2001 -- the year Stanley Kubrick predicted computers with the minds of humans would be found on the moon. So maybe HAL isn't a reality, but some resurrected artifacts were found after a long, restful hiatus.

The rock world was able to shake hands again with some of its biggest movers and shakers -- young and old. Nerd-rockers Weezer finally crawled out from their hiding place to give high-schoolers in waiting a taste of intelligent punk rock. What people didn't expect was that the album would be the biggest disappointment since . . .

Weezer (and yes, that was the second self-titled CD the band released). The new Weezer checked in at just less than 30 minutes and provided little more than modern rock-pop songs with simple hooks and not much substance beyond that -- and that's after five years.

Five years? Yes, five years and all Weezer could do was make a mediocre album.

Yet another surprising band that gave up the fight to make "good" music was Athens' own R.E.M., with its May release, Reveal. The album was laden with electronic texturing and lush instrumentation, and listeners could get lost in the jungle of sound. The band lost the simplicity that made songs like "Everybody Hurts" so powerful.

Björk's Vespertine was, in contrast, a refreshing new spin on the sound that has made the spacey artist a favorite among college students, soothing our overextended brains with its enchanting, intricate and exotic melodies. This album gave a more personal insight into the cryptic star's persona, following up 2000's Selmasongs, the soundtrack to her highly acclaimed musical Dancer In The Dark.

Artists trying to make up for lost time are the art-rock svengalis Radiohead. After finally releasing Kid A in October 2000 after a three-year synapse, the band further treated fans with Amnesiac in May 2001, an album featuring songs from the Kid A sessions that didn't make the cut. The B-side compilation may not have had the cohesion of its predecessor, but songs like the jazz-tinged "Life in a Glasshouse" and the off-beat piano lull "Pyramid Song" prove Radiohead's genius even more convincingly.

The world of hip-hop also saw the return of some of its powerhouses ready to shake up music and even a few booties in the process. DMX came from almost obscurity with The Great Depression. Fueled by the now heard-round-the-world anthem of self-identity, "Who We Be," the album shows a more laid-back and introspective rapper. Unfortunately, it's just not as exciting and basically just dull. DMX was much better off barking in songs -- at least then he got people's attention.

P. Diddy (or the artist formerly dating J. Lo) also dropped a new album, P. Diddy & the Bad Boy Family, this year. It is clear that he's still having issues with people remembering the names change, hence his latest single, "Diddy." Well, people may now know how to spell his name, but they also now know that he still can't rap very well.

One mogul who actually didn't disappoint was Missy Elliot with her lastest release, Miss E . . . So Addictive. Featuring her partner in rhyme, Timbaland, Elliot one again shakes up the world of hip-hop with crazy beats and incredible lyrics. Songs like "Get Ur Freak On" and "Whatcha Gon' Do" challenge the traditional rap sound and create an atmosphere of sound perfect for nodding a head and throwing some hands in the air -- waving them like you just don't care is optional.

And then there's pop music.

The king of pop has come forth to take back the throne from the boy-band regime. Despite all odds, people are apparently willing to open their hearts again to the prince of plastic as his aptly titled Invincible continues to rock the album charts.

Britney Spears' Britney ... need we say more? The pop prima donna has once again pumped out a collection of formulaic sure-fire hits, barely pausing a breath after the overwhelming success of her sophomore Oops! ... I Did It Again.

Marc Anthony's recently released Libre, the vocalist's first studio salsa recording in four years, commanded stellar reviews and promises to bring a new flair to a genre in need of a revival. Entering the charts this week at No. 57, the "reflective" sounds of this latest effort are expected to cause a stir in the weeks to come.

On the Latin theme, Enrique Iglesias delivered Escape, a powerful pop-dance album littered with Euro-disco beats and strong vocals. His "Hero" retains a ranking of four on the singles charts while the album continues to hang in the top 10.

Janet Jackson's resurfacing with All For You has kept a strong hold on the charts since its release. After a four-year lull following The Velvet Rope, Janet has bounced back with an ever-sexy image and daring, lust-laced lyrics, for example "Got a nice package, alright/ guess I'm gonna have to ride it tonight," an excerpt from the album's title track. She tackles sex and eroticism with a sense of humor and a lot more class than competitors like Lil' Kim.

There's more ... Paul McCartney's Driving Rain, Jewel's This Way, Sting's . . . All This Time, new this very week ... heck, even Bell Biv DeVoe is coming back with a new album this month. This semester has been filled with all sorts of blasts from both the near and distant past, reminding us of where we've been and perhaps making us question where the hell these performers have been.