SOUND CHECK.

LISA LOEB: ``Cake and Pie'' (Geffen/A&M) Three stars

CB Helvetica Condensed BoldEvery Gen-Xer holds a special place in his or her heart for Lisa Loeb. Her 1993 hit, ``Stay,'' which debuted on the soundtrack of ``Reality Bites,'' was also, in part, the soundtrack to the not-just-about-grunge lives of 20-somethings in the early '90s. The girl who made glasses and woman-with-a-guitar acoustic rock cool uses her signature quirky charm on a new batch of heart-shaped pop songs on ``Cake and Pie.'' But this time, Loeb's sugar is laced with a little more spice. Collaborating with a batch of seasoned songwriters, such as Randy Scruggs, Peter Collins, Dweezil Zappa and Glen Ballard, Loeb laid to rest a bit of her inner Joni Mitchell to reveal a grittier vocal range (``Everyday''), a dark sense of humor (``Payback'') and a fetish for fast cars (``Too Fast Driving''). For the most part, though, the old Lisa Loeb bubbles to the surface in all her caramel-covered familiarity.

- Heather Wood

NATALIE IMBRUGLIA: ``White Lilies Island'' (RCA) One and one half stars

The follow-up to Imbruglia's 1998 debut disc and its cover of ``Torn'' reveal little substance to this waiflike one-hit wonder. With ``White Lilies Island'' (in stores Tuesday), the Aussie soap-star-turned-pop-star boasts a just-OK voice, little personality and few memorable songs. Playing the poetic lover on such generic alt-rock workouts as ``Wrong Impression,'' ``Hurricane'' and ``Talk in Tongues,'' Imbruglia aims for arty but comes off pouty, an extension of the cover shot showing the petulant celebrity-serial-dater sprawled across a white couch in tutu and T-shirt. There she goes again, breaking all the rules.

- Fred Shuster

IAN TYSON: ``Live at Longview'' (Vanguard) Three and one half stars

The first live album from the great Canadian cowboy, and not a moment too soon; Tyson's pushing 70, not that you could tell so from his mellifluous-as-ever, evocatively versatile baritone. Recorded at the title community hall near his Alberta ranch, this lovely, small combo effort covers the catalog from as far back as the Ian & Sylvia folk days (``Someday Soon''). There is many a tribute to rodeo riders real, fictional and regretful, nostalgic revelries aplenty (dig the jazzy take on ``Blue Moon''), much fine storytelling and some new numbers (``Desert Motel,'' ``Sorta Together'') that are as painterly and touching as the best Tyson classics.

- Bob Strauss

LONESOME BOB: ``Things Change'' (Leaps Recordings) Three and one half stars

A big, growling New Jersey hardcase with an irrepressible Southern soul, Lonesome Bob Chaney writes some of the best country novelty songs around. The likes of ``Heather's All Bummed Out'' and ``I Get Smarter Every Drink'' live up to their hilarious titles and then some. But he can also rumble low and clear through dark, insightful narratives of hard-rockin' outlawry, congenital self-destruction and kicked-in-the-teeth depression, most harrowingly in the ode to his dead son, ``Where Are You Tonight?'' Sad but defiantly energetic stuff.

- B.S.

RORY BLOCK: ``I'm Every Woman'' (Rounder) Three stars

Though known for her Delta Blues guitar stylings, Rory Block goes for a change of pace - not to mention cover look - with a mixed bag of gospel, r&b, folk and blues. Block brings in a number of other musicians to help her along, and the results are enjoyable, if not adventurous. A cappella versions of ``Sea Lion Woman'' and ``Rock Island Line'' contrast nicely with a hard-edge ``Pretty Polly'' with Joe Phelps or the soulfulness of Al Green's ``Tired Being Alone'' and the Marvin Gaye/Tammi Terrell classic ``Ain't Nothin' Like the Real Thing'' with Keb' Mo' or ``Hold On/Change Is Coming,'' with the Rev. Herb Sheldon. It makes ``I'm Every Woman'' a fun listen.

- Rob Lowman

CAPTION(S):

5 photos

Photo:

(1) NATALIE IMBRUGLIA

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