HEART AND SOUL OF T ‘PAU

Band: T’Pau.

Personnel: Carol Decker, vocals; Ronnie Rogers, guitar; Dean Howard, guitar; Mick Chetwood, keyboards; Paul Jackson, bass; Tim Burgess, drums.

History: Decker and Rogers had been writing songs and performing together in their native Shrewsbury, England, for several years before forming T’Pau (the name comes from an alien princess in a “Star Trek” episode) with four local friends two years ago. The band found recognition hard to come by at home--Shrewsbury has never been known as fertile territory for developing bands--but toured extensively throughout Europe. In 1986 a demo tape reached producer Roy Thomas Baker (the Cars, Queen), who flew to Hamburg to catch the band in performance. Impressed, Baker agreed to produce T’Pau’s debut album, which was recorded last fall in Britain and at Baker’s New York studio. The album was released in Britain in February by Virgin’s Siren label under the title “Bridge of Spies” and in April by Virgin’s fledgling American label as “T’Pau.” The first single, “Heart and Soul,” became an instant success in American dance clubs and has worked its way into the Top 10 of the national singles chart.

Sound: “Heart and Soul” is the album’s highlight and the definitive example of T’Pau’s sound, with Decker’s Patty Smyth-like voice ranging from speak-sing simple to near-operatic forceful against a lush, rhythmic arrangement. The album features a variety of musical styles, from chamber-like gentility (“China in Your Hands”) to flat-out rock (“Sex Talk,” “Monkey House,” “You Give Up”), with an abundance of summery melodies throughout. Though at times the material is not as strong as the singing and arrangements, and the lyrics are nearly all stock pop romance fare, at its best T’Pau strikes a middle ground between the experimental innovations of Kate Bush and the more conventional contemporary rock of Heart and Starship.

Shows: Monday at the Bacchanal, Tuesday at the Roxy. --STEVE HOCHMAN