With Rindy Ross' honey-coated vocals and beckoning saxophone lines and husband Mary Ross' knack for writing smooth, L.A.-rock-style songs, it was no surprise that Quarterflash's debut album shot into the million-selling platinum zone. Take Another Picture, the group's second LP, improves upon that initial formula for success by offering sharper song structures, terser arrangements and more diverse songwriting, courtesy of guitarist-vocalist Jack Charles' Bread-inspired ballads.

Unfortunately, the album, like its predecessor, is too polite and repressed to leave any lasting impact. Given the hostile temperament of the lyrics, the music's docile nature is even more difficult to understand this time around. Apparently, the pressures of rock-pop stardom got to this Oregon band, which is fronted by a husband-and-wife team of former schoolteachers. Mary Ross' songs–particularly "Shakin' the Jinx," "Make It Shine" and "Nowhere Left to Hide"–strike back at those who ever doubted the band's hitmaking future.

And, more than anything, Quarterflash seems determined to have more hits. In fact, the only time the group tempts commercial fate is on the title cut, a tightly wound pop rocker. The rest of the album–including the single "Take Me to Heart," which is a shameless rewrite of the band's first single, "Harden My Heart"–is musically predictable and emotionally flat. It's the same old roll-over-and-play-dead-for-airplay tale, except that Quarterflash seems to be harboring some distinguishing characteristics beneath the surface. Too bad they don't have the guts to unleash them. (RS 403)

DIVINA INFUSINO