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Scores of albums are released every week. And for whatever reason-record- company indifference, lack of publicity, bad timing, or just plain bad luck-many of the best drop out of sight. Here, then, are some of our critics' favorite recent pop underdogs (or, all too likely, underdogs-to-be): * MEAT PUPPETS Forbidden Places A little bit country, a little bit twisted rock & roll from a quirky Phoenix band. * BOOGIE DOWN PRODUCTIONS Live Hardcore Worldwide Gleeful concert album that captures the collective rapture of live rap. * ROBYN HITCHCOCK AND THE EGYPTIANS Perspex Island Wordplay doesn't get any more clever-or love songs more sarcastic-than on the latest from this British folk-rocker. * MARSHALL CRENSHAW Life's Too Short Snappy guitar pop from a master of the form. * BANG TANGO Dancin' on Coals Proof that funk and soul can be as much a part of a heavy-metal band's world as leather studs. * CHRIS REA Auberge Talented British rocker, a star in Europe but unknown in the States, addresses mid-life concerns. * THE KLF The White Room If spacey, soulful tunes like the hit ''3 A.M. Eternal'' don't get you moving, you may need to check your pulse rate. * KOOL MOE DEE Funke, Funke Wisdom Rap keeps evolving, but that doesn't mean old-school rappers like Dee don't have a few new-and positive-minded-tricks up their sleeves. * SAM PHILLIPS Cruel Inventions Female singer-songwriter who can be tightly wound and undeniably sunny, sometimes within the same song. * KIK TRACEE No Rules A true rarity: A hard-rocking L.A. band that excels at both stomping metal ravers and sensitive ballads. * SANDEE Only Time Will Tell Former member of Expose squeaks, struts, and belts through adult dance pop. * SON OF BAZERK Bazerk Bazerk Bazerk Manic hip-hop with dollops of reggae, soul, and hard-core punk. * THE PSYCHEDELIC FURS World Outside We'd given these veteran British new- wavers up for dead too, until we heard this collection of surprising, sardonic songs. * YOUNG FRESH FELLOWS Electric Bird Digest How can you resist rock & roll this sweet and friendly-and with song titles like ''Sittin' on a Pitchfork'' and ''Hillbilly Drummer Girl''? * RICHARD THOMPSON Rumor & Sigh Celtic-rooted rock & roll that sounds both adult and deranged. * TERMINATOR X Terminator X & the Valley of the Jeep Beets Eclectic proof that rap DJs-in this case, from Public Enemy-can do more than just spin records.
EW.com
