The second and final album from Boston power pop trio
the Cavedogs, 1992's
Soul Martini, is a bit of a disappointment in comparison to its predecessor, 1990's sparkling Joy Rides for Shut-Ins. Slickly produced by
Material's Michael Beinhorn (who did a similarly unwelcome prettying-up on
Soul Asylum's Grave Dancers Union the same year), the album is just slightly too glossy to be entirely entertaining, particularly since
the Cavedogs' brand of guitar pop needs a few rough edges to really make an impact. If this album's flaws were just due to the production, that would be one thing. Unfortunately, the trio's songwriting isn't quite up to snuff. A few tracks are every bit the equal of
the Cavedogs' earlier material -- the
Cheap Trick-like "Boy in a Plastic Bubble" might be the best thing they ever did -- but for every spirited rocker like the harmony-heavy "Sonny Day," there's a lumbering, over-long "Sorrow (Boots of Pain)." Capitol dropped
the Cavedogs after the disappointing commercial reception afforded
Soul Martini, and the group split up shortly thereafter. Singer/bassist
Brian Stevens went on to a creatively successful indie solo career. ~ Stewart Mason