SOUND CHECK.

K.D. LANG: ``Hymns of the 49th Parallel'' (Nonesuch) - Three stars

There's not a bad song on this tribute by Lang to fellow Canadian songwriters, though the choices themselves are not all that inspired. Six of the 11 songs are by '60s icons Neil Young, Joni Mitchell and Leonard Cohen, with only Mitchell's moody ``Jericho'' perhaps not on most people's radar. Two tunes - ``The Valley'' and the glorious ``Love Is Everything'' - are by the underappreciated Jane Siberry, with others by Bruce Cockburn, Ron Sexsmith and Lang herself. Lovingly crafted, ``Hymns'' relies on spare, tasteful arrangements and Lang's sophisticated vocals, but this refined sensibility isn't always the best match for the material. While Lang (who appears tonight and Saturday at the Hollywood Bowl) does justice to the songs here, none are definitive readings. It's also hard to forget Young's high, tremulous voice that's so suited to his own ``Helpless.'' Lang can be expressive, but Mitchell's ``A Case of You'' is missing the inner drama of the song (compare it to fellow Canadian's Diana Krall's version). In the end, ``Hymns'' is a worthy project, a pleasant, listenable trip - just a tad tepid.

- Rob Lowman

BENNY GOLSON: ``Terminal 1'' (Concord) Three stars and one half

Steven Spielberg's ``The Terminal'' may have been a crashing bore, but it did accomplish one thing - introducing Philly-born tenor sax great Golson to mainstream audiences. Golson's new album features a fine version of his classic in-the-pocket groover ``Killer Joe,'' which he performed in the film. New compositions include the airport-inspired bustle of the title track, the calypso-inflected ``Caribbean Drifting'' and the gorgeous ballad ``Our Last Goodbye.'' Working with trumpeter Eddie Henderson, pianist Mike Ledonne, bassist Buster Williams and drummer Carl Allen, the 75-year-old Golson remains at the top of his game, a hard-bop icon worthy of any and all attention being directed his way.

- Glenn Whipp

SHIFTY: ``Happy Love Sick'' (Maverick) - Three stars

The former Crazy Town frontman prowls for ladies on this, his solo debut, which blends summery California pop grooves and hip-hop beats. Take a listen to the smooth-talking ``Lolita,'' ``Slide Along Side'' or ``Turning Me On.'' For that song, Shifty sings the chorus to Minnie Ripperton's ``Loving You'' and breaks into a Brad Nowell-inspired rap, reggae style. Here, the sound leans toward Sublime. But on other songs, like ``Magical,'' his rhymes are backdropped by shimmering pop-scapes a la Sugar Ray. Of course, not all of the songs on this disc echo familiar bands or detail his putting the moves on the opposite sex. The mood turns serious on ``Better Place'' and ``Take Away the Pain'' before getting back to the party. And really, it's what Shifty does best.

- Sandra Barrera

CANDI STATON: ``Candi Staton'' (Astralwerks) - Four stars

It's called Southern soul - endangered, forgotten and beloved today by exactly five people: three middle-age blues guitarists in Sherman Oaks, a guy who runs a record store on the wrong end of Portobello Road, and a singer who sounds just like Ray Charles and lives in Tblisi. Staton, who scored in 1976 with the disco anthem ``Young Hearts Run Free,'' was a grade-A purveyor of the stuff. In this delirious 26-track anthology of her work for Fame in Muscle Shoals, Ala., the gospel-trained Staton hits peak after peak direct from that gritty, soul-stirring zone that lies somewhere between Saturday night and Sunday morning. Flawless cuts like ``Evidence'' and ``I'm Gonna Hold On (to What I Got This Time)'' ooze blues and real-life drama, recalling equally effective Southern soul divas Laura Lee, Ann Peebles and Millie Jackson. The hard stuff found on ``Candi Staton'' deals with adultery, unrequited love and pain - themes for adults, which probably explains why music like this is largely unheard in an Ashlee Simpson world.

- Fred Shuster

OLD 97'S: ``Drag It Up'' (New West) - Three stars

Rhett Miller and Ken Bethea's twang punks work an odd but enjoyably listenable groove here. On ``Drag,'' the main issue seems to be growing up uncomfortably and unloved, with wistful thoughts of lost girlfriends and family members vying against cranky complaints about disillusioning maturity. The influences range far, from folky Simon and Garfunkel to crashing guitar Clash and some ghostly nods to Lefty and Hank. These guys sound confused, as usual, but they do know how to make you listen.

- Bob Strauss

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(1) no caption (K.D. LANG)

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