By KAREN BLISS --

In one of the oddest musical couplings of late, Crash Test Dummies frontman Brad Roberts has been writing with '70s pop queen Carole King.

Roberts was one of the specially selected songwriters invited to attend Miles Copeland's songwriting retreat at Chateau de Maroutte in the south of France last month.

The "summercamp for songwriters", as it was described by another attendee, Tal Bachman, brings songwriters together from different backgrounds and encourages them to compose and record together on a daily basis.

During his stay at the stunning 14th-century castle, the Winnipeg-born Roberts worked with King, her daughter Louise Goffin, Blinker The Star's Jordon Zadorozny, Wire Train's Kevin Hunter, Timbuk 3's Pat MacDonald, PJ Harvey collaborator John Parish, and Greg Wells, of k.d.lang and Jars Of Clay fame.

"They wrote together, and I don't know if they will release it on the next Crash Test Dummies album, but it's Brad's to use," says Sandy Rogers from Crash Test Dummies management company, Swell Music Inc. "What happens with it from here on in, I don't know at this point."

According to Rogers, Roberts has also been asked to write songs for a couple of movie soundtracks, the names of which she won't disclose. In addition, he did some non-retreat writing while in France.

As for the new Crash Test Dummies songs, Roberts has reportedly been writing and demoing for the fourth album at home in England, where all the bandmembers except drummer Mitch Dorge reside.

At the end of this week, the Winnipeg-based Dorge will join Roberts, Ellen Reid (keyboards, backing vocals), Ben Darvill (harmonica, mandolin) and Dan Roberts (bass) in the U.K. to go over the new material.

"It'll be weird -- it's Crash Test Dummies," assures Rogers of the follow-up to A Worm's Life.

The band will probably start recording in September, but the studio and producer have yet to be decided upon.

The album is slated for release in early '98.