The Bangles sparkle, mixing new with the old

Music Review

October 06, 2011|By Marc Hirsh, Globe Correspondent

The Bangles (pictured here in Hollywood, Calif., in 2009) are on tour to… (Jason Merritt/Getty Images/file…)

THE BANGLES With Antigone Rising

At: Wilbur Theatre, Tuesday

THE BANGLES With Antigone Rising

At: Wilbur Theatre, Tuesday

Midway through their set at the Wilbur on Tuesday, the Bangles reminisced about growing up in the 1960s, which they looked upon as a romantic time filled with great music. “Probably how you felt about the ’80s,’’ they added, and it was true that most of the audience came looking for at least a hit of neon-decade nostalgia. The irony was that the band shone brightest on its newest material.

It helped that the Bangles are touring behind an uncommonly good album, “Sweetheart of the Sun,’’ and they seemed to know it. Their confidence in the new songs was underlined by opening with “Anna Lee (Sweetheart of the Sun),’’ which harked back to the ’60s-revering Paisley Underground scene from which the group originally sprang. “I’ll Never Be Through With You’’ featured a chorus with an effortless folk-rock lift, and the heavy garage rock of “Sweet and Tender Romance’’ was off-kilter and terrific.

They were rewarded with applause for the new material that was just as loud as it was for the old hits, if not quite as sustained. Unfortunately, many of the latter were so hidebound to the original recordings (and their occasionally overproduced ’80s-ness) that it was hard to bring them fully to life. It was especially true of the awful programmed drums that overpowered both “Walk Like an Egyptian’’ and an otherwise lovely harmonized version of “Going Down to Liverpool.’’ Better was “If She Knew What She Wants,’’ where Debbi Peterson held back on the drums for a verse or two, adding to the bittersweet promise already pulsing through the song.

The band also joked about being tired following a show the night before and an early TV appearance that morning, and indeed, only guitarist Vicki Peterson’s voice seemed as strong and clear as it needed to be. And a muddy sound mix occasionally flattened details like the guitar fills played by Peterson that should have made “Live’’ sparkle. But she attacked her “Liverpool’’ solo with fire, and the Mitch Ryder-style party groove of “Get the Girl’’ was punchy and tough. It was one more example of the Bangles’ ’60s roots, and not their ’80s heyday, serving them best in 2011.

Antigone Rising opened with a set of crunchy but casual country pop that, the tough-girl trill of singer Nini Camps notwithstanding, could have been the most uptempo songs on a Colbie Caillat album.

Marc Hirsh can be reached at officialmarc@gmail.com.