dada
Casualties of the 1995 demise of its first record company, I.R.S., after three albums, Dada reemerges on a new label, MCA, with this eponymous effort. It's a solid effort, indeed. The Danny Kotchmar-produced album starts strong with "Information Undertow," a tongue-in-cheek Brit-pop-meets-Lou-Reed take on the media. "Playboy in Outerspace" is another standout, with its trippy Beck-like guitars and harmonies reminiscent of Simon & Garfunkel. "California Gold" sports an uncanny resemblance to War's "Low Rider," but with Dada's trademark Beatlesque touches. Which leads to one complaint: Dada relies too heavily on its overpowering Beatles musical references. Still, Dada has come a long way since 1992's inexplicable hit, "Dizz Knee Land."--Lesley Holdom