"Seasons in the Sun," an immensely popular single, was widely loathed for its appallingly saccharine quality. Yet considering the insipid material, Terry Jacks performed a feat of pop craftsmanship by rendering it as palatable as he did (particularly the great reverbed Link Wray guitar). On the album he displays more of the same craftsmanship, and when the material is above average (the Everlys' "Since You Broke My Heart," Buddy Holly's "I'm Gonna Love You Too," and Jacks's own "Concrete Sea"), the results are delightful. Other tracks are mediocre, but Seasons in the Sun is a generally pleasant surprise and a good lightweight pop album. (RS 162)

KEN BARNES