Recorded at Studio D., Sausalito, California.

All songs written or co-written by Michael Been except "For Your Love" (Graham Gouldman).

On his debut solo album, Michael Been turns in a fire-breathing guitar-rock album. The lyrics often bespeak romantic devotion/obsession, but there's nothing cuddly about the musical approach, which favors a metallic, scorching electric guitar sound, compressed vocals, and a loud, unswinging rhythm section. One track reunites Gang of Four's bass player Dave Allen with drummer Hugh Burnham (Been is now A&R man at Qwest), but many of the rhythm tracks have The Gang's stolid stomp style. (The most notable exception is the uptempo pop-rock song "She," which, sequenced eighth on the disc, comes as a surprise after what has preceded it.) The result is less accessible than Been's work with The Call and may be aimed at a nonexistent audience--the sensitive headbangers? ~ William Ruhlmann

Been sings in the most mournful voice imaginable, while a wall of heavy guitars follows suit. Without realizing why, this moody, almost plodding brew takes flight to arrest and uplift the imagination. ~ Roch Parisien