Pop Music CDs

Sept. 21

Tori Amos, “To Venus and Back,” Atlantic. A new, 12-song studio album is paired with a second CD recorded on her 1998 “Plugged” tour.

Brooks & Dunn, “Tight Rope,” Arista/Nashville. See Record Rack, Page xx.

Chris Cornell, “Euphoria Morning,” Interscope. See Record Rack, Page xx.

Gomez, “Liquid Skin,” Virgin. The English outfit’s 1998 debut, “Bring It On,” won the prestigious Mercury Prize and put Gomez high on the list of bands to watch.

Ben Harper & the Innocent Criminals, “Burn to Shine,” Virgin. See Record Rack, Page xx.

Long Beach Dub All Stars, “Right Back,” DreamWorks. Sublime’s Bud Gaugh and Eric Wilson introduce their new group with this reggae-rock-hip-hop-dub collection.

Madd Rapper, “Tell ‘Em Why U Mad,” Crazy Cat/Columbia. Satirical rap fills the debut album from Puff Daddy producer Deric “D-Dot” Angelettie.

Nine Inch Nails, “The Fragile,” Nothing/Interscope. See review, Page xx.

Iggy Pop, “Avenue B,” Virgin. Hitting the big 5-0 has put the legendary rock firebrand in a reflective mood.

Barbra Streisand, “A Love Like Ours” Columbia. See Record Rack, Page 68.

Terror Squad, “Terror Squad--The Album,” Mystic/Atlantic. See Record Rack, Page 72.

Pete Townshend, “Pete Townshend Live: A Benefit for Maryville Academy,” Platinum Entertainment. Two discs of a recent career-spanning set at the House of Blues in Chicago, with Eddie Vedder on “Magic Bus” and “Heart to Hang On To.”

Elvis Costello/Bill Frisell, “The Sweetest Punch,” Decca. A jazz-leaning reinterpretation of the recent Costello-Bacharach album, with guest vocals from Cassandra Wilson.

Stereolab, “Cobra and Phases Group Play Voltage in the Milky Night,” Elektra. The English band returns with more synthesizer fun.

Gerald Levert, “G,” Elektra. the follow-up to the soul scion’s gold album “Love and Consequences.”

Our Lady Peace, “Happiness . . . Is Not a Fish That You Can Catch,” Columbia. The Canadian rock band’s third album.

Ali Farka Toure, “Radio Mali,” Nonesuch. The U.S. release of a collection of vintage recordings from the African musician, who won a Grammy for his 1994 collaboration with Ry Cooder.

Randy Travis, “A Man Ain’t Made of Stone,” DreamWorks Nashville. The country veteran retreated to Santa Fe, N.M., to record his 12th album.

Various artists, “Saturday Night Live: The Musical Performances,” DreamWorks. Elvis Costello’s famous last-minute song-switch is among the performances preserved in these two separate volumes.

Sept. 28

Mark Almond, “Open All Night,” Instinct. More mysterious moods from the former Soft Cell principal.

Marc Anthony, “Marc Anthony,” Columbia. Having redefined salsa, the New Yorker turns to English-language pop.

Tony Bennett, “Bennett Sings Ellington/Hot and Cool,” RPM/Columbia. The singer is backed by a big band on the swing tunes and a string orchestra on the romantic ballads.

The Bicycle Thief, “You Come and Go Like a Pop Song,” Goldenvoice. L.A. rock fixture Bob Forrest returns from a six year hiatus with a soul-baring account of his trials and errors.

Clint Black, “D’lectrified,” RCA. The country star’s first album with outside material goes way against type with a version of Monty Python’s “The Galaxy Song,” with guest Eric Idle.

Garth Brooks, “Garth Brooks in . . . The Life of Chris Gaines,” Capitol. The “pre-soundtrack” presents songs spanning 15 years in the career of the fictional pop star Brooks will portray in the movie “The Lamb.”

Meredith Brooks, “Deconstruction,” Capitol. The follow-up to “Blurring the Edges” and its hit “Bitch” includes the single “Lay Down,” with Queen Latifah and the Crenshaw High School Choir.

Paula Cole “Amen,” Imago/Warner Bros. The folk-pop eccentric explores Barry White-style disco in the first single, “I Believe in Love.” Guests include TLC’s T-Boz and Gang Starr’s DJ Premier.

Creed, “Human Clay,” Wind-Up. The follow-up to the Tallahassee hard-rock band’s 4-million-selling breakthrough “My Own Prison.”

Everything but the Girl, “Temperamental,” Atlantic. Ben Watt and Tracey Thorn’s ninth album dips deeper into the dance and breakbeat textures they introduced on “Walking Wounded.”

India, “Sola,” RMM. The Nuyorican diva includes two classic boleros by La Lupe, the legendary singer to whom she has often been likened. sept 28.

Indigo Girls, “Come On Now Social,” The duo’s seventh album features a new band and guest vocals from Joan Osborne, Sheryl Crow, Kate Schellenbach and Meshell Ndegeocello.

Loreena McKennitt, “Live in Paris and Toronto,” Quinlan Road. The two-CD set from the heroine of the harp benefits the Cook-Rees Memorial Fund for Water Search and Safety.

Method Man and Redman, “Blackout,” Def Jam. Longtime collaborators have finally completed their long-planned joint album.

Smokey Robinson, “Intimate,” Motown. The singer’s first album in seven years also marks his return to the legendary record label that gave him his start.

Squeeze, “Domino,” Quixotic London/Valley Entertainment. Are Difford and Tilbrook still the Gilbert & Sullivan of pop music? They make their case with 12 new songs and a new band.

Sting, “Brand New Day,” Interscope. Stevie Wonder and James Taylor are guest performers on the latest collection from the veteran star.

ZZ Top, “XXX,” RCA. The Texas trio is marking 30 years of guitar boogie.

Oct. 5

David Bowie, “Hours . . . ,” Virgin. Like his onetime collaborator Iggy Pop, the fiftysomething musician finds this time of life an occasion for angst-filled self-evaluation.

Inspectah Deck, “Uncontrolled Substance,” Loud/RED/Sony. Debut solo album from Wu-Tang Clan’s utility man.

Melissa Etheridge, “Breakdown,” Island. The singer-songwriter’s first album in nearly four years comes in three configurations, including a limited edition CD and a vinyl package.

B.B. King, “Let the Good Times Roll: The Music of Louis Jordan,” MCA. The blues patriarch jumps into the world of the jump-blues kingpin.

Live, “The Distance to Here,” Radioactive. Former Talking Head Jerry Harrison returns to the producer’s helm for the latest from the Pennsylvania rock band.

Paul McCartney, “Run Devil Run,” Capitol. The 15 tracks include 12 remakes of songs from the era of Presley, Perkins and Berry, plus three new originals.

Misfits, “Famous Monsters,” Roadrunner. The hard-rockers with the horror-movie fetish are back in time for Halloween.

No Use for a Name, “More Betterness,” Fat Wreck Chords. The sixth album from a San Jose band that’s become a fixture on the underground punk-rock circuit.

Ricky Skaggs, “Soldier of the Cross,” Skaggs Family. The country and bluegrass veteran releases his first gospel album.

Various artists, “Bandits” soundtrack, Sire. The album from the film about four female rockers on the run is the biggest seller in German history.

Oct. 12

Eric Clapton, “Clapton Chronicles: The Best of Eric Clapton,” Reprise. The Dianne Warren song “Blue Eyes Blue” is the new entry on this retrospective of Slowhand’s Reprise years.

Continental Drifters, “Vermilion,” Razor & Tie. The first nationally distributed album from a collective that includes members of the Cowsills, the Dream Syndicate, the dBs and the Bangles.

Cowboy Junkies, “Rarities, B-Sides and Slow, Sad Waltzes,” Valley Entertainment. Gathers some of the Canadian band’s material that never made it onto the studio albums.

Dr. Dre, “Chronic 2001,” Interscope. The long-awaited second album from the man widely regarded as hip-hop’s best producer.

Warren G, “I Want It All,” G-Funk New Millennium 2000/Restless. The Long Beach rapper returns after three years with a collection that features contributions from Jedrmaine Dupri, Slick Rick, Snoop Dogg and others.

Ice-T, “7th Deadly Sin,” Atomic Pop. The L.A. gangster rap pioneer has hooked up with Internet-conscious Atomic Pop for his seventh album.

Alan Jackson, “Under the Influence,” Arista/Nashville. The country star sings songs popularized by some of his heroes, including Charley Pride, George Jones, Merle Haggard, Jim Ed Brown and Don Williams.

Mint Condition, “Life’s Aquarium,” Elektra. The Gap Band’s Charlie Wilson lends vocals on the R&B; sextet’s third album.oct12...

Run-DMC, “Crown Royal,” Profile/Arista. The comeback album from hip-hop’s most successful duo features a star-studded guest roster.

Kenny Wayne Shepherd, “Live On,” Giant. The blues wunderkind’s third album was produced by Jerry Harrison and includes contributions from members of Stevie Ray Vaughan’s Double Trouble and the Allman Brothers Band.

311, “Soundsystem,” Capricorn. On its fifth album, the band emphasizes the rock side of its rock-reggae-hip-hop-funk formula.

Various artists, “Anywhere but Here” soundtrack, Atlantic. k.d. lang and the team of Carly Simon and her daughter Sally Taylor head a cast of female artists that also includes Poe and LeAnn Rimes.

Youngbloodz, “Against Da Grain,” LaFace/Arista. This is the debut album from the fiery Atlanta duo.

Oct. 19

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, “Beautiful Life,” Interscope. A second set from one of the detonators of the swing revival.

Michael Bolton, “Timeless: The Classics,” Columbia. The singer applies his pipes to such rock-era standards as “Like a Rolling Stone,” “A Whiter Shade of Pale” and “Sexual Healing.”

British Rock Symphony, “British Rock Symphony,” Point Music. Roger Daltrey sings Zeppelin, Alice Cooper sings the Who, Paul Rodgers and Ann Wilson sing the Beatles, orchestra rocks.

The Clash, “Live From Here to Eternity,” Epic. The classic English punk-rock band’s first sanctioned live album includes performances from the years 1978-’82, with artwork by member Paul Simonon.

Cypress Hill, “Los Grandes Exitos en Espan~ol,” Ruffhouse/Columbia. Thirteen of the L.A. hip-hop hemp-heads’ songs re-cut with Spanish lyrics, plus a new one with Control Machete’s Fermin IV Caballero.

Eurythmics, “Peace,” Arista. Dave Stewart and Annie Lennox team up for the first time in a decade.

Bryan Ferry, “As Time Goes By,” Virgin. With a Roxy Music best-of fresh in the stores, the singer dists of the tux for a set of ‘30s standards.

Julio Iglesias Jr., “Under My Eyes,” Epic. The debut album from the third member of the family to take the plunge.

Arto Lindsay, “Prize,” Righteous Babe. The noise-pop pioneer’s latest is the first album on Ani DiFranco’s label to be completely DiFranco-free.

Primus, “AntiPop,” Interscope. Guest producers on the rock eccentrics’ return include Tom Waits, Limp Bizkit’s Fred Durst, Rage Against the Machine’s Tom Morello and Metallica’s James Hetfield.

Save Ferris, “Modified,” Epic. Beck’s turntable sidekick DJ Swamp appears on the Orange County ska band’s follow-up to “It Means Everything.”

Various artists, “Woodstock ‘99,” Epic. The audio souvenir is in stores just three months after the riotous event.

Oct. 26

Bush, “The Science of Things,” Interscope. Heartthrob Gavin Rossdale and company follow up “Razorblade Suitcase.”

B*Witched, “Awake and Breathe,” Epic. Ireland’s entry in the teen-pop sweepstakes returns for its second round.

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, “Looking Forward,” Reprise. The fractious foursome blends its voices on an album for the first time in 11 years.

Goodie Mob, “World Party,” LaFace/Arista. The third album from an Atlanta rap quartet with an intellectual inclination.

Bob Marley, “Chant Down Babylon,” Island/Def Jam. Erykah Badu, Lauryn Hill, Steven Tyler, Busta Rhymes and others sing and rap along on some classic Marley tracks.

Shawn Mullins, “The First 10 Years,” Columbia. Collects the best from the eight independent albums the singer-songwriter released before last year’s major-label breakthrough “Soul’s Core.”

Master P, “Only God Can Judge Me,” No Limit/Priority. Move over Mr. Sinatra, Mr. Bowie. Like theirs, the hip-hop mogul’s “retirement” was short-lived.

Dolly Parton, “The Grass Is Blue,” Sugar Hill. The country icon returns to basics with this bluegrass collection.

Q-Tip, Untitled, Arista. The solo debut from the former member of a Tribe Called Quest.

Raekwon, “Immobilarity,” Loud/Sony. For his second album, the Wu-Tang Clan’s slang specialist replaces his former producer RZA with a variety of studio henchmen.

LeAnn Rimes, “LeAnn Rimes,” Curb. The teen prodigy tackles such country classics as “Crazy,” “I Fall to Pieces,” “Me and Bobby McGee” and “Born to Lose.”

Stone Temple Pilots, “No. 4,” Atlantic. The band’s fourth album is being released, even if lead singer Scott Weiland isn’t.

Nov. 2

Trace Adkins, “More . . .” “Big Time” established the singer as a country contender in 1997. Capitol.

The Artist, “Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic,” NPG/Arista. The former Prince, long alienated from the major-label music business, returns to the belly of the beast.

Melanie C., “Northern Star,” Virgin. The first solo project from an active Spice Girl features production from William Orbit and Rick Rubin, among others.

Mariah Carey, “Rainbow,” Columbia. The singer also produced most of the album, which includes guest appearances by Missy Elliott, Jay-Z and Da Brat.

Counting Crows, “This Desert Life,” Interscope. The L.A. band returns with itrs first album since 1996’s “Recovering the satellites.”

Foo Fighters, “There Is Nothing Left to Lose,” Roswell/RCA. The trio recorded its third album in leader Dave Grohl’s basement studio in Virginia.

Kurupt, “Streets Is a Muther------,” ANTRA. Dr. Dre has a hand in the second solo album from this member of Tha Dogg Pound.

Marcy Playground, “Shapeshifter,” Capitol. The “Sex and Candy” guys are back with a collection that includes the live favorite “Teenage Hypochondriac,” which has been retitled “Saturday.”

Pet Shop Boys, “Nightlife,” Sire. On their first album in three years, the dance-music duo explores different aspects of life after dark.

Rage Against the Machine, Untitled, Epic. “Guerilla Radio” will be the first single from L.A.’s hard-rocking political agitators, who are booked to play the Letterman show on the day of release.

The Roots, “The Roots Come Alive,” MCA. A live album from hip-hop’s most famous instrument-playing band.

Joe Strummer & the Mescaleros. “Rock, Art, & the X-Ray Style,” The Clash-master returns with a new band and his first rock album since 1989’s “Earthquake Weather.” Hellcat/Epitaph.

Nov. 9

Perry Farrell, “Rev,” Warner Bros. The gathering of Jane’s Addiction and Porno for Pyros tracks is supplemented by two new songs, one with Farrell joined by drummer Stephen Perkins, Rage Against the Machine’s Tom Morello and the Chili Peppers’ John Frusciante.

Guy, Untitled, MCA. The reunion of the hit-making, Teddy Riley-led R&B; outfit.

Faith Hill, “Breathe,” Warner Bros. The singer has become one of country’s top-rung stars, as well as half of Nashville’s First Couple with husband Tim McGraw.

Montell Jordan, “Get It On Tonight,” Def Soul. The R&B; singer’s fourth album is said to bear the stamp of his travels to such locales as Ireland, Cuba and Nigeria.

Lil’ Kim, “Notorious K.I.M.,” Atlantic. The second solo set from the petite powerhouse.

Mavericks, “Super Colossal Hits of the ‘90s,” Mercury. The country upstarts’ first record for its new label is a compilation from its earlier albums plus four new tracks.

Natalie Merchant, “Live in Concert,” Elektra. This document of the singer’s recent New York performances will also be issued in DVD.

Savage Garden, “Affirmation,” Columbia. The hit-happy Australian duo sold 11 million copies worldwide of 1997’s “Savage Garden.”

Will Smith, “Willennium,” Columbia. The former Fresh Prince follows the 5 million seller “Big Willie Style” with a collection whose producers include old partner Jazzy Jeff and Wyclef Jean.

Various artists, “Backstage Hard Knock Life,” Def Jam. An audio account of the recent high-profile tour headed by Jay-Z and DMX.

Various artists, “VH1 Divas,” Arista. Cher, Tina Turner, Whitney Houston and Brandy anchored the spring concert in New York, which is also being released on video and DVD

Nov. 16

Beck, “Midnite Vultures,” Interscope. After the low-key detour of “Mutations,” the party is back in session.

Big Punisher, “Endangered Species Y2K,” Loud/Sony. The first solo Latino rap artist to sell a million returns with his second album.

Cam’ron, “Sports, Drugs and Entertainment,” Untertainment/Epic. The second album from the playful yet gritty Harlem rapper.

Celine Dion, Untitled, 550 Music. As many as eight new songs will supplement a collection of the singer’s biggest hits.

Korn, Untitled, Immortal/Epic. The popular L.A. rap/rock band has a go at a concept album.

Marilyn Manson, “The Last Tour on Earth,” Nothing. The shock-rock experience on a live album from the Midwest leg of the band’s “Rock Is Dead” tour.

Metallica, Untitled, Elektra. Recorded live at the hard rocker’s genre-crossing collaboration last spring with the San Francisco Symphony.

Nov. 23

Fiona Apple, “When the Pawn Hits the Conflicts. . . ,” Epic. The title of the confrontational, confessional singer-songwriter’s second album continues for an additional 80 words or so.

Beastie Boys, “Anthology,” Grand Royal/Capitol. Hits, rarities and unreleased music, old and new.

Toni Braxton, Untitled, LaFace/Arista. David Foster and Teddy Bishop take over from Babyface and L.A. Reid as primary producers on the R&B; star’s third album.

D’Angelo, “Voodoo,” Virgin. The second album from a singer at the cutting edge of the new-soul movement.

Drag-On, “Opposite of H2O,” Ruff Ryders/Interscope. The debut set from the DMX and Eve collaborator.

Aretha Franklin, Untitled, Arista. The follow-up to the Grammy-nominated “A Rose Is Still a Rose.”

Ghostface Killah, “Supreme Clientele,” Razor Sharp/Epic. The second album from the Wu-Tang Clan’s esoteric rhyme master.

LL Cool J, Untitled, Def Jam. The veteran has been busy with his acting career lately. Does he still have what it takes to make a potent rap album?

Nas, “Nastradamus,” Columbia. The fourth album from the story-spinning Queens rapper.

November TBA

Enrique Iglesias, Untitled, Interscope. The Latin star’s first English-language album will include his chart-topping single “Bailamos.”

Dec. 7

Da Brat, “Unrestricted,” SoSoDef/Columbia. The first female rapper with a platinum album returns with her third collection.

Method Man, Untitled, Def Jam. The third solo album from the Wu-Tang Clan’s most popular member.

Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Untitled, Ruthless Epic. The return of Cleveland’s rapid-fire rappers.

Dec. 14

OutKast, “Stankonia,” LaFace/Arista. The Atlanta-based enterprise is the most consistent duo in hip-hop.

Redman, Untitled, Def Jam. This is the fifth album from one of hip-hop’s most charismatic, energetic rhymers.

Dec. 21

DMX, Untitled, Def Jam. The explosive Yonkers rapper became one of rap’s biggest stars with his first two albums.

Dec. 27

Jay-Z, “Vol III . . . It Can Only Be One,” Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam. The label is counting on this collection from one of hip-hop’s best lyricists to be the first No. 1 album of the new millennium.