SOUND CHECK.

SARA EVANS: ``Restless'' (RCA) - three stars

Life after ``Born to Fly,'' Evans' breakthrough of a few years ago, left the farm-raised singer feeling a bit restless. So, on her new set, she strays from the trappings of Nashville and introduces r&b into the mix, to best effect on the belter ``Big Cry'' and a soulful ``Otis Redding.'' The rest of the 13 tracks waver between pop-country and rock while telling stories about life's dramas. Standouts include the magical ``Rockin' Horse,'' on which Evans harmonizes with Vince Gill, and the bundle of joy that is the country radio hit, ``Backseat of a Greyhound Bus,'' sung from the viewpoint of an unwed mom. Evans also turns up on the just-issued tribute to Waylon Jennings, ``I've Always Been Crazy,'' in which she duets nicely with Deana Carter on ``Mamas, Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys.''

- Sandra Barrera

VARIOUS: ``Country Got Soul'' (Casual) - four stars

If you dig ``Dusty in Memphis'' and other late-'60s peaks from the blurry border between soul, country and gospel, this redneck swamp-pop comp is a must. Gathered by Jeb Loy Nichols, a Missouri-bred, Brit-based musician whose haunting ``As the Rain'' was the standout of the ``Good Will Hunting'' soundtrack, the disc (available by mail from Amazon U.K. or Tower Web sites) uncovers lesser-known gems by back-porch country-funk geniuses Tony Joe White, Dan Penn, Eddie Hinton and Donnie Fritts, and sultry sides from obscurities Razzy, Johnny Daye and Ruben Howell. The illuminating results could change your life - or at least your musical taste.

- Fred Shuster

TIM O'BRIEN: ``Traveler'' (Sugar Hill) - three stars

Following some knockout musical journeys into his Irish ancestral roots, West Virginian O'Brien wrote up this collection of songs about excursions less exotic and more existential. There are jaunty, musician-on-the-road ditties, family laments and odes to love, even a neat country ghost story. Many are judiciously flavored with mountain fiddle and Cajun accordion, but the dominant taste here comes from picking prodigy O'Brien's indulgent joy in all forms of Americana expression.

- Bob Strauss

HOLLY GOLIGHTLY: ``Truly She Is None Other'' (Damaged Goods) - three stars

Golightly has recorded almost a dozen albums but she's better-known these days for her appearance on the new White Stripes album. In her latest effort, the Brit sprite appears to be maturing lyrically if not musically. Golightly sings wistfully about lost love on originals like ``Walk a Mile,'' and pulls off two Kinks songs, ``Time Will Tell'' and ``Tell Me Now So I Know.'' The kicky backbeat stylings of her punchy backup band help make this a great time-warp record - but there's not quite enough fire to get you dancing.

- Theo Douglas

KINGS OF LEON: ``Youth & Young Manhood'' (RCA) - three stars

Nashville's Kings of Leon is a band steeped in '70s classic rock. On its gritty 11-song debut, the garage-rock foursome - three sons of a Pentecostal preacher and their cousin - turns out blazing roadhouse grooves like ``Wasted Time'' and ``Molly's Chambers.'' There's the pop embrace of ``Joe's Head'' and ``California Waiting,'' as well as the backwoods boogie of ``Spiral Staircase,'' which spotlights frontman Caleb Followill's gravel-throated voice and the smoking guitar work of cousin Matthew.

- S.B.

CAPTION(S):

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Photo:

(1) no caption (Sara Evans)

Gregg DeGuire/WireImage.com

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