Cargo

Men At Work's followup to the hugely successful BUSINESS AS USUAL was an album with a lot riding on it, but the Aussies come through admirably, upping the songcraft and the production values simultaneously. There's less of a reggae undertone on CARGO, and the Aussie-centric "Down Under," which provided so much novelty appeal on the debut, has no equivalent here.

Instead, there's a more sophisticated compositional bent that sacrifices nothing in sheer catchiness. The album's centerpiece, "Overkill," is representative of the blend of introspective self-doubt and arresting melodic hooks that makes CARGO an unqualified success. If BUSINESS AS USUAL tickled your pop fancy, you'll find CARGO digs a little deeper.