Rock News: Music's high and low notes

U2 IN REARVIEW MIRROR?

Steve Lillywhite hears some U2 in the new band Rearview Mirror.

Of course, Lillywhite might be a little biased, since he produced their debut album "All Lights Off" -- due in stores Tuesday.

At the same time, Lillywhite has a pretty good idea what U2 sounds like, since he has produced for them as well -- not to mention Dave Matthews Band and the Rolling Stones. He won Grammys as engineer/mixer on 2000 and 2001 records of the year "Beautiful Day" and "Walk On."

He found Rearview Mirror out of curiosity, following up after coming across them on an Internet mailing list. He got their manager to send him their independent CD, went to hear them play live -- and liked them enough to produce them.

"This is what U2 had in the early days," said Lillywhite. "Rearview Mirror is the youngest and heaviest band I've ever worked with and I really know they're onto something."

DAVID CROSBY AND SON

David Crosby and his son got together over the weekend to play a benefit for his granddaughter's elementary school, Walden Elementary in Pasadena, Calif.

"We are parents and grandparents," Crosby told the audience at the private, nonprofit school, "and proud of it!"

The benefit raised $30,000 for scholarships for minority students at Walden, where his granddaughter, Grace Raymond, is in first grade.

HIT PACKAGES IN STRONG TREND

The fifth volume in the "Totally Hits" series is due in stores Tuesday.

"Totally Hits 2002" features 20 tracks -- including "Can't Fight the Moonlight" (LeAnn Rimes) and "Get the Party Started" (Pink), as well as Alanis Morissette's "Hands Clean" and Tweety's "Oops (Oh My)."

At the same time, "Now That's What I Call Music! 9" hangs in there in the Top 10, 2 1/2 months after its release and "Now That's What I Call Music! 8" is still in the Top 200 after more than six months in stores.

The Los Angeles Times wondered what the future looks like for such collections.

Musicland retail chain buyer Scott Levin said the key to longevity for the collections is song selection.

"Over time, there could be a bottom," said Levin. "But if the songs on each one are right, it almost doesn't matter what you call it."

Tower Records southwest territory director Bob Feterl told the paper both series have become strong brands.

"I see them as the McDonald's and Burger King of the genre," said Feterl, "and they're going to keep selling."

BOYZ II MEN RETURNING TO NYC

J&R Music and Computer World has announced that R&B legends Boyz II Men will perform at the 1st Annual J&R SummerFest, June 13-15, after a two-year absence from performing in New York City.

The appearance is in support of the group's upcoming release of their CD "Full Circle," due in stories in July 23.

Ashford & Simpson, Mike Phillips, Ruff Endz, Alison Williams, Woody Rock, Hezekiah Walker, Regina Belle and the Boys Choir of Harlem are also on the bill for the SummerFest concert series.

The company said it is presenting the series "to thank the city for all their support" since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, and to encourage New Yorkers "to keep returning to downtown Manhattan."

"New York City has a special place in all of our hearts," said Boyz II Men's Nathan Morris, "and we are happy to work with J&R to give back to our fans and the city at this time. We hope our performance helps in the recovery of lower Manhattan."

PAPA ROACH'S CHANGES

On their upcoming album "lovehatetragedy," Papa Roach is reaching out from rap-rock to a more straight ahead rock deal, but the group told LAUNCH they are not abandoned hip-hop entirely.

Papa Roach frontman Jacoby Shaddix told LAUNCH they plan to pay tribute to the style as part of their set on the upcoming Anger Management tour -- which also features Eminem, Ludacris, and Xzibit.

"We're gonna do, like, a medley of, like, just flip a bunch of hip-hop classics, like the hooks," said Shaddix, "so, you know, for the fans that are like, 'OK, we like this band but...' Like, in the middle of the set we're just gonna flip and do, like, I think we're gonna do 'Scenario,' 'California (Love),' by Dr. Dre, Tupac...I have them all written down."

The Anger Management tour launches July 18 at the HSBC Arena in Buffalo. "lovehatetragedy" is due in stores June 18.

CROWES -- LIVE AT LAST

The Black Crowes are set to release their first "proper" live album on Aug. 27, according to Rolling Stone.

The tracks are from the band's two-night stand at the Orpheum in Boston last Oct. 30-31, at the end of their 2001 tour. The Crowes took an indefinite time-out after the tour, when drummer Steve Gorman quit the band.

Guitarist Rich Robinson told Rolling Stone the live album is the result of the Crowes seizing an opportunity.

"The shows were going so well," said Robinson, "I just thought it would be great to record a live album. We were all playing well together with great set lists spanning all of our albums."

The Black Crowes' first live album, "Live at the Greek," was a collaboration with former Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page -- focusing on Led Zeppelin covers and blues standards. The upcoming live set is all about the band's own material.