On the credibility scale, Andrew Ridgeley falls somewhere between La Toya Jackson and oblivion. His critical standing is so low that some believe Wham! roadies contributed more to the group's success than he did. Unfortunately for him, Ridgeley's first solo album makes this assessment seem generous. At best, the album suggests a macabre vision of Ridgeley as an evil-minded backup singer who erased the actual lead vocals from the tracks in a last-ditch attempt to draw attention to himself. What other explanation can there be for a voice this shapeless and reedy at center stage?

The music Ridgeley co-wrote to cover these deficiencies only highlights the problem. He all too obviously latched onto a classic method of feigning credibility: Make every song loud and fast, so no one can figure out what's wrong. The problem is that one can't help but be riveted by the ludicrousness of Ridgeley's affectations. He takes all the rocker moves – the snarl, the screech, the fey swish – and makes them ridiculous. Meanwhile, his guitar-based music is just as far off the mark. Though many songs draw on promising glitter-rock influences, especially "Mexico" and "Kiss Me," the music ultimately reeks of modern, low-end, spandex rock. Even his cover of the Everly Brothers' "Price of Love" muffs it, stomping all over its own hook. Then again, there is a CD bonus track that manages to get things at least half right – "Shake (Hardcore)." It's the only song on the album with no lead vocal at all. (RS 581)

JIM FARBER