by Dave Thompson

1994's Thirsty Work is one of those peculiar albums that Status Quo seemed increasingly prone to during the 1980s and 1990s, whereby they would follow a return-to-form corker with something that leaves you wondering just who you're listening to. In this case, it was the spectacular Rock Til You Drop that had just raised hopes back to stratospheric proportions, only for them all to be dashed within minutes of the next record's opening cut kicking off. And "Going Nowhere" is actually one of Thirsty Work's better moments. Returning to the more pop than rock realms that scarred their late-'80s output, Thirsty Work is best remembered for the hit "I Didn't Mean It," and the driving pulse of "Rude Awakening Time." But a band that prided itself on its ability to revamp the most unlikely of cover songs comes up against an unyielding wall when faced by Jennifer Warnes' "Restless," while their own "Lover of the Human Race" could politely be described as "experimental," provided you're not too concerned about whether it works or not. Elsewhere, "Sherri Don't Fail Me Now" is rendered all the more pallid by the decision to release it as a single -- if this really was the best the record company could find, no wonder the fans stayed away in droves. But "Ciao, Ciao" and "Soft in the Head" restore one's faith in the band just a little -- and at least remind us why we loved the group in the first place. It's just a shame that Quo themselves don't seem so sure.