This debut disc from the hyped London garage band (deemed the UK's version of The Strokes by British music mags) was produced by The Clash's Mick Jones.

Featuring basically the same lineup as the defunct Chicago band Red Red Meat, Califone makes their Thrill Jockey debut with this mix of country, blues, folk, and electronic elements.

The second solo release for the former Pavement leader (although it is credited to "Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks"), 'Pig Lib' features 11 new tracks.

A former member of the San Luis Obispo, Calif. trio Rodriguez, singer-songwriter M. Ward gained a bit of a following while supporting Bright Eyes on tour in 2002, and has drawn comparisons to Giant Sand, Tom Waits, and Grandaddy. This is his third solo release.

The eleventh album from Bill Callahan and (Smog) features new vocalist Sarabeth Tucek.

The Amsterdam-based rockers who gave us college-radio hit albums 'Palomine' and 'Lamprey' return with their fifth LP.

This is the second album for the alt-folk trio from Vancouver, Canada.

Scotland-born Nick Currie recorded this latest collection of strange pop tunes in his new home of Tokyo, then handed them off to John Talaga (Super Madrigal Brothers) for remixing.

A bit of a concept album (set as a play about sex and relationships), 'The Ugly Organ' is the Nebraska band's fourth LP, following 2000's acclaimed 'Domestica.'

No, it's not *that* kind of drum'n'bass album. Instead, Rhode Island's Lightning Bolt literally consists of just two instrumentalists on drum and bass, and together the pair generate an experimental sonic fury on this, their second full-length.

Portland, Oregon's The Thermals recorded this "no-fi" (otherwise known as "very, very, very lo-fi") debut album direct to four-track at the house of founding member Hutch Harris.

Jason Molina rocks out a bit more on this latest offering, which finds the singer-songwriter backed by the same musicians on the 'Mi Sei Apparaso Come Un Fantasma' live album. Steve Albini produces, and to quote the official press release, "This is the first Songs: Ohia record with more than one song that could be played at a strip joint or monster truck show."

Lou Barlow (Sebadoh) is still the heart of The Folk Implosion, but on the lo-fi band's fourth full-length release, his supporting cast has changed. Gone is co-founder and writing partner John Davis; in his place are Sebadoh drummer Russ Pollard and Alaska guitarist Imaad Wassif.

Hersh's sixth solo album finds the Throwing Muses founder working with Howe Gelb (Giant Sand).

The debut album from Adelaide, Australia's Mark Mitchell (who records as Clue To Kalo) is a mix of indie rock and electronica, drawing comparisons to everyone from Badly Drawn Boy to Dntel.

Back together for the first time since their 1996 breakup, the college radio faves offer up 12 new tracks on this self-titled release. The lineup here includes original co-founder Kristen Hersh, drummer David Narcizo and bassist Bernard Georges, with fellow co-founder (and Hersh's half sister) Tanya Donelly on hand as well to contribute backing vocals.

This debut effort from Liverpool's The Coral is an inventive mix of numerous musical styles.

On this long-delayed release, the Minus 5's Scott McCaughey, Ken Stringfellow (the Posies) and Peter Buck (R.E.M.) team up with all four members of Wilco for 13 original tracks.

This breaktrhough sixth album for the German band combines a variety of disparate elements, most notably moody indie rock and glitchy electronica (think Hood's Cold House), to great effect.

The former member of Guided By Voices returns with a solo album (his fourth), recorded in his Michigan home.

They may not be easy to look up in search engines, but this very-much-rock quartet from Leeds, England could be found in all the UK music magazines, thanks to a much sought-after EP and this debut album.

'Beauty Party' represents experimental hip-hop artist Mike Ladd's second album in a planned trilogy, the first being 2000's 'Gun Hill Road' by The Infesticons. Unlike its predecessor, the Majesticons disc ventures into commercial rap territory (albeit with a satirical bent), attempting to skewer contemporary hiphop by beating it at its own game.

After taking 12 years off prior to 2000's 'The Friends of Rachel Worth,' the legendary Australian indie-pop band is suddenly undergoing a bout of creativity as evidenced by yet another release this very same decade.

Kyoto, Japan's Nobukazu Takemura plays all of the instruments (and computers) on his latest release of playful, poppy electronica, which features vocals from a speech synthesizer.

The Glaswegian guitar rockers emerge with their second full-length album, an even more intense affair than their 2001 debut 'Story In White.'

Chan Marshall's first album of new material since 1998 was recorded in Los Angeles with Adam Kasper (Queens of the Stone Age, Foo Fighters, Pearl Jam), who in turn brought in friends such as Dave Grohl and Eddie Vedder.

This disc compiles tracks from three previously-released EPs by the indie rock trio, who originally got their start composing music for NPR's "This American Life." Also included are three brand-new tracks.

The Tucson, Arizona-based duo of Joey Burns and John Convertino return with their fourth full-length album.

The Australian instrumental trio, known for their dark, minimalist, atmospheric sound, includes Bad Seeds' violinist Warren Ellis, guitarist Mick Turner, and drummer Jim White.

One of the highlights of Dntel's 2001 debut album was "This Is the Dream of Evan & Chan," where Dntel electronica mastermind Jimmy Tamborello was joined by Death Cab For Cutie's Ben Gibbard on vocals. Satisfied by those results, the two continued to collaborate (by mail), eventually resulting in enough material for this full album that ventures more into synth-pop/new wave territory than their previous single.

The Bay Area indie-pop band returns with their third album (and first in three years).

The solo debut for the Kings of Convenience guitarist (who also provided vocals on the recent Röyksopp album) features 10 tracks recorded in 10 cities with 10 different producers, including Schneider TM, Soviet, Prefuse 73, and Metro Area's Morgan Geist.

Ted Leo, formerly of Chisel, returns with his fourth album of punk-influenced singer-songwriter indie-folk rock.

This is the second LP for the band that was once Spiritualized--that is, before Jason Pierce fired them and hired a new Spiritualized.

Mixing post-rock and emo with punk edigness and experimentalism, Chicago's Joan of Arc features members of the Owls and Cap'n Jazz, including Owls vocalist Tim Kinsella. On this fourth album, they are also joined by members of Califone, Isotope 217, and Ugly Casanova, among others.

One-hit wonders, you say? Well, the New York trio did score an MTV hit with "Popular," from their 1996 debut album, but it is a more mature and less commercial Nada Surf that returns now with a third LP, their first for indie label Barsuk.

Don't know Bonnie "Prince" Billy? You may know him better by his given name, Will Oldham, who recorded under his name as well as Palace Music throughout the 1990s. This is his third album under the Billy moniker, and features contributions from members of Lambchop.

This six-track disc is a collaboration between Wilco frontman Jeff Tweedy, drummer Glenn Kotche, and Jim O'Rourke (known for both his acclaimed recent solo albums and work with Wilco and Sonic Youth).

Frequently compared to the Beta Band, this equally eclectic Isle of Wight-based duo of Paul Butler and Aaron Fletcher literally recorded this debut album in their shed.

This is the third LP for the New York-based noise-rock trio, known for their intense live shows.

This is the fourth album for the Wisconsin-based indie/emo trio.

The Chicago-based post-rockers return with their sixth album, their once frenetic pace of releasing albums slowed over recent years due to numerous side projects (solo albums for vocalist Sam Prekop and guitarist Archer Prewitt, and work in Tortoise, among other things, for drummer John McEntire). Included here is the band's cover of David Bowie's "Sound and Vision."

The Seattle-based experimental space-rock outfit returns with their sophomore LP, following their 2001 debut 'Be Gentle With the Warm Turtle.'

This Gainesville, Fla.-based five-piece band, which mixes indie rock and alt-country with a bit of electronica, features John Orth, who also appeared on the 2002 release by the Modest Mouse side project Ugly Casanova. Brian Deck produces.

Brokeback is a side project for Eleventh Dream Day/Tortoise bassist Douglas McCombs (joined semi-permanently by second bassist Noel Kupersmith), supplemented here on this third album by Laetitia Sadier and the late Mary Hansen from Stereolab.

Crooked Fingers is a side project for Archers of Loaf frontman Eric Bachmann. This third album follows in the dark, drunken-blues/Americana tradition of the first two, which drew Bachmann comparisons to Tom Waits and Leonard Cohen, among others.

The Microphones is an alias for Washington state-based Phil Elvrum, who returns here with a five-part concept album named after a mountain in his home state. The album is also being released in two limited edition alternate versions, one an a capella version called "Singing from 'Mt. Eerie,'" and one a drums-only version (!) called, naturally, "Drumming from 'Mt. Eerie.'"

The Los Angeles-based multimedia/production duo of Ross Harris and Craig Borrell, who have worked with artists such as Beck and the Dust Brothers and recorded two previous albums for Emperor Norton, return with their third LP.

This is the third album for the New York-based duo of Joshua Klein and Hewson Chen, who are frequently compared to (and sound like) Stephin Merritt bands (Magnetic Fields, Future Bible Heroes) and 80s outfits such as OMD. Included here is a cover of Husker Du's "Green Eyes."

The only "rock" act signed to Peter Gabriel's Real World label, Akron, Ohio native Joseph Arthur returns with his third album.

Combining blues, R&B, jazz and funk influences, this latest offering from the ever-changing 4AD group headed by Warren Defever, like its predessor (2001's 'Someday My Blues Will Cover The Earth'), features the vocals of Lovetta Pippen. Included among the originals here are covers of The Equals' "Teardrops," Ida's "Maybe," and Jimi Hendrix's "Train."

The London-based collective is joined this time out by the likes of Simon Raymonde (Cocteau Twins), John Grant (The Czars) and Paul Anderson (Tram).

A male-female duo a la the White Stripes, Denmark's The Raveonettes make their debut with this brief disc of 8 neo-garage tunes.

Founded in 1996 in San Francisco, this now New York-based instrumental outfit (which shares some members with the band !!!) has previously drawn a bit of acclaim for their vinyl-only releases. This six-track effort represents their first CD release, which showcases their dancier, dubbier, funkier brand of post-rock.

Manitoba consists entirely of Toronto's Dan Snaith (yes, we are aware that Toronto isn't actually in Manitoba), and this is his debut album. [This release was originally credited under the name Manitoba before being re-released under the name Caribou after the name change]

Another member of the new generation of neo-art-punkers (think Interpol or Liars, perhaps), this Los Angeles-based British four-piece makes its debut with 'Chat & Business,' which comes with a complimentary set of stickers with which to decorate the album cover.

Don't confuse The Warlocks of the 1960s (who later became the Grateful Dead) with the new band of the same name, who only sound like they come from the 1960s. This Los Angeles-based group favor lengthy, droning songs, evoking groups such as the Velvet Underground and Jesus & Mary Chain.

This three-track single (optimistically dubbed an "EP"), the band's second overall release, contains songs that allegedly will not appear on their upcoming full-length debut.

Picture a white man singing R&B. Picture a white man singing R&B while stripping down to his underwear. Picture an average-looking, slightly pudgy white man singing R&B while stripping down to his underwear. That's Har Mar Superstar, and this is his second album.

Slightly (and confusingly) changing their name to Godspeed You! Black Emperor for this outing, the Canadian instrumental band recorded these 5 tracks (clocking in at 75 minutes) with Steve Albini as a follow-up to their extremely well-received 2000 effort 'Lift Yr Skinny Fists Like Antennas To Heaven.'

The very, very distinctive Icelandic band generated an enormous amount of positive press (and deservingly so) for their previous effort, 'Ágætis Byrjun,' which led to a major-label deal and this album, which, like each of its eight tracks, does not have a real title.

The Manchester-based pyschedelic pop quartet returns with a follow-up to their 2001 debut, 'Chemistry Is What We Are.'

The solo career of Blur guitarist Graham Coxon takes on a bit more importance now if you believe the rumors that he has left that successful Britpop group for good. This is his fourth solo disc.

This collection of B-sides, alternate versions and rarities contains 18 tracks, including an early cover of the Smiths' "This Charming Man."

The Chicago indie band's fifth album is the first in a planned trilogy, and features a bit more electronics than previous outings. Members of Tortoise guest on the album, as does Rebecca Gates from the Spinanes.

Ivy's Andy Chase produced this sophomore effort from the French band that gave us 2000's irresistibly poppy 'Puzzle.'

Although the album cover may say it's by J. Mascis & The Fog, there's not much left of The Fog other than J. himself on this 10 track effort.

This seven-track EP recorded during the sessions for 'Romantica' includes covers of the Rolling Stones' "Waiting On A Friend" and Kraftwerk's "Neon Lights," as well as five new songs and videos for "Lovedust" and "1995."

This is the Denver indie-pop band's first new album since 2000's 'The Discovery of a World Inside the Moone.'

The San Diego-based band returns with their fourth album of dark, atmospheric music, following previous albums '1,' '2,' and, yes, '3' (c'mon guys, what happened to '4?'). This one is a concept album of sorts, about a murder mystery.

This is the fifth LP for the French-pop-influenced, Berlin-based duo of Francoise Cactus and Brezel Goring.

This Sub Pop debut for the British Columbia band falls into the 80s/punk revival category occupied by the likes of French Kicks and Radio 4, although Cure comparisons are more likely (since lead singer Steve Bays' voice sounds, at times, almost identical to Robert Smith's).

This is the second full-length album for the Los Angeles-based indie band, who are now labelmates of Omaha's Bright Eyes. Fans of the TV program "Boy Meets World" (all three of you) may recognize guitarist Blake Sennett, who played Joey on that show. (Singer Jenny Lewis has also guested on numerous sitcoms over the years.)

Part book, part CD, this latest effort from the Bay Area collective was inspired by a trip to an auto junkyard. The jokes, satire, and subversion found in previous releases is absent this time around, instead replaced by a collection of letters and writings found in the auto wrecks presented in a 64-page full-color book, and, on the CD, a lyric- and melody- free noise assault that, as the band suggests, is the sound of their studio being destroyed in a car crash.

The legendary (and quirky) English band fronted by Robyn Hitchcock follow their 2001 reunion tour with this, their first new studio recording in 22 years.

As the title implies, this is not a true follow-up to 2001's 'Gold,' but rather a collection of demo recordings--13 never-before-released tracks (down from a rumored four-CD set!) captured on tape during spare moments while on tour.

Prone to making concept albums, the Athens, GA band led by Kevin Barnes returns with a more conventional offering for this, their fifth LP.

Written, recorded and performed entirely by Miami, Fla-based Samuel Beam, 'The Creek Drank The Cradle' is the debut album for Iron & Wine, a largely lo-fi, acoustic affair with a darker take on folk and bluegrass.

The Duluth, MN indie band, known for their slow, sparse sound and vocal harmonies of husband and wife guitarist Alan Sparhawk and drummer Mimi Parker, scored their biggest critical success yet with 2001's 'Things We Lost In The Fire.' This follow-up features 13 new songs (many of which have been debuted live on recent tours) mixed by Tschad Blake.

The cosmopolitan electroclash foursome returns with a follow-up to their well-received 2001 debut, '604.'

Recorded live at a March 2002 show in Toronto, this 22-track, 2-disc set includes songs from Hayden's three previous albums, as well as three new tracks and a cover of Neil Young's "Tell Me Why."

The man behind Built to Spill issues his first album under his own name, with a more acoustic, stripped-down, blues-influenced sound than you'll find on his BTS albums.

Known mainly for his work with PJ Harvey (most notably, 'To Bring You My Love' and 'Dance Hall At Louse Point'), producer/musician John Parish has previously released just one solo record under his own name. On this mostly instrumental record, he is supplemented by numerous guests, including Harvey and Portishead's Adrian Utley.

Founding member of Los Angeles punkers X and occasional actor John Doe returns with his fourth solo album, this one produced by Joe Henry with guest appearances from Rhett Miller (Old 97s), Aimee Mann, Jakob Dylan and Jane Wiedlin.

Since leaving the Bad Seeds (Nick Cave's backing band) in the late 1980s, Barry Adamson has embarked on a prolific career providing soundtrack music to films both real ('Gas Food Lodging,' 'The Beach') and imagined (numerous cinematic-sounding solo albums, including 'Moss Side Story'). This latest release falls into the latter category, and incorporates pop, rock, jazz, funk, and countless other styles in its ten tracks.