AMG Review of Lovebubble

Tom Demalon
All Music Guide

The fifth album by the synth quintet Book of Love kicks off with the hypnotic, mostly instrumental "Sunday Morning A.M.," featuring Susan Ottaviano breathily repeating the word "always." It's followed by the bittersweet "Happily Ever After," which includes a cool sample of the Fifth Dimension's "Aquarius." The group injects David Bowie's "Sound and Vision" with perk (and more than a few layers of keyboard noodlings and a throbbing dance beat). "Hunny Hunny" is as sweet as its name implies and "Trouble in a Bubble" has a playful bounce. The simple "Salve My Soul" has a cool, sensual feel (spoiled by a chaotic midsection) and "Woyaya" just doesn't work. While there are some fun moments on Lovebubble (the sprightly pop of "Flower in My Hand"), most fans will find Book of Love's earlier work much more engaging and essential.