Another one being inserted out of alphabetical order because I insist on buying more vinyl.
I’ve already written about how much I enjoyed that very first Bangles EP, and that even though like almost anyone alive in the ‘80s, I had a copy of 1986’s “Different Light,” and the 12” extended dance mix of “Walk Like An Egyptian.” Somehow, I missed 1984’s “All Over The Place,” which came in between. But the hits from “Different Light” were mostly written by non-Bangles, and my interest level waned. So, after that, I didn’t buy another Bangles record for, oh, a few decades.
When Susanna Hoffs did her albums of covers with Matthew Sweet (the “Under The Covers” series), I was smitten, and a few years after its release I discovered “Sweetheart of the Sun,” featuring the Bangles as a trio (absent Michael Steele), co-produced by Matthew Sweet. And it is wonderful. It is not a reunion or comeback album — it is just a great album by a great band.
So, fast forward to this February’s record crawl. There’s a record store in the King of Prussia Mall, one of the larger retail monstrosities in the country and not only a place I normally avoid at nearly all costs, but also the last place you would expect to find an independent new and used record retailer. And yet, there it is: The Rock Shop, a quite large record store indeed. I spent most of my time in their bargain bins, organized in no way whatsoever, and came up with a few true bargains, including this absolutely pristine copy of “All Over The Place.”
And now, having listened to it a number of times, I do regret that I didn’t get this way back when, because it has some great songs on it that are much closer in style to their original EP — not too surprising, given that all but two of the songs on the album were written by The Bangles. This album includes “Hero Takes A Fall” as well as their cover of “Going Down to Liverpool,” but the other tracks are really strong. (I will admit, I wish their cover of “Where Were You When I Needed You,” one of my favorite pre-punk punk songs, were on this; it was the B side to “Hero.”)
All Over The Place picture sleeve — crediting each vocal, which is really appreciated. 
All Over The Place standard Columbia label 
All Over The Place picture sleeve, ’80s rubylith collage style. You cannot imagine how much work it took to make something like this with the technology of the time. You could do it lo fi or hi fi, either one was a pain in the neck.
