Recurring Dream : * * * * <i> Great Balls of Fire</i> * * * <i> Good Vibrations</i> * * <i> Maybe Baby</i> * <i> Running on Empty : </i>

* * THE DREAM ACADEMY. “Remembrance Days.” Reprise. There was something refreshing about this English trio’s 1985 debut: The gentle nostalgia of singer/songwriter Nick Laird-Clowes, the wistful breeze of Kate St. John’s oboe and cor anglais and keyboardist Gilbert Gabriel’s neo-chamber arrangements combined to make songs like “Life in a Northern Town” welcome breaks from the Anglo dance ‘n’ doom norm. Whatever that something was is in short supply on this follow-up. “Indian Summer” reasonably re-creates the mood of “Northern Town,” but is too much a carbon copy. The only song that truly recaptures the feeling is “Here,” the sole track on which St. John’s lovely playing is at the fore. And while Laird-Clowes’ romantic melodies do grow on you, co-producer Hugh Padgham has given them bland settings that at times sound more appropriate for one of his star clients, Phil Collins. Even a couple of production and playing contributions from Lindsey Buckingham do little to break the sonic monotony.