Cat Stevens: It Must Be Destiny

CAT STEVENS couldn't come along at a better time. Time magazine has informed us that we're entering a period of gentle, reflective, and introspective music, so I guess it's official now. Unfortunately, even the best of this new breed of quietly suffering culture heroes can become mighty oppressive unless some variety is inserted into the listener's musical diet. James Taylor has never felt comfortable about cutting loose. And Elton John, who has been known to holler and dance on stage if not on record, has revealed himself to be a formula writer-performer (he's like a quarterback who's gonna keep running the same play until he stops gaining on it). Peers of those two are stuck in their own ruts.