FLIP FLOP ‘N’ FLY: What are the...

FLIP FLOP ‘N’ FLY: What are the big music-biz disappointments of the month? Let’s start with Vanilla Ice’s “Extremely Live” album on SBK Records, which did extremely poorly on the charts, peaking at No. 30 after five weeks (of Ice’s rap peers, even Slick Rick topped that in his first week and he can’t even promote his record--he’s in jail!). Ice’s poor showing suggests one reason why big-spending label chief Charles Koppelman eagerly sold off his half of SBK to EMI--Ice may be a one-hit wonder after all. . . . The news isn’t great for Tom Petty’s “Into the Great Wide Open” album, which debuted at No. 14, tiptoed to No. 13 and has been sliding downward ever since. It’s a mediocre showing, especially after his previous “Full Moon Fever” album’s lo-o-o-o-ng run in the Top 10. MCA is working Petty’s single hard, but can he regain that lost momentum? . . . Has Geffen Records’ leading lady Cher lost her pop touch? Her “Love Hurts” album has barely cracked the Top 50--her last album went Top 10--while her single is treading water at No. 17. . . . Julia Roberts certainly couldn’t help Arista’s “Dying Young” soundtrack, which is following the movie down the tubes, struggling at No. 56 after only four weeks on the charts (while “Boyz N the Hood’s” soundtrack is nearing the Top 10). . . . And it’s time for Capitol Records to pick a new single for Crowded House. The label’s first try bombed big time, leaving the band’s “Woodface” album plummeting to No. 159.