POP ALBUMS

*** Saint Etienne, “Good Humor,” Sub Pop. On its fourth full album, the British trio manages to produce one of the year’s most elegant records while still maintaining an alternative edge. The group favors the sound of distorted pianos and harpsichords, mellifluous dance beats and impressionistic lyrics. The effect is as uplifting as singer Sarah Cracknell’s sunny voice.

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* Various artists, “Outlandos D’Americas--a Rock en Espan~ol Tribute to the Police,” Ark 21. Although it boasts some of the most creative names in rock en espan~ol--from Soda Stereo’s Gustavo Cerati to Colombian songstress Soraya and Mexican rappers Control Machete--this misfired tribute album will send you running to the original versions of the 13 Police gems covered here. In retrospect, every little thing the trio did was magic, and that magic is deceptively hard to recapture.

Albums are rated on a scale of one star (poor), two stars (fair), three stars (good) and four stars (excellent).