SOUND CHECK.

The Who/``The Who: BBC Sessions'' (MCA)

They just don't make 'em like the Who anymore. Spanning the years 1965 through 1973, this newly minted 25-track set released on the 30th anniversary of the group's seminal concert album, ``Live at Leeds,'' collects material culled from performances for various BBC shows, capturing the high-voltage quartet in all its early speed-fueled glory. Tracks here include such dynamic Who classics as ``My Generation,'' ``I'm Free,'' ``Substitute,'' ``Pictures of Lily,'' ``Shakin' All Over'' and ``The Seeker'' played with razor-sharp wit and unblinking intensity. Good liner notes and track-by-track recording details make this one of the best Who packages around and a perfect companion to ``Leeds.'' Four stars

- Fred Shuster

Dry Branch Fire Squad/``Memories That Bless & Burn'' (Rounder)

A traditional bluegrass gospel recording whose liner notes refer to both Kierkegaard and Shakespeare might seem a tad highfalutin'. But when you consider that this Appalachian-bred quintet, through various incarnations, has been waxing spiritual for nearly a quarter-century, you appreciate the meticulous, almost scholarly care that went into this elegantly rustic collection of high-lonesome hermeneutics. The singing and pickin' aren't too shabby either. Scanning the genre's many forms, the disc (which includes several re-recordings and remixes) ranges from foot-stomping holiness jams like ``Hide You in the Blood'' and expertly harmonized a cappella quartets to the tremulous title track, highlighted by Suzanne Thomas' plaintive lead vocal. Her freqent duet partner, sandpaper-voiced group leader Ron Thomason, sings with the raspy authenticity of a Blue Ridge street-corner preacher. He's at his most exhilarating when chasing the high notes, and if his reach exceeds his grasp, well, as they say, that's what heaven's for. TThree stars

- Reed Johnson

MC5/``The Big Bang! Best of the MC5'' (Rhino)

Though its rabble-rousing lifespan was brief, the MC5's proto-punk influence loomed large and the Detroit group's raging against the machine helped lay the groundwork for '70s punk and politically active rock. This long overdue and perfectly realized 21-track collection ranges from a trio of rare early singles to cuts off the band's infamous first effort, ``Kick Out the Jams'' (still one of the most exciting live albums ever), to the teeth-gnashing ``Back in the USA'' and the final ``High Time.'' Co-produced by MC5 guitarist Wayne Kramer, ``The Big Bang!'' finally gives this gutsy, long-neglected group its due. Three stars

- F.S.

Soundtrack/``The Beach'' (London)

Soundtrack/``Wonder Boys'' (Columbia)

Moody, gloomy electronics dominate the soundtrack to ``The Beach,'' which is highlighted by tracks from the likes of Moby, UNKLE and Leftfield, along with upbeat pop from Sugar Ray, Blur and New Order. Don't expect any ``Titanic''-size hits from this one. Two stars.

Singer-songwriters including Bob Dylan, John Lennon, Van Morrison and Neil Young pack the ``Wonder Boys'' album. The disc contains the spirited ``Things Have Changed,'' Dylan's first new recording since 1997's ``Time Out of Mind,'' used in the film as the main- and end-title theme. Other memorable tracks include Young's ``Old Man,'' Tim Hardin's ``Reason to Believe'' and Tom Rush's ``No Regrets.'' Two and 1/2 stars

- F.S.

Sweet Honey in the Rock and James Horner/Soundtrack to ``Freedom Song'' (Sony Classical)

For recordings of '50s and '60s politically tinged spirituals, you can't do much better than the heartfelt, harmonious renditions of women's quintet Sweet Honey in the Rock. And anyone who owns the ``Titanic'' soundtrack likely ranks James Horner among the best storytelling composers working in Hollywood today. Horner and Sweet Honey make a great combination on the new soundtrack to ``Freedom Song,'' a TNT movie about grass-roots civil rights efforts in Mississippi. Familiar songs like ``Woke Up This Morning With My Mind Stayed on Freedom,'' ``Eyes on the Prize'' and ``This Little Light of Mine'' are bridged with instrumental intervals written and performed by Horner - some with Sweet Honey scatting in the background - that capture moods and carry the story forward. Three stars

-Valerie Kuklenski

The Hollisters/ ``Sweet Inspiration'' (Hightone)

Mike Barfield, lead singer of Houston's Hollisters, could be the lost son of country legend Johnny Cash. When he opens his mouth, he sounds like Cash circa 1956. In some spots, Barfield has a bit more of a deadpan attitude than the Man in Black, but that trademark throaty baritone engulfs every song on the Hollisters' Sweet Inspiration.

It's the second album for the Texas band; its debut, ``The Land of Rhythm and Pleasure,'' was a Houston release. ``Sweet Inspiration'' is also the quartet's first for California's Hightone Records, the label that launched Austin's roots-country-rocker Dale Watson and once housed Lone Star legends Joe Ely and Jimmie Dale Gilmore.

There's a reason for all the name-dropping. The Hollisters revel in the high-octane honky-tonk sound that twangs and crackles without bells, whistles or stage props. Even on the album's four cover tunes, particularly Eddie Noack's ``Walk 'Em Off,'' the group dives in with a unique verve.

But let's concentrate on a few of those originals. ``Fishin' Man'' is classic country with humor and heft. ``Tonkin' '' is sawdust-floor-ready; the tune's combination of bass, drums and guitars shuffles along like a well-steamed caboose. Speaking of the railroad, ``Two Trains'' rocks with heartland gusto.

Recorded in Austin and produced by Casper Rawls (the LeRoi Brothers), ``Sweet Inspiration'' heralds the national arrival of a group brimming with raw talent. There's a beer-and-bones sensibility at work here. But what elevates the Hollisters from garage-country status is piercing musicianship and a deep respect for traditions. Who needs more? Three and 1/2 stars

- Mario Tarradell

Dallas Morning News

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