PARTY MACHINE

Gloria Estefan & Miami Sound Machine threw a party Saturday night at the Greek Theatre. They sang lots of peppy, poppy songs and featured enough fireworks and confetti to make it seem like the Fourth of July and New Year’s Eve rolled into one. It was entertaining but awfully thin. And the show was so packed with razzle-dazzle that it had a cluttered, frantic edge.

In many ways, the group is the KC & the Sunshine Band of the ‘80s: a Florida-based act turning out a series of party-minded anthems. But they seem to be capable of more. Estefan has a warm, expressive vocal style that echoes Karen Carpenter, especially on the heartfelt “Words Get in the Way.” But with the emphasis on bouncy novelty pieces Saturday, she had few opportunities to really sing . Those light pop hits got the Machine off the ground but now the band should incorporate more ballads and rich ethnic sounds. Otherwise, it might as well change its name to Las Vegas Sound Machine.