This album should be terrible. It isn't. That's the first minor miracle. The second minor miracle is that the reunited Culture Club aren't only likeable, but they're probably even better (musically-speaking) this time around. Much of this is due to Boy George's increasing confidence, which has grown alongside his credibility as both a DJ and a bona fide pop star. He still retains his heart and drag queen sentimentality but rarely has his voice sounded so assured, so fully rounded. Tracks like the buoyant opener "I Just Wanna Be Loved" and single "Your Kisses Are Charity" could have been taken direct from Colour By Numbers and even the by-now predictable tribute to David Bowie ("Starman") isn't as half as cloying as it might have been. All right, so the music might be the same recognisable Culture Club (soulful, reggae-ish, orchestrated backing) but it's still just so pleasing. --Everett True