NEW ON CD

Dirty Vegas’ followup
more rock-oriented

"One" Dirty Vegas (Capitol)

The British trio's followup to their hit debut -- which was buoyed by the 1993 Grammy Award winner "Days Go By" -- still has a bit of the dance mentality behind it, but is distinctly more rock-oriented than the first. Steve Smith's earnest and wistful vocals are stepped up, and with the additional instrumental help of Paul Harris and Ben Harris (no relation) and guests, sound quite comfy in the album's overall yearning mood.

It starts and ends on a strong note. Just glancing over the song titles gives you an accurate idea of what "One" is about, relationship-wise. "Roses," "Home Again," "Human Love" and the lead single "Walk Into the Sun," makes for a tuneful first quartet of songs, and the live instrumentation of "Save Me Now" ends the album on a welcome "human" note.

My only reservation is that the middle of the album goes a bit soft, but it's nothing that listening to "One" in the shuffle mode couldn't cure.

Overall, "One" should be given as a prescription when one needs a soothing aural balm. Take when needed.

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