DANNY ELFMAN: SO-LO

Don't be put off by the cover. The album was released under Danny Elfman's name, and the title is "So-Lo", but with all of the members of Oingo Boingo (and no one else) performing, song written by Elfman and arranged by Steve Bartek, this is an Oingo Boingo album. In fact, it was recorded as an Oingo Boingo album, but a contractual dispute with A&M caused it to be released on MCA under Elfman's name. Unfortunately, this also began the decline in Oingo Boingo's sound. The horns, a standout feature on the first three OB albums, barely make an appearance. And on the two songs where they can be heard, It Only Makes Me Laugh and Tough As Nails, they are low key and non- distinguished. Elfman's songs are good, but it's beginning to sound like he's on cruise control. And while there is a bit of darkness in his lyrics, it's far more tame than on the previous albums. Judging by the later MCA releases, I've always wondered if this trend was more of a edict by the new label than a trend from Elfman himself. Oh well. This isn't a bad album. It's got some nice, and even a few somewhat exciting tracks. But it was a disappointment.