It is truly sad that Go!, released in 1997 under a new label for the band, Revolution Records, is Letters to Cleo's last true album, a calling card of sorts of the type of pop rock the band masterfully played for almost ten years before calling it quits in May of 2000. Go! is the band's true crowning achievement, the perfect meld between the sweet melodies of their debut album, 1994's Aurora Gory Alice, and the harder rocking riffs of their sophomore effort, 1995's Wholesale Meats and Fish. (As a side note, the band released a collection of demos, alternate versions, and unreleased tracks called Sister in 1998 independently, but I do not consider that to be a true "album" in the sense of the word)
Perhaps it was inevitable that as pop became huge once again in 1997 and angry rock bands began getting major media play in 1998 that bands such as Letters to Cleo would be phased out. After all, when they broke up, they cited the climate of the record industry and the lack of any real interest from labels for their reasons. On the bright side of all that is that the band finally lived up to all the potential shown on their first two efforts, both of which were strong yet lacked that extra something that made them truly great.
Go! fulfills that prophecy nicely. Lead singer Kay Hanley's vocals seem more inspired and more full of life than on previous works. Her lyrics also became much more highly personal on this record, a reflection of the entire growth of the band as a whole. The drums on this record are capably filled by Tom Polce, who replaced the departing Stacy Jones. While Polce certainly does not match the power, intensity, or ingenuity of Jones' work, he brings a perfect balance to this record, which is perhaps the greatest compliment I can give him. (Especially with me being a huge fan of Jones as a drummer myself)
I remember the first time I listened to this album, back in 1997 on the day it came out, and feeling extremely disappointed. Don't get me wrong, I loved the first few songs, but I also knew this band's history of having amazing first halves of albums and then ruining the album on the second half with mediocre songs. However, I needn't have worried, as the second half of this album stands up proudly on it's own, with masterpieces such as the self deprecating I'm a Fool and the cool feel of Sparklegirl.
The first half is ruled by songs that sound like classic Letters to Cleo. The first half also contains the best song the band has ever done, entitled Because of You. Hanley's lyrics here are somewhat confusing, and even shizophrenic-like upon the first few listens. However, on repeated listens, you realize that no other song has exactly summed up the emotions we all go through when we are dealing with a tough break-up.
First (and once again, only) single Anchor was surely catchy enough, but it just never really caught on. Personally, I've never understood exactly what Hanley was trying to get across in her lyrics to this song, but the music more than made up for it. Lead guitarist Michael Eisenstein perfectly fit the mood of the song, and the synthesizer used throughout the song is a perfect fit.
The middle song of the record, Co-Pilot is the last song I'm going to touch on, and with good reason, for it's probably the second best song on the record. It's on this song where the melding of styles between the first two albums become completely and abundantly clear. On first listen you probably will think "this song doesn't belong on this record," but if you give it a chance, it will grow on you. The melody on the song is perfect, and very reminiscent of the material found on the band's debut.
Does Go! have it's problems? Sure, after all, there are very few perfect albums out there. However, as what is truly the last bit of material we have to savor from the great band that was Letters to Cleo, it does it's job masterfully and skillfully as the band's true perfect melting pot of pop hooks and rock riffs.
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