Def Leppard, Lady Antebellum, Goldfrapp, Chicha Libre

With the '70s as inspiration, Def Leppard's "Songs From the Sparkle Lounge" will release April 29 and features 11 new songs. Their last studio album, "X" - their 10th - released in '02.

The album gets its name from a backstage area where the band would go to write during the '06 tour. Along the tour, it was decorated with twinkle lights.

The first single, "Nine Lives," with its risk-taking, Vegas-style lyrics, has country music's Tim McGraw starting off the song in his twang-tinged voice followed by Joe Elliott and guys rockin' out then switching between genres. The NBA-promoted song is the only one with a country kick.

What follows is classic D.L. - vocal harmonies, big guitars and strong writing. "Go," with its inserted PSAs and tribal beat, is similar in style to "Rocket." Lyrically upbeat, "Tomorrow," written by Phil Collen about his father's death, offers "I want to take a ride/ I want to kiss the sky/... I can't wait until tomorrow comes." "Love" is full of emotion that'll leave you in awe because of its surprises. The Sugar-like "C'mon C'mon," with its fire-up-the-crowd beat, would be great performed live. Also making the album sparkle: "Only the Good Die Young," "Gotta Let It Go," "Cruise Control."

While at the Lounge, it's easy to sit through encore performances, proving that after 30 years, Def Leppard is far from that final curtain call.

- Patty Jenkins, The Pilot

Def Leppard: "Songs From The Sparkle Lounge"

Rating: Go get it now

Tracks to download: "Love," "Tomorrow," "Nine Lives"

Thanks to last year's critically acclaimed compilation "The Roots of Chicha: Psychedelic Cumbias," the Brooklyn-based septet Chi cha Libre formed to espouse the sound and make it a viable genre. Chicha grew up in Peruvian Amazon frontier towns. Its classic bands combined the plugged-in garage/surf rock of the day with Colombian cumbias.

On this debut, the group led by singer, founder and cuatro player Olivier Conan breathes life and verve into this moribund genre through the use of Joshua Camp's cheesy, tinny keyboard sounds and Vincent Douglas' twanging surf/spaghetti western guitars. Many of the tunes are grooving instrumentals similar to Beastie Boys' instrumental s, with occasional vocals in French and Spanish. But no matter the language, the combo's sound is a cool, psychedelic exotica influenced by '60s spy flicks, British-invasion rock, Latin rhythms and composer Ennio Morricone. And for the highbrows, the group also throws in melodies by Vivaldi, Ravel and Satie.

Chicha Libre presents a quirky, campy, rhythm-happy sound suitable for any party.

- Eric Feber, The Pilot

Chicha Libre: "Sonido Amazonico"

Rating: Go get it now

Tracks to download: Title cut, "Gnosienne No. 1," "Tres Pasajeros"

English duo Alison Goldfrapp and Will Gregory made their mark on the musical world by mixing glam rock riffs with thumping electronica that made for enjoyable dance floor fodder.

But unlike their previous albums, notably "Black Cherry" and "Supernature," Goldfrapp steps away from the dance floor and opts for a softer, slower sound revolving around acoustic guitars and strings. Sonically lush, the album is a very slow, sleepy affair that makes for great background music; listen for it the next time you pop into a New Age bookstore. But as a compelling listen for longtime fans, this album will be a nonstarter, headed straight for the trade-in counter of your favorite music store.

For those with a bit more patience, the album proves rewarding, from the shimmering pop of "Clowns," "Cologne Cerrone Houdini" and "A&E" to the chirpy "Happiness" and straightforward "Caravan Girl." The shimmering beauty of Alison's voice and the album's leisurely pace are a great way to close the evening after a night at the dance club.

- Larry Printz, The Pilot

Goldfrapp: "Seventh Tree"

Rating: Download a few tracks

Tracks to download: "Cologne Cerrone Houdini," "Happiness," "Caravan Girl"

Lady Antebellum's self-titled CD, due for release April 15, is a gem of the Hope diamond class.

Charles Kelley, Hillary Scott and Dave Haywood are some of the many newcomers who seem to crawl out from every country music corner, but they are top-of-the-list.

Some of the arrangements can be described as complex, but all are beautifully handled by the threesome. Their first single - "Love Don't Live Here," a wham-bam piece - is climbing in the top-20 chart s.

About a half dozen other "Lady Antebellum" songs could be hits, particularly "I Run to You," "Love's Lookin' Good on You," "Slow Down Sister" and "Home Is Where the Heart Is." The South inspired the group's name. They posed for one of those just-for-fun photos, pix of themselves in vintage Southern costumes, giving the imaginative threesome the idea for the "Gone With the Wind"-type handle.

So, Kelley, Scott and Haywood, put in your order for fireworks, smoke, confetti and all that other stuff the major stars use these days.

- Frank Roberts

Lady Antebellum: "Lady Antebellum"

Rating: Go get it now

Tracks to download: "I Run to You," "Love's Lookin' Good on You," "Home Is Where the Heart Is"