Jesse Colin Young's third post-Youngbloods solo album is on a par with the first two — making it a worthwhile musical half hour. His appealingly laid-back twang and usually top grade, if slightly love-and-sunshine-obsessed, songwriting continue to appeal to my subcutaneous rural streak. Side One consists entirely of "California Suite," an admirable vehicle for nearly all of his virtues. In its wake, Side Two feels more like filler. (RS 164)

ALAN NIESTER