Start With British Rock

Thanks to albums from Oasis, Prodigy and Radiohead, this may be the best year for British rock since the early days of punk and new wave. The collections--which challenge pop sensibilities on various cultural and sonic levels--top a diverse cast in this edition of Calendar’s guide to keeping up with what’s exciting in pop on a budget of $50 a month.

JULY

Various artists, “Peaceful Planet,� Mango. There was such positive feedback to Mango’s “Rhythm Zone� collection in June’s guide that the album’s companion piece is included here. As the title suggests, the mood in this world music compilation is more tranquil, but the artistry--from African singer Angelique Kidjo to the bright Celtic flavoring of Spain’s Milladoiro group--remains delightfully engaging.

Prodigy’s “The Fat of the Land,� Maverick. This English quartet is pretty jarring alongside the soothing sensibilities of “Peaceful Planet,� but this album would be striking in most contexts, and that’s why it is one of the most satisfying releases of the year. Built around the synthesizer-driven imagination of Liam Howlett, Prodigy mixes hip-hop and punk in ways that question artificial pop-rock boundaries.

Radiohead, “OK Computer,� Capitol. You may have to go all the way back to David Bowie and “Ziggy Stardust� to find a British recording that looks at the alienation of its age with the conviction and command of this album-of-the-year contender. Framed by music that is wonderfully elegant and multilayered (think of Pink Floyd with soul), Thom Yorke sings about people so disillusioned by contemporary society that they end up daydreaming about being abducted by space invaders.

AUGUST

Nuyorican Soul, “Nuyorican Soul,� Giant Step. Producers Kenny Gonzalez and Louie Vega fuse R&B;, salsa, jazz, disco and hip-hop the way Prodigy mixes dance music and rock. The pair--working with an all-star cast that ranges from George Benson to Tito Puente--forge a cultural blend whose best moments are so invigorating that they give you the high of a morning workout.

Oasis, “Be Here Now,� Epic. There’s going to be debate about this band as long as people pay more attention to the Gallagher Brothers’ battling, controversial image than to their music. It’s a pity if you let that reputation keep you from embracing Oasis, because the music is in the tradition of some of rock’s grandest forces--from, sure, the Beatles to U2.

Talvin Singh, “Anokha: Soundz of the Asian Underground,� Quango. Because the title doesn’t give you much clue to the nature of the music, the album comes with a sticker explaining that the work “features an eclectic mix of drum ‘n’ bass, traditional and contemporary Indian music.� In other words, you could file it under either electronic/dance music or world music. Either way, it’s an exotic work that lifts the spirits in a way not unlike “Nuyorican Soul.�

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Robert Hilburn is the Times’ pop music critic. He can be reached by e-mail at [email protected]