HOT TRACKS LISA ROBINSON

Even if the record industry comes apart at the seams, music will always be in fashion. More than 100 CDs will be released this month alone; here, some of the best of the new line.

The Roots, who are the conscience of hiphop as well as skillful instrumentalists, express a rage totally appropriate for these times on the fierce Game Theory.Joseph Arthur's Nuclear Daydream is a glorious work of art from this exceptional, romantic singer-songwriter. TV on the Radio's Return to Cookie Mountain is inspired, beautiful noise. Fueled by ferocious drumming, melodic hooks, and real guitars, Prophet Omega's The Natural World is a sophisticated, sonic triumph. The good news is that Outkast's Andre 3000 and Big Boi stayed together long enough to record the soundtrack CD to their stylish movie Idlewild.

Spencer Dickinson is Jon Spencer and North Mississippi Allstars Luther and Cody Dickinson, who all got together to record the twisted, bluesy The Man Who Lives for Love.The Black Keys have clearly been "influenced" by Jimi Hendrix and the Rolling Stones, but manage to create something brand-new on Magic Potion. Whereas Primal Scream's Riot City Blues sounds like a direct lift from 70s-era Bowie, the Stones, and Iggy Pop.

More standing on the shoulders of giants: Ben Kweller releases a tuneful self-titled CD that leaves no doubt he's listened carefully to the Beatles. Darker My Love's eponymous, sensual album is reminiscent of early Stooges with some Velvet Underground, My Bloody Valentine, and the Jesus and Mary Chain thrown into the mix. On the joyous Big Iron World,Old Crow Medicine Show— young men in their 20s—sound like seasoned bluegrass musicians. Former Libertines frontman Carl Barat proves there's still Clash-influenced life after Pete Doherty with Dirty Pretty Things' Waterloo to Anywhere. If you like Duran Duran, you'll like the danceable, peppypop Young Love. And the song is over but the melody lingers on with John Pizzarelli's Dear Mr. Sinatra, featuring classic tunes recorded by the Chairman of the Board.

When you've loved and lost the way Frank has, then you know what life's about.

Some actual giants are among us this season, with noteworthy reissues and boxed sets from early influences. Fats Waller's If You Got to Ask, You Ain't Got It is a three-CD set that showcases the wizard of the stride piano style. Legends of Country Music: Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys is a four-CD boxed set that gives the Country Music and Rock and Roll Halls of Fame member and western-swing pioneer his due, and inaugurates the "Legends of Country Music" series from Legacy Records. Big Bill Broonzy: Amsterdam Live Concerts is a two-CD set from the great bluesman. There's a boxed set from Louis Armstrong, a compilation from Marianne Faithfull, and Tom Waits's Orphans, a three-CD collection of songs previously released only on soundtracks, benefit records, or other musicians' discs. There are brand-new albums from Beyonce, Rod Stewart, Elton John, Nas, Diana Krall, Bob Seger, Ludacris, the Rapture, and Janet Jackson. Bob Dylan's Modern Times is American music at its best: enigmatic, provocative, and extraordinary. A remake of "We Are Family" by the re-united Sister Sledge benefits displaced New Orleans families on the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. Rumored to be coming soon: another greatest-hits package from U2 and something by the end of the year from Jay Z.