SOUND CHECK.

THOM YORKE: ``THE ERASER'' (XL) - Two stars

Tunes? Not really. Compelling musical ideas and arrangements? Next question. Vocals that touch unexpected places? Dig that copy of ``OK Computer'' out from under the baby seat. This is Yorke unbound -- one man, a laptop, and a producer telling him he's a genius.

Unfortunately, that neatly sums up the first of what will surely be a string of increasingly opaque solo albums from the rumpled Radiohead singer. ``The Eraser'' is the flower of the experimental electronic impulses Yorke announced on the four Radiohead albums that tottered after the band's ``OK Computer'' peak.

There are hardly any songs here -- just blips and bleeps, gurgles, strangled falsetto vocalizing and static noise, seemingly designed to burn off any lingering dilettantes from the Radiohead fan club. It's the sound of a GameBoy in a deep fryer.

Of the nine tracks, ``Harrowdown Hill'' is worth a return visit. A vague chorus hook (the droned ``we think the same things at the same time''), an apparently topical story line, and Yorke's most fervent vocals add up to the lone number that would be a worthy addition to a Radiohead concert set. If only there were a few more like it. In stores Tuesday.

-- Fred Shuster

SKA CUBANO: ``Ay Caramba!'' (Cumbancha) - Three stars

Ska Cubano mixes traditional Jamaican ska and big-band Cuban music to fine effect, delivering a 14-cut album that will please both camps. Vocalist Beny Billy insists he's the reincarnation of the fabulous Cuban singer Beny More, and there's plenty of evidence in his inspired, powerhouse singing to back his claim. The songs bounce between traditional numbers and originals, all with perfect horn charts and deep grooves. ``Ay Caramba!'' (in stores Tuesday) is adventurous, more than a little nutty and a whole lot of fun. The band performs Saturday at downtown's California Plaza.

-- Glenn Whipp

RISE AGAINST: ``The Sufferer & the Witness'' (Geffen) - Three stars

The fist-pumping melodic punk of this Chicago quartet has made Warped Tour '06 headliners Rise Against a steady, dependable draw for years -- especially among those too young to have experienced the Clash in person. On the band's fourth long-player, the raw, punchy sound is polished to a shine with instantly likable, socially aware tracks ``Ready to Fall,'' ``Bricks'' and ``Injection'' bringing together strong choruses from fine singer Tim Mcllrath and crunchy riffs for what will surely be crowd-roiling anthems this summer. Rise Against can't be accused of sticking to formula -- another highlight, ``Roadside,'' uses strings and a male/female vocal gambit -- and it works.

-- F.S.

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5 photos

Photo:

(1) no caption (THOM YORKE)

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