THE GO-GO’s ARE BACK

Heaven heard their plea. God blessed them….with a new album, that is.

The Go-Go’s are back.

Yes, the original girly band sensation that rocked during the ’80s have found their way into the new millennium…with a brand new image that doesn’t require them to reach a certain height requirement via bang-teasing.

For all you die-hard fans, don’t be too alarmed! The gals may have changed their look drastically (obviously for the better), but the very soul of the Go-Go’s sound, that stand-up-and-dance-your-life-away beat, is still ever-present. Hell, Belinda Carlisle’s "Mad About You" and Jane Wiedlin’s "Blue Kiss" could’ve easily come from the same album. And they were out to showcase themselves as "individuals." Hmm.

Hard to find your sense of individuality when you spend years and years of being tied to the hip with one another. In the words of Jane Wiedlin, "We had this whole, unwritten code that we had to be Go-Gos every minute of the day. We had to think the same things and want the same guys. Party together. Shop together. The togetherness was ridiculous. It was probably the equivalent of 10 lifetimes of marriage."

Nevertheless, after going their separate ways (to find themselves, hopefully) for a decade or so…the once inseparable crew found their way back to each other. (Surely with less demanding sorority rules.)

Their latest album entitled "God Bless The Go-Go’s" was a conscious effort on the band’s part to inject modern musical facets into the core style that they were (and are still meant to be) known for. Thanks to Boston-based producers Paul Kolderie and Sean Slade (the guys behind Radio Head, Hole and other solid acts), that feat of bringing a very "now" twist to the new tracks was easily accomplished. Without killing what is intrinsically "Go-Go."

And the album stays true to that promise. But what exactly is intrinsically "Go-Go"?

A little bit of legendary punk rock. A lot of strong pop sensibility. Extremely catchy lyrics. Addictive rhythm. Beats that make the most docile of beings go wild with delight.

And you don’t even have to be a groupie to enjoy it.

Inconceivable as it may seem to all of you who were brought up on seemingly non-sing-able, road-rage initiating rap…there was a time when bubblegum pop-rock ruled the airwaves. And we’re not talking cheesy boy-band stuff.

Don’t be afraid to take a chance on the fabulous five. Then or now. Nobody would dare condemn you for liking such a legendary group. And although ’80s-inspired dance parties have feverishly been replaced by lounge-type chill-out sessions that wouldn’t exactly have the Go-Go’s on their musical repertoire, sneak a CD into the player and see for yourself. There will always be a fan who’d stand up and dance. Or sing along at the very least.