Good Trouble disappointed the bean counters and the snob critics who always hated this Champaign quintet anyway. Sure it's no
Hi Infidelity, but
Good Trouble shoots out some golden shards. Where
Hi Infidelity perfectly balanced the muscle of
REO's '70s stuff with wads of bankable bubblegum, here, lead single "Keep the Fire Burning" signals a decent into generic; but much of
Good Trouble plays out a rocking and rollicking good time, fighting off mediocrity. First off, bassist Bruce Hall comes to the fore twice (usually once) and delivers two knockouts: "Girl With the Heart of Gold" and "Let's Be-Bop." As always,
Neal Doughty's keys spruce up the works; "I'll Follow You" features his sublime touch as well as sizzling Richrath axe-kicking behind a dusty, lusty Texas café tale. Coup de grâce "The Key" unlocks a commercial paradox: a transcendent tapestry housed in a homogenized humdinger, as Kev Cronin bellows questions about what he knows and sees, yearning for the answer locked within himself. But only he can set it free; only he has the key. Brilliant. ~ Doug Stone