SOUND CHECK.

Kid Rock/``Cocky'' (Top Dog/Lava/Atlantic)

Apparently, there's some kind of Kid Rock backlash going on among longtime fans, even though his latest album zoomed into the Top 10 upon release. It's hard to comprehend exactly why anyone would grumble since the disc is a solidly enjoyable straight-up rocker that betters his zillion-selling 1998 effort.

The exhilarating ``Cocky'' boasts some of the Kid's punchiest and most outrageous rhymes along with the hottest guitar licks this side of AC/DC. The Detroit rock-rap star's brawny Twisted Brown Trucker outfit has never sounded tighter.

There's a good range of tunes here, too, from the convincingly countrified ``Picture'' (with Sheryl Crow) and a soul-fried ``Lay It on Me'' to the rip-roaring hip-hop 'n' Southern rock of such instant standouts as ``Forever'' and the winning and grinning title track.

The thing that separates Kid Rock from the pack is his sense of humor and well-developed pop sensibility. He knows he's way over the top, but it's done with a wink and genuine regard for the rootsy genres he mines so well.

``Cocky'' (also available in a ``clean'' version) is the Classic Rock of the future. And it's as useful as Led Zeppelin for freeway driving. Three and one half stars

- Fred Shuster

R.L. Burnside/``Burnside on Burnside'' (Fat Possum)

Delta blues artist Burnside has been accused of adding too many modern flourishes to some of his recent albums.

But this live effort is knock-you-flat, 100-proof pure thanks to outtage- threatening blasts of Burnside's guitar, grandson Cedric's pounding drums and Kenny Brown's sinuous slide, all at full-tilt boogie.

The title refers to the street in Portland, Ore., where the club most of the disc was captured sits. According to recent reports, audience members not taken out on gurneys were in a foot-stomping trance. Three and one half stars

- Bob Strauss

Dilated Peoples/``Expansion Team'' (Capitol)

Here's hip-hop straight from the SoCal underground. Los Angeles' own Dilated Peoples avoids the usual rap cliches on this sophomore release that possesses street smarts and a welcome old-school vibe.

Vintage soul and turntable scratches give the disc flavor while standouts include the single ``Worst Comes to Worst,'' a catchy rhyme about the code of brotherhood, along with the equally fine ``Proper Propaganda'' and ``Panic.''

MVPs include DJ Premier, Alchemist and the Roots' ?uestlove. Three stars

- Sandra Barrera

Various/``O Sister!'' (Rounder)

This set of female bluegrass acts from Rounder's vast archive features many of the top stars in the field - Alison Krauss, Rhonda Vincent, Hazel Dickens, the Cox Family - plus new discoveries like the amazingly angry Wilma Lee Cooper and the marvelously sweet Lynn Morris.

There's not a bad cut in the bunch, and it's all wrapped up with a new live track showcasing the delightful harmonies of Vincent, Morris, Claire Lynch and Laurie Lewis. A superb stocking stuffer. Four stars

- B.S.

Garth Brooks/``Scarecrow'' (Capitol)

Nobody would ever label Brooks a simpleton with plenty of heart and nothing upstairs. The equation is plumb backward - this Scarecrow's got brains to spare and straw everywhere else.

Ignoring the Chris Gaines fiasco, Brooks' first set of new material in four years is the usual bland country-pop fodder designed for maximum airplay and mall sales.

Nothing special here. One track, however, stands out in this calculated morass - album-closer ``When You Come Back to Me Again,'' penned by Brooks and longtime collaborator Jenny Yates. It's a gem, but not worth the admission price.

It does lead to an intriguing idea: How about a Yates album? One star

- F.S.

CAPTION(S):

5 photos

Photo:

(1) no caption (Kid Rock)

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