From Texas, Ireland & L.A.

A guide to keeping up with what’s best and fresh in pop music on a record budget of $25 a month.

September

Michelle Shocked’s “Short Sharp Shocked” (Mercury)--The reason this Texan’s name is so often mentioned in connection with Suzanne Vega and Tracy Chapman has more to do with gender and acoustic guitars than with content and style. Better touchstones musically are Rickie Lee Jones (a similar sprightly intelligence and street-level orientation) and Bob Dylan (a maverick spirit and ties to American folk, blues and country roots). A warm, witty and vibrant work.

Hothouse Flowers’ “People” (London)--An uneven but immensely promising debut from an Irish rock band whose first single was released by U2’s Mother Records, but whose style embraces more American folk, blues and rock influences than the pre-”Rattle and Hum” U2. The best numbers, including “Don’t Go” and “It’ll Be Easier in the Morning,” suggest a valuable and independent vision.

Jane’s Addiction’s “Nothing’s Shocking” (Warner Bros.)--This L.A. band exhibits such tension and power on stage that it might even make Led Zeppelin take a step back--so much sonic power, in fact, that it makes parts of this major-label debut seem almost too ethereal (as in light-show psychedelic) on first listening. But there’s something about this strange blend of brute force, sensitivity, celebration and sorrow that draws you back. An odd but captivating effort.

October

U2’s “Rattle and Hum” (Island)--In this excellent two-record set, rock’s greatest band of the ‘80s takes two giant steps: An embracing of the blues and country roots that have long given rock its character and soul, and Bono Hewson’s increased vulnerability as a singer and writer. On the heels of “The Joshua Tree,” this companion piece to U2’s upcoming concert film gives the Irishmen a back-to-back achievement that ranks with the best ever in rock.

Randy Newman’s “Land of Dreams” (Reprise)--Who else in pop writes songs with such delightful regional color and observation as “Dixie Flyer” and “New Orleans Wins the War,” with such biting commentary as “Roll With the Punches,” with such robust satire as “Masterman and Baby J” and then with such delicate revelation as “I Want You to Hurt Like I Do”? The answer is no one, and that’s why each Newman LP is a treasure.

Los Lobos’ “La Pistola y El Corazon” (Slash)--You don’t have to understand a word of Spanish or know anything about the history of Norteno or sones to be enthralled by Los Lobos’ Spanish-language salute to various Mexican folk styles. The album is short (around 30 minutes), but it demonstrates the solid musical foundation the East L.A. group had before venturing into rock.