Album of the Day

Anyone remotely interested in pop songcraft has (or ought to have) a Bread best-of collection, but MANNA is proof that there was much more to the band than its signature singles. Of course this third studio set from the '70s hitmakers includes a Top 10 David Gates-penned ballad (“If”), but “Let Your Love Go” shows he could write rockers just as effectively. His songs alternate with those by James Griffin and Robb Royer, whose “Take Comfort” and “Live In Your Love” are also outstanding; adding a strong rhythmic backbone to all 12 tracks is Bread drummer Mike Botts. With its memorable melodies complemented by muscular performances, the gold-certified MANNA remains a slice of soft-rock heaven.