Whole New World by Boston's Outlets, released on Restless Records/Enigma in 1985, is a raw document of a good pop band with enthusiasm that rises above the group's limitations. Where the rock roll voice of the Buzzcocks' Pete Shelley would tatter and tear, he managed to stay somewhat on key; lead singer/lead guitarist Dave Barton clearly emulated Shelley, but his vocal limitations inhibited his otherwise interesting material. Sheila is OK on Whole New World, but sounds so much better re-recorded 14 years later by producers John McDermott and Kevin Army on Hendrix Records' 1999 release simply titled The Outlets. Whole New World is the Barton brothers -- Dave on vocals and lead guitar and Rick on guitar -- with Mike County on bass and Walter Gustafson on drums. Tilted Track rings with the same undertones of Whole New World and The War Is Over; they don't deviate much from the formula, and producer Rob Dimit simply captures what the band was all about at this point in time. A Valentine Song has enough creativity to stand out from the pack and, while Dave Barton's guitar work on Tilted Track and The Provider really shows strength, the song similarity and redundance of the vocals kept this band from making more of an impact, both in Boston and on the national stage. There's more polish on the 1999 release, but Whole New World had its moments and is also a nice glimpse of a band making noise while it was also making some waves. ~ Joe Viglione, Rovi

1		Whole New World
2		War Is Over
3		Sheila
4		Tilted Track
5		The Provider
6		Can't Cheat the Reaper
7		Made in Japan
8		What I Did
9		A Valentine Song
10		Someday

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