Packed with imagery as clear as the title, folk-rocker Williams's album lets listeners hear the heartbreak in her voice and visualize the people and places she visits during this journey through the American heartland. (Mercury)
LIZ PHAIR
The title refers to Phair's about-to-be-born son, of whom she dreamed during pregnancy. Happily, motherhood (Nick was born in December '96) hasn't stopped Phair from further funny, insightful explorations of the territory she first mapped in her 1993 girl's guide to men, Exile in Guyville. (Matador/Capitol)
GARBAGE
With a lineup that includes glam lead siren Shirley Man-son and former Nirvana producer-turned-drummer Butch Vig, the most inappropriately named quartet trashes the alternative-pop competition. (Almo Sounds)
BILLY BRAGG & WILCO
A trove of never-performed Woody Guthrie lyrics, unearthed by his daughter Nora, are brought to life by unlikely collaborators—British protest singer Bragg and the raucous American country-punk band Wilco. (Elektra)
SHIRLEY HORN
The sumptuously but subtly talented jazz singer salutes her late mentor, trumpet maestro Miles Davis, with songs from his canon. (Verve)
POSSUM DIXON
Hardly known outside their native L.A., singer-guitarist Rob Zabrecky and pals make rock and roll the way it oughta sound—smart, fast and irresistible. (Interscope)
DIXIE CHICKS
The Dallas trio sisters Martie Seidel and Emily Erwin, with Natalie Maines) might be the redneck answer to the Spice Girls, except the Chicks aren't so tarty, and they can really sing. (Monument)
PUBLIC ENEMY
Famous in rap's pre-gangsta days for packing politics and messages of self-reliance with rhythmic punch, Chuck D, Flavor Flav and company hit nothin' but net in this thoughtful, fast-breaking accompaniment to the Spike Lee film. (Def Jam)
DWIGHT YOAKAM
With haunting hymnlike ballads, including "Traveler's Lantern," the honky-tonk man harks back to country's rural and hallowed past. Hallelujah! (Reprise)
MARYAM MURSAL
Singing in her native tongue, the Somalian refugee makes music that is exhilarating, passionate and triumphant in any language. (Real World/Caroline)
>[Tick]Thought by many to be over-the-hill, 70s divas LINDA RONSTADT, PHOEBE SNOW and STEVIE NICKS come back with bright new CDs that prove ail their blasts aren't past.
[Tick]Look who's lightening up—dour anti-star EDDIE VEDDER and his PEARL JAW mates sample the sunny side for a change with an upbeat CD (Yield) and tour.
Saved by the Bell Reunion
The hookups, the meltdowns, the memoires
The case reveals what was really going on what they think of each other now!
