SOUND CHECK.

Destiny's Child/``Survivor'' (Columbia)

Destiny's Child grows up? Not here, not yet, but the flavor-of-the-month girl group's third effort still might surprise longtime fans. Only don't expect any immediate grabbers along the lines of ``Say My Name,'' ``Bug A Boo'' or ``Bills, Bills, Bills.''

On ``Survivor,'' Beyonce Knowles, the trio's chief singer, writer, co-producer and resident ego that devoured Tokyo, stretches out in the direction of ballads, which are among the chart-topping disc's highlights. Although ``Emotion,'' a convincing remake of the 1978 Samantha Sang hit penned by the Bee Gees, and ``Brown Eyes'' miss the bull's-eye in terms of genuine feeling, the tracks are still pleasing to the ear and will come across just fine on the car radio - which is clearly the goal.

An unexpected goodie is a four-song ``Gospel Medley,'' which showcases the gals' money-minting harmony blend. In a rare display of generosity, Knowles here shares the limelight with fellow children of destiny Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams, who finally have a little something to show their grandkids along with the scrapbooks and Trivial Pursuit question.

Album-opener ``Independent Women Part I'' and the record's title track, meanwhile, have already worn out their welcome thanks to practically nonstop air play. Survivor? More like surrender - as in, we give up, you can stop playing it now.

This isn't the ultimate Destiny's Child album. That one may be the inevitable greatest hits collection. Two and one half stars

- Fred Shuster

Soundtrack/``Songcatcher'' (Vanguard)

This set of ``music from and inspired by'' the forthcoming movie strives to be the next ``O Brother, Where Art Thou?'' It comes just a tad short of that fine Americana compilation's sublime eclecticism (and, with four producers on this one, lacks T-Bone Burnett's subtly unifying taste).

``Songcatcher'' is an almost all-girl affair, with just about every female star in the current authentic music firmament - Iris DeMent, Emmylou Harris, Gillian Welch, Allison Moorer, Julie Miller, Maria McKee, Rosanne Cash and, just for fun, Nashvillean Patty Loveless and the legendary Hazel Dickens - respectfully attacking an Appalachian chestnut.

The recordings are uniformly lovely, but the standout, as is often happening these days, belongs to Dolly Parton. Her mother-daughter argument, ``When Love Is New,'' sung with Emmy Rossum and exquisite emotional enunciation, gives an immediate psychological kick to the rural folk traditions that this album so thoughtfully curates. Three stars

- Bob Strauss

Soundtrack/``Mamma Mia!'' (Decca/Universal)

Here are 22 tunes, plus dialogue, from the ABBA musical's London cast.

Unless you're especially nuts about cover versions of ABBA tunes like ``Honey, Honey,'' ``Voulez-Vous'' and ``Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!'' you'll need the costumes, choreography and Spandex-saturated visuals that bring to life this production utilizing the songs of the now-defunct Swedish supergroup.

The proof, incidentally, can be found at the Shubert, where the Los Angeles cast - featuring the terrific Louise Pitre - wraps up its run Saturday. Three stars

- Evan Henerson

Brooks & Dunn/``Steers & Stripes'' (Arista)

Montgomery Gentry/``Carrying On'' (Columbia)

These practically interchangeable redneck ``hat'' acts are tour mates, drinking buddies and friendly competitors. Ultimately, they're the Judds in drag.

``Steers & Stripes,'' the ninth disc from Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn, offers the familiar line-dance workouts and limp arena ballads.

You want a big, insidiously crafted radio hit? ``Ain't Nothing 'Bout You'' is it. Slow, sensitive make-out tunes for when the truck stalls in the woods on Saturday night? Try ``The Long Goodbye'' and ``My Heart Is Lost to You.''

Nobody can accuse these guys of abandoning their sound. 1/2

Kentucky's Eddie Montgomery and Troy Gentry is a rowdier Brooks and Dunn for a new era.

The duo's sophomore album, `Carrying On,'' does just that - by carrying on Kix and Ronnie's old formula, right down to the silly hats and the penchant for snapping up Music Row's most hit-bound off-the-rack material.

The big difference is Montgomery Gentry (note that rebellious lack of an ampersand) have a great deal more energy and seem like they're having a lot more fun.

Moonshine-sipping Southern rock like ``Tried and True'' and the title track sum up best what makes this duo a favorite with, well, moonshine sippers. Two stars

- F.S.

Rosie Flores/``Speed of Sound'' (Eminent)

Ladylike troubadour Rosie Flores tries on a range of new, chanteuse styling here, elegantly but not always to a perfect fit. Her delicate soprano can't infuse grit or resonance into the lounge, torch or classic rock numbers. She makes up for that with imaginative phrasing and the infectious enthusiasm of someone who's being kind of naughty. On this album of mostly covers, Flores truly transcends the variety act with self-penned, ethereal sad girl tunes such as the title track. Three stars

- B.S.

CAPTION(S):

5 photos

Photo: (1) Destiny's Child

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