SOUND CHECK.

Byline: - Fred Shuster

SPOTLIGHT ON ...

Pearl Jam/``Binaural'' (Epic)

Over heard of a band pulling its release date forward? That's what Pearl Jam did with its seventh studio album, originally due May 23 but now in stores Tuesday, presumably to beat Napster and other free music sites. Too late, guys. You can already download tracks from this loose, raucous effort in several places. ``Binaural,'' the first PJ album to feature ex-Soundgarden drummer Matt Cameron, is a diverse 13-song collection that veers from mournful tunes like the first single ``Nothing as It Seems'' (words and music by bassist Jeff Ament) to Who-inspired rave-ups such as the title track. But there's nothing as instantly compelling as ``Alive,'' ``Black'' or even ``Better Man'' here. The band, which intentionally lowered its profile after Seattle's great grunge cash-in, continues to prefer subtle, low-key material that slowly gets under the skin. Standout songs like ``Soon Forget'' (with singer Eddie Vedder on - wait for it - ukelele) accomplish this in their own time. Incidentally, PJ appears at the Glen Helen Blockbuster Pavilion on Oct. 28-29. As usual, that's the closest the band is coming to Los Angeles. Three stars

< David Gray/``White Ladder'' (Ato)

Welsh singer-songwriter Gray has built a strong following for his hypnotic and wistful songs. For his fourth album, his first for the new label launched by Dave Matthews and manager, Gray uses electronic beats to augment his sophisticated, acoustic-based songs that recall Van Morrison as well as the Blue Nile. While sprightly synth-driven tunes like ``Please Forgive Me'' and ``We're Not Right'' offer fluent programmed rhythms, Gray is a folkie at heart, and charming ballads such as ``Nightblindness'' and a cover of Soft Cell's ``Say Hello, Wave Goodbye'' are what he does best. This warm, romantic record should attract a brace of new fans. Three and one half stars

- F.S.

Various/``The I-10 Chronicles'' (Back Porch/Virgin)

One genre that seems to be dwindling is the road song. Last year, though, a bunch of folks including Counting Crows' Adam Duritz, Texas native Joe Ely, Los Lobos' David Hidalgo, Willie Nelson and Tex-Mex accordion star Flaco Jimenez got together to do a record about the road. ``The I-10 Chronicles'' connects more than two points on a map; it's an interstate of the mind and music. The album works as Americana, country and crossover and features such highlights as Ry Cooder's ``Borderline'' sung by Los Angeles singer Meredith Marshall, blues harpist Charlie Musselwhite's reading of ``Black Magic Woman'' and Warren Zevon's ``Carmelita'' sung by Duritz. Another goodie: Nelson's emotive remake of Fred Neil's ``Everybody's Talkin'.'' This asphalt tribute is well worth hearing. By the way, some artists from the album perform tonight at the House of Blues. Three and one half stars

- F.S.

Jeff Buckley/``Mystery White Boy: Live '95-'96'' (Columbia)

The much-praised Buckley was born in Orange County in 1966 and drowned in Memphis three years ago. While he was alive, the charismatic singer-guitarist managed to record one four-song EP and a stirring 1994 debut, ``Grace,'' which announced the arrival of a major talent. His finest posthumous work, ``Mystery White Boy,'' produced by both Buckley's mom and his guitarist, compiles marvelous moments from the three tours following ``Grace.'' As expected, the best bits are electrifying interpretations of such stunning songs as ``Mojo Pin'' and ``Lilac Wine'' from that record. Buckley, whose voice swooped and soared at will, continues to be missed. Three and one half stars

- F.S.

Westlife/``Westlife'' (Arista)

Ireland's gift to hairdressing mixes the smooth, elegant vocal harmonies of 98 Degrees with the pop appeal of 'N Sync with results that have made Westlife the boy group du jour. Composed of five cuties with that appealing accent, the ensemble is already huge overseas and well on its way to a pot of gold in the U.S., where this debut album is moving up the charts. What makes Westlife different is the group prefers big ballads in the style of Richard Marx, like the fast-rising first single, ``Swear It Again,'' which should have instant appeal for Top 40 teens and their moms. Westlife's only misstep: a remake of the dreadful ``Seasons in the Sun.'' Two stars

- F.S.

Ronnie McCoury/``Heartbreak Town'' (Rounder)

As a musical calling card, McCoury's debut solo effort would seem to have everything going for it: meticulous, intuitive fingerwork from a slew of guest artists (Bela Fleck, David Grisman); McCoury's own impeccably tight and melodic mandolin-playing; and 13 well-chosen, mostly midtempo tunes (nine composed by McCoury) that run the gamut of bluegrass permutations. Here you'll find everything from pining, gospel-tinted waltzes (``Our Love Never Dies''), to a first-class neo-yodeler (``When the Hurt's Talkin' '') to instrumentals (arranged by McCoury) that deftly blur the lines separating high-lonesome from jazz and folk traditions (``The Road From Coeburn to Warren,'' ``Dawggone'') - all pointing to a mastery of form and feeling by this second-generation bluegrass disciple. Alas, the disc has an Achilles' heel: McCoury's singing simply isn't yet as varied, revealing or distinctive as his instrumental work, a limitation that ironically is emphasized by the disc's superb musicianship. If McCoury could follow his dad Del and open up his emotions as brilliantly he opens up his Gilchrist mandolin, his next disc could indeed break hearts all over town. Two and one half stars.

- Reed Johnson

Hamish Stuart/``Sooner or Later'' (Compass)

Scotland's Stuart shot to fame in the '70s as the falsetto voice of the Average White Band and his soulful songwriting and guitar work paved the way for that band's worldwide success. When AWB decided not to ``Pick Up the Pieces'' in 1982, Stuart went on to record and tour with such r&b stars as Diana Ross, Aretha Franklin, George Benson and others. ``Sooner or Later'' showcases romantic ballads such as ``Care for You'' and ``Same Old Moon'' as well as smart urban funk like ``It Is What It Is'' and ``Midnight Rush.'' Although the playing is adequate, we wish Stuart had used old friends from the UK soul scene like guitarist Jim Mullen and keyboardist Tony O'Malley. Stuart's old group, AWB, appears June 6 at the House of Blues. Two and one half stars

- F.S.

The Jayhawks/``Smile'' (Columbia)

Some 15 years ago, this Minneapolis band practically invented the Americana/alt-country movement with its patented brand of rootsy, country-inspired pop-rock that also showed a love for British Invasion sounds. The Bob Ezrin-helmed ``Smile'' - the title recalls both Brian Wilson's lost masterpiece and the famous Charlie Chaplin-penned song - is the Jayhawks' sixth album, their first since 1997's moody ``Sound of Lies,'' and the disc returns the quintet to its roots in folk and country as well as moving forward into more focused rhythms. With their chiming harmonies and soaring guitars, the Jayhawks accelerate into reverse with the best of them. Three stars

- F.S.

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6 photos

Photo: (1) no caption (Pearl Jam)

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