Bleak Venom From Pantera

Pantera “The Great Southern Trendkill” - EastWest

Hardcore metal band that made a huge chart impact with its last release returns with an equally venomous offering that is virtually guaranteed to set off a frenzy among its fans. Always lyrically bleak and musically relentless, Pantera manages to distinguish itself in a genre characterized by obscure sameness.

Epic Soundtracks “Change My Life” - Bar/None

Veteran British alternative songsmith Epic Soundtracks records his best collection to date of diverse, piano-based pop tunes. Standout tracks from a clever and intriguing set include the throbbing rocker “You Can Be My Baby,” the Phil Spector-ish big-beat number “Stealaway,” the gorgeous piano ballad “The Rain Came Down.”

Toby Keith “Blue Moon” - A&M

Toby Keith, who writes or co-writes most of his material, brings an eloquent sense of desolation to sad country songs, imparting a sweetness to them that most performers can only hint at. His current single, “Does That Blue Moon Ever Shine On You,” is a perfect example of a Keith-penned weeper that is also a sensuous and languid ballad. In fact, he’s so convincing at it that the three non-downers here seem to actually let the listener down with their jarring cheerfulness.

Doc Powell “Laid Back” - Discovery

Newest jazz outing for guitarist/ songwriter Doc Powell is indeed laid-back, with its easy grooves deepened by celebrity guests. Powell’s lithe, lyrical guitar lines provide the aural linkage between such highlight tracks as the lovely, serene “(My Dear) Charlene,” the Latinesque “Let’s Dance,” the gospel-inspired “Sunday Mornin” and the pop/R&B tune “Lover For Life.”