HOT TRACKS LISA ROBINSON

L'amour, Tumour: just in time for Valentine's Day, some twisted love songs for some twisted times.

On Before the Poison, Marianne Faithfull's chilling, elegant voice is surrounded by musical contributions from a sophisticated cast of friends that includes PJ Harvey, Jon Brion, Nick Cave, and Hal Willner. Beck is back with producers the Dust Brothers and a sample-heavy, beat-laden, and guitar-driven record that harkens back to Odelay. The classically trained, Russian-born, Bronx-raised Regina Spektor, who's been compared to Bjork, Fiona Apple, and Tori Amos, shows uninhibited emotion on Soviet Kitsch. Fans of the real Tori Amos will welcome The Beekeeper, the latest in her oeuvre of vocally unique, lyrically demanding albums. After five years between albums, Ambrosia Parsley's gorgeous voice is back on Shivaree'sWho's Got Trouble?Mary Gauthier'sMercy Now is a truly extraordinary album from a critically acclaimed singer. Adam Richman is another of those "indie-pop wunderkinds"; he's evolved from writing songs in his parents' basement to the hook-filled Patience and Science. And Al Green'sEverything's OK is a joyous, soulful disc.

I love rock 'n roll: With the sophomore Aha Shake Heartbreak,Kings of Leon prove that they're one of the most entertaining, talented new bands making music today. Queens of the Stone Age'sLullabies to Paralyze is a strong, tuneful rock album. Worlds Apart, from And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead, is grandiose and passionate. Brendan Benson, who co-produced Loretta Lynn with Jack White, releases the delightful rock 'n' roll Alternative to Love.

Am I blue: On the sexy In Your Arms Again, veteran blues guitarist John Hammond performs his own songs as well as some by Willie Dixon, Bob Dylan, Howlin' Wolf, Percy Mayfield, and Ray Charles. David Johansen's vocals and Keith Richards's presence highlight Hubert Sumlin'sAbout Them Shoes, which features a Muddy Waters tribute and other great guest stars James Cotton, Eric Clapton, and Levon Helm. Jon Spencer's latest fun "side project" is Heavy Trash—a collaboration with Speedball Baby's Matt Verta-Ray that has echoes of Jerry Lee Lewis throughout. The real Jerry Lee Lewis releases The Pilgrim, which features guests Mick Jagger, Bruce Springsteen, Toby Keith, Little Richard, Kid Rock, and others. Uncompromising, hard-core rap records come from Dr. Dre's Compton protege the Game and Atlanta rapper T.I. Also out: Singer Adele Bertei's vocals highlight the electronic groove trio the Anubian Lights' Phantascope.Lee Ann Womack sounds like she's loved and lost on There's More Where That Came From.Richard Pryor'sEvolution/Revolution: The Early Years (1966-1974) showcases his groundbreaking humor, and Chris Rock puts out Never Scared, the live recording of his most recent, brilliant H BO special. On Las Vegas '58-Today: Live at Feinstein's at the Regency,Keely Smith sings the great standards she used to perform with Louis Prima. New albums are out, too, from Jennifer Lopez, Mariah Carey, Moby, Jack Johnson, Thievery Corporation, Santana, and Tweet; there's a CD/DVD set from the late Nat King Cole, a boxed set from Ozzy Osbourne; and crooner Michael Buble releases another of his soundalike Frank Sinatra albums. No one understands a life like Frank's.