Producer
Lewis Martinee fashioned
Exposé with a poppier sound on their sophomore set. The sturdy dance grooves are still there, but they're not as steeped in the nightclubs as those on
Exposure. A healthy variety of strong selections are included. Among the best are the spunky title track (a Top Ten pop hit), replete with snazzy horns, a colorful guitar solo, and a fiery lead vocal by
Gioia; "Stop, Listen, Look & Think," a subtler uptempo number with an understated yet memorable lead by
Ann Curless; and the sultry, summertime slow-groove "When I Looked at Him" (also a Top Ten hit), on which
Jeanette Jurado's laid-back performance brings to mind
Belinda Carlisle. Perhaps the strongest cut, though, is the defiant ballad "Didn't It Hurt to Hurt Me."
Gioia's assured, powerful delivery here makes the perfect match for the soulful melodies and honest, straightforward lyrics. (Sadly, a vocal cyst would force her to depart the group in 1991, but she would return to singing in 1997 fronting the rock band Wet.) A solid set essential for any fan of '80s pop/dance. ~ Justin M. Kantor