The Mighty Wah's second album sums up 1984 in a nutshell. Overproduced and emotionally overwrought it was an attempt by Pete Wylie (according to the sleevenotes) to write 'Boys From The Blackstuff: The Musical'. Despite some flawed reasoning there are quite a few highlights here. 'The Story Of The Blues Pt. 1' is a genuinely moving tune; 'Comeback' and 'Everwanna' also reveal a similar penchant for blue-eyed soul music albeit done in a Scouse accent. 'The Lost Generation' and 'Hope Faded' signal a darker wind change, portraying Wylie's political feelings but thankfuly the anger is chanelled into strong, tuneful material. In fact the first half of 'A Word To The Wise Guy' is made up of admittedly dated but nonetheless substantial music and at about 40 minutes of length the project could quite easily have been something approaching a success. Sadly, thanks either to Wylie's ego or just plain bad advice, there are 10 more tracks of pompous, overbearing pap full of over-the-top arrangements, slap bass and a complete absence of tunes save for 'Comeback'. Sometimes emotions are conveyed better when they aren't hammered home.