What’s Happening

No Doubt’s “Tragic Kingdom,” which lost its top spot on the national album sales chart last week after eight weeks at No. 1, is once again the nation’s best-selling album, according to SoundScan. The “Gridlock’d” soundtrack, which entered at No. 1 last week, drops to No. 2. The highest album debut this week: the Spice Girls’ “Spice” at No. 6. The nation’s top-selling single was the Spice Girl’s “Wannabe.”

What’s Hot

Here are some recent releases generating critical and/or commercial attention:

Bush’s “Razorblade Suitcase” (Trauma). This British group’s second album is a well-crafted pop diversion, but it’s never quite hooky or memorable.

David Bowie’s “Earthling” (Virgin). The techno-rock mix sometimes proves pallid, but the results generally are invigorating.

Deana Carter’s “Did I Shave My Legs for This?” (Capitol Nashville). Carter is a delightful country newcomer whose “Strawberry Wine” single has brought her crossover pop success.

“Gridlock’d,” various artists (Death Row/Interscope). With “Life Is a Traffic Jam,” the late Tupac Shakur proves himself a true warrior poet, with an artistic range that extends even to jazz.

Pavement’s “Brighten the Corners” (Matador/Capitol). Like Beck, Pavement unreels long strings of imagery, concocting a disarming blend of charm and mystery.

Enrique Iglesias’ “Vivir” (Fonovisa). More pop formula--corny love ballads, conventional arrangements--from Julio’s megastar son.

The Pat Metheny Group’s “Quartet” (Geffen). The guitarist’s cool, calculated sound continues to have wide appeal.

Don Byron’s “Bug Music” (Nonesuch). The clarinetist and his ensemble treat the music of Ellington, Strayhorn, Raymond Scott and others with loving respect.

Joe Lovano’s “Celebrating Sinatra” (Blue Note). The tenor man explores the Chairman’s songbook with warm tones and intimate phrasing.

What’s New

Moby’s “Animal Rights” (Elektra); Redd Kross’ “Show World” (Mercury); Scarface’s “The Untouchable” (Virgin); Hovercraft’s “Akathisia” (Mute); Veruca Salt’s “Eight Arms to Hold You” (Geffen); McCoy Tyner’s “What the World Needs Now Is . . . The Music of Burt Bacharach” (Impulse!).

What’s Coming

Tuesday: Live’s “Secret Samhadi” (MCA), Ben Vaughn’s “Rambler 65” (Rhino), Chris Whitley’s “Terra Incognita” (WORK Group), the World Saxophone Quartet’s “Takin’ It 2 the Next Level” (Justin Time).

Feb 25: L7’s “The Beauty Process: Triple Platinum” (Reprise), Freedy Johnston’s “Never Home” (Elektra), “Private Parts” soundtrack, various artists (Warner Bros.); Van Morrison’s “The Healing Game” (A&M;), Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra’s “Blood on the Fields” (Columbia).

And beyond: In March, U2’s “Pop” (Island) and Aerosmith’s “Nine Lives” (Columbia).