SOUND CHECK.

En Vogue/``EV3''

Following the departure of founding member Dawn Robinson, the three remaining funky divas who make up En Vogue - Terry Ellis, Maxine Jones and Cindy Herron Braggs - continue to deliver smart, harmony-rich r&b tunes that connect with the masses.

Preceded by the smash ``Don't Let Go (Love),'' which previously appeared on the ``Set It Off'' soundtrack, the current project is loaded with potential r&b, pop and adult-contemporary hits, including Babyface co-written and produced slow-jam ``Whatever''; the David Foster-produced extravaganza ``Too Gone, Too Long''; thumper ``Let It Flow,'' featuring quotes from previous En Vogue hits and a guest rap by Jah; the bluesy ``Right Direction''; and ballad ``Damn I Wanna Be Your Lover.''

An outfit that pioneered the '90s version of the girl vocal group, En Vogue is poised to remain in the vanguard of a genre crowded with a seemingly endless pool of imitators. Three Stars

?13- Billboard

Matchbox 20/``Yourself or Someone Like You''

The many road miles have paid off for this Florida quintet, whose debut album is among the fastest-breaking releases of the season.

Boasting strong melodic hooks, ear-catching lyrics and a radio-friendly overall sound, Matchbox 20 cobbles together a bit of Hootie, some Counting Crows and enough of its own style that the high chart placement seems deserved.

This sharply produced set includes such bracing highlights as the hit ``Push,'' plus ``Real World,'' ``Long Day'' and ``Back.'' Matchbox 20 appears Monday at the Viper Room. Three Stars

?13- Fred Shuster

Neil Young & Crazy Horse/``Year of the Horse''

Neil Young, whose output rivals a Detroit assembly line, has given us way too much this time.

Here, we have a double album of a dozen live performances with Crazy Horse taken from a 1996 tour, but at least five tracks - all of disc two - are simply dreadful.

The first disc opens with the anthemic ``When You Dance I Can Really Love'' and then carries on with the best stuff, ``Mr. Soul,'' ``Pocahontas'' and ``Human Highway.''

Some of Young's least memorable songs, such as ``Scattered'' and ``Prisoners of Rock & Roll,'' act as backdrops for long, dull guitar solos on side two. Two Stars

?13- Fred Shuster

Sugar Ray/``Floored''

Now that Sublime is permanently out of action, the race is on to duplicate its sound.

From behind the Orange Curtain comes Sugar Ray, a five-piece band that mixes hip-hop beats, a hint of reggae, thrash guitars and usually moronic lyrics. On the current radio hit, the admittedly wonderful ``Fly,'' the group adds Jamaican dancehall rapper Super Cat.

Unfortunately, Sugar Ray just doesn't have the goods to pull off an entire album yet. But ``Floored'' does have its moments, and teens will simply love it. One Star

?13- Fred Shuster

Del Amitri/``Some Other Sucker's Parade''

If it's pop gems you're after, look no further than Del Amitri's wonderful fifth album.

The Scottish songwriting duo of Justin Currie and Iain Harvie makes an exquisite noise that includes gorgeous harmonies and really magical songs. Tunes like the title track belong on radio and deserve to be appreciated by a larger audience than the band's longtime cult following. Three Stars

?13- Fred Shuster

Ron Sexsmith/``Other Songs''

Ron Sexsmith is a songwriter's songwriter. Elvis Costello and Kim Richey count themselves as fans, and it's no wonder. The 33-year-old Canadian balladeer's songs are suffused with a contemplative melancholy, but supported by gorgeous, mid-tempo melodies.

The best of his songs are breathtaking. ``Strawberry Blonde'' is a hazy recollection of childhood about ``not the girl next door but the girl around the corner'' that's a marvel of poignant, economical storytelling. ``Pretty Little Cemetery'' is a lullaby that takes a family stroll in a sun-dappled graveyard without growing maudlin or morose.

At times, Sexsmith can be borderline sluggish and simplistic (``Child Star''). But when he's spinning his most beautiful melodies and resolutely seeking life's upside - fighting back demons in ``Thinly Veiled Disguise'' or waiting out the downpour in ``April After All'' - his optimism can be downright inspiring. Three Stars

?13- Dan DeLuca

Knight-Ridder Tribune News Wire

Maypole/``Product''

After a five-year stint with the Wallflowers, Maypole guitarist Tobi Miller goes for a more abrasive, darker sound with his new band's debut.

Although the quintet's project has a moody, muffled feel, a winning pop sensibility shines through, especially on the songs ``Going Dutch,'' ``Not Concerned'' and others.

Also of interest is a dissonant approach to rhythm guitar that brings to mind the Gang of Four. Three Stars

?13- Fred Shuster

United Future Organization/``3rd Perspective''

Japanese disc-jockey collective United Future Organization melds a love of jazz with hip-hop, spy movie soundtracks and dub reggae on this engrossing and unusual disc.

A canny audio collage of syncopated horns, sharp beats, funky bass, strings and borrowed dialogue, this album could double as the perfect score for a modern film noir.

Check out the private eye theme woven through instant favorite ``The Planet Plan.'' Four Stars

?13- Fred Shuster

Agnes Gooch/``Blind''

A local quartet obviously enamored of the Pixies, Agnes Gooch makes a dynamic whisper-to-a-scream noise that has potential on both sides of the Atlantic.

The band is young and clearly still developing, but the players have come up with a nice interplay between Mat Baker's vocals and guitarist Nathan Ehrenfeld's edgy theatrics.

Material ranges from bright pop-rockers like the title track and ``Mom's Secret'' to slower, equally involving tunes such as ``Wish'' and ``Fairfax Manor.'' Three Stars

?13- Fred Shuster

CAPTION(S):

9 Photos

Photo: (1) Neil Young & Crazy Horse chronicle their 1996 tour on a double CD.

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