The Doobie Brothers sound has been heavily influenced by the addition of Jeff Baxter and Michael McDonald, two former members of Steely Dan. Between them, Baxter and McDonald contributed two-thirds of Takin' It to the Streets, adding slightly more complicated, Latin-inflected rhythms. They're the reasons why this is, melodically, the Doobies' best record.

Lyrics are another matter: few best-selling, technically immaculate groups are as banal as this one. "Rio," for example, a very catchy, thoughtful bit of music, is anchored by lines like "Workin' for the man every day ... Got to get away."

But the music more than compensates. McDonald's "It Keeps You Runnin'" is a particularly beautiful tune, with the organ pushing through the choruses. Tom Johnston's "Turn It Loose" is sure-fire reassurance that one of the original Doobies has lost none of his commercial touch. One only hopes that the Doobies soon latch onto a lyricist as eloquent as the Becker/Fagen team, yet suited to their simple concerns. (RS 214)

KEN TUCKER