excellent job in concluding the album. There is one thing I found slightly disappointing and that is the fact that there is not one memorable guitar solo from Charlotte Caffey on the album. I don’t know if that was down to her or other things. I mention this because I always believed that she was the most musically talented of the group. Still, “Vacation” was still an enjoyable album while The Go-Go’s still managed to excite my then 21 year old hormones.

Track Listing:

1. Vacation

2. He’s So Strange

3. Girl of 100 Lists

4. We Don’t Get Along

5. I Think It’s Me

6. Everything But Party Time

7. Get Up and Go

8. This Old Feeling

9. Cool Jerk

10. The Way You Dance

11. Beatnik Beach

12. Worlds Away

The Go Go’s

Belinda Carlisle- lead vocals

Charlotte Caffey- lead guitar, backing vocals

Jane Weidlin- rhythm guitar, vocals

Kathy Valentine- bass, backing vocals

Gina Schock- drums, backing vocals

While The Go Go’s were able to build on the success of “Beauty and the Beat” with “Vacation” for some reason, they would go into obscurity after this album. I don’t know why because the second album is certainly likeable.

Next post: John Cougar- American Fool

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