God Bless The Go Go's

Critical reception and chart performance

God Bless The Go-Go's received a score of 68 out of 100 from Metacritic based on some generally favorable reviews from critics. Allmusic wrote, "Every bit as Go-Go's, that is, as their non-hits and less remarkable material. While the Go-Go's sound is intact, there is not a "We Got the Beat" or a "Head Over Heels" to be found. It is feasible that in this age of pop rebirth, the Go-Go's decided it was now or never." Rolling Stone wrote "The album doesn't attempt to update the band's sound with hip-hop moves or electronic frippery, for which God should bless 'em, indeed. The girls' hold on the current pop world remains so strong that Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong co-writes a song ("Unforgiven") in impeccable Go-Go's drag."

The album sold fewer copies than the previous Go-Go's studio albums but still managed to chart in the U.S. Billboard 200, peaking at number 57.

Singles released from the album included "Unforgiven" and "Apology."

Artwork controversy

The album cover was created by photographer Maryanne Bilham. It was criticised by some Catholic groups for showing the group members posing as the Virgin Mary. Each Go-Go represents one of five saintly virtues; Chastity (Belinda), Modesty (Charlotte), Purity (Jane), Mercy (Gina) and Honesty (Kathy). The U.S. Catholic League president William Donohue criticized the band for ripping off Catholic imagery and resorting to "cheap ploys" to lure a new audience to the band. Go-Go's singer Belinda Carlisle replied to the critics by saying "any sort of art shouldn't be an issue. Art should not be censored. I don't get that it's controversial at all."

Personnel