Haywire made Don't Just Stand There their strongest release, with tracks like "Dance Desire" and "Black and Blue" draped in rhythms led by rather unsophisticated guitar and keyboard riffs and a bubblegum rock savoir faire aimed at a teenage crowd. Produced by Brian Allen, the album's songs are mainly about breaking up and breaking out, and although the manufactured angst is a bit facetious, the songs aren't without some contagious merit. "Fire" packs a catchy beat, and "One Heart Affair" and "Hard Reaction" are dancefloor rockers in the same vein as Bon Jovi or Warrant. "Thinkin' About the Years" is an average-sounding ballad as well that shows a hint of maturity. Don't Just Stand There helped Haywire gain cross-country awareness, as their debut album, Bad Boys, sold best on Canada's east coast, the band's stomping grounds. The albums that followed, especially Get Off, are directionless and unavailing, wallowing in poorly performed hip-hop rock and irritating loudness. Either Don't Just Stand There or Wired, a satisfactory compilation, would be the album of choice. ~ Mike DeGagne
