Although the former Folk Implosion and Sebadoh member has recorded solo discs before under the name Sentridoh, 'Emoh' marks his first release under his own name. It includes six home-recorded tracks as well as eight new studio cuts recorded with producers Mark Nevers, Josh Schwartz and Wally Gagel.

The more experimental of Conor Oberst's two releases in January 2005 is the electronic-flavored 'Digital Ash,' which includes some help from the Yeah Yeah Yeah's Nick Zinner and the Postal Service's Jimmy Tamborello.

'I'm Wide Awake' is the more country/acoustic of Conor Oberst's twin January 2005 releases under the Bright Eyes name. Emmylou Harris provides vocals on three tracks.

DiFranco breaks from her usual DIY practice by enlisting Joe Henry to co-produce this latest release.

'Nightbird' marks the first disc of original songs from the duo of Andrew Bell and Vince Clarke in five years.

The trio's seventh album (their first for Sub Pop) features production work from Dave Fridmann and an atypically energetic sound.

This is the fourth solo disc for the illustrator and Sea And Cake guitarist.

This is the second full-length for the Seattle-based band which consists solely of David Terry (and his drum machine) and has drawn comparisons to Grandaddy and the Flaming Lips.

'Superwolf' is the first collaboration between singer-songwriter Will Oldham (aka Bonnie Prince Billy) and Zwan's Matt Sweeney.

'Valende' is the third album overall and American debut for the Italian psychedelic rock band Jennifer Gentle. (Note that there is nobody in the band actually named Jennifer, and we are unsure about exactly how gentle they are.)

The moody Chicago group is down to two remaining members (Lindsay Anderson and Joseph Costa) on this third album.

This is the third studio album (don't believe the title) for the San Francisco punkers.

Michael Andrews (composer of the score for 'Donnie Darko') produced this debut disc for the Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter, who is the daughter of Little Feat's Lowell George.

This debut LP for the Liverpool band was released in the U.K. in early 2004 and made its way to the States a year later.

'Experience' is certainly evident here as former dB's Chris Stamey and Gene Holder are joined by all three members of Yo La Tengo, Caitlin Cary and producer Mitch Easter for a trip through material by the likes of Television, Cream and the Yardbirds (as well as some originals).

This is the seventh release under the Six Organs name for Ben Chasny, who in recent years has also been a member of Comets On Fire.

Faithfull's latest comes with some all-star assistance: P.J. Harvey wrote, produced and performed on over half of the tracks, with Damon Albarn and Nick Cave contributing to others.

Stephen Street produces the former Blur guitarist's fifth solo disc.

The Indiana sadcore outfit returns with a fourth album.

Recorded during a live performance by the Jason Molina-led four-piece in Brussels in 2003, 'Trials' includes seven songs from the Songs:Ohia catalog as well as three new Magnolia Electric Co. tracks.

This is the debut LP for Stephen McBean's Black Mountain project, which shares members with Jerk With A Bomb and Pink Mountaintops.

Robert Wratten (Field Mice) is joined by singers Beth Arzy and Anne Mari on this fifth TBS release.

The British DJ and composer one again provides the score for Steven Soderbergh's caper flick, as he did for Ocean's Eleven.

What happens when you team Death Cab For Cutie's Ben Gibbard with a cutting-edge electronica artist? Sure, you have the Postal Service, but you also have this new full-length from Arne Van Petegem's Styrofoam, which features multiple contributions not only from Gibbard, but also from Valerie Trebeljahr (Lali Puna), Andrew Kenny (American Analog Set), Markus Acher (The Notwist) and rapper Alias.

The UK dance trio returns with a sophomore release, adding more guitars into the mix in the process.

The band's first new album since 2000, a more stripped-down, "classic U2" disc than previous efforts, was recorded chiefly with producer Steve Lillywhite, with Chris Thomas and Nellee Hooper also helming some tracks.

The solo debut for the No Doubt vocalist features an eclectic group of guests, including Martin Gore, Andre 3000, The Neptunes, New Order, Wendy & Lisa and Dr. Dre.

This three-disc box set contains more than 50 previously unreleased recordings by the legendary Seattle band, including demos, live tracks, and alternate versions. Also included is an extensive bonus DVD filled with live performances.

The singer's fourth album features the same producer (Marius deVries) and backup musicians as his previous outing, 'Want One.'

The New Pornographers singer (and accomplished solo artist) offers up a live set of originals and eclectic covers, backed by The Sadies.

The veteran singer's first completely self-produced album is his first studio recording since 2001's 'Songs From The West Coast.'

The second disc for Prince Paul and Dan The Automator finds the producer pair joined by Cat Power, RZA, Jack Johnson, Julee Cruise and Pharrell Williams.

This is the debut album for the London-based electronica duo, who blend their minimalist, experimental tendencies with more organic elements, including vocals (think of a more playful version of Mum).

Tool frontman Maynard James Keenan tackles a variety of covers on this latest from his side project, A Perfect Circle, including versions of songs by Depeche Mode ("People Are People"), Devo ("Freedom Of Choice") and Marvin Gaye ("What's Going On"). Also included are two originals.

The all-girl German group's third disc includes collaborations with Peaches and Miss Kittin, plus a remake of the Tom Tom Club's "Wordy Rappinghood."

This second 2004 disc from singer-songwriter Ned Oldham (brother of Palace Music's Will Oldham) offers country-tinged folk that recalls bands such as the Grateful Dead, Neil Young and the Meat Puppets.

The Welsh band's seventh studio disc was produced by Tony Visconti and Greg Haver.

The Icelandic band's 1997 debut album received its first international release in 2004.

This debut LP from the English band certainly recalls English bands from the early 80s, most notably XTC.

One of 2004's Next Big Things in the UK music press, Razorlight make their full-length debut with this 13-track disc. Compared to the likes of Oasis and The Libertines, the band is led by self-proclaimed songwriting genius Johnny Borrell.

The legendary Canadian singer-songwriter and poet, now 70 years old, returns with his 11th studio album.

Bob Rock (Metallica) produced this sophomore album for the Montreal-based pop-punk band.

Omaha, Nebraska multi-instrumentalist Joe Knapp returns with his second Son, Ambulance full-length, now backed by a full band.

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds' 13th album actually spans two separate discs, each produced by Nick Launay. And speaking of the Bad Seeds, longtime member Blixa Bargeld has been replaced by James Johnston (Gallon Drunk).

'You're A Woman' is the first album for the Canadian duo of vocalist/drummer Sebastien Grainger and bassist Jesse F. Keeler. It's a drum 'n' bass album in the literal sense of the term, as those are the only two instruments (aside from a very infrequent synthesizer) on the record.

U.N.K.L.E. is the pet project of Mo'Wax label head James Lavelle, whose successful 1998 album 'Psyence Fiction' included notable contributions from DJ Shadow, Thom Yorke and Badly Drawn Boy. Guests this time out include Josh Homme (Queens Of The Stone Age), Robert "3D" del Naja (Massive Attack), Brian Eno, Ian Brown (Stone Roses), Mani (Stone Roses/Primal Scream) Joel Cadbury (South) and Jarvis Cocker (Pulp).

Bryce Goggin (Phish, Pavement) produced this final album for Dean Wareham & co., who have since announced their intent to disband. It includes a new version of the song "Astronaut" from the 2003 EP 'Close Cover Before Striking.'

The Donnas' second major-label effort was produced by Butch Walker (Avril Lavigne, Injected).

Chris Goss (Kyuss) produced this second album for the UK rockers.

Brendan O'Brien (Pearl Jam) produced this sophomore outing for the English quartet.

The late singer-songwriter was nearly done with this highly anticipated album at the time of his death in 2003.

The Liverpool band's debut disc was, like similar-sounding recent discs by The Coral, produced by Ian Broudie. It was nominated for a Mercury Music Prize.

The latest stripped-down, somewhat political rock effort from Ted Leo was produced by Chris Shaw (Dashboard Confessional, Bob Dylan).

The Arizona emo band returns with a follow-up to their successful 2001 self-titled effort. Gil Norton produced.

The trio make the jump to a major label with 'This Island,' which features a cover of the Pointer Sisters' "I'm So Excited."

This is the sophomore LP (third, if you count their debut demo collection) for the Toronto band led by Joel Gibb.

A concept album set in an alternate version of the U.S. where the states are actually countries, 'New Roman Times' marks the first studio album in 15 years for the newly-reunited California band.

This is the third album for the indie rock outfit led by Armistead Burwell Smith IV (formerly of 3 Mile Pilot) and Rob Crow.

The Martha's Vineyard native recorded this debut LP of intelligent, folky rock when he was 19.

This unusual set from the Pixies frontman includes a disc of demo solo recordings dating from 1987, and a second disc of new studio recordings of an assortment of Pixies songs by Black with collaborators such as Pere Ubu and Two Pale Boys.

The Canadian punk-pop outfit returns with a fourth LP, produced by Greig Nori. The disc is named after a UN worker (Chuck Pelletier) who helped the band escape violence in the Congo while they were there shooting a film.

'Love Songs' is the first new studio album in ten years for a reunited Mark Eitzel & co.

'Astronaut' marks first album by Duran Duran's original lineup since 1983's 'Seven And The Ragged Tiger.' Dallas Austin and Don Gilmore are among the producers.

They might sound Britpop (and at the very least, a bit like The Smiths), but this collective led by Murray Lightburn hails from Montreal, Canada. This is their second album and first U.S. release.

This 82-song, 4-disc box set compiles various indie and alternative tracks from the 1980s across multiple genres, and includes music from both the decade's "biggest" names (The Smiths, R.E.M., Depeche Mode, Violent Femmes, etc.) as well as lesser-known artists such as The Raincoats, Green On Red, and The Lyres.

The sixth album for the indie-folk singer-songwriter was recorded in Texas and Arizona with a cast of up to eight backing musicians.

The fourth album for the abrasive, Seattle-based punk-rockers was produced by John Goodmanson (Blonde Redhead).

The singer-songwriter recorded this fourth LP in New Orleans.

This debut album for the Los Angeles-based '80s revivalists will give your favorite indie rock critics another excuse to practice typing "Gang of Four."

This is the solo debut for the former leader of the Lightning Seeds and producer of such bands as Echo & The Bunnymen. Members of The Coral and The Zutons guest.

Grand in scope, 'Lost Riots' is the debut disc for the UK band who are often described as falling somewhere between Coldplay and Godspeed You Black Emperor (wherever that might be). The band's guitarist, Jimmi Lawrence, took his own life shortly after the album was recorded.

This third album from the Japanese instrumental post-rock outfit was recorded by Steve Albini.

This is the fourth solo album for the Moldy Peaches singer.

Gillian Welch guests on Hitchcock's latest solo offering, produced by David Rawlings.

This is the third Dischord release for the Washington, D.C. rockers, who are frequently mentioned next to hyphenated labels such as "post-punk" and "dance-punk."

The twentysomething pop-punkers attempt to move past their past TRL success with a more mature follow-up to 2002's 'Young And The Hopeless.'

The Northern California band's fifth album in ten years includes a cover of Bread's "Guitar Man."

The metal band returns after a seven-year recording hiatus with this new disc, produced by band leader Page Hamilton (the only original member here) with Jay Baumgardner and Charlie Clouser.

'Sun' is the 13th studio disc for R.E.M., who are joined here by frequent collaborators Ken Stringfellow and Scott McCaughey. Q-Tip also guest raps on "The Outsiders."

Fans of his acclaimed 2002 pair of discs will have to settle for just one album this time out, co-produced by Waits with Kathleen Brennan. Marc Ribot and Les Claypool guest.

This fourth LP for the Los Angeles indie rockers were produced by Jim Fairchild (Grandaddy) and the band's own Aaron Espinoza. The album is dedicated to (and frequently about) the late Elliott Smith, who was Espinoza's neighbor.

The fifth and final album from The Delgados (released on the band's own Chemikal Underground label) was co-produced with Tony Doogan. It ditches the strings of its orchestral predecessor, 'Hate,' to take a much poppier approach.

The leader of the now-defunct Washington, D.C. outfit The Dismemberment Plan makes his solo debut with this disc, produced by Death Cab For Cutie's Chris Walla. John Vanderslice guests.

The New York-based foursome of Paul Banks, Carlos D., Sam Fogarino and Daniel Kessler took indie rockers worldwide by storm (and made Matador a lot of money) with 2002's 'Turn On The Bright Lights,' which introduced their neck-stabbing guitar-rock mix of Joy Division, The Cure, The Smiths, and all of your other favorite 80s bands. That captivating sound returns on this sophomore release, which features many of the new tracks ("Narc," "Length Of Love," etc.) which first debuted live during their relentless touring over the past two years.

A better album title would have been 'Nancy Sinatra & Friends,' as the 64-year-old singer collaborates with fans such as Morrissey, Pulp's Jarvis Cocker and Richard Hawley, Sonic Youth's Jim O'Rourke and Thurston Moore, Jon Spencer, Pete Yorn and U2.