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.

Much as he did for another Steven Soderbergh film ("Out Of Sight"), David Holmes provides the score for Soderbergh's Rat Pack remake. Much of the album consists of Holmes originals (including "69 Police," which also appears on his 'Bow Down To The Exit Sign' LP), supplemented by songs from the likes of everyone from Handsome Boy Modeling School to Elvis Presley.

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

Guests on the Rolling Stones frontman's fourth solo album include Bono, Lenny Kravitz, Wyclef Jean, Pete Townshend, Rob Thomas, and Joe Perry.

The Detroit rap-rocker may be feeling a bit like his album title after his previous effort, 1998's 'Devil Without a Cause,' went platinum. (Actually, he was feeling like that even before that happened.) Snoop Dogg and Sheryl Crow guest on a track apiece on this, his fifth album of new material.

This religion-themed concept album is the artist's first official release in 10 years under the Prince name.

The Chicago-based avant-garde musician (best known for his work in Gastr Del Sol) offers up seven new tracks in his follow-up to 1999's 'Eureka.' Wilco's Jeff Tweedy adds guitar.

This is the Leeds, England indie-rock band's first American LP release in four years. Akin to recent Radiohead, this disc incorporates experimental electronica elements, and also adds guest vocals from members of hip-hop outfit cLOUDDEAD.

This is the former Beatle's first album of original recordings since 1997's 'Flaming Pie.'

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 singer-songwriter's third album contains 12 new studio tracks and two bonus live tracks.

Neil Hannon returns with a follow-up to 2000's 'Gin Soaked Boy.' A bit of a departure, this album utilizes Radiohead producer Nigel Godrich and a larger group of musicians to highlight a more serious side to Hannon's music.

This is Marc Bianchi's second LP as Her Space Holiday, which also includes his girlfriend, Keely.

This Dallas band gained national attention by starring in (and winning) VH1's "Bands On The Run" competition/reality show. This major-label effort is a remixed version of their independently-released debut album, with two additional tracks.

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.

Lenny Kravitz's sixth album features a mix of retro rock and mid-tempo ballads.

The all-girl metal band's sophomore effort (and no, we're not referring to their high school class) includes a cover of Pink Floyd's "Run Like Hell."

Dntel is an electronica side project for Jimmy Tamborello of Strictly Ballroom and Figurine. Here, he is joined by a who's-who of indie rockdom, including Mia Doi Todd, Ben Gibbard (Death Cab for Cutie), Chris Gunst (Beachwood Sparks) and Brian McMahon (Slint).

Beth Hirsch's second solo album sees her venturing into more electronic territory (with tracks produced by the Black Dog) as well as more conventional singer-songwriter terrain (produced by Custom Blue and Jackson).

The Los Angeles-based funk-metal band returns with a follow-up to 1999's 'Make Yourself.' Scott Litt (R.E.M.) returns as producer.

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).

The eclectic Washington, D.C.-based indie band follow their best-received album, 1999's 'Emergency & I,' with this, their fourth LP. The Plan announced their breakup subsequent to its release.

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

The fourth album from Bob Wratten under the Trembling Blue Stars name features yet another new lineup (although Annemari Davies does return for a couple of tracks).

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.

Kathleen Hanna (also of Bikini Kill) returns for her second album with Le Tigre, the follow-up to the band's well-received 1999 debut.

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

John Mellencamp's 18th album features guest appearances from India Arie and Chuck D.

Though Washington D.C. hard rockers Fugazi have been together for almost 15 years, this is just their eighth full-length release.

Los Angeles-based alt-country outfit Beachwood Sparks return with a second album for Sub Pop. The disc includes a cover of Sade's "By Your Side."

Leonard Cohen's first album of new material since 1992's 'The Future' contains, oddly enough, ten new songs. Sharon Robinson co-wrote each of the tracks, as well as providing instrumentation and backing vocals.

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 third album for the Washington-based indie rockers.

Former Modern Lover Jonathan Richman has been recording steadily for over 25 years, although he recently gained some new adherents with his work on the "There's Something About Mary" soundtrack.

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.

A long-time favorite of his fellow indie rockers, 41-year-old Daniel Johnston releases his first album of new material in seven years, following 1994's 'Fun' (his one and only major-label release).

Recorded live in Italy during the Fall of 2000, this eight-song album from Jason Molina (and a full backing band) features five previously unreleased songs. The three familiar tunes include "Tigress" and "Being In Love." The album title translates to "You Come to Me as a Ghost."

This is the third full-length album from the Brooklyn-based art-school indie rockers.

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.

What started as a series of HBO shorts has turned into a full-fledged band, featuring actor Jack Black ("High Fidelity") and Kyle Gass. Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters) and Steve McDonald (Redd Kross) are among the guest musicians on this, the D's debut album, produced by the Dust Brothers.

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."

This is the fourth instrumental album (but first U.S. release) from London, England's Fridge, which features guitarist Kieran Hebden (who also records as Four Tet).

"Money" Mark Nishita has worked with the Dust Brothers and the Beastie Boys. This is his third album and first for Emperor Norton.

This debut LP brought the much-hyped Liverpool band frequent comparisons to (and a tour with) Radiohead.

This is Bill Callahan's follow-up to 2000's acclaimed 'Dongs of Sevotion.'

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.

Solex is Amsterdam-based songwriter Elisabeth Esselink, and this is her third album for Matador. Like her previous albums, 'Low Kick' is filled with dozens of eclectic samples pulled from albums found at Esselink's record shop.

San Francisco's Beulah, part of the Elephant 6 collective of indie-pop bands, returns with a follow-up to their well-received 1999 effort 'When Your Heartstrings Break.'

Produced by Matt Hyde, 'God Hates Us All' is the eighth studio album (and first in three years) for the Southern California thrash-metal band. Originally set for a July 2001 release, the album was delayed so that American Recordings head Rick Rubin and producer Sean Beavan could remix each of the tracks.

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.').

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.

Picking up where 1997's resurgent 'Time Out of Mind' left off, 'Love And Theft' finds the 60-year-old Dylan self-producing the album's 12 tracks.

This is the Buffalo, NY band's follow-up to their acclaimed 1998 release 'Deserter's Songs.'

The final installment in the 52-year-old Lowe's comback trilogy follows 1994's 'The Impossible Bird' and 1998's 'Dig My Mood.'

French band Fugu mines the pop sounds of the Beach Boys and the Beatles, a la contemporaries Stereolab (who contribute to this album) and Apples In Stereo.

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

After the breakup of Olivia Tremor Control, Will Hart went on to form Circulatory System along with fellow musicians from that group as well as others, such as Jeff Magnum (Neutral Milk Hotel). This is their debut release.

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."

This is the third album for Mark Linkous and Sparklehorse.

This is the solo debut for founding Pavement guitarist Scott Kannberg (aka "Spiral Stairs"). As Preston School of Industry, Spiral is joined by Andrew Borger on drums and Jon Erickson on bass, with other musicians guesting.

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.

The legendary (and influential, at least among the indie rock set) New Zealand band The Clean returns with its first album in five years (and only the fourth of their 22-year career). Yo La Tengo's Georgia Hubley and Ira Kaplan guest on two tracks.

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 release for Quasi, which features Sam Coomes (formerly of The Donner Party, and sometimes bandmate of Elliott Smith and Built to Spill) and Sleater-Kinney's Janet Weiss.

Featuring former members of Spiritualized (who were fired by Jason Pierce before the recording sessions for 'Let It Come Down'), Lupine Howl offers up nine tracks on this debut album, including previously-released singles "Vaporizer" and "125."

This is Laurie Anderson's first music release since 1994's 'Big Red.' Originally conceived as a studio verision of her recent theatrical production "Songs and Stories from Moby Dick," the thirteen-song album contains only three tracks from that show, supplemented with newer material. Guest musicians include Lou Reed, Dr. John, Bill Frisell, Mocean Worker and Van Dyke Parks.

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 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 Iggy Pop's first album since 1999's poorly-received 'Avenue B.'

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 debut album for I Am The World Trade Center was recorded entirely on a laptop computer, with music by Kindercore head Dan Geller and vocals by Amy Dykes. [The band officially shortened its name to I Am The World following the tragic events of September 11, 2001.]