ANOTHER TRIBUTE?: The latest tribute album in...

ANOTHER TRIBUTE?: The latest tribute album in the works actually has a few surprises to offer. It’s a collection of artists honoring the Carpenters, and the roster of acts signed up might not be what you’d expected. Committed to the project already are Sonic Youth, Redd Kross, American Music Club, the Cranberries, Bettie Serveert and Shonen Knife.

The album, the brainchild of rock journalist David Kojoyan and producer Matt Wallace, will be released later this year by A&M; to mark the 25th anniversary of the Carpenters’ signing with the company. An A&M; spokeswoman insists that it is a loving tribute by rockers who truly like the brother-and-sister duo’s music. Sonic Youth fans will recall the song “Tunic (Song for Karen)” from the band’s album “Goo,” in which Kim Gordon portrays the late Karen Carpenter, who died in 1983 after bouts with anorexia nervosa, reassuring her family that she’s doing fine in the afterlife.

One thing remains to be decided: Which groups will get to sing the Carpenters’ most-loved hits, “Close to You” and “Superstar”?