Nearly 30 years after her initial departure from the Go-Go’s, Belinda Carlisle remains a glowing presence on the touring circuit as both a part of that punk rock-rooted collective and a solo artist with an enviable catalog of contagious pop. While only a minor stylistic gap exists between signature Go-Go’s tunes like “Our Lips Are Sealed” and Carlisle’s first independent venture, “Mad About You,” over the decades she has explored an impressive diversity of repertoire. Bright, charging anthems (“Heaven Is a Place on Earth”), stripped-down rockers (“Big Scary Animal”), surf-inspired West Coast fare (“California”) and chanson (“Bonnie Et Clyde”) are all part of the 18-song set the distinctive vocalist traverses on Live from Metropolis Studios.
Comprising a DVD of Carlisle’s 2012 concert filmed at the much-revered recording facility in London and a companion CD, Metropolis is a feel-good listening and viewing experience which includes nearly every hit from the singer’s seven studio albums. The performance opens with “Runaway Horses,” a rousing uptempo affair which sets a celebratory tone that’s maintained throughout. Aside from obvious selections such as “I Get Weak,” “Leave a Light On,” and “We Got the Beat,” standout moments lie in the less expected. “Bonnie Et Clyde,” from 2007’s French-language Voila, finds Carlisle adapting a subtly alluring stance which fits right in the pocket with the hypnotic groove. “Vision of You,” a moving ballad from Runaway Horses, resonates with emotive sincerity.
Live from Metropolis Studios provides longtime fans with an ideal means for reliving the positive memories associated with Carlisle’s unforgettable discography while giving newer listeners a chance to sample the uniqueness that has made her an enduring force, even in the absence of new albums. The DVD’s in-depth interview feature is icing on the cake.