rejoined in 2013 after a 16-year absence. In the aftermath, the classic quintet -- , , and -- were readying the ground to record for the first time since 1987. , however, despite public affirmations that she was on board, bailed to pursue her solo work, creating the kind of melodrama that has made one of pop's most dysfunctional outfits. and had already written songs for the band project -- together and separately -- and decided to complete the record anyway with the rhythm section. Four-fifths of albums have appeared before to very mixed results. While this set falls prey to that a bit given ' absence, the end result remains quite positive and, with more time, this version of the band could continue with great success. The set commences with three absolute knockouts. 's opener "Sleeping Around the Corner" first appeared as a bonus track on his , but this rework is better; it's steeped in the melodic signature he's so effectively employed with as traces of early rock harmonies are wed to slightly wonky rhythm and keyboard charts, joined to a killer new bridge and refrain. It's followed by "Feel About You," one of the pair's three co-writes. Framed by a marimba and 's bassline, its Caribbean flavor is offset by a doo wop-esque lyric line behind 's breezy vocal -- that still offers more than a hint of ache in its grain. 's "In My World" combines 's production flare with the breathy call-and-response vocal moans from 's "Big Love." The glorious sun-kissed pop of 's "Red Sun" is gorgeously crafted. It contains a stacked vocal hook that makes us forget about altogether. 's "Love Is Here to Stay" sounds more like something off one of his solo albums, but it's a gorgeous song and the interplay of voices in the backdrop embraces the whole band. The jointly composed "Too Far Gone" is a funky, love-it-or-hate-it track. Its big funky riff stands at odds with 's vocal. But more than this, it contains 's maddening trademark production excess that employs big tribal drum breakdowns that disrupt everything. Likewise, 's "Game of Pretend" is a syrupy and uncharacteristically clumsy ballad that drags on far longer than it should and feels like filler. Her closer, "Carnival Begins," is far more successful. It's mercurial, dreamy, and actually recalls the -era that delivered "Mystified." 's screaming guitar break at the end, however, reconciles it to the band's current sonic sphere. While isn't perfect -- and it was smart not to bill this effort as a record -- it's far better than expected, and indeed, they should have made it happen long ago. While you can never tell what might happen with this crew, one can only hope that this pair teams up again soon. ~ Thom Jurek