Search - Susanna Hoffs :: When You're a Boy

Debut from Susanna proves she can go it alone

Daniel J. Hamlow | Narita, Japan | 02/26/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Susanna Hoffs was the prettiest and best known Bangle so it was no surprise that she came out with a solo album following the band's abrupt fade-out. For anyone who made mix tapes or programmed Bangles CDs sung by Susanna only, Ms. Hoffs' solo effort is a dream come true, as it is a worthy showcase for her sugary voice.I will say straight out that there isn't too much Bangles-like sounds on her songs, meaning that she knew that it was time to go on to other things. It's more pop, but made palatable by her unique vocal stylings. The single "My Side Of The Bed" demonstrates that she could hold her own away from her bandmates.
"No Kind Of Love" and "Wishing On Telstar" are solid songs that lead to her cover of Cyndi Lauper's "Unconditional Love," which reminds me why I liked "If She Knew What She Wants."The upbeat "This Time" could have made it on a Bangles albums with a bit of tinkering. It could also have been used by Belinda Carlisle during her Heaven On Earth phase. "Only Love" in comparison might have ended up on Carlisle's Live Your Life Be Free. Interesting how like Belinda Carlisle, Susanna moved from a rock sound to a more pop-oriented sound. Glad that ace songwriter Diane Warren had something sterling to give to Susanna.The Doorsy organ and influence is a nice touch on "It's Lonely Out Here." And "Made Of Stone" has an 80's new wave touch in some parts. Finally, the title track is derived from her cover of David Bowie's "Boys Keep Swinging," which she does decently.
Not much filler to speak of, and a more than decent solo effort that deserved to do better.Her album was produced by David Kahne, who produced the first two Bangles albums. Oh yes. Among the backing vocals is a certain Juliana Hatfield. That name sounds familiar.... Oh yeah, I remember now. Just kidding."

Hoffs hit the gong here, at least once

Nobody | 05/16/2006

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Doggonit, someone has to stand up here and say that "My Side of the Bed" is an absolutely smashing song that makes this CD a buy regardless of what else is on it (some decent songs, as it turns out). It's all-time pop classic with great hooks and deserves some recognition here.



By the way, the video . . . woof! There's something about a half-nekkid girl with great hair sitting on a white bed with a big red guitar . . . darn right, I'll lay with you. Well, fifteen years ago. And without the guitar of course."

THE MOST UNDERRATED POP ALBUM OF ALL TIME!

Anton Klimov | moscow | 02/08/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album is pure magic. It's more pop than Bangles but it's incredibly stylish pop, the production is eclectic and sometimes very pseudo-60's, the song are beautiful (most of them should be N1 hits in the perfect world) and Susanna frankly never sung better than here! This album deserved to sell millions but there's never justice in show-biz. I can't think of a single pop record more criminally underrated than WHEN YOU'RE A BOY."