Sound Off

Bill Cosby Presents ...

'The Cosnarati: State Of Emergency'

(World Alert)

When one thinks of Bill Cosby, one doesn't generally associate the actor-comedian with hip-hop music.

Cosby's delivery style, especially his stand-up act, has always been more jazz-oriented. Nevertheless, Cosby has decided to try his hand at writing rap music.

"State of Emergency" features the former Dr. Huxtable co-writing the rhymes that make up the 14 socially conscious tracks.

Cosby collaborates with William S. Patterson, Cedric Ulmont Miller, Jamal Ali Gary, Hassan M. McMillian, and Daoud Torain on the project.

While Cosby himself only performs on two of the CD's tracks, his spirit is all over the disc. The music and beats are comparable to any one of today's hip-hop starts, and the lyrics are thought-provoking and responsible.

Standout tracks include "Why?" "Take Time" and "Dads Behind the Glass." For anyone looking for hip-hop music with a positive message without being watered-down, look no further.

Download These: "Why?" "Take Time" and "Dads Behind the Glass."

Nirvana

'Live at Reading'

(DGC/Geffen/UMe)

When Nirvana played Britain's famed Reading Music Festival on Aug. 30, 1992, few knew beforehand that the gig would become one of the most talked about in recent rock history.

Still white-hot from the success of "Smells Like Teen Spirit," the Seattle band turned in what has become one of the most bootlegged live performances ever.

Kurt Cobain's death a few years later only heightened Nirvana's popularity. Now, fans can treat themselves to a pristine recording of the legendary performance, which is available on both CD and DVD.

Cobain, Dave Grohl and Krist Novoselic create a wall of sound during performances of songs such as "Drain You," "About a Girl" and "In Bloom."

In all you get 22 Nirvana originals, as well as great covers by Fang, The Wipers and Shocking Blue on both the CD and DVD. Consider it an early Christmas present from one of the biggest bands of the '90s.

Download These: "In Bloom," "On a Plain" and "About a Girl"

Them Crooked Vultures

'Them Crooked Vultures'

(DGC/Interscope)

Rock and roll history abounds with super groups. Blind Faith, Traveling Wilburys, even the excellent Monsters of Folk from earlier this year are all examples of the beautiful stuff that can happen when a few already established musicians put their heads together.

Them Crooked Vultures has the potential to be even more cool than any of those aforementioned acts.

The band features Dave Grohl (Nirvana, Foo Fighters), Joshua Homme (Queens of the Stone Age), and John Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin).

Anyway, this trio of heavy rock lovers has crafted an album that brings back something that has been sorely missing from rock music: danger, specifically the fun kind.

Rather than just being loud and rude for no reason, the guys inject a little melody into the mix, and suddenly you have hard rock you can tap your foot to without embarrassment.

Songs such as "No One Loves Me & Neither Do I," "Elephants" and "Caligulove" definitely rock.

Given that Grohl and Homme have been emulating the type of music Jones helped put on the map in the '70s, it is easy to understand the younger two musicians' unbridled enthusiasm.

Download These: "Elephants," "Reptiles" and "New Fang."