Followers of wimp - rock like myself remember Emitt Rhodes as the singer and songwriter of the Merry - Go - Round, an L.A. group which had an album of the same name and a hit single called "Live" about three years ago. Apparently Emitt has spent the time since in the netherworld at Dunhill learning to be an engineer. Now he's back on records, by himself this time, and the age of the one-man band is really with us: not only does he write all the songs, sing them, and play all the instruments, he's also the engineer and co-producer of the album.

The trouble with this kind of musical incest, though, is that the dynamism which, in the best bands, results from the interaction of several minds is missing. Emitt's accompaniments are all competent, but they lack the punch of the infinitely more primitive backup of the Merry - Go - Round on "Live," and everywhere they have the feel of being accompaniments, not an integral part of the music.

This is mere carping, though, because anyone who likes this type of music, namely lightweight melodic rock, will find the album a delight. Emitt's songs are not much lyrically, slight things about lost and found love mainly, but his melodies are surpassingly pretty. It's his singing that's so great, though. He has the kind of high, clear voice, the sort one might think of as a harmony voice, which is absolutely perfect for this kind of music. He keeps himself busy singing several parts on most of the songs, a sort of one-man Hollies.

There is a more-than-fortuitous resemblance on some songs to Paul McCartney, whom it's always nice to have among your influences. Several songs demonstrate typical McCartney rhythms, singing tricks, and bass and piano playing; the opening bars of "She's Such a Beauty" remind inescapably of "Martha My Dear." Emitt is not yet as good as Paul, but if you liked Paul's solo album it might be safe to assume you'd like Emitt's. I like it the more I play it, which is constantly. (RS 76)

MELISSA MILLS