What's hot from country to reggae

Edgy alt country, cute kids' stuff, solid rock, hipster jazz and modern reggae crowd the new releases table today.

COUNTRY CUT-UPS: Too much country music has lost its wild-eyed, outlaw quality and bold, poetic ambitions. But two talents with new CDs offer something to sharpen our teeth.

Hayes Carll is forever drinking, drugging or gambling on "Trouble In Mind" (Lost Country, A-). Yet he indulges with such gonzo enthusiasm you'll want to join the party. The Texas beach bum's organic sound is raspy in vocal quality, acoustic in instrumentation, reminiscent at times of the Band (on "Drunken Poet's Dream" ), Bob Dylan (the ragtime rockin' howler "A Lover Like You"), and John Prine (the twangy waltz "Don't Let Me Fall"). Carll also nods to Tom Waits' master's voice with a nifty cover of the latter's "I Don't Wanna Grow Up."

On his latest set, "Just Us Kids" (Lightning Rod, B+), noir-ish story spinner James McMurtry plows the dark, bluesier side of the country field. Tunes like the gritty, guitar-scorched "Bayou Tortous," "The Governor" and "God Bless America" evoke the fevered, politically charged paranoia of Timbuk 3 (of "The Future's So Bright I've Gotta Wear Shades" fame). In fact, the latter tune even nods to T3's leader in the subtitle ("Pat MacDonald Must Die").

The after-the-flood versification of "Hurricane Party" nods to Dylan's punchiest rhyme patterns. And like Carll, McMurtry severs ties with the "mainstream" twang crowd, declaring on "Ruby and Carlos," "I can't go back to Tennessee, that Nashville country's not for me."

Been longing for the bygone era of country harmonizing duos, a la Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner, or Waylon Jennings and Jessie Colter? Lady Antebellum serves up classic he-'n'-she tunes on their self-titled debut (Capitol, B), with singers Charles Kelley and Hillary Scott trading off the lead and backup duties. The lead single, "Love Don't Live Here," is already high on the country charts, and there's more where that came from.

ROCK AND A GOOD PLACE: They say the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. That's kinda true with Jordan Zevon, Warren's kid, debuting today with "Insides Out" (New West, B).

He's more of a mainstream romantic than his father, with a sweeter, poppier voice. Still, the family resemblance comes though in playful character studies like "Camilla Rhodes" and with the rich, sweeping melody lines Jordan puts to all his work. The Western Americana-toned "Studebaker" most closely taps the family well.

Anthemic melodies ratcheted up with jangly guitars pulled me into the process that is American Princes' "Other People" (YepRoc, B+). Despite the name, the group is more beholden to British rock influences, especially of the '80s. What keeps me hanging on are insights like "I don't care about real love, I just want a world that can bear its own weight."

Want more? The group called Ours works a similar emo(tive) vein, not quite as well, on their new set, "Mercy" (American, B-).

Move over Rasputina. The heaviest thing in metallic chamber rock is Apocalyptica, the all-cello band from Finland slamming like nobody's business on "Worlds Collide"(20-20/Jive/ Zomba, B). Catch 'em May 5 at the Troc.

"The Clash Live: Revolution Rock" (Epic/Legacy DVD, B) gathers almost two dozen concert performances by Britain's leading politico-punksters. The visuals are kinda crude and the audio's nothing to write home about, either, but it's the CLASH, damn it! And you can play the music with or without narration.

KIDS' STUFF: Serve your kids well (and maintain your sanity) by giving them the new set by Nickelodeon network stars the Naked Brothers Band, "I Don't Want to Go To School" (Nickelodeon/Columbia Song BMG, B+). Offspring of noted jazz pianist Michael Wolff (who produces their albums), pre-teen brothers Nat and Alex Wolff write and sing (in high-pitched, girly voices) cute, catchy tunes in the Hanson vein. On rare occasions, Nat springs something shockingly sophisticated on you. The metaphysical romantic kissoff "Body I Occupy" is really out there.

ALL THAT JAZZ: If answering to the description of jazz buff, you MUST take a look and listen to "Blue Note: A Story of Modern Jazz" (EuroArts DVD, A). This German-made (but narrated in English) documentary about the most influential record label is thrilling in so many ways, from the perfect music clips (selected from rarely seen here European video shoots) to the fabulous, black-and-white artist portraits by label co-founder Francis Wolff.

Everyone who is anyone has vital things to say, most curiously about the crucial role that immigrants like Wolff and co-founder Alfred Lion played in elevating jazz as American's art form.

Altogether pleasant though oddly thrill-less is Dianne Reeves' extended love letter, "When You Know" (Blue Note, B-), polished to excess by her keyboard-playing cousin, George Duke.

Also out today, producerBob Belden's two-disc set "Miles . . .

From India" (Times Square, B), a nifty, East-meets-West celebration of Miles Davis' work merging trumpets, keyboards and electric guitars with sitars, tabla and Indian chanting.

COOL RUNNINGS: Reggae band Morgan Heritage does a fine job of juggling traditional and contemporary reggae styles on "Mission in Progress" (VP Music, B+). The hip-hop/dancehall flavor is blended in so nimbly, even rock-steady purists won't object.

A bit edgier, while also working both sides of the reggae aisle, is Abijah with "Moving to the Top" (Azion, B).

Grabbing me most was his remake of "Abraham, Martin and John" (originally a hit by Dion), which now pays homage to the likes of fallen heroes Bob Marley, Marcus Garvey and Joe Higgs.

Album guests include Beenie Man and Tevin Campbell. *