THE STRAND (Island)::When pop groups function as little more than fifth columns for the tired ideals of their old-technology producers, the benefits are decidedly mixed. I suppose the Knack can be seen as Mike Chapman’s revenge on America for not embracing his Sweet, Mud, etc., way back when, but at least the Knack sound good on the radio. Whereas the Strand are pure readymade whimper-pop, thanks in great part to (non-group) lyricist David Batteau, and producer Jeffrey “Toto-goes-‘new wave’ ” Porcaro. Batteau may be the prime offender, as this album positively reeks of hippie-rock lyrical cliches. Anybody who writes one more pop song containing the phrase “dancin’ in the moonlight” I should be exiled to that very satellite, this coming June.

R.R.