Beauty and the Beat

by Stephen Thomas ErlewineAlthough the relatively polished production belies the Go-Go's' punk roots, Beauty and the Beat remains one of the cornerstone albums of new wave, bristling with energy, revamped surf rock and girl-group hooks, and an intoxicating sense of fun. The infectious, bouncy "We Got the Beat" and the pulsating "Our Lips Are Sealed," which Jane Wiedlin co-wrote with Terry Hall, sent Beauty and the Beat to unexepected hit status, but they only scratch the surface of the wonderful pop songs that comprise the record. Nearly every song on the record is a delight, propelled by big, catchy hooks and an exuberant sense of fun. "Lust to Love," "Skidmarks on My Heart," "Tonite," and "Fading Fast" could have been hits in their own right, but as it stands, they help make Beauty and the Beat into a terrifically exciting pop album.