'Actions' is the first album for UK grime artist Plan B (aka Ben Drew), who has drawn comparisons to both Eminem and The Streets' Mike Skinner (which often happens when you are white and kinda rap), although his music is more eclectic than either of those artists.

Leaving Songs is the Nashville-recorded second solo disc for Tindersticks frontman Stuart Staples, who is joined by Maria McKee on one track.

Ron Aniello returns as producer on the acoustic-rock band's first studio outing in three years.

This is the Matador debut for the Northern California outfit founded by cabin- and tent-dwelling childhood friends (from Alabama) Nathan Shineywater and Rachael Hughes.

The typically prolific Black returns with a 27-song, two-disc set produced by Jon Tiven. Among the many musicians lending a hand are Spooner Oldham and Levon Helm (The Band).

Whoa, Nelly indeed. Timbaland produced the bulk of the singer's dancier, poppier third album, and even sings on one track.

Album number two for the stadium-friendly, piano-led British trio follows two years after the unexpected mega-success of their debut 'Hopes And Fears.'

The Leeds, England neo-soul singer makes her debut with this self-titled album, on which she also handles the instrumentation and songwriting duties.

The title of this ninth Divine Comedy album for Neil Hannon echoes back to the band's debut, 'Fanfare For The Comic Muse.'

Ken Thomas (Sigur Ros) produced this sophomore effort for the anthemic UK rockers.

The producer and former Bad Seeds member returns with his first solo disc in four years.

Ben Hillier produced the English band's sophomore set, which is a bit more varied in sound than their debut.

This is the first release in three years for the husband-and-wife duo of Brett and Rennie Sparks.

The genre-mashing Londoners return with a quick follow-up to last year's debut 'Coming On Strong.'

Husband Steve Earle lends a hand on the singer-songwriter's latest release.

This long-awaited follow-up to 2002's 'I Phantom' once again reunites the indie MC (also known as Jeffrey Haynes) with producer El-P. Also appearing are Aesop Rock, Akrobatik, Blueprint, and Murs.

Missy Elliott, will.i.am, Nas, and Stevie Wonder are among the guests on the veteran rapper's first effort in four years.

Ben Chasny returns with a follow-up to 'School Of The Flower.'

This self-produced 20th album finds the New York band back down to a four-piece, with Jim O'Rourke dropping out after two albums.

The Russia-born, New York-based anti-folkie returns with a dozen new tracks produced by David Kahne (The Strokes).

This all-instrumental disc is the score for the upcoming Canadian film of the same name.

The experimental Dallas, Texas outfit led by John Congleton returns with a spooky, noisy fourth album.

The acclaimed Argentinean artist returns with her fourth album of moody, electronica-infused indie-folk.

Jerry Finn returns as producer for the band's first album in three years.

This self-titled release is the full-length (well, 33-minute) debut for the teen garage-rockers from Nashville fronted by the Karen O-esque Jemina Pearl.

The six-piece Glaswegian indie-pop band really did leave the country, recording this third full-length with producer Jari Haapalainen (The Concretes) in Sweden.

The British musician teams with legendary New Orleans songwriter and producer Allen Toussaint for this mix of covers and new material.

This is the second of two releases from an improvised collaboration between pop and jazz drummer Reid and folktronica artist Hebden (Four Tet, Fridge).

The rapper-turned-actor-turned-rapper's first album in six years features contributions from Scott Storch, Swizz Beatz and Snoop Dogg.

Self-produced album number five for Neil Halstead & co. is a more upbeat affair than the norm, with Victor Van Vugt (PJ Harvey) handling the mixing.

'A Lively Mind' is the second artist album for the veteran DJ, producer and remixer. Guest vocalists include actress Brittany Murphy, Pharrell Williams and Grandmaster Flash.

The London duo of Galia Durant and Carim Clasmann--who have benefitted from recent American TV exposure--return with a second album of electronica and funny noises.

The electro-pop duo's third album once again features vocals by Sia Furler.

'Free To Stay' is the second record for the indie-pop duo of sisters Chloe (drums) and Asya (keyboards, vocals), who have opened for Death Cab for Cutie, Pearl Jam, Sufjan Stevens, The Go! Team and others, and who just happen to be 12 and 14 years old.

Going on 15 years of recording, the once-popular Ed Kowalczyk & co. return with a follow-up to 2003's 'Birds Of Pray.'

Only guitarist Elliot Easton and keyboardist Greg Hawkes return from the Old Cars (well, actually, just the Cars), with frontman duties falling to Todd Rundgren after Ric Ocasek (wisely) said no. The album itself features three new studio tracks and a slew of re-recorded Cars classics.

This is the debut album for the London-based pop-rock five-piece.

Their music sounds British and the vocals are sometimes in Japanese, but this four-piece shoegaze outfit (returning here with a second album) hails from Brooklyn.

The Texas psych-rockers led by husband-and-wife team Tom and Christina Carter return with this six-track follow-up to 2004's 'Joy Shapes.'

Like a more accessible, poppier version of Matmos, UK electronica artist Matthew Herbert likes to record concept albums with instrumentation derived from real-world objects. 'Scale' (which again features Dani Siciliano on vocals) samples 723 items (including coffins and fuel pumps) in its 11 politically-charged dance tracks.

The newest (and somewhat "pop"-oriented) project from Mike Patton (Faith No More, Fantomas) finds him teamed with an eclectic bunch, including Norah Jones, Massive Attack, Odd Nosdam, Amon Tobin and Kool Keith.

The legendary singer-songwriter and one-time teen idol re-emerges with his first album in 11 years. Anyone expecting conventional rock or pop should look elsewhere, however, as it is even more challenging than previous release 'Tilt.'

The first post-Blink-182 recording for Tom DeLonge finds the singer-guitarist in a new group with members of The Offspring and The Distillers.

Rick Rubin "executive" produced the controversial country outfit's first release in four years. John Mayer, Bonnie Raitt, and members of Red Hot Chili Peppers and The Heartbreakers guest.

While the trio of Roger Miller, Clint Conley and Peter Prescott typically wait a few decades between albums, this third LP follows just two years after their second.

This is the third studio album for the French synth-rock band.

The New York band fronted by Hamilton Leithauser self-produced this third album.

This is the debut album for the country-pop duo of Michelle Branch and Jessica Harp.

Devendra Banhart guests on the second full-length for the folk-rock band led by Andy Cabic.

'Continental' is the second solo album for the former Cocteau Twins guitarist.

The Japanese band named after a Melvins song releases their latest album.

Young Jeezy and the Three 6 Mafia guest on the R&B singer's third album.

'Soldiers' marks the debut for the new band consisting of the White Stripes' Jack White, fellow Detroit musician Brendan Benson, and members of the Greenhornes.

This concise fourth album finds the New York band working with a new producer, Jagz Kooner (Sabres of Paradise).

'Powder Burns' is Greg Dulli's fourth album under the Twilight Singers name, and was recorded in New Orleans before, during (using generators) and after Hurricane Katrina. Joseph Arthur and Ani DiFranco guest.

This is the appropriately-titled second release for the Philadelphia acid-folk group.

The unfortunately-named Agoura Hills, Calif. rockers--now down to a trio after losing their bassist--return with a third album.

The spastic, Michigan electro-rock trio returns with a second, slightly more accessible, full-length.

This is the veteran producer's first solo artist album in 14 years.

Mitchell Froom produced this eighth album for the Canadian singer-songwriter.

'Black Gold' marks the first (and likely only) full-length release for the new project from former Beta Band frontman Steve Mason.

This is the highly-anticipated debut release for the pairing of Danger Mouse and Cee-Lo.

The singer-songwriter recorded this strongly political (and anti-Bush) ten-song set in just two weeks earlier this year.

The San Diego indie rockers return with an 11-track set that ditches the Latin elements of the previous record but retains their moody, cinematic sound.

The latest disc from the Danielson Famile's Daniel Smith boasts--in addition to a shorter band name--a whopping 34 contributors, including Sufjan Stevens, Steve Albini, and the members of Why?.

The Modesto, Calif. band has announced that it will break up after the release of this final 14-track album.

This is the second studio solo set for the folk singer-songwriter who also performs with the Be Good Tanyas.

Put a woman on drums and her (ex-)husband on guitars/keyboards, and you have Quasi, The White Stripes, and... The Like Young, whose Amanda and Joe Ziemba return for a third album.

M.C. Schmidt and Drew Daniel's latest Matmos album includes contributions from Bjork and Antony. Each of the ten tracks focuses on a specific person who has influenced the group in some way, such as William S. Burroughs and Valerie Solanas.

Rick Rubin produced this double-disc, 28-song set for the veteran Los Angeles rock outfit.

The singer-songwriter's first solo album in six years also marks his first collaboration with legendary producer and artist Brian Eno. (Finally, a worthy successor to Garfunkel!) Bill Frisell and Herbie Hancock guest.

Martha Wainwright and Ken Stringfellow are among the guests on Gary Lightbody's fourth Snow Patrol album.

This long-overdue second album finds the Montreal band shedding its dark, Joy Division-influenced sound for one that more closely resembles classic rock.

This is the fifth solo album of anti-folk ditties for the former Moldy Peaches member.

This Eastern European-sounding, multi-instrumental effort is actually the work of Albuquerque teenager Zach Condon. Members of A Hawk And A Hacksaw also lend a hand.

The London-based art-rockers led by Eddie Argos make their official debut with this 12-song effort.

This debut album from the Norwegian shoegaze six-piece marks the inaugural release by the new record label from UK website Playlouder. Sufjan Stevens guests.

The Los Angeles-based electronica artist's fifth album has a bit of a Brazilian feel.

The veteran British rockers take a detour into reggae on their latest release.

Escovedo's first solo disc since 2000 was produced by John Cale.

The UK rockers' fifth studio album is their first to utilize an outside producer, Gil Norton (Pixies, Foo Fighters).

The singer-songwriter scrapped the original recordings for this, her sixth album, so that she could re-record them with a bit more oomph, thanks to producer Rob Cavallo (Green Day).

Now backed by 50 Cent and his G-Unit, the duo of Prodigy and Havoc return with a follow-up to 2004's 'Amerikaz Nightmare.'

Adam Kasper again co-produced the band's belated follow-up to 2002's 'Riot Act.' It is Pearl Jam's eighth studio album overall.

The dark, proggy, hugely-popular alt-metal outfit fronted by Maynard James Keenan returns with that rarest of things: a new Tool album. It's the band's first release in five years and just their fourth full-length in their 16-year history.