Also this issue: Mehta Physics Meet the man who’s turning the Kimmel into a world-music hot spot. -A.D. Amorosi Matter of Import The Brit in Big Sandy’s court. -Mary Armstrong Blistered in the Sun Unwrapping the Summer Tour Package. -Jesse Delaney The Kills -Sam Adams The Sick Lipstick -Maura Johnston 4 Way Street -Nicole Pensiero Richard Thompson -Sam Adams Jamaican Dave's Birthday Bash -Ainé Ardon-Doley

July 17-23, 2003

musicpicks

Tracy Chapman

Rock/pop

Tracy Chapman coasted for a while. After her flawless self-titled debut in 1988 -- "Talkin’ "Bout a Revolution" and "Fast Car" set the pace -- she put out two fine follow-ups, Crossroads and Matters of the Heart. But 1995’s New Beginning had little to love past its ubiquitous single, "Give Me One Reason," and Telling Stories didn’t even have that much. It’s time to pay attention again: Chapman’s sixth album, Let It Rain (Elektra) is her best in more than a decade. It would have been easy for her to recycle her Bush I-era protest songs; instead, she broods about heartache and death, faith and love. It pays off. (Only the tempo-shifting "Hard Wired" tries to be topical, and it falls flat.) Her voice has never sounded richer than on "In the Dark," while "Almost" and "Another Sun" make you wanna wallow in woulda-coulda-shoulda. And "Say Hallelujah" finally captures the warm humor that Chapman’s previously shared only in concert. It’s about time.

Tue., July 22, 8 p.m., $35, with Joseph Arthur, Electric Factory, Seventh and Willow sts., 215-336-2000.

—M.J. Fine