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.

The mercurial singer-songwriter returns with an album of interpretations of 13 traditional Irish songs.

The Canadian singer-songwriter's fifth album finds Sexsmith experimenting with electronica for the first time.

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 third (non-soundtrack) solo album for the Dire Straits leader, and finds him in a somewhat acoustic, American roots style.

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.)

This is the second in a series of self-released EPs from the newly-reborn band, following 'Read & Burn 01' which was released earlier in 2002.

Stephen Street is the producer for the Britpop band's catchy fifth album, their first since singer Brett Anderson's recovery from drug problems. Not surprisingly, it is also happier-sounding than previous Suede efforts.

This solo set by the frontman of the (still intact) Old 97s was produced by Jon Brion, and ventures away from the alt-country sound of that group's work.

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.

The roots rocker tackles a variety of tough, contemporary issues on this latest release, perhaps his most political, issue-oriented album yet. Sheryl Crow and Emmylou Harris guest.

Which Beck is it? The party-loving Beck of 'Odelay' and 'Midnite Vultures,' or the more serious, singer-songwriter Beck of 'Mutations.' On this latest release, it is the latter, as Beck reunites with Mutations' producer Nigel Godrich (Radiohead) for a set of darker, atmospheric, more acoustically-oriented tracks.

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.

Yup... Up's two-letter name signifies that this is indeed a brand-new Peter Gabriel studio recording, his first since 1992's 'Us.' The music goes in a now-typical multi-cultural direction, with input from gospel singers The Blind Boys of Alabama and the late Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.

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 onetime budding star (you remember "One Of Us," right?) returns with an album of covers of classic soul and R&B tunes from the 1960s and 70s.

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.

The Chicago alt-metal band follows their 2 million-selling debut, 'The Sickness,' with this sophomore effort, working once again with producer Johnny Z.

The guitarist for the legendary Manchester outfit The Stone Roses emerges with his very first solo album (after the breakup of his less successful second band, the Seahorses). It also marks the first appearance of Squire as a vocalist, as he sings on each of these 10 tracks.

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.

The California-born, classically-trained Yalie makes her major-label debut, after a trio of independent solo acoustic releases. Todd is backed by a full band on this Mitchell Froom-produced album, and some of the tracks here are actually new, fleshed-out versions of songs that appeared on those earlier albums, including "Digital."

This is the debut full-length release for the retro-pop band (think Cardigans or St. Etienne) founded by Lush guitarist/vocalist Emma Anderson and vocalist Lisa O'Neill. Many of the band's earlier singles appear here (in reworked versions), along with new material, all produced by Mark Van Hoen (Locust).

The UK quartet follows the critical and commercial success of their 2000 debut album 'Parachutes' with this long-awaited follow-up release, which the band has suggested may be their last.

This debut album from the Los Angeles five-piece band fronted by actor Jared Leto was produced by Bob Ezrin (Pink Floyd, Kiss), and showcases more experimental and eclectic sounds than your typical alt-metal effort.

This debut album for the British quartet was produced by The Smiths' Johnny Marr.

This self-released effort for the Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter (and former Til Tuesday frontwoman) is her first release since the twin 2000 critical successes of 'Bachelor No. 2' and the soundtrack to "Magnolia."

The New York singer-songwriter works with producer Patrick Leonard (Madonna, Jewel) for this, his fourth album.

Stoner metal is back in the form of the third LP from Queens of the Stone Age, who are supplemented for this release (and supporting tour) by drummer Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters, Nirvana) and former Screaming Trees vocalist Mark Lanegan.

The former Australian teen grunge stars (whose 1995 debut was released when they were just 15) are still together, and this album marks their fourth release, highlighted by a more mature, refined sound.

Alt-country singer-songwriter Neko Case returns with her third solo album, after last appearing on the New Pornographers' acclaimed 'Mass Romantic" album. Here, the moody, cinematic music is provided by members of Calexico and Giant Sand.

One of the many side projects of Stephin Merritt (Magnetic Fields, The 6ths), the Future Bible Heroes features lyrics by Merritt, low-fi electronic music by Christopher Ewen, and vocals by Claudia Gonson. This is their second LP.

This is the eighth release from the nearly 15-year-old Seattle band, and it features new instrumentation (a horn section) and a new bass player (Guy Maddison, replacing departed founding member Matt Lukin).

The band's first album since 1997's 'This Is Hardcore' is produced by Scott Walker and features 12 new tracks.

You won't read very many reviews of this New York band without seeing the words Joy Division pop up, and although there are some similarities, Interpol has something new to offer as well. This debut LP includes the tracks "PDA" and "NYC" from the group's well-received first single for Matador.

The Leeds, England band celebrate their 25th anniversary with this 11-track release that veers from country to punk.

Recorded direct to two-track, 'Black Letter Days' features a stripped-down sound for the former Pixie and his current band. And if the 18 new tracks here (including not one but two covers of Tom Waits' "The Black Rider") aren't enough for you, there's even more on the companion release, 'Devil's Workshop.'

One of two simultaneous releases (Black Letter Days being the other), Devil's Workshop is perhaps the more straightforward of the pair, although like its companion it was recorded direct to 2-track, representing a back-to-basics approach for Black and Co.

This debut LP from the experimental punk outfit from Brooklyn known for their strong live sets features lengthy song titles and an even lengthier closing track (clocking in at over half an hour).

The Violent Femmes' leader emerges with his very first solo release some 20 years after that band's formation. Here, Gano is joined by a star-studded cast that includes John Cale, They Might Be Giants, Mary Lou Lord, Lou Reed, Linda Perry, PJ Harvey and Frank Black.

The Austin, Tex. indie rockers return with their fourth album, following 2001's critically acclaimed 'Girls Can Tell.'

The acclaimed indie-rock trio from Olympia, Wash. return with their sixth album.

Prolific 22-year-old Nebraska singer-songwriter Connor Oberst returns to his Bright Eyes guise for this 13-track effort, following a stint fronting the band Desaparecidos.

The 54-year-old singer-songwriter returns with his first album of new material since 1997's Grammy-winning 'Hourglass.' Russ Titleman produces.

The creation of Snow Patrol's Gary Lightbody, the Reindeer Section is a Scottish indie-pop supergroup. For this sophomore effort, the Section includes appearances from a whopping 27 people, including members of Belle & Sebastian, Arab Strap, Astrid, Mogwai, Mull Historical Society, Idlewild and Teenage Fanclub.

The first new album for the English electronic outfit in six years sees the band heading in a completely new direction, away from their dark electronica in favor of a more organic, psychedelic rock vibe. Surprisingly (for a FSOL album), there's guitar, vocals, strings, and harmonica, and trippy song titles such as "The Mello Hippo Disco Show."

This is the debut LP from the Texas band, which features three former members of At The Drive-In (including guitarist Jim Ward).

The 60's star offers up ten new tracks with the help of friends Pulp, Blur, Billy Corgan, Beck, and Dave Stewart.

The moody alt-country band led by David Eugene Edwards returns with its darkest set of songs yet.

The soundtrack to the fictionalized account of the rise and fall of Manchester's Factory Records includes, somewhat obviously, a generous helping of New Order, Joy Division, and Happy Mondays songs (including the title track by the latter), as well as cuts from A Guy Called Gerald, Durutti Column, and the Buzzcocks. This is also the only album where you'll find the newest New Order single, "Here to Stay," a collaboration with the Chemical Brothers that failed to appear on either group's latest LP.

Produced by Hugh Jones and Stephen Street, 'Libertine' is the fourth studio album for the Britpop band best known for all the Smiths comparisons it generated with its first few releases.

X marks the veteran English arena-rock band's tenth album.

The English singer-songwriter's third LP features quite an array of guests, including Ryan Adams, Emmylou Harris, and the Chemical Brothers (who have utilized Orton's vocals on several of their own albums). Another longtime collaborator, William Orbit, appears for one track, with the remainder of the mixing duties falling to Everything But The Girl's Ben Watt.

The former Soul Asylum frontman offers up a debut solo release that is quite a departure from his former band's work, emphasizing loungey R&B and soul grooves instead of punky alternative rock.

Talk about apt titles. The British folk legend's first album in a whopping 17 years features 10 new songs recorded mainly with her son, Teddy Thompson, and numerous guests such as Rufus Wainwright, Van Dyke Parks, and ex-husband and recording partner Richard Thompson.

Not quite the next Linkin Park album, 'Reanimation' is instead a remix of their entire debut album, 'Hybrid Theory' (actually, a remix of the Japanese version, which contained extra tracks). The 19 songs here have been reinvented by an array of alternative and hip hop musicians and producers, including members of Korn, Jurassic 5, Orgy, and Staind, and given cryptic new titles such as "Rnw@y" and "My{Dsmbr." (You'd think with all the money they're making they could at least buy a vowel.)

The Boss' first studio album with the E Street Band since 1984's 'Born In The U.S.A.,' 'The Rising' contains 15 new Springsteen songs produced by Brendan O'Brien.

Filter's third LP finds the band moving in a less industrial/electronic direction.

This four-piece alt-metal band from Alabama draws frequent comparisons to Linkin Park, and even work with Linkin producer Don Gilmore on this major-label debut album.

The legendary 1960s soul singer, now a young 66 years old, is still going strong with this latest release, featuring brand-new songs penned by an impressive group of songwriters, including Elvis Costello, Brian Wilson, Tom Waits, Van Morrison, and Bob Dylan. No one will be giving up on him after this release.

The former Led Zeppelin singer's first solo album in nearly 10 years is a mix of originals and covers, including Bob Dylan's "One More Cup of Coffee" (also recently covered by the White Stripes) and Tim Buckley's "Win My Train Fare Home."

2001 gave us The White Stripes and The Strokes; 2002 gives us The Hives and The Vines. This Australian four-piece outfit is the latest rock band to be hyped to stratospheric proportions (and an instant major-label contract) by the UK rock press, who compared the Vines to Nirvana (the band, not the concept). But although the Aussies did indeed get their start as a Nirvana cover band, there is a bit more to their debut album 'Highly Evolved' than Grunge, Part 2.

This is the second album for the 60s-style rock quartet from Detroit.

The Oklahoma band finally returns with a follow-up to perhaps their strongest effort to date, 1999's 'The Soft Bulletin.' Here, the Lips venture even more into electronic territory, working once again with producer Dave Fridmann (Mercury Rev). Yoshimi of Japanese band The Boredoms guests on vocals on one track and lends her name to part of the album's title (the "Yoshimi" part, not the "Pink Robots" part).

Even the most casual DMB fan knows the story by now: Dave & Co. record a dark, challenging album with producer Steve Lillywhite, those "Lillywhite Sessions" are leaked onto the Internet where the tracks quickly become fan favorites, and the band chooses not to release them, instead heading back into the studio with producer Glen Ballard to record 'Everyday.' The new studio LP 'Busted Stuff' does not contain those original tracks from the 2000 sessions, but nine of those songs (plus two new tracks) are here, newly recorded.

The Tennessee power-pop outfit returns for their fourth album (and second for indie label Arena Rock after two major-label releases for Elektra). Guided By Voices' Robert Pollard guests.

One of 2002's much-hyped neo-garage rock bands, New York's Yeah Yeah Yeahs have opened for acts such as the White Stripes and the Strokes, and have drawn comparisons to both. This five-track debut EP was originally released in 2001 on the indie Shifty label, and saw a rerelease in the summer of 2002 on Touch & Go.

Only the band's fourth studio recording in their 10+ year existence, 'Hard Candy' offers up 13 new tracks, including the single "American Girls" and "Butterfly Reverse," which was cowritten by Ryan Adams. Steve Lillywhite produces.

This is the debut solo release for former Sebadoh drummer/songwriter Jason Loewenstein. On these 14 tracks, J.Loew handles all instruments and songwriting duties himself.

Although their ride has been rocky at times, the Los Angeles band is nearing its 20th anniversary. (And if you grew up listening to the band, doesn't that make you feel old.) This, their eighth album, finds the Chili Peppers working with producer Rick Rubin.

The second album from the London band is a continuation of their Scott Walker-influenced dark and melancholy pop sound from their 2000 debut. (Not a Scott Walker fan? Think Tindersticks, Pulp or Divine Comedy.)

This 15-track collection compiles the band's B-sides, soundtrack contributions, and other oddities.

This is the fifth studio album for the one-time superstars, who now retain only the brothers Gallagher from their original lineup. Former Ride guitarist Andy Bell and Heavy Stereo bassist Gem Archer make their first studio appearances as members of the band, and in an Oasis first, all four members share in the songwriting.

Basically a continuation of The Wedding Present (but with a broader, more "cinematic" sound), Cinerama features David Gedge and Simon Cleave from that band as well as Gedge's wife, Sally Murrell. Torino, the group's third studio album, was produced by Dare Mason and longtime collaborator Steve Albini, and features the UK hit single "Health And Efficiency."

Now into their third decade of recording, Sonic Youth offer up a return to form that has more in common with their output of the 80s than with anything they have released in recent years. Multi-instrumentalist Jim O'Rourke, who worked with the band on their previous effort 'NYC Ghosts & Flowers,' is now a full-fledged member of the group.

The Los Angeles singer/songwriter's eclectic debut album comes after cuts on the soundtracks to "Bridget Jones's Diary" and "Shallow Hal."

The groundbreaking English four-piece art-punk band has reunited (25 years after their debut) to record this 6-track EP, representing their first new studio output together since 1990's 'Manscape.'

The Austin band's fourth LP represents a new direction for the group (which features Dan Matz and Jason McNeely and a handful of rotating contributors) toward more delicate and intricate compositions. In addition, a new emphasis on vocals makes this the band's most accessible release to date.

This is the third album for the Irish indie-punk quartet, and takes a less harsh, more pop approach than their poorly-received 1998 sophomore effort 'Nu-Clear Sounds.'

The Ohio band fronted by Robert Pollard offers up a 19-track set that is not just a return to former home Matador Records but a full return to classic, self-produced GBV form, after working with outside producers on the previous two albums.