Loverboy used to be one of the best purveyers of meat and potatoes frat rock. It had surging guitars, chiming vocals, accessible tunes and really dumb lyrics. (Come on, did you ever really listen to the words of "Working For The Weekend" or "Queen Of The Broken Hearts?") Now, eight years after the band broke up, Loverboy is on the comeback trail.

Musically, it is obviously the same band, but Loverboy can't fit into those tight red leather pants anymore. The music seems a flabby version of old tunes, still pretty enjoyable but with a lot less staying power. One of the great things about the original Loverboy is it never really succumbed to the arena metal power ballad, but that track record is sadly smashed by the trifle "Secrets."

And have the lyrics improved any since their prime? I'll let "Waiting For The Night" speak for itself. "So cut me a slice of the American Pie/Everyday around noon/When the clock strikes one/My back's to the sun/Someone pours salt in the wound." 'Nuff said.  (1/98)