PAT METHENY & LYLE MAYS—As Falls Wichita, So Falls Wichita Falls (ECM):: The title track (and first side of this album) is mainly a feature for Mays synthesizer with guest rhythms by Nana Vasconcelos—pretentious, maybe, rambling, definitely, but it shore is purty. The second side is more conventional Metheny stuff, which for some is some of the finest of individual guitar stylings amidst superior post-fusion concepts, for others tedious and bloodless excursions to the far side of precious. And for me, a distinct comedown from 80/81, but pleasant enough. R.C.W.

THE TIME (Warner Bros.):: This is more what 1 had in mind when 1 got that disappointing Sue Ann album last month: real Minneapolis (!) punky-wa've, soul/DOR fusions, fit to be listed as at least Billy J. Kramer-like shock troops to Princes Beatleish leadership of the scene. Besides owning all the synth syncopations I always listened to Kraftwerk for, The Time sure dont worship Gamble & Huffs everything-isblandly-groovy Lord; their hiply hip After High School" even mentions The Draft, and whens the last time you heard ahout that iri a song you could dance to? Cool, as the man says. R.R.