Can he do it again? Coming a full three years after his surprise megahit 'Play,' this new album from Richard Melville Hall attempts to repeat that disc's success with (surprise) 18 new tracks, including collaborations with Angie Stone, Sinead O'Connor, Azure Ray and MC Lyte.

This 80s-esque goth/electro-pop debut album from the Los Angeles band fronted by P. Exeter "Elijah" Blue (the son of Cher and Greg Allman) finally sees an official release, after five years of delays and two separate major label deals.

When it rains it pours: After going five years without a Weezer album, fans of the quirky alt-rockers get two new discs in two years, with this (their fourth release overall) quickly following 2001's Green Album.

One of the first Next Big Things of 2002, Sweden's The Hives follow last year's media darlings The Strokes and The White Stripes in bringing the rock back to alternative rock. The only catch is that the band has been around for over a decade, with this particular album actually dating back to 2000, when it gained a limited U.S. release on a tiny Epitaph imprint. However, the Swedes were able to benefit from the rush to capitalize on the neo-garage/punk-rock movement by scoring a major label deal in early 2002 and a rerelease of this, their second full-length. (They've got The Strokes beat on length, though, managing to release an even shorter album, at just 27 minutes.)

The Boys' eighth studio release features features Johnny Marr on guitar.

The former Bauhaus member returns with his first solo album in six years, which sees him adding traditional Middle Eastern instrumentation to the mix and moving in a more ambient direction.

The third studio album for the heralded British band features 13 new self-produced tracks.

Luna's sixth studio album is their first on new label Jetset, and also their first (aside from Luna Live!) to feature Brita Phillips on bass (replacing Justin Harwood, and leaving Dean Wareham as the sole founding member remaining). The all-star production team of Gene Holder and Dave Fridmann were behind the boards for these 12 new tracks.

Instead of a real follow-up to "The Hour of Bewliderbeast" (look for that later in 2002), Damon Gough returns with the score to the film adaptation of the Nick Hornby novel. The 16 new tracks here are split between short instrumental pieces and full songs.

Costello's first album of original material in six years is a return to his new wave/punk/rock roots, with several members of The Attractions (Steve Nieve, Pete Thomas) in tow.

The former Replacements leader returns with his first solo effort in three years, which actually is two albums in one: Stereo, his new 12-track solo release; and Mono, a second recording by Westerberg and full band under the Grandpaboy name.

The long wait for this fourth album from Jeff Tweedy & co. is partially the result of the tumultuous recording process that left the band without its guitarist (Jay Bennett) and its record label (Warner/Reprise). Fellow Chicagoan Jim O'Rourke mixed the 11 tracks.

This long-awaited fourth album from the London-based outfit headed by Tjinder Singh and Ben Ayres is an even more eclectic mix of styles than previous efforts. The 13 new tracks include the excellent (and excellently titled) lead single "Lessons Learned From Rocky I to Rocky III," and a reworking of "People Power (In The Disco Hour)" from Singh and Ayres' Clinton side project.

This is the third album for the San Francisco band featuring drummer Lynn Perko and former Faith No More keyboardist Roddy Bottum.

Believe it or not, these guys have been around for over 15 years now, and this is their eighth release (and first since 1998's 'Dizzy Up The Girl').

The New York trio is back with their fifth album for Matador (and first since 1998). Here, they work with veteran rock producer Steve Jordan and get some help from Bernie Worrell and Dr. John.

This is the Cincinnati, Ohio band's major label debut.

This is the fifth album (and a return to English-lanugage songs) for the well-regarded Welsh indie band, now signed to a major label (Epic). It is the first album ever to be released simultaneously on DVD and CD (with the DVD containing a movie and a remix for each track on the album). Paul McCartney and John Cale have cameo appearances on the album.

Based in Los Angeles, the Eels have had some stateside success on MTV but have perhaps found greater popularity in the UK and Europe. This new LP (their fourth) features guest appearances by Koool G Murder, John Parish (who also produces), and Joe Gore.

This is the second studio release for the London-based electronica/rock/funk band. Vocals are handled by a group of guests, including Bootsy Collins and Lisa Millet, following the departure of the group's vocalist Wrekked Train.

After recording two well-received albums of Woody Guthrie covers with Wilco, the anti-folk pioneer returns to recording original material, this time with his touring band, the Blokes.

The singer-songwriter's third album (which comes a full five years after her second, 1997's 'Firecracker') features 12 new tracks, including "We Could Still Belong Together" from the "Legally Blonde" soundtrack.

Los Angeles-based Phantom Planet is best known for counting among its members "Rushmore" star Jason Schwartzman and "Donnie Darko" star Alex Greenwald. 'The Guest,' their second album, was produced by Mitchell Froom and Tchad Blake.

Morissette's third studio album is the first one the 27-year-old Canadian songwriter has produced herself.

This disc collects remixes and B-sides (album title notwithstanding) culled from the singles generated by the animated supergroup's international hit debut album. The 9 songs here (totalling just 38 minutes) include two previously unreleased tracks.

The seventh album for the Texas-based rockabilly star and his band features the track "Like a Rocket," selected as this year's official Daytona 500 theme song.

The band that gave us alt-radio hit "6 Underground" returns with a third album, although their second (1999's 'Splinter') failed to secure U.S. distribution. Guitarist Chris Corner now handles lead vocals, replacing the departed Kelli Dayton.

This is the band's second collaboration with French filmmaker Claire Denis, after recording the soundtrack to her earlier film "Nenette et Boni."

The former member of Throwing Muses, Belly, and the Breeders returns with her second solo album, following 1997's 'Lovesongs for Underdogs.'

Over two years in the making, 'After Everything' is the twelfth album from the Australian band, still best known for their 1988 hit "Under The Milky Way."

This is the debut album for psychedlic British indie-rockers Electric Soft Parade (actually two teenage brothers, Tom and Alex White), drawing comparisons to everyone from Grandaddy and the Charlatans to Teenage Fanclub and Buffalo Springfield.

Former Camper Van Beethoven frontman David Lowery once again leads Cracker for the band's first new album in four years. Sparklehorse's Mark Linkous co-produces and adds backing vocals and instrumentation.

The fourth full-length for production duo Tom Rowlands and Ed Simons features the singles "Star Guitar" and "It Began In Afrika." Guest vocalists include long-time Chemical Brothers staple Beth Orton and Richard Ashcroft.

Often compared to Doves and Radiohead, Manchester-based Elbow is yet another new alternative band to emerge from the British music press hype machine. This debut album was shortlisted for 2001's Mercury Music Prize.

This first U.S. release (a debut album, 'Roulette,' was released in 2001 in the UK only) for the duo of ex-Cocteau Twins guitarist Robin Guthrie and ex-Mono vocalist Siobhan De Mare compiles the contents of three previous EPs along with three new tracks and a video (on a bonus CD-ROM).

These 14 new tracks from the Los Angeles punk band mark the 20th anniversary of the group's first LP.

David Bottrill produced this third LP for the Peoria, Ill.-based metal band.

This is the first album in nine years for the reunited Los Angeles alternative act, featuring three original members Johnette Napolitano, Jim Mankey and Harry Rushakoff. The 12 new tracks here include "Roxy," a tribute to Roxy Music.

Brother-sister duo Jim and Alison Shaw return for this, the distinctive English band's seventh album. While Alison's unique vocals are still clearer in the mix (as they were for 'Population Four'), the music here is more varied and ventures a bit more into electronica.

This is the much-heralded debut album from the English foursome, produced by Steve Osbourne.

The follow-up to 'Return of Saturn' finds Gwen Stefani & co. working with a variety of producers (Sly and Robbie, Ric Ocasek, William Orbit) in a variety of styles.

This self-titled effort is the California band's third album.

The singer's third solo album was produced by T-Bone Burnett.

Recorded during a 2000-2001 European tour, Radiohead's first live album contains just eight tracks: seven songs culled from 'Kid A' and 'Amnesiac,' plus long-time live staple "True Love Waits."

The sophomore effort for Eagle-Eye Cherry (following 1998's Grammy-nominated 'Desireless') includes a guest appearance from sister Neneh Cherry on one track. Rick Rubin produces.

Yes, apparently they ARE still around. This is the Irish group's sixth album since 1993, and their first with original producer Stephen Street in some time.

This is the fourth long-player for Gavin Rossdale and Bush, and was produced by Dave Sardie (Slayer, Marilyn Manson).

This is the debut album for the former Mazzy Star chanteuse's new band.

The band's first album together since 1993's 'Republic' finds the group moving away from electronica and back to guitar rock. The Smashing Pumpkins' Billy Corgan duets with Bernard Sumner on "Turn My Way" (and has been touring with the band as an additional guitarist), and Primal Scream's Bobby Gillespie and Innes contribute vocals and guitar to "Rock The Shack." Steve Osborne produced the 10-track album.

Orange County, CA alternative rockers Lit scored MTV airplay with 1999's major-label debut 'A Place in the Sun.'

Brothers Nick and Stephen "Tin Tin" Duffy return for the Lilac Time's sixth LP. The Barenaked Ladies' Stephen Page also contributes to the album.

This is the debut album from New York indie-rockers The Strokes, who have been hyped by the British music press following the release of "The Modern Age" EP in early 2001. It almost goes without saying, but the group is frequently compared to the Velvet Underground, among others, thanks in part to singer-songwriter Julian Casablancas' Lou Reed-esque vocals.

Another eclectic offering from Shirley Manson and Garbage, their third album and first since 1998.

Former Stone Roses frontman Ian Brown returns with his third solo album, following 2000's 'Golden Greats.' The first single is "F.E.A.R."

Produced by Fountains of Wayne's Adam Schlesinger, 'Underneath' is the Michigan band's fourth release.

Singer-songwriter Suzanne Vega fills her sixth studio album with 13 new compositions. Former producer (and former husband) Mitchell Froom is gone, replaced by Rupert Hine, who creates an overall sound that is more like Vega's earliest recordings than her Froom-produced output during the 1990s.

Over two years in the making, 'Let It Come Down' is the UK band's first album of new material in four years. It utilizes over 100 musicians (including an orchestra and choral singers), although the music was entirely written and arranged by guitarist Jason Pierce.

'Gold' is the second solo release for former Whiskeytown frontman Ryan Adams, and garnered a good deal of attention for the singer-songwriter in 2001.

The Welsh Britpop band returns with its second album in 2001 and sixth U.S. release overall. The first single is "Stood On Gold."

The fifth album for Pennsylvania alt-rockers features a guest appearance from Tricky. "Forever May Not Be Long Enough," the theme song from this summer's "The Mummy Returns," also appears on the album.

Yes, it is a covers album, but with a bit of a twist: all the songs were originally written and performed by men, and Amos has reinterpreted them from a woman's standpoint. This eclectic collection (12 tracks in all) includes versions of Depeche Mode's "Enjoy The Silence," Eminem's "97' Bonnie and Clyde," 10cc's "I'm Not In Love," Neil Young's "Heart Of Gold," Slayer's "Raining Blood," and the Boomtown Rats' "I Don't Like Mondays."

The "Madchester" scene is long over, but the Charlatans [U.K.] are still making music, following 1999's well-reviewed 'Us And Us Only' with this, their seventh album, which sees the band take a more playful, soulful approach.

The band's first major release since 1996's 'Factory Showroom' features 17 new recordings (including some songs that originally appeared on 1999's self-released 'Long Tall Weekend.').

This is the fifth album for the UK outfit, led by Stevie Wonder soundalike Jason Kay.

Singer-songwriter Ben Folds has ditched the other two members of his band (Ben Folds Five) for this 12-track solo album, on which he plays every instrument himself.

This is the alternative metal band's follow-up to their hit 1998 self-titled debut. Rick Rubin produced the 14-track effort.

The first album in three years from the always bizarre Texans includes about two-thirds of the tracks from their unreleased 1998 effort "After The Astronaut."

Bjork's follow-up to 1997's 'Homogenic' and last year's soundtrack to Dancer In The Dark is closer in sound and mood to the latter, taking a quieter, more ambient approach. Produced by San Francisco-based electronic artists Matmos, 'Vespertine' utilizes mainly electronic instrumentation, much of which was recorded by Bjork in Iceland. The lead single is "Hidden Place."

This is the third album for Mark Linkous and Sparklehorse.

This is the eighth full-length release for British art-pop ensemble. Not surprisingly, John McEntire and Jim O'Rourke co-produced the album, with additional contributions from Sean O'Hagan (The High Llamas).

Produced by Ross Robinson, 'Iowa' is the metal band's third album.

This is the first album for Mike Scott and company (well, basically just Mike Scott) since 1993's 'Dream Harder,' although Scott did have two solo albums in the interim.

This is the fourth album for the New Orleans-based trio. It is their first release on indie Beyond Music, after being dropped by Elektra for disappointing sales.

This is the third solo album for Blur guitarist Graham Coxon.

This long-awaited follow-up to the Los Angeles alternative-electronica band's 1997 debut, 'Vegas,' features guest appearances from members of Rage Against The Machine and Stone Temple Pilots as well as Jon Brion.

This is Sam Phillips' first new album in five years, following 1996's poorly-received 'Omnipop.' Phillips' husband, T-Bone Burnett, produces.

This is the fourth album for the Sacramento-based alternative rockers best known for their hits "Never There" and "The Distance."

This is the debut solo release for former Jane's Addiction/Porno For Pyros frontman Perry Farrell. Many of the tracks are more electronic in nature than his previous output with the two bands. Dave Navarro, Jon Brion, and the Mad Professor are among the guest contributors.

The second full-length (not including a collection of EPs) from Britain's heralded Beta Band is just as eclectic as the band's first outing, combining pop and indie rock with touches of hip hop and electronica. The ten new tracks are highlighted by the singles "Squares" and "Broke." (And if the immodest album title reminds you of the Stone Roses' 'Second Coming,' don't worry--the comparisons end there.)

The bands fifth studio album (and first for Beggars Banquet), 'Can Our Love...' features eight new tracks produced by the band with Ian Caple. It expands on the more-soul-based sound that appeared on 1999's 'Simple Pleasure.'

This is the eleventh studio album for the Manchester band that originally formed in 1982. Like many of their recent LPs, it was produced by Brian Eno. The lead single is "Getting Away With It (All Messed Up)."

Another eclectic effort from the former Massive Attack member features guest contributions from the likes of Alanis Morrisette, Cyndi Lauper, Ed Kowalcyzk (Live), and members of the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

This is the sixth album (and third on Beggars Banquet) for San Francisco's Swell, which now is a one-man band consisting entirely of David Freel.

Forget concept albums; this is a concept band. Formed by Dan "The Automator" Nakamura, Del tha Funkee Homosapien, Blur's Damon Albarn, Cibo Matto's Miho Hatori, and the Tom Tom Club's Tina Weymouth and Chris Frantz (with visuals by "Tank Girl" creator Jamie Hewlett), the Gorillaz are a "virtual" hip-hop outfit of cartoon characters based somewhere in the future. Hey, we don't make this stuff up; we just report it.