Record Rack

Being a longtime Marilyn Manson fan, I read Robert Hilburn's review of his latest album with interest (Record Rack, Nov. 12). I too was hoping for "something that lives up to the promise of 'Mechanical Animals.' " But unfortunately, since Zim Zum left Marilyn Manson, the exciting musical direction that Zim seemed to be taking the band was lost. I don't think I'll be buying "Holy Wood." I'd rather put my money on Zim Zum's new band Pleistoscene. STEPHANIE SOARES Toronto, Canada

Since you granted a reader's wish to assign Justine Bateman a record review (Record Rack, "Parsons Gets Too Vocal," April 27), do you think you could induce her to have dinner with me? I have a steady job, a clean, well-lit place to live, and no outstanding warrants. Yours hopefully (note correct use of adverb) DON DEVICH Santa Barbara You're on your own, pal. PopMeter--where Bateman first broke into Calendar's pages as a panelist--makes pop history again this week, as an actual "average American teen-ager" joins the critics on the panel.

Re Ernesto Lechner's 1/2 review of Luis Miguel's "Romances" (Record Rack, Aug. 24): Luis Miguel is a superstar to the Spanish-speaking world and has a messianic following in Mexico. I would compare his talent and impact to that of a young Frank Sinatra in his heyday during the late '40s and '50s. Lechner needs to go into his music room, turn down the lights, snuggle up with his significant other and really listen to "Romances." I give his review and "Romances" . . . ED MORALES San Gabriel