The solo-recording General Store, aka Tam Johnstone (son of Elton John guitarist Davey Johnstone; "Mountain" is dedicated "for Dee and Gus" -- John's bassist Dee Murray, died 1992, and producer Gus Dudgeon, died 2002), has direct pieces of roots rock and country as well as power-pop and pop. That's in the same way that Mojave 3 does (Neil Halstead loaned gear and Al Forrester did the sleeve layout) and four big B's of his Dad's acquaintance, Badfinger, Beatles (in this case, George Harrison), Beach Boys, and Byrds did -- three guiding lights on a fairly polished early '70s singer-songwriter record. There's a particular Beach Boys' Brian Wilson homage on "Girls from the Mall," but the country Byrds/Gene Clark is more prominent. Talent apparently can be passed down the family line, as well as a good record collection. ~ Jack Rabid