it lacks the evidence of growth heard on previous LPs. Side two, in particular, is riddled with second-rate material. "Torture" and "All of the Law" both try to make up for their uninteresting melodies with harder guitar grooves, but they just wind up digging themselves further into a hole. The title track may help define a lyrical milieu for the record – the lonely and glamorous haunts of the slaves of New York – but the music is about as thrilling as Dubuque.

Fortunately, the Furs fare much better on side one. With its throbbing bass, insistent beat and nearly obscene sax, "Shock" captures the true glisten and glitz of the city. Likewise, the broad sax solo in "Angels Don't Cry" is knowingly urban. The highlight, though, is the single "Heartbreak Beat," a compelling, midtempo ballad in the style of Avalon-period Roxy Music. Here Butler is at his current best – embracing another doomed affair in lieu of real love. For Butler, this material may not represent another major leap ahead, but at least on these songs he stands his ground with authority. If he intends to remain on this musical turf in the future, however, he'll have to come up with more passion and hooks to hold us there. (RS 495)

JIM FARBER