The S.O.S. Band Too (Tabu Re-born Expanded Edition)

When a debut album is as promising as the S.O.S. Band's first album, one fears the possibility of a sophomore slump -- meaning that the second album won't live up to the promise of the first. Too, the S.O.S. Band's second album, does, in fact, find the Atlanta residents experiencing a bit of a sophomore slump. But "bit" is the operative word; Too is far from a disaster. While the S.O.S. Band's self-titled debut album of 1980 was superb, this 1981 follow-up is merely decent. And in that sense, the LP is somewhat of a disappointment -- but certainly not a major disappointment. "Do It Now," "It's a Long Way to the Top," and other up-tempo funk-dance singles are likable and catchy; they just aren't exceptional. If the S.O.S. Band's first album was the funk-dance equivalent of champagne, Too is more like a beer. And when you have come to expect champagne, beer is a letdown -- even if it is a beer of decent quality. But all was certainly not lost for the S.O.S. Band. A few years after Too, the Atlanta residents joined forces with the hit-producing songwriting team of Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis -- and that alliance resulted in a creative and commercial revitalization for the S.O.S. Band. Again, Too isn't a bad album, but it isn't among the Atlantans' essential releases and is only recommended to collectors and hardcore fans. ~ Alex Henderson|