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SHANIA TWAIN
ALBUM ''UP!'' (Nov. 19) BACK STORY It's been five years -- i.e., an eternity -- since the 19 million-copy-selling ''Come on Over.'' But the birth of her son, Eja, 1, and a recent management shake-up kept Twain, 37, from record stores. In her absence, sexy crooners like the Dixie Chicks and Faith Hill have happily bridged the pop and country charts. STRATEGY Something for everyone. Aware of her draw in Nashville and New York, Twain again taps producer hubby Robert ''Mutt'' Lange. ''[He] gave her crossover appeal from the get-go,'' says Michelle Dix, a VP of programming at MTV. EARLY VIBE Her new single ''I'm Gonna Getcha Good!'' tilts toward twang. ''If she comes out of the gate and connects with her built-in demo, that's a wise choice,'' says Dix. And though ''UP!'' will compete with Hill's just-released ''Cry,'' Virgin Megastores exec Vince Szydlowski predicts fans will buy both: ''Her personality is too infectious.'' REVIVAL ODDS 1-1
WHITNEY HOUSTON
ALBUM ''Just Whitney...'' (Nov. 26) BACK STORY Since her last studio album, 1998's ''My Love Is Your Love,'' which sold 2.7 million discs, the 39-year-old Houston has been haunted by a 2000 drug charge (later dismissed) and erratic behavior. Her skeletal appearance at Michael Jackson's 2001 all-star concert in NYC didn't help. STRATEGY At press time, Houston was still in the studio -- collaborating with such producers and songwriters as Missy Elliott, Tweet, Kenneth ''Babyface'' Edmonds, and, yes, hubby Bobby Brown. EARLY VIBE Her grumpy first single ''Whatchulookinat'' bombed when it hit airwaves in August (and may not be on the album). ''When you start talking about yourself and begging the press to leave you alone, it's too self-serving,'' says Blue. ''If an artist wants a hit record, they've got to stick to the heart.'' Since then, she's pulled a Garbo. ''This business is not just having your record on the radio,'' worries Ivey. ''It's being in public and having a positive image. She has to get visible.'' REVIVAL ODDS 10-1
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