Dummies New Work Less Exciting

Crash Test Dummies

“A Worm’s Life” (Arista)

Canadian rockers Crash Test Dummies follow up their breakthrough album with a record that hints at fine writing and offers glimpses of inspiration, but otherwise fails to generate the excitement of their past work. Although front man Brad Roberts shows characteristic flair in spinning twisted tales with a profound edge - notably on first single “He Liked To Feel It,” slice-of-life track “Our Driver Gestures,” and unrequited-love ballad “My Own Sunrise” - none of the tunes on the album are as memorable as past hits “Superman’s Song” and “Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm.” Nevertheless, the Dummies are more than capable of emerging from whatever creative slump they may be in at the moment.

Various artists

Music From New Line Cinema movie “Set It Off” (EastWest America)

With an artist roster that includes such hot hip-hop and R&B acts as Organized Noize, Queen Latifah, Brandy, Tamia, Gladys Knight, Chaka Khan, En Vogue, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Busta Rhymes, Simply Red, Goodie Mob, and Seal, the soundtrack to this high-profile film is an unstoppable hit, entering The Billboard 200 at No. 3. More than just a marquee of attractive names, the album features great music, particularly the title track, the En Vogue cut “Don’t Let Go (Love),” and Bone Thugs-N-Harmony’s “Days Of Our Lives.” A feast for R&B, AC, and pop radio - and another fast-moving vehicle to propel the careers of artists whose potential seems unlimited.

Three Hanks

“Men With Broken Hearts” (Curb)

The idea must have been irresistible: three generations of country music’s most notorious family getting together thanks to the wonders of modern studio technology. After all, Hank Williams, dead now 43 years, remains no stranger to the recording studio: He’s been overdubbed so many times he must feel mummified in tape. This venture unites him with son Hank Jr. and grandson Hank III (for whom this is a recording debut) for a series of duets, trios and solos on Hank Sr. and Hank Jr. songs. As far as Hank Sr. goes, you can’t improve on the original, and rerecording him with modern-day session players removes the tenor of the times. Hank III shows great promise, but the best cuts here are Hank Jr. giving serious country styling to his dad’s “Never Again (Will I Knock on Your Door)” and his own never-before-recorded “Hand Me Down.”