For sheer energy and musical muscle, Good For Your Soul is Oingo Boingo’s most successful offering thus far. Songwriter/vocalist Danny Elfman makes good use of his eccentric musical influences here (which range from African and funk rhythms to hard rock), giving the band a more clearly defined sound focussed [sic] on Steve Bartek’s whip-crack guitar playing and Boingo’s previously under-used horn section.

But despite Elfman and producer Bob Margouleff's best intentions, Good For Your Soul still only hints at what this band is really capable of. The hyper "Who Do You Want To Be," "No Spill Blood" (featuring lyrics inspired by the film Island of Lost Souls), and the brief but excellent African beat rave-up of "Cry of the Vatos" are the most satisfyingly frenzied songs Elfman has ever delivered. But Elfman’s more conventional tunes such as "Fill The Void," "Nothing Bad Ever Happens" and the title cut are nothing more than watered-down New Wave items that detract from the album's often overpowering attack.

Danny Elfman is more than just a clever musician (although his vocals leave a lot to be desired), and Good For Your Soul indicates he has better things in store for us in the future. One hopes he will be able to deliver an album’s worth of solid material next time around, and settle on a more certain musical direction.