Love Crazy

Album review

After being absent from the charts for over two years, the quartet returns with Love Crazy. The title track, featuring the light tenor of David Lewis and reminiscent of Soul II Soul's rhythms, topped off at number seven after 18 weeks on the charts. Finding much success with their soft and easy pop tunes, they scored an even bigger hit with the second single, "Masterpiece." Similar in style and arrangement to "Always" from the All in the Name of Love album, "Masterpiece" topped the charts at number three. However, the group was not so fortunate with "Unconditional Love," another pop tune, which labored on the charts for just nine weeks, peaking at the number 38 spot. Among the unreleased singles, this album offers a little something for everyone. For house music lovers, "Come Lover" is a crowd pleaser. For those who recall the group's classic R&B ballads from years past, "Looking for Love Again" and "Girl, Your Love's So Fine" are vintage Atlantic Starr classics led by Wayne Lewis' raspy baritone. The synth and funk-driven dance track "You Hit the Spot" features vocalist Rachel Oliver's lead. Her vocal presence expands as the song develops, but the song does not give her enough room to showcase her talent. The song that should have been a hit is "My Special Lover." With its catchy hook and rhythmic keyboard loop, this is a well-written number led by David Lewis' brashy tenor, with which he passionately expresses the lyrics' sense of urgency.

© Craig Lytle /TiVo