Almost 29 years have passed since the release of Code of Ethics‘ final Forefront Records effort, Soulbait. This was one of the first reviews I wrote on JFH (if not the first), and it feels appropriate to be one to revisit for my first “Double Take” review. Now, while I probably wouldn’t raise or lower my original star rating (though I suspect I quietly lowered it from a 4 to a 3.5 at some point over the years), my view of this album forever changed when I learned that the band had been forced by the record label to change their sound for this record. It makes sense that this explains the significant style shift for the band, as electronic pop has always been Code’s signature sound. Still, Soulbait is not without its roses among the thorns, as songs like “That Was Then,” “Love,” “Glory,” “Shake Me,” “Free” and “Echo” all still stand out on the track list. (I have to say, I’ve come to appreciate the corny Star Trek effects used in the deliriously upbeat “Brightside,” though.) The title track is still relatively fun, but it’s also just a bit too weird or quirky for its own good. It’s hard not to look at this album, listen to its sound, notice its early 1997 release date, and wonder if Forefront was just chasing another hit album in the same vein as late-1995’s Jesus Freak. In any case, while this album is Exhibit A for record labels meddling much too much in the affairs of the artists on their roster, it still has some songs on it of merit, and ones I still enjoy listening to to this day.
– 1/1/26 John DiBiase