Bow Wow Wow - When the Going Gets Tough, The Tough Get Going

When the Going Gets Tough The Tough Get Going is a well-polished, well-executed effort that holds some surprises mainly in the fact that there is more diversity than prior Bow Wow Wow records. Producer Mike Chapman (Blondie & Pat Benatar) adds a gloss to the ballads Lonesome Tonight and the dreamy Love Me, with Annabella Lwin toning down her usual frantic delivery. The Man Mountain sounds like an old, folk song. And, there's also the straight-ahead, playful pop that you'd expect from the band on the ultra-hooky single Do You Wanna Hold Me and Tommy Tucker, which begins as a nursery rhyme and concludes with a quasi-football chant. Reissue of their 1983 album featuring the hit 'Do You Wanna Hold Me' & the original cover art. 12 tracks. Album Description

Very enjoyable.

This band should have released more material because every album of thiers is a winner. This one is no exception. It's lighter than "Girl Bites Dog" and poppier than "See Jungle". I love it. January 2, 2009

A desert island treasure!!

Truly one of the most over looked "New Wave" bands from the 80's. Founder Malcolm McLaren was so ahead of his time and Bow Wow Wow was just that.
Just having seen them live in San Diego on their "Reunion" tour they were incredible. I had much more respect for them as Annabella sounded and looked better than ever. Adrian from "No Doubt" joined them on drums for the tour and he had every drum beat down to perfection.
This CD is a must for any 80's alternative lover. BWW has so many influences and such a special sound with the surf guitar and tribal drumbeats. From "Hey, Buddy" to "Man Mountain" as all the tracks here are excellent listening for any music mood.
We met Annabella back stage and she is trying to get her website going and get on a new record label, look for some new material very soon from her and the band. I like all their CDs but this would be the first one to buy if you are a first time listener.

5 Stars all the way!!! August 18, 2004

The Tough Got Going

They fired MM went out on their own and did their best album. Then they broke up. Oh well, the songs on this album are all pure energy. Bararrosa's unique drums and LeRoy and Mathew's strings deliver that unique BWW sound. "Do You Want to Hold Me" will get the deadest party going. There are the usual BWW sex (wink wink) songs like "Aphrodisiac", but there are also some silly bits with "Ricke Dee" and "Roustabout." As a result the album is wide ranging yet always distintly BWW feast. In all cuts Anabella comes off at her best, sounding more like Terri Gunn of Berlin than a 16/17 year old. This is a must for any fan of the early New Wave scene that grew out of punk, with some real talent to boot. May 2, 2001

unjustly obscure due to widespread ignorance

Bow Wow Wow seem to most an early eighties new wave band that if you want a recording by, get the "Best Of." WRONG! Along with the I Want Candy cd this is essential. Brutal drum rhythms back Matthew Ashman's stinging guitarwork; and the bass of Leigh Gorman (the best relatively unknown bassist around) speeds up and down the fretboard funking and popping his way to utopia. Annabella sounds sexy and fun throughout the disc and sings with a sexual attitude that belies her age. Believe me, if you even have the slightest inkling of buying a BWW disc, get this one first. August 27, 1999

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