AMG Review of Cargo [Bonus Tracks]

Stephen Thomas Erlewine
All Music Guide

Cargo was bashed out fairly quickly, but its release was delayed because of the success of Men at Work's debut, Business as Usual. Though it was recorded on the road, Cargo is considerably more diverse -- but not necessarily more ambitious -- than its predecessor. Again, the album is anchored by two extraordinary singles. Fortunately, the soaring ballad "Overkill," and the satiric, anti-nuclear "It's a Mistake," aren't rewrites of "Who Can It Be Now?" and "Down Under,"; demonstrating more depth than anything on Men at Work's debut. Despite this growth, the remainder of Cargo is weighed down by filler. "Dr. Heckyll and Mr. Jive" might be goofy fun, and "High Wire" and "Blue for You" are tight pop songs, but the rest are simply pleasant, occasionally embarrassing ("I Like To," "Settle Down My Boy"), new wave pop. [The 2003 reissue includes five bonus tracks.]