Talking tough and truly, women rocking the hard side continue to rise in number and authority. Veteran no-bullshitter Chrissie Hynde leads her Pretenders to a new plateau. True to Hynde's straight-rock muse, Independents is standard black-leather issue; its distinction lies not only in its honesty (a Hynde hallmark) but in how its tailor stretches the form to include both muscle flexing ("Rebel Rock Me") and unsentimental caring ("I'm a Mother"). A knowing vocalist (her phrasing rivaling Dylan's), Hynde handles the hots ("Night in My Veins") as surely as she nails devotion ("I'll Stand by You") and like any master, makes it all seem easy.

Heirs to Hynde by way of the Runaways, L.A.'s L7 are righteous riot grrrls. Chief songwriter Donita Sparks and company kick inter-gender butt by means of power chords and grunge abandon. But they also flash humor (the chugging, twangy "Riding With a Movie Star," with its single, repeated lyric) and accord respect (a tribute to drag racer Shirley Muldowney). "Fuel My Fire" and "Questioning My Sanity" are more typical L7 – blackboard-scratching guitars and vocal snarls – and they are smart, hard neopunk.

Produced by Atlanta's Jermaine Dupri, the force behind junior rapsters Kris Kross and soul queens Xscape, Da Brat's debut is a brassy charmer. With the title track, Windy City native Shawntae Harris throws down bright, clean rap with pop appeal. But she's just as much fun when she gets bold ("Da Shit Ya Can't Fuc Wit") or rhapsodizes about herb ("Fire It Up"). (RS 698/699)

PAUL CORIO