3x****
The album opening "Step Into My office Baby"**** contrasts with the typical straightforward B&S song with complex arrangements, production, and a variety of tones, which though a bit much has a hook for everyone. The title song, on the other hand is similar to a couple of their other fast songs, though with much more orchestration, like a comic version of "Conquistador" by Procol Harum. "If She Wants Me"**** is better than I remember, with a 60's pop intro, old Chicago meets Jackson Five. "Piazza, New York Catcher" is fast acoustic, with a pretty good melody but not much variation. "I'm A Cuckoo"**** surprised me with twin lead guitars, and it reminded me of seeing them cover "Boys Are Back In Town", which they did well. "You Don't Send Me" has a strange new wave intro that doesn't work. "Wrapped Up In Books" is similar to many of their songs, and is distinguished primarily by some prominent 60's 12-string, featured in a clumsy riff that appears throughout the song. Momentum is lost near the end with"Lord Anthony" and "If You Find Yourself Caught In Love". "Roy Walker" is another big production with group vocals, a dizzying array of instrumentation, and several stops and starts. "Stay Loose" is a heavily syncopated, Cars-influenced, and could have been released in 1982. Not a sound that would usually end a B&S album, but most of this album is a departure from usual, which while interesting, may have been at the expense of some songwriting.
The album opening "Step Into My office Baby"**** contrasts with the typical straightforward B&S song with complex arrangements, production, and a variety of tones, which though a bit much has a hook for everyone. The title song, on the other hand is similar to a couple of their other fast songs, though with much more orchestration, like a comic version of "Conquistador" by Procol Harum. "If She Wants Me"**** is better than I remember, with a 60's pop intro, old Chicago meets Jackson Five. "Piazza, New York Catcher" is fast acoustic, with a pretty good melody but not much variation. "I'm A Cuckoo"**** surprised me with twin lead guitars, and it reminded me of seeing them cover "Boys Are Back In Town", which they did well. "You Don't Send Me" has a strange new wave intro that doesn't work. "Wrapped Up In Books" is similar to many of their songs, and is distinguished primarily by some prominent 60's 12-string, featured in a clumsy riff that appears throughout the song. Momentum is lost near the end with"Lord Anthony" and "If You Find Yourself Caught In Love". "Roy Walker" is another big production with group vocals, a dizzying array of instrumentation, and several stops and starts. "Stay Loose" is a heavily syncopated, Cars-influenced, and could have been released in 1982. Not a sound that would usually end a B&S album, but most of this album is a departure from usual, which while interesting, may have been at the expense of some songwriting.
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