It’s always tricky to know what to do with a once-major star voice when its been missing for a few decades. Sensible decisions have been made, with ex-Shangri-La frontlady Mary Weiss going for a slight contemporary edge that contains brief echoes of her girl group past. The result is a lively updating of power-pop with My Heart Is Beating, complete with prominent castanets that makes for a strong opener. To many ears, this is a sure fire first single to come from the album, but Don’t Come Back got the nod instead, with its uptempto indie-pop feel. Past glories are evoked, most obviously with a few tracks making sure to put ‘Cry’ in the title, while the Shangs’ classic oldie Heaven Only Knows get a 2007 update. Rather worryingly, it’s still the best song here.
With Ms Weiss in good voice (though it’s a tad deeper), Dangerous Game is a strong effort which will please fans. On the strength of most of the material here, however, she will have to have some stronger writing input if her second coming is to be sustained.
