SOUND CHECK.

Fiona Apple/``When the Pawn . . .'' (Clean Slate/Epic)

Meaningless 79-word title aside, ``When the Pawn . . .'' retains interest but isn't as immediately accessible as singer-pianist Apple's triple-platinum 1996 debut, which spawned the ubiquitous hits ``Criminal,'' ``Shadowboxer'' and ``Sleep to Dream.'' But that's a good thing since the most rewarding albums generally take some time to sink in. Fans of the precocious and pretentious Apple will like ``When the Pawn . . .,'' which reflects sturdy songwriting growth. While radio has taken to the first single, the very catchy ``Fast as You Can,'' with its stop-start rhythms and vaguely reminiscent melody, there are other equally enjoyable moments to be discovered here. Producer/multi-instrumentalist Jon Brion colors Apple's songs with impressionistic string arrangements and hip-hop rhythms, giving ``When the Pawn . . .'' (in stores Tuesday) a contemporary sound that places Apple's husky, gospel-tinged delivery on such highlights as ``I Know'' or disc-opener ``On the Bound'' in sweet relief. Three stars

- Fred Shuster

Mariah Carey/``Rainbow'' (Columbia)

This well-crafted synthesis of Carey's pure pop instincts and the streetwise hip-hop rhythms of her most recent work will probably result in ``Rainbow'' hanging around the charts for a long time. Bolstered by an army of hitmaking producers such as Jimmy Jam/Terry Lewis, Jermaine Dupri and David Foster, plus guest shots from the likes of Jay-Z, Missy Elliott, Snoop Dogg, 98 Degrees and Usher, the disc is as savvy and entertaining as you might expect. Among the standouts: the funk-fueled ``Did I Do That?'' Jay-Z's sharp-edged rapping on ``Heartbreaker'' and the gospel-charged orchestral ballad ``Can't Take That Away.'' Three stars

- F.S.

Rage Against the Machine/``The Battle of Los Angeles'' (Epic)

Rage's combat rock resonates. Although their political diatribes are sometimes painfully naive, the band pulls off what may be the best hard rock album of the year with ``The Battle of Los Angeles,'' the pioneering rap-rock quartet's third and finest release. Sparked by the atonal metallic guitar of Tom Morello (clearly inspired by Gang of Four's Andy Gill), Rage sounds like it has finally stumbled across the lost groove on funk essentials like ``Mic Check,'' ``Testify'' and the current modern-rock hit ``Guerrilla Radio.'' Even dreadlocked rapper-singer Zack de la Rocha's often simplistic tirades grate less than in the past. And that's saying something. Three and one half stars

- F.S.

Mingus Big Band/``Blues & Politics'' (Dreyfus Jazz)

This is the most fully realized work yet to come from the Mingus Big Band, the group of rotating musicians dedicated to keeping alive the hundreds of compositions bassist/composer Charles Mingus left behind when he died in 1979. Blues and politics were twin passions for Mingus, and the eight songs selected for this album still resonate with fire and feeling. The songs, of course, are glorious (included are such classics as Mingus' tribute to Lester Young, ``Goodbye Pork Pie Hat'' and the incendiary ``Haitian Fight Song''), but what makes this album such a delight is the way the players inject their own personalities into the material. The talent on display includes trumpeter Randy Brecker, pianist John Hicks and Mingus himself, providing some narration via the magic of tape. One of the best jazz albums of the year. Four stars

- Glenn Whipp

Foo Fighters/``There Is Nothing Left to Lose'' (Roswell/RCA)

Is the Foo Fighters' 15 minutes of fame up yet? Hope so. For their third album, this most lightweight of radio-rock combos, led by ex-Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl, again aims to please with simple slices of guitar-driven bubble-grunge, including ultimately empty ditties like the MTV-friendly ``Learn to Fly'' and ``Breakout.'' The title of this record sums it all up perfectly. One and one half stars

- F.S.

Counting Crows/``This Desert Life'' (DGC/Interscope)

Producer David Lowery (of Cracker) didn't take any chances with the latest batch of tunes from this melodic Bay Area roots-rock act that first hit the charts in 1994 with ``Mr. Jones.'' The problem with Counting Crows' third studio album is it sounds like one interminably long song droning on - as if every track on the arid ``This Desert Life'' boasts the same shuffle rhythm beneath singer Adam Duritz's dark lyrics and pity-me delivery. Here's hoping the Crows' forthcoming live shows will inject some life into this dull material. Two stars

- F.S.

Various/``Soul Train: The Dance Years'' (Rhino)

Anyone looking for some great party music couldn't do much better than the four individual discs in this low-priced series from Rhino. Each disc covers one year - 1976, '77, '78 and '79 are featured - where America shook its collective groove thing with wild abandon in disco infernos from sea to shining sea. Don Cornelius' syndicated variety series, ``Soul Train,'' was the place to play that funky music and these discs contain the best songs - famous and obscure - that the series had to offer. Guaranteed to produce boogie fever. Three stars

- G.W.

Stone Temple Pilots/``No. 4'' (Atlantic)

Make it stop. More dreadful middle-of-the-road bubble-grunge from one of the most offensive members of that special breed, the Pearl Jam knockoff. Stone Temple Pilots have been awful from the start and ``No. 4,'' which isn't going to win these guys any new fans, proves it once and for all. In the past, though, it sounded as if singer and front man Scott Weiland was actually present during the sessions. This time, it appears he phoned in his parts. Avoid at all costs. One star

- F.S.

Ron Carter Sextet/``Orfeu'' (Blue Note)

Jazz bassist Carter has encountered Brazilian rhythms before - he helped cut Antonio Carlos Jobim's earliest records for the Verve and CTI labels before recording with Airto, Flora Purim and many others. On ``Orfeu,'' Carter, accompanied by such inventive players as guitarist Bill Frisell and tenor saxophonist Houston Person, goes straight for the genre's gorgeous melodies, covering the Luiz Bonfa classics ``Samba de Orfeu'' and ``Manha de Carnaval.'' Other tracks are Carter originals, including ``Goin' Home,'' an unusual variation of the melody from Dvorak's ``From the New World'' symphony. Three stars

- F.S.

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7 Photos

Photo: (1) no caption (Fiona Apple)

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