2x****
Falling not too far from the Dire Straits tree, Shoot Out The Lights is modest and tasteful work made for XRT. "Don't Renege On Our Love" is as terse as a country gallop gets, and the duet "Walking On A Wire" quietly lets the words do the talking. "Man In Need" is finally at least a little lively, closer to rocking with Warren Zevon. But by the middle "Just The Motion" is in danger of being lulling, though Richard's swooing lead guitar is pretty, and the stomping dirge of a title song is so simple and devoid of expression that it must be deliberate, which in my book ends up as boring; again Richard's lead guitar is the best part, this time an evil cackle. "Back Street Slide"**** maintains a mean tone, though with the accordion and a madly angular instrumental code the feeling is practically festive. "Did She Jump Or Was She Pushed?"**** interesting stars Linda most prominently, and is also the eeriest and most somber point of the album. "Wall Of Death" sounds like a real downer of an ending, but it turns out to be a pleasant enough if stupidly simple ditty.
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