POP MUSIC SPECIAL : The Record Industry’s Big Push

The fall season is always the most active time for pop record releases, as the music industry gears up for its November-December season, during which nearly a third of all records, tapes and CDs are sold. But that can mean confusion for even the most serious music fans, as old favorites compete with newcomers for consumers’ attention.

These are the albums expected to generate the most critical and commercial interest of all the post-Labor Day releases during the hectic year-end rush. The selections, presented in alphabetical order, cover all parts of the pop music spectrum, from heavy-metal fathers (Aerosmith) and sons (L.A. Guns) to rap innovators (the D.O.C., Young M.C.); from rock kings on the rebound (Bob Dylan, the Rolling Stones) and pop queens living the lush life (Linda Ronstadt, Barbra Streisand) to country chartbusters (Randy Travis) and folkie mavericks (Tracy Chapman, Michelle Shocked).

The comments are by the Times pop writers indicated, but the star ratings (one is poor, five a classic) sometimes reflect additional pop staff input.

The reviewers are Robert Hilburn, Dennis Hunt, Mike Boehm, Richard Cromelin, Jonathan Gold, Steve Hochman, Connie Johnson, Craig Lee, Kristine McKenna, Randy Lewis, Don Snowden, Chris Willman, Paul Grein, Duff Marlowe and Don Waller.

* BEACH BOYS, “Still Cruisin’,” Capitol. Still coasting is more like it. The silver-haired surfers crash with a spark-less collection of movie-related newies (the title track, “Kokomo”) and oldies. Even Brian Wilson’s lone new contribution is merely a recap of past glories. (Hochman)

**** KATE BUSH, “The Sensual World,”Columbia. Having the glorious Trio Bulgarka sing on three songs even further expands Bush’s already thoroughly developed world vision--perhaps only Peter Gabriel melds so many elements with such seamless, individualistic flair. Still, some may continue to find her attention-getting vocals precious and her quasi-cosmic outlook and naked emotionalism off-putting. (Hochman)

*** 1/2 DAVID BYRNE, “Rei Momo,” Sire. This result of Byrne’s collaborations with Latin musicians is populated with dreamers and escapists, as if Byrne is bringing them together in a new family of man, as he has brought together different musical cultures throughout his career. The bubbly music is as attractive, accomplished and sexy as anything Byrne has ever done. (Hochman)

*** CAMPER VAN BEETHOVEN, “Key Lime Pie,” Virgin. On their second big-label album, the Campers drive pretty much down the middle of their road--though it’s still a trek off the beaten path. Within that context, David Lowery becomes an acute observer of American quirks, and the band manages to be both arty and earthy, sketchy and complex. (Hochman)

** 1/2 SOUNDGARDEN, “Louder Than Love,”A&M.; Yet another ride on a Led Zeppelin to the Black Sabbath? Yup, and a pretty good one on the big-label debut of this Seattle band, one of the best of the new bunch of noyze boyz. But there’s too much sludge and not enough sex appeal--save for “Big Dumb Sex,” an apparent parody that only works up to a point. (Hochman)

** 1/2 THE SUGARCUBES, “Here Today, Tomorrow Next Week,”Elektra. Much of what made their debut album so arresting is intact, with the superimposed, often conflicting views and styles of howling, ranting Einar Beneditksson and luscious vocals of Bjork Gudmundsdottir ( the most incredible female singer in rock, bar none) ever more the central feature. (Hochman)

*** YOUNG M.C., “Stone Cold Rhymin’,”Delicious Vinyl/Island. The writer of Tone-Loc’s record-selling raps “Wild Thing” and “Funky Cold Medina” hits on his own, weaving delectible schoolyard sitcoms produced with equal style by the team behind Tone and the latest Beastie Boys album. (Hochman)

** 1/2 WARREN ZEVON, “Transverse City,”Virgin. Half of Zevon’s characters are mercenaries (of love and of war) in control of their own fate; the other half are lost in a big scary world. Ditto for his songs on this album. The first half is among his most elegant and accomplished work, mordant but yearning (halfway between Randy Newman and Pete Townshend), but the second half is kinda ordinary and flat. (Hochman)

Coming Up:

Other albums scheduled for release in the coming weeks include:

ABC, Art of Noise, Basia, Bobby Brown (dance mixes), Club Nouveau, Phil Collins, Erasure, Gipsy Kings, Ofra Haza, the Jesus and Mary Chain, Joan Jett, Quincy Jones, Kid Creole, Kris Kristofferson, Yngwie Malsteem, Roches, Shinehead, Keith Sweat, Tiffany, the Time, Jody Watley (dance mixes), Whitesnake and Peter Wolf.