SOUND CHECK.

JANE'S ADDICTION: ``Strays'' (Capitol) - three and one half stars

It turns out Jane's Addiction hasn't strayed far from the late-'80s sound that made it one of L.A.'s most influential rock bands. If anything, its first album of all-new material since the 1990 double-platinum seller ``Ritual de lo Habitual'' shows a band still in its prime. The 11 tracks pack a melodic hard-rock punch. Just listen to standouts like ``Price I Pay,'' ``Suffersome'' and ``Wrong Girl,'' all of which are driven by Dave Navarro's incendiary guitar work, Stephen Perkins; powerhouse percussion and Perry Farrell's primal wails. Add newly recruited bassist Chris Chaney (of Rob Zombie) and the band turns out a fiercely independent, artistic and musically complex rock style that interweaves various genres, from folk to funk to punk. It's just like old times.

- Sandra Barrera

MYA: ``Moodring'' (Interscope) - three stars

The r&b sensation gets her groove on (so to speak) with this 17-song set, which includes the bonus ``Real Compared to What?'' featuring the Roots' Ahmir ``?uestlove'' Thompson. With production by the likes of Missy Elliott and duo Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Mya crisscrosses the urban music landscape - smooth soul, hip-hop, house - and drama, such as in the funky pregnancy scare ``Late.'' Elsewhere she boasts ``My Love Is Like ... Wo,'' demands respect in ``Fallen'' and even reworks ``Free Fallin','' the Tom Petty hit.

- S.B.

Eddie Palmieri: ``Ritmo Caliente'' (Concord) - three and one half stars

Condensed BoldIt doesn't come as much of a surprise that the season's best Afro-Cuban jazz album comes from pianist Palmieri, the 66-year-old firebrand who has, rather quietly, been one of the giants in the genre for the last four decades. His latest has him working with larger ensembles - an expanded rhythm section, a variety of horns and, on six songs, a vocal group - all used to fine effect. Palmieri is innovative as ever in his playing, but it's the collective energy of the band that stands out here. This is a guaranteed mover-and-shaker.

- Glenn Whipp

BROOKS & DUNN: ``Red Dirt Road'' (Arista) - three and one half stars

When the country duo Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn set out to cut these 14 tracks, they took a page from the past. Drawing from personal experiences and early musical influences while coming of age during the '60s and '70s, they have turned out songs like the excellent ``When We Were Kings,'' which doesn't just quote from the Rolling Stones classic ``You Can't Always Get What You Want'' but mimics it. From rock 'n' roadhouse (``You Can't Take the Honky Tonk Out of the Girl'') to bluegrass (``Caroline''), pretty ballads (``That's What She Gets'') to gritty blue-eyed soul (``I Used to Know This Song by Heart''), it isn't farfetched to say that this could very well be the duo's best release to date.

- S.B.

EVE 6: ``It's All In Your Head'' (RCA) - three stars

Speedy punk tempo, loud guitars and clever lyrics blast across this 12-song compilation. This is the third release from the radio punk-pop trio fronted by Max Collins, who just short of two months ago was cited for walking around a Pittsburgh hotel in the nude. He gets naked on record, too, bashing out songs about the volatility of romantic relationships (``Without You Here,'' Bring the Night On'' and ``Not Gonna Be Alone Tonight'') and reinforcing what has been known since Eve 6's late-'80s debut: This band is a potent force.

- S.B.

TEITUR: ``Poetry and Aeroplanes'' (Universal) - three stars

While growing up on Denmark's Faroe Islands, Teitur began penning acoustic guitar tunes in the tradition of singer-songwriters like James Taylor, Tracy Chapman and Suzanne Vega. Those childhood influences continue to color the music of the now 25-year-old troubadour's recording debut. In a rasping soprano, not unlike Sting's, he spins yarns about love, loss and the fond memories he's collected along the way. From the contemplative ``I Was Just Thinking'' to the guitar-waltz ``Josephine,'' this 11-track set leaves you wanting more.

- S.B.

DEAR JOHN LETTERS: ``Stories of Our Lives'' (Foodchain) - three stars

Modern rock fans, you'll like this one. The first nationwide release from the Seattle-based indie rock quartet pits the poetry of friends and lovers against a backdrop of jangling guitars, easygoing percussion and occasional feedback. All this translates into a 14-track set of memorable hooks, as well as the emotional vocalization of singer-songwriter Robb Benson, who possesses a punk rock attitude even as he writhes in anguish on ``Below the Belt'' or screeches ``Sorry to Sorry'' or waxes Paul McCartney-like on ``You Always Win.'' The band's good, too. In fact, it brings down the house on ``My Volcano,'' which features the gritty boogie-woogie piano-playing of Johnny Sangster. He also plays a nifty guitar. All in all, definitely an album worth checking out.

- S.B.

COLIN HAY: ``Man (at) Work'' (Compass Records) - three stars

Remember Colin Hay? He's the singer-songwriter for the early-MTV Aussie faves Men at Work. If you've been following him through the dark years, then this collection won't be entirely new for you - though you may find the blend of lighthearted acoustic tracks nearly irresistible. This is as inoffensive and mild a record of guitar-pop as you're liable to find this year, which isn't a bad thing. It's seasoned just so with Hay's wry sense of humor, making it a perfect fit for the adult contemporary radio format. On ``Beautiful World,'' he sings, ``My, my, my, it's a beautiful world. I like swimming in the sea. I like to go out beyond the white breakers where a man can still be free. (Or a woman, if you are one).'' You might have heard that song on NBC's ``Scrubs.'' Elsewhere on the album are no fewer than four Men at Work retreads, mixed with roughly as many new tracks. It's a winning combination, but next time, we'd like to hear an all-new Hay set.

- Theo Douglas

MICHAEL SNOW: ``Never Say No to a Jar'' (Irish Eye) - three and one half stars

Liverpudlian Snow has been doing exemplary session work since the early Merseybeat salvos of the 1960s British invasion. On recent self-written albums, he's been delightfully exploring not only that landmark pop-culture phenomenon, but also his ancestral Irish musical roots and personal sentimental journey as well. As its title indicates, this third release in that series boasts several songs about the joys of alcoholism. But there is also rich social and historical observation, and it's all set amid a gorgeous soundscape that's as respectful of Celtic traditions as it is loaded with classic rock hooks.

- Bob Strauss

SIOUXSIE AND THE BANSHEES: ``The Seven Year Itch Live'' (Sanctuary Records) - three stars

Reunions may be fashionable, but this CD from the Banshees' tour last year finds the veteran English punks regrouping for all the right reasons. ``Seven Year Itch'' was a brief, truncated outing that brought the band to the Hollywood Palladium and to Shepherds Bush in London, where the disc was recorded. The band focused on its earlier, dissonant work from before Siouxsie scraped off the mascara, cut her hair and morphed from Goth goddess to a darker, earthier Pat Benatar doppleganger. Highlights include the opener ``Pure,'' with abundant atonal guitar and wordless wailing from Siouxsie, offerings of ``Metal Postcard,'' ``Voodoo Dolly'' and ``Monitor,'' and a cover of the Beatles' ``Blue Jay Way.'' This is a set that takes you back to the Banshees' best days.

- T.D.

CAPTION(S):

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(1) no caption (Jane's Addiction)

(2 -- 3) no caption (TEITUR, CD cover)

(4 -- 12) no caption (CD covers)