Please Stand By – 1994

This quintet is a fiery vehicle for the hefty pipes of the luscious Karen Lawrence. Lawrence was an L.A. Jet who sang on Aerosmith's debauched "Get It Up." One of the key rock producers of all time, Jack Douglas (Rocks, Standing on the Edge) tagged along for 1994's eponymous inaugural in 1978 and stuck by Lawrence through her resulting career with Blue by Nature. Lawrence's knack for the blues is evident throughout Please Stand By, and her smoky vocals blend nicely with the grimy slide twang in "Nerves of Steel," part of a sweet deuce closer. The band is most fun when trying to keep up with the futuristic marketing plan. The title track kicks off with some of that great comp-rock released before computers were in every home, and "Don't Break It Up" puts out more great disposable pop. The record almost descends into average, but remember it was 1979, when average was darn good, so listeners should give any of these cuts a chance and they will find something to like. ~ Doug Stone, All Music Guide