Small World was another platinum hit for
Huey Lewis & the News, but the album is weaker than their previous three records.
Lewis tries to position himself as a socially conscious rocker -- no less than three tracks have the word "world" in their title -- writing songs about the perilous state of the environment and urging everybody to live together peacefully, since "there ain't no livin' in a perfect world." The group also decided to broaden its musical horizons, exploring rootsy American music like the zydeco of "Bobo Tempo" and the bluesy "Old Antone's." Although they're interesting, none of the musical diversions work as well as the bouncy Top Ten hit "Perfect World," but
Lewis & the News still can conjure enough charm to get them through the rough patches. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine