** PEBBLES “Pebbles” <i> MCA</i> : <i> Albums are rated on a scale of one star (poor) to five (a classic). : </i>

Pebbles was one of the major success stories of 1988. Her singles “Girlfriend” and “Mercedes Boy,” produced by L.A. Reid and Babyface, were smash hits that drove her from just another wannabe with an improbable name to crossover queen within months. Armed with platinum-selling credentials, Pebbles--who recently married Reid--should have been filled with energy and risk-taking ideas on her next trip into the studio. Instead, her new album is going to have to quickly go the remix route to generate any excitement.

Babyface performs a duet with her on “Love Makes Things Happen,” but because she’s not a particularly formidable vocal partner, there are no sparks. Probably the best cut here is “Backyard,” a cut on which her vocals could have used more beefing up, but which spunkily contains some Salt-N-Pepa-inspired flavoring.