The
Ric Ocasek-produced
Why Be Blue?, originally released on Break Out in 1992, is notable for its upbeat temperament (the title isn't ironic) and its display of
Alan Vega and
Martin Rev at a point in their career when they were neither ahead of nor with the times. Despite "Mujo"'s resemblance to
Peaches & Herb's "Shake Your Groove Thing" (a disco reference, very out-of-place for 1992 music that wasn't house or shiny dance-pop) and the mid-'80s sophisti-pop melodic structure of "Flashy Love" (it could almost be an
ABC cover), they weren't exactly behind the times. They were somewhere else entirely, if vaguely in line with the groups that continued to look to
Suicide's past work for guidance. ~ Andy Kellman