Red Box - Motive (1990)

Simon Toulson-Clarke was left with the unenviable task of following up The Circle & the Square and he did so admirably, even without the help of Julian Close and David Motion. Gone are the world music trappings and First Nations beats, to be replaced by sheer pop bliss. "Train" gets the album off and chugging with its refrain of "Go internationale!," while "Moving" has an infectious pop hook emblematic of the remainder of the disc. But the true highlights come in the second half of the album, with "The Power Is Down" and the irresistible "Now Ask." By the time Toulson-Clarke has reached the end of "New England," he has accomplished the incredible feat of creating a second masterpiece without a single bad song. Another perfect record for Simon Toulson-Clarke, which -- again -- is indeed an amazing accomplishment.