No Tricks

AMG Review of No Tricks

Andrew Hamilton
All Music Guide

The Commodores were a shell of themselves when they recorded No Tricks. Their glory years were far behind them. Attempting to regain lost stardom, they refurbish "Brick House" as "Brick House '93," and rely heavily on the singing skills of new Commodore J.D. Nicholas and original member Walter Orange. But there's no Lionel Richie and the DJs chilled these tracks so that many of the Commodores' most ardent fans were unaware of this release, which deserved a better fate. The title track is arresting and "Shut Up and Dance," "Let's Get Busy," and "Don't Rock It" are floor magnets.