Waves

One of the greatest one-hit wonders of the 1980s, Katrina and the Waves were on top of the world after "Walking on Sunshine" in 1985, one of the finest pop singles of the decade. The group recorded their follow-up album in early 1986, and although it's not a disaster by any stretch, it certainly falls short of their awesome debut. Part of this, to be sure, is due to the fact that songwriter/lead guitarist Kimberly Rew takes a back seat to the other band members in the composing area. It's a bit sad, not only because Rew had true talent (such excellent songs on the debut as "Goin' Down to Liverpool," "Red Wine & Whisky" and the aforementioned "Sunshine" were his), but also because the plain fact is that lead singer Katrina Leskanich and the other members just were not really close to his level of pop songwriting. There are some fine moments, however, such as the infectious "Sun Street" and "Tears for Me." Rew's two songs, "Is That It" and "Lovely Lindsay," are mini-masterpieces, and eventually push the group and this album somewhere near the goal line.