STARRY EYED AND LAUGHING: ‘THOUGHT TALK’ (CBS 80907) (47:00).

‘THOUGHT TALK’ sees the Starrys working in a much more coherent, settled-in atmosphere than on their first vinyl excursion, though there’s still the uncomfortable feeling that they’re adrift in some slightly vague musical limbo – not quite sure whether they should throw all their chips in with Tony Poole’s ‘McGuinn Variations’, or try riding off in a more mainstream direction. Mind you, Mr Poole has old Roger down pretty well, and his excellent ‘Flames In The Rain’, ‘One Foot In The Boat’, and ‘Thought Talk’ (shades of David Crosby) are all mini 12-string epics in their own right, and turn out to be the most effective tracks on the album.

As far as the rest are concerned, most seem cut from the same semi-laid back pattern – not unpleasant in itself, but not particularly inspired either. – Dan Hedges.