Going Public is Bruce Johnston's first solo outing since his obscure early-Sixties effort, Surfin' 'round the World. Since recording Surfin', Johnston has been a Beach Boy, produced a few albums and won a Grammy for his "I Write the Songs." His new album lends credence to the theory that experience is not necessarily the best teacher. Surfin', which featured such unforgettable songs as "Makaha at Midnight" and "Jersey Channel Islands—Part 7," at least had some energy to go with its sun-and-fun good vibes. Going Public, however, is all good vibes—Seventies style—and the result is so obnoxiously sweet that one ponders wiping off the turntable after playing the album, just in case some of the syrup has oozed from the grooves.

One can excuse Johnston for recording his own version of "I Write the Songs" (it's harder to excuse him for writing it). But one must question his reworking of "Deidre" and "Disney Girls," as the original Beach Boys tracks are far superior. The same is true for "Rendezvous," one of the Hudson Brothers' better singles. As for the rest of the album, "Won't Somebody Dance with Me," a dialogue between a loving father and a wallflowerish daughter, would be excellent for Mike Douglas, and his disco version of the instrumental classic "Pipeline" is only funny for about ten seconds. In "Rock and Roll Survivor," Johnston says, "I've been very faithful to lady rock 'n' roll/but don't say I'm ungrateful 'cause I feel the need to grow." Keep growing, Bruce, and you'll be at Muzak-central real soon. (RS 245)

BILLY ALTMAN