SAVORING SONGS IN THE KEYS OF LIFE.

Byline: Fred Shuster Music Writer

It was a year when extremist politics became wrenchingly personal and the results colored every aspect of the industry.

Now, with sales eroding and a spate of mediocre superstar releases drawing dust in store racks, record labels are hoping to break even after each of the five majors hosted Black Fridays and pink-slipped hundreds.

Yet, until Sept. 11, the year was tottering along almost unnoticed. In January, Bob Dylan won a Golden Globe for his presciently titled ``Things Have Changed'' from the ``Wonder Boys'' soundtrack. The song would also earn an Oscar.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame gave overdue honors to early rock studio greats Scotty Moore, Johnnie Johnson and James Burton. A jury found Michael Bolton liable to the tune of $5.4 million for plagiarizing part of an old Isley Brothers number.

The Grammys were predictably sleep-inducing even after the media drummed up a halfhearted controversy over Eminem performing a sedate duet with Elton John. In the end, Steely Dan was the big trophy winner 24 years after the duo issued its last important record, ``Aja.''

Money-minting starmaker Sean ``Puffy'' Combs was acquitted of weapons and bribery charges, promptly lost gal-pal Jennifer Lopez and changed his nickname to P. Diddy. The series of events made headlines.

U2 and Madonna competed for the year's biggest tours. A teen-age crowd ran wild through Hollywood after a free concert by Armenian rockers System of a Down was canceled by cops at the last minute.

Napster was squished. Death Row Records boss Suge Knight sauntered out of prison after serving five years. Michael Jackson's attempted comeback, ``Invincible,'' proved to be only too conquerable despite Sony's supposed $30 million expenditure on the disc.

Meanwhile, teen-pop showed the first signs of stagnation at retail. Other highly hyped albums from Mariah Carey, R.E.M., Jewel, Natalie Merchant, Faith Evans, Live, Kid Rock and Mick Jagger fizzled.

There were, however, some success stories before all was rendered meaningless faster than Hollywood's ``Pearl Harbor'' evaporated from multiplexes. The breakthroughs of 2001 included Staind, Alicia Keys, Incubus, Creed, Linkin Park and Enya, while local alt-rock powerhouse KROQ-FM (106.7) climbed to new ratings highs.

Sadly, a number of valuable musicians died: Pops Staples, J.J. Johnson, Joe Henderson, Ernie K-Doe, Harold Land, John Lewis, Fred Neil, Isaac Stern, Buddy Tate, Billy Higgins, John Fahey, ``Papa'' John Phillips, Grady Martin, Betty Everett, ``Big Daddy'' Kinsey, Joey Ramone, James Carr, Etta Jones, John Lee Hooker, Chet Atkins, George Harrison and Rufus Thomas.

But it was the tragedy of Sept. 11 that overshadowed all. The country took a hit that's left us in a kind of sullen post-9/11 hangover.

Some are predicting a rebound in the New Year, while music insiders say the situation has caused executives to lend closer scrutiny to offensive lyrics and video marketing.

Surely a few labels withheld potential sellers in the tragedy's wake. Due in the coming months are new discs from Me'shell Ndegeocello, Nine Inch Nails, Elvis Costello, Willie Nelson and Korn, along with archival sets by the B-52's, Bob Marley and Jethro Tull.

Clearly, the past year was not one of pop's best by any means. That's why we couldn't honestly come up with a list of thoroughly tip-top albums. There were, though, many terrific songs - some issued as singles - which will resonate, at least in our house, for a long time to come.

Here's the creme de la creme, the best tracks of 2001:

1. ``Girlfriend,'' ``How Come You Don't Call Me,'' ``Fallin','' ``Troubles'' and ``A Woman's Worth,'' Alicia Keys. From ``Songs in A Minor,'' expected to be a contender for the Grammys' Album of the Year, these were the year's purest moments of r&b magic. If you're a proficient musician, they're also great fun to play - and, in fact, almost all are in or around the key of E minor.

2. ``Since I Left You,'' the Avalanches. The soulful title track of the dazzling debut from a group of witty sample-happy Australians. Ideal for the dance floor, armchair or freeway.

3. ``Give It Away,'' Zero 7. A Brit chill-out duo whose ``Simple Things'' CD updates producer Creed Taylor's silky CTI sound of the '70s. Head-nodding sophisti-funk played by actual instruments. Most of the time.

4. ``Sem Contencao,'' Bebel Gilberto. A sparkling number from the ``Tanto Tempo Remixes'' project that seamlessly blends electronic and Brazilian elements topped by one of the year's most seductive vocal discoveries.

5. ``Essence,'' Lucinda Williams. The title cut of the country-folk songbird's latest gets to the whiskey-soaked heart of things. So good it could be an ``Exile on Main Street'' outtake.

6. ``Bend,'' Shelby Lynne. No twang here. From the sultry ``Love, Shelby'' disc, a dollop of bittersweet blue-eyed soul Dusty would've loved to have had her way with.

7. ``Cocky,'' Kid Rock. The jovial anthem from the patriotic stoner's set of the same name. Advertised on late-night TV, so it must be good.

8. ``You and Whose Army?'' Radiohead. From ``Amnesiac,'' Thom Yorke's haunting, committed and only mildly eccentric tune is an anti-Blair rant - if you care.

9. ``20 Dollars,'' Angie Stone. A subtle slice of genuine funky soul, appearing on Stone's new ``Mahogany Soul'' CD as well as the ``Ali'' soundtrack. Does anyone else remember Esther Phillips?

10. ``Where's Your Head At,'' Basement Jaxx. A techno wig-out that'll make you feel like an extra in ``Blade Runner.'' Hi-NRG disco irony for androids who can take the title literally.

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