**1/2 Brad

INTERIORS

(Epic)

That this group of moonlighters spends much of Interiors resuscitating the sounds of '70s AOR shouldn't surprise anyone familiar with the day jobs of guitarist Stone Gossard (Pearl Jam) and singer/pianist Shawn Smith and drummer Regan Hagar (Satchel). These three riff-rockers hook up for a second time in Brad, along with bassist Jeremy Toback, for a nostalgic ride that touches on both kinds of arena rock -- the ballads and the heavy anthems.

Brad quotes everyone from Chicago ("Candles") to Aerosmith ("Sweet Al George"). Smith's expressive voice can evoke Grand Funk's Mark Farner or Little Feat's Lowell George; his world-weary vocal and stately piano bring to mind Carole King on "The Day Brings," which features a cameo by Gossard's Pearl Jam buddy Mike McCready. Gossard gets his yah-yahs out on the arena-ready "Sweet Al George" and the slower, minor-key "Funeral Song," which should tide Pearl Jam fans over until that group's next big release.

-- Craig Thorn