BOY GEORGE AND CULTURE CLUB

‘Life’

<strong>Released:</strong> Oct. 26, 2018

<strong>Label:</strong> BMG

Like clockwork, every decade or two you can count on a Culture Club reunion album. “Life” has arrived after long gestation and difficult birth. This 11-track baby has Boy George’s deeper-but-wiser voice and no DNA tests are needed to recognize the contributions of Roy Hay, Mikey Craig and Jon Moss.

“Runaway Train,” once billed as a country-ish Johnny Cash tribute, is now a catchy soul sensation awash in strings and horns.

It would hardly be Culture Club without a little reggae and first single “Let Somebody Love You” pleasantly fits the bill.

After all the distractions and restarts, Culture Club — Boy George included, has made a “Life” that’s full of the sounds that gained the band worldwide acclaim, bringing fans comfort and joy until the next reunion. If they can wait that long.

<strong>KEY CUTS:</strong> “What Does Sorry Mean,” “More Than Silence”

Pablo Gorondia, Associated Press