Lloyd Cole
Don`t Get Weird on Me, Babe (Capitol) (STAR)(STAR)(STAR) 1/2
On his second album since the breakup of his old band, Scotland`s Commotions, Cole does get a bit ”weird” on his longtime fans. Cole divides the album into the pop-oriented ”One Side” featuring the core rock unit from last year`s ”Lloyd Cole,” and ”Another Side,” which pits Cole`s often-dark ruminations against lush string arrangements. Surprisingly, Cole pulls off the disparate approaches like a champ. The more upbeat pop material like ”Tell Your Sister” and ”Pay for It” recalls mid-`80s Lou Reed, while Paul Buckmaster`s strings serve as counterpoint to the unflinching look at love and betrayal on ”Half of Everything” and the introspective ”What He Doesn`t Know.” Commercially ”Don`t Get Weird on Me, Babe” may be a gamble, but artistically it`s a winner.
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