Costello’s ill-fated 1991 release brings to bear all of the worst aspects of his occasionally dilettantish approach. The ostensibly “pro-environment” themes of lead-off track “The Other Side Of Summer” fizz out amongst the unconvincing Beach Boys pastiche, while other weak tracks like “Sweet Pear” suggest a dearth of inspiration deeply uncommon to the artist’s typical mile a minute creativity. It’s not all bad – the agreeable “So Like Candy” is a fun bit of pop classicism composed with Paul McCartney – but in general ham-handed production and subpar songwriting rule the day on one of Costello’s least ingratiating efforts.