A lot can change in eight years. Two presidential elections pass. Successful television shows come and go. Sports teams wander between championship and defeat. In a way Sweetheart of the Sun, the first studio album from The Bangles in nearly eight years tested the market to see if the value for The Bangles’ music still exists. Would music lovers welcome Sweetheart of the Sun or let the album fall into obscurity? Drummer Debbi Peterson recalls her feelings leading up to the September 27th release of Sweetheart of the Sun as “excited but nervous.”

The Bangles ended up delivering big on Sweetheart of the Sun, creating an ultra-enjoyable musical experience for listeners.  Sweetheart of the Sun starts the fun right away with track one “Anna Lee (Sweetheart of the Sun)” Between the instrumentals and the way the name “Anna Lee” is sung the title track gives off a very relaxed vibe. Holding the note “Lee” while singing the chorus makes the song float, that is if audio can float. The Bangles keep the entertainment value going with track two “Under a Cloud,” which features excellent vocals.  Anyone who has ever been in a relationship with a deadbeat significant other will enjoy the next selection “Ball N Chain.” The song celebrates deadbeat significant others with lines like “If brains were clothes, you would have nothing to wear” and “You’re a ball n chain dragging me down.”

Additionally The Bangles stimulate your ear drums by incorporating various musical elements into Sweetheart of the Sun’s 12 tracks. The song “Sweet and Tender Romance” carries a slightly faster tempo than most of the others. “Mesmerized” features a cappella-like sound. Throughout the entire album the contrasts between different instruments adds texture to the varying tracks. All in the all the various elements blend together to form an engaging musical experience. 

Talking to Debbi Peterson you will learn the fun vibe embodying Sweetheart of the Sun extended back to recording the album. While recording at Mathew Sweets’ home studio Debbi recalls Mathew’s cats taking an interest in the group’s instruments, going after the strings on the guitars and one cat even trying to take a siesta inside Debbi’s bass drum. The pets didn’t bother The Bangles though as the drummer admits “It was fun to have the animals around.”

Creativity resonated from the laidback atmosphere. Debbi reveals the group didn’t even have the album’s title track “Anna Lee” written upon entering the studio saying “We came up with the title track ‘Anna Lee’ while in studio and pretty easily too.” A catalyst for the joyful recording experience comes from a valuable lesson the three female musicians learned through motherhood “not wasting time on tiny matters.”

In conclusion if you enjoy The Bangles or the group’s influences like The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, you will more than likely enjoy listening to Sweetheart of the Sun as much as Debbi and The Bangles enjoyed putting the album together. So take a deep breath and let Sweetheart of the Sun’s varying musical elements take you on a gleeful listening journey.