This is the second album (and Saddle Creek debut) for the San Francisco duo of Adam Stephens and Tyson Vogel.

This is the second disc for the Chicago four-piece fronted by Josh Chicoine.

This 22-song live recording (taped at a New York City show in June, 2005) finds Mark Oliver Everett backed by a variety of instrumentalists and, yes, a string quartet.

This stripped-down, all-acoustic set marks the solo debut for the Clem Snide frontman.

This is the self-produced third album for the Manchester, England band.

This is the fourth quirky release for the exclamation-point-loving, Devo-esque, Tokyo-based band.

This is the second album for the duo of Emma Anderson (Lush) and Lisa O'Neill. Mark Van Hoen returns as producer.

This is the expansive second album for the New York state emo outfit.

This is the second album for Norwegian singer-songwriter Even Johansen, who records under the name Magnet.

The Clash's Mick Jones produced this debut LP for the new band from The Libertines' Pete Doherty.

Tony Hoffer produced this seventh studio LP for the veteran Scottish indie-pop band.

The Detroit band returns with a second album.

Jim O'Rourke produced the singer-songwriter's fourth LP.

Scott McCaughey's seventh Minus 5 album includes contributions from members of Wilco, R.E.M., The Decemberists, Ministry, The Posies and more.

This is the fourth album for the improvisational, instrumental, genre-defying four-piece, which shares a guitarist (Bryce Dessner) with The National.

'City' finds veteran underground rapper Aceyalone backed by beats from RJD2.

Howie Beck produced this latest studio outing for the Toronto singer-songwriter, who is also a member of Broken Social Scene. Many members of that band guest on this record, including Emily Haines and Kevin Drew.

The San Francisco-based psych-rock solo artist returns with a third full-length.

This is the first album in four years for the Dayton, Ohio indie rock band fronted by Dave Doughman.

This is the second in a series of compilations showcasing the UK grime scene. Included here are artists such as Kano and Plan B.

This is the second album for the Pennsylvania stoner-rock outfit.

The San Francisco post-punk band's second album follows five years after their debut.

'What Are You On?' is the latest home-recorded offering from New York multi-instrumentalist F.M. Cornog.

The Chicago-based outfit led by Neil Rosario and Mark Henning return with a Prince-esque sophomore set.

The first album in four years for Warn Defever & co. is also the band's debut for new label Reincarnate (after multiple releases on 4AD).

Before he was in The Decemberists, singer-songwriter Colin Meloy fronted a Montana alt-country/alt-rock outfit known as Tarkio. This set collects that band's entire output of 27 tracks.

Asian instrumentation is highlighted on the Chicago minimalist, avant-garde outfit's sixth release.

Despite the misleading title, 'The Greatest' is not a best-of collection, but rather is Chan Marshall's first album of original songs in three years. It was recorded in Memphis and finds the singer backed by some of that city's legendary session musicians.

The third album for the British band (now down to three members) was co-produced by Steve Osborne and Jim Abbiss along with Clearlake frontman Jason Pegg.

Rilo Kiley's Blake Sennett returns with a sophomore set for his side project, The Elected. Contributors include members of Eisley and Bright Eyes, as well as Rilo Kiley bandmate Jenny Lewis.

This is the solo debut for former child star, Rilo Kiley frontwoman and occasional Postal Service vocalist Jenny Lewis. Contributors include Bright Eyes' Conor Oberst, Death Cab For Cutie's Ben Gibbard and singer-songwriter M. Ward.

The first collaboration between singer-songwriter Will Oldham and Chicago instrumental post-rockers Tortoise features 10 covers, including takes on songs by Elton John and Bruce Springsteen.

The first post-GBV solo outing for the prolific Pollard was produced by Todd Tobias.

This is the fourth solo album for the former Waxwing member.

Sarah Cracknell & co.'s latest is a concept album about the residents of a London high rise.

This debut (and, it turns out, final album) from the noisy London trio was produced by James Ford (Simian).

This is the third LP for the Washington state punk trio.

This is the major-label debut for the Brooklyn-based indie-rock trio fronted by Keith Murray.

The Strokes have abandoned longtime producer Gordon Raphael (well, for all but three tracks) in favor of David Kahne (Sugar Ray) for their third album.

Ethan Johns produced the singer-songwriter's third and final release of 2005, which unlike its predecessors is a stripped-down solo affair consisting of nine lengthy story-songs each representing a year of Adams' life during his twenties.

This debut full-length for the London group headed by Joe Goddard and Alexis Taylor is a (semi-)tongue-in-cheek mix of diverse styles such as fake-gangsta-rap, R&B, soul, electronica, and more.

This 19-song disc compiles songs from each of the Cincinnati, Ohio band's releases.

This is the fourth album for the San Diego, Calif. instrumental post-rock outfit.

The first official release of the trio's two BBC radio sessions for John Peel (recorded in 1989 and 1990) includes covers of songs by the Sex Pistols and Jonathan Richman.

This is the topical seventh album for the indie rockers fronted by the recently married Shannon McArdle and Timothy Bracy.

This CD collects tracks from the Swedish artist's most recent EPs and singles.

This is the long-in-the-making debut album for the instrumental Montreal band that shares two members (Sarah Neufeld and Richard Reed Parry) with the Arcade Fire.

This 17-song set was recorded during Will Oldham's 2004 tour.

Professor Ladd's second 2005 release is a punk concept album about religious leader George Baker.

This two-disc set compiles 23 live performances culled from a four-night stand at the Vic Theatre in the band's native Chicago earlier in 2005.

This 15-song live set from Conor Oberst & co.'s 2005 tour is heavy on material from 'I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning' and includes covers of Elliott Smith and Feist.

This split LP includes seven new Akron/Family tracks and five new songs from Michael Gira's Angels Of Light project (which, of course, features backing by Akron/Family).

This companion to the original 'Suitcase' continues where that box set left off, packing 100 more GBV rareties and outtakes from the now-disbanded group onto four discs.

This is the second album for the garage-psych outfit led by Greg Ashley.

Mark Kozelek's second SKM album consists entirely of Modest Mouse covers.

This is the first album for London's 24-year-old, one-man-garage-band Tom Vek.

Siblings Matt and Eleanor Friedberger are joined by their 83-year-old grandmother (!) on their latest eclectic release.

Unlike debut 'Out Of The Shadow,' album number two is a full-band affair, with Zach Rogue joined in the studio by his touring band.

The half American, half English four-piece make their debut with an album that, like Manitoba's Up In Flames, combines organic and electronic elements from a variety of genres into a unique psychedelic stew.

This is the debut album for the four-piece garage-rock band fronted by Kpt.Michi.Gan's Michael Beckett.

Electric where the mellower 'Sung Tongs' was acoustic, 'Feels' is nevertheless another idiosyncratic outing for the freak-folk four-piece.

The abrasive bass/drums duo of Brian Gibson and Brian Chippendal return with a follow-up to 2003's 'Wonderful Rainbow.'

Will Oldham and members of the Jesus Lizard and Lambchop guest on David Berman's country-tinged fifth Silver Jews disc, which also sees the return of on-again, off-again band member Stephen Malkmus.

A bit more rock-oriented than its predecessor, 'Acetate' is nevertheless another experimental effort from the now-63-year-old Cale.

This is the debut LP for the Toronto indie-rap collective (excuse us, the "positive hardcore dance-rap band") led by Matt Collins.

Members of TV On The Radio produced and contributed to this debut Celebration LP from Baltimore husband and wife Sean Antanaitis and Katrina Ford (joined in Celebration by drummer David Bergander), who have previously played in bands Jaks and Love Life.

Brian O'Shaughnessy produced the atmospheric UK band's second studio album.

The Canadian rockers follow 'Shine A Light' with this 10-track set.

This collaboration between MF Doom and Danger Mouse includes voices and skits from Cartoon Network's Adult Swim shows. Non-animated folks like Ghostface Killah, Cee-Lo & Talib Kweli also lend a hand.

The experimental San Francisco outfit led by Rob Fisk and Greg Saunier return with what is by far their lengthiest (and calmest) release yet.

The trio's seventh studio album is its first to include vocals, which are provided by guests Chan Marshall (Cat Power) and Sally Timms (The Mekons).

This is the fifth album for the O.C.-endorsed band.

Phil Ek produced the second album for the band (formerly known as Dios) fronted by Joel Morales.

This debut LP from the guitar/drums duo of Mike Conte and Adam Bennati is defintely harder and heavier than your typical Matador release.

K-OS, Jason Tate (The Weakerthans) and Murray Lightburn (The Dears) guest on the Canadian collective's follow-up to 'You Forgot It In People.'

The Scottish band's eagerly-awaited follow-up to their acclaimed self-titled debut is preceded by yet another insanely catchy single, "Do You Want To."

Jim Abbiss (Kasabian) produced this third album for the UK band, which finds them expanding slightly away their electroclash sound.

The fun, energetic collage of danceable, mainly instrumental music (genre names don't really apply here) on this debut disc from England's The Go! Team recalls, if only somewhat, the debut from The Avalanches.

For their fourth album, produced by John Leckie, the Kentucky band sports a new keyboardist and guitarist.

Mark E. Smith & Co. return with their full-length follow-up to 'The Real New Fall LP.'

Indie rap meets indie rock in the latest full-length from Yoni Wolf, who, as on 'Sanddollars,' is now supported by a full band.

The underground hip-hop duo of Slug and Ant return with a new two-disc set.

This is the second full-length for the Toronto group fronted by Emily Haines, who is also a member of Broken Social Scene.

The American Music Club frontman's latest solo release, like 2001's 'Invisible Man,' finds him dabbling with electronica.

This is the fourth album for the Portland, Ore. band fronted by Tim Putnam.