Different Light

The Bangles traded their earlier sixties-inspired garage rock sound for a polished pop-rock aesthetic on their second studio album. Released by Columbia Records on January 13, 1986, the record was produced entirely by David Kahne to maximize commercial appeal while preserving the group's melodic strengths. The fourteen-track standard edition runs approximately forty minutes and features bassist Michael Steele taking lead vocals on several key songs alongside Susanna Hoffs, Vicki Peterson, and Debbi Peterson.

Commercial performance for the project exceeded expectations immediately upon release. The album peaked at number two on the US Billboard 200 chart where it remained for weeks behind Whitney Houston's self-titled debut. It eventually earned four-times platinum certification from the RIAA after selling over four million copies in the United States alone. Five singles emerged from the sessions with two reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100.

Critical response highlighted the clarity of Kahne's production and the band's ability to balance catchy hooks with genuine musicianship. "Walk Like an Egyptian" won a Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals in 1987 and received nominations for Song of the Year and Record of the Year. The tracklist includes covers of Simon & Garfunkel's "Hazy Shade of Winter" and The Staple Singers' "I'll Take You There" alongside original compositions written by Prince under the pseudonym Christopher. [edit]