The Da Vinci Code and Number 94

So Dark the Con of Man..I just finished reading this book and can't recall seeing this line anywhere in it. Maybe I just missed it. At any rate, this is the tag line to the successful movie starring Tom Hanks. I haven't seen the movie, so this is a book review. My first book report since high school!

The book is about an academic sybologist and a french cryptographer attempting to locate the Holy Grail through a series of hidden symbols and word / logic puzzles. It is a very fast read with an emphasis on logic puzzles and religious conspiracy theories. Characterization seems spotty at best but the alleged religious facts and sudden plot twists maintain interest throughout.

Ultimately, this book is an enjoyably light read. It's not to deep, no matter what the material in the book suggest, and will take you on a fantastic adventure across France and England. Now, I can't wait to see the movie! The book rates a 9 out of 10.

In order to move to the next topic, I will introduce it in the speak pattern of the Da Vinci Code:

Number 94! Galore! 1234567, all good children go to heaven!

The Go-Go's - Beauty And The Beat (1982)

The Go-Go's were the first self contained all female band to score a number one hit single, "We Got The Beat." The success of this song made the quintet the "it" band of 1982 and their single became one of those songs you could not escape from. The steady, insistent beat and the near call and response vocals made the song irresistably catchy all summer long.

An additional single made the Top 20, "Our Lips Are Sealed." "Sealed" was written about an affair between guitarist Jane Weidlen and a member of British group Fun Boy Three (they recorded a version of this song as well). The song matched "We Got The Beat" in terms of having a sunny pop mood and an effective song hook.

The rest of the album had strong points as well. Drummer Gina Schock turns in an almost manic drum performance, proppeling songs such as "How Much More" and the excellent "Skidmarks On My Heart". Slower songs, like the languid "Automatic", show a deeper side to the band's music.

In the end, the deciding factor for this band's success was audience size. Although the Go Go's sold many records they were never as successful as they were here. I can remember going to see the Go'Go's on the talk show tour. Man, were they wasted!. Everything they played seems off time and half hearted.

The Go-Go's stardom began with this album and slowly faded over time. The biggest surprise is to find out the Go-Go's were a punk band until cleaning up and taking pictures in a sudsey bath tub. Sometimes the right producer (Richard Gotthard) and the right image can make a big difference.The Go Go's officially broke up a while back but still reunite for charity concerts.