Graham Parker - Human Soul (1989)

On Human Soul, Graham Parker begins to retreat further into his domestic
life, writing an album that includes a side of romantic ruminations and a
side of social commentary. With a band that comprises guitarist Brinsley
Schwarz, bassist Andrew Bodnar, and Attractions Steve Nieve (keyboards) and
Pete Thomas (drums), Parker's music is subtly diverse, adding elements of
worldbeat, reggae, pop, and folk to his R&B-fueled rock & roll; however,
most of the impact of the music is lost by the slick, radio-ready
production. When Parker stays at home on the first half of Human Soul, he
makes his most impressive music, from the sultry come-ons of "Call Me Your
Doctor" to the reassuring "My Love's Strong." He tends to lose his focus on
the latter half of the record, when he writes about subjects that don't
directly affect his home life. Taken in conjunction with the self-conscious
musical eclecticism, the lyrical stretches make Human Soul an intriguing,
but flawed, record.