Business as Usual
became a surprise international hit on the basis of
"Who Can It Be Now?"
and
"Down Under,"
two excellent singles that merged straight-ahead
pop/rock
hooks with a quirky
new wave
production and an offbeat sense of humor.
Colin Hay
's keening vocals uncannily recall
Sting
, and the band's rhythmic pulse and phased guitars also bring to mind a
bar band
version of
the Police
. And that helps make the remainder of
enjoyable. There's a fair amount of filler on the record, but
"Be Good Johnny,"
"I Can See It in Your Eyes,"
"Down by the Sea"
are all fine
pop
songs, making
one of the more enjoyable mainstream-oriented efforts of the era. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine