SOUND CHECK : ROCK.

Presidents of the United States of America/``II''

Fittingly released on Election Day, the sophomore effort from Seattle's goofiest sons carries on the stripped-down, batty policy set forth on the trio's well-received 1995 debut.

Fans won't be disappointed. This collection of silly symphonies boasts material as refreshing, lively and downright fun as the first album's ``Lump'' and ``Peaches.'' Among the standouts on ``II'' (Columbia) destined for oodles of radio play are ``Tiki God,'' ``Bug City,'' ``Froggie'' and the tuneful tribute to pre-solid state electronics, ``Toob Amplifier.''

The Presidents' ``II'' offers more grins per song than any other disc issued during the '96 campaign. Three Stars

?13- Fred Shuster

Kinks/``To the Bone''

You don't have to be a Kinks fanatic to love this double-disc set.

``To the Bone'' (Guardian) consists of reworked acoustic versions of familiar material such as ``All Day and All of the Night,'' ``You Really Got Me'' and ``Lola,'' plus wry new songs recorded in concert. Always a songwriter's band, the Kinks on this outing display first-rate musicianship as well, particularly in Dave Davies' guitar work on ``A Gallon of Gas'' and ``I'm Not Like Everyone Else.'' Three Stars

?13- Fred Shuster

The Cult/``High Octane Cult: The Ultimate Collection 1984-95''

As Britain's answer to Guns N' Roses, the Cult was a solid, bombastic outfit with an arsenal of Led Zeppelin-inspired top tunes that still frequently surface on radio.

The retrospective, ``High Octane Cult'' (Reprise), might be too much of a good thing, though, since less than half of its 18 tracks are ultimate in any shape or form. Still, it's nice to have the monolithic masterpieces ``She Sells Sanctuary,'' ``Fire Woman,'' ``Edie (Ciao Baby),'' ``Star'' and ``Sweet Soul Sister'' in one place. Two Stars

?13- Fred Shuster

AstroPuppees/``You Win the Bride''

Give this L.A.-based duo props for having a little fun, even if its debut album, ``You Win the Bride'' (Hightone), doesn't hit many high notes.

There's a neat, postpunk, bass-fueled sound driving songs like ``Underdog'' and ``Rockets in My Head'' by what is essentially a two-woman band. And the album was mixed by Don Dixon, who is a master at such things.

Unfortunately, a little fun just ain't enough. Two Stars

?13- Elizabeth M. Cosin

folk

Dan Bern/``Dog Boy Van''

Woody Guthrie. Bob Dylan. Phil Ochs. Steve Goodman. Richard Thompson. Now meet Dan Bern.

It almost hurts to listen to Bern's six-song CD demo, ``Dog Boy Van'' (Work/Columbia), because it's so darn short. It's a tease that's worth the $6 price of admission.

Bern is the real deal, quite possibly the best singer-songwriter to come along since the above-mentioned legends. His urgent, biting, often poignant mix of sarcasm and acoustic, hard-nosed folk is for the ages.

From the Dylan-esque ``Jerusalem,'' which will be on Bern's debut album in March, to the Guthrie-inspired ``Talkin' Alien Abduction Blues,'' these songs will delight and amaze. He even sounds like Dylan. But Bern's not just imitating, he's building a whole new world brick by brick.

And while he excels at the black comedy favored by the best politically inspired folkies, Bern can also be a sweetie (``Live Another Day''). And his ``Oklahoma'' is the saddest song about the Oklahoma City bombing you'll ever hear.

Although ``Dog Boy Van'' is only a demo and there's still nearly two months left till 1997, who cares? This is the album of the year. Period.

Available by calling, [phone]. Four Stars

?13- Elizabeth M. Cosin

Greg Brown/``Further In''

Greg Brown has played on lots of hits, but none of them were under his own name. Brown is one of the most sought-after of studio musicians, and his songs have been covered by everyone who is anyone in the folk-country world.

``Further In'' (Red House) - Brown's 13th release - shows why he's so popular with his comrades.

Great songs, great players (notably the magical slide guitar of Kelly Joe Phelps) and Brown's distinctive, deep vocals (somewhere between Peter Himmelman and Leonard Cohen) make this disc a must for acoustic music fans. ``Two Little Feet'' and ``China'' are among Brown's best songs, demonstrating his ability to make something special out of everyday subjects. Three Stars

?13- Elizabeth M.Cosin

jazz

Sonny Rollins/``Silver City''

The hard-charging saxophonist Sonny Rollins and Fantasy's Milestone jazz label celebrate 25 years together with a superb two-disc set that covers much stylistic ground.

The word on Rollins since the mid-'70s has been that he's great on stage but mediocre on record. ``Silver City'' (Milestone) disproves that contention right off the bat with ``Duke of Iron,'' nine inventive minutes that live up to the title. If any more convincing is needed, try the steely 15-minute opus ``G-Man.''

Rollins' lyrical side is also well represented on a number of ballads, including ``Darn That Dream,'' ``Skylark'' and the gorgeous ``Cabin in the Sky.'' Four Stars

?13- Fred Shuster

classical

Carol Vaness/``Carol Vaness Sings Verdi & Donizetti''

The distinguished CSUN-educated spinto soprano Carol Vaness here covers dramatic final scenes and arias from ``La Traviata'' and ``Anna Bolena'' that reveal her famed virtuosity and control.

Vaness, who has sung Verdi and Donizetti often, is served well by this RCA Victor Red Seal direct-to-digital recording, which boasts exquisite sound quality. The album also acts as a good introduction to the diva, who sings the title role in the L.A. Opera's production of ``Tosca,'' opening Saturday. Four Stars

?13- Fred Shuster

CAPTION(S):

7 Photos

Photo: (1) Jason Finn, left, Dave Dederer and Chris Ballew of the Presidents of the United States of America appeal for your record-buying vote with their second Columbia release, ``II.''

(2--7) no caption (CD covers)