Consumer Guide Album

UB40: UB40 [A&M, 1988]
This is such an uncommonly steadfast band--the same eight musicians pursuing the same reggae-protest since 1980--that I'm willing to believe the love songs signify a break not in dedication but in "macho bravado," as they claim. And as usual, everything hooks in after a long eventually. But what'll get to you eventually is a neoclassic instrumental, a Chrissie Hynde oldie duet, and one of the protest numbers. B+