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.

The Bay Area hip-hop producer (known to his parents as Topher Lafata) teams with vocalist Sue Cie for his second 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.

'New Danger' is the second solo hip-hop album (and Geffen debut) for the rapper and actor.

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.

Michael Beckett's third release combines experimental noise with somewhat more conventional guitar-based songs (complete with vocals).

The second solo disc for the acclaimed R&B producer features an appearance from his former bandmates in Tony Toni Tone.

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

The group's first release on its own AOI label features guests such as Ghostface, MF Doom, Sean Paul, Common and that noted MC Spike Lee. Production assistance comes from Madlib and 9th Wonder.

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."

Damon Albarn and Bootsy Collins guest on Norman Cook's fourth Fatboy Slim album, which includes a cover of "The Joker" by the Steve Miller Band.

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.

Yes, it 'has been' a long time since the last William Shatner album (and with good reason), but the veteran recording artist returns for this collaboration with Ben Folds. Other guests include Joe Jackson, Aimee Mann and Adrian Belew, but sadly, no Leonard Nimoy.

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.

The former Dire Straits leader returns with a disc full of brand-new originals, his first release since recovering from a serious motorcycle accident.

Well, better 37 years late than never. Originally intended to be the Beach Boys' 1967 follow-up to their legendary 'Pet Sounds,' 'Smile' was finally recorded as originally intended in April 2004 by Wilson and his current band, including co-songwriter Van Dyke Parks.

The literary rapper's second LP features production by the usual suspects (Kanye West, The Neptunes, Just Blaze). Mary J Blige guests.

Their first Sub Pop release finds the noisy Detroit band as a threesome, with founder Nate Young joined (as he has been since 2000) by Aaron Dilloway and John Olson.

This is the third album for the Utah emo-rockers.

?uestlove, Angie Stone and Nile Rogers guest on the 18-year-old soul singer's sophomore effort.

This Minnesota hip-hop outfit finds MCs Felix and Muad'Dib backed by a live three-piece band instead of the industry-standard assortment of DJs and producers.

This is the debut disc for the duo of Beachwood Sparks/Tyde member Brent Rademaker and vocalist Michelle Loiselle, featuring contributions from Mia Doi Todd and members of The Warlocks, Rooney and The Brian Jonestown Massacre.

No, Jon Spencer hasn't left the blues trio, but they have officially shortened their name for their seventh release (their first for Sanctuary after a long stay at Matador). With all the money they saved by cutting out those extra two words, they were able to afford an all-star team of producers, including David Holmes, Alan Moulder, DJ Shadow, Dan The Automator and Steve Jordan.

This short solo disc for half of the current Animal Collective lineup was recorded in 2002 after the death of his father.

Martin Gore and members of The Libertines guest on the electro-pop duo's second effort.

Structured as a rock opera complete with 9-minute-plus songs and a somewhat complicated storyline, 'American Idiot' is the Berkeley punk band's first album in over four years.

This is the second full-length for the adventurous Canadian rapper, who mixes jazz, reggae and rock with hip-hop. He produced the album himself, and even plays guitar and piano on several tracks.

The landmark double album from Mick Jones, Joe Strummer & co. returns in a greatly expanded format, with a second disc ("The Vanilla Tapes") containing previously unreleased demos which are either primitive versions of songs from the album, or in a few cases, songs that don't show up on any Clash recording. Also included is a DVD with three videos and a Don Letts-directed documentary.

'I Dreamed' is the debut for the duo of Stars vocalist Torquil Campbell and electronic musician Chris Dumont (his music is electronic, that is; Dumont is not). Included is a cover of Pet Shop Boys' "Love Comes Quickly."

Nino Rojo, the eccentric singer-songwriter's second release of 2004, was recorded during the same sessions that produced 'Rejoicing In The Hands.'

This is the first full-length release from the hard-to-pin down Canadian synth-pop trio led by Jeremy Greenspan.

The Louisville, KY retro-electronica outfit, who drew numerous Daft Punk comparisons with their 2002 EP 'Le Funk,' have transitioned into a dance-punk sound with this full-length debut.

The underground New York MC returns with her sophomore LP, with some production assistance from 9th Wonder.

Elvis has returned to the land of rock--or at least, country-flavored rock, as he's joined on several tracks by Lucinda Williams and Emmylou Harris. It's his second disc to feature (and first to credit) his new backing band, The Impostors, who look an awful lot like his former backing band, The Attractions, save for the addition of bassist Davey Faragher.

The Seattle band (who apparently suffer from either an unusual genetic problem or severe hallucinations) make their full-length debut with this disc.

Released on the same day as 'Suit,' 'Sweat' is the more club-oriented of the pair, with production handled by The Alchemist, The Neptunes, and more. Christina Aguilera, Mobb Deep and Missy Elliott guest.

On this solo outing, the Mekons singer tackles a range of material written by male artists, including songs by Ryan Adams, Mark Eitzel and bandmate Jon Langford.

The Montreal band founded by husband and wife Win Butler and Régine Chassagne make their full-length debut with this highly anticipated disc.

Once one of the top dance/electronica acts in the world, The Prodigy topped the UK charts in 1997 with 'The Fat of the Land' and then... nothing. Until now. After their 2002 comeback single "Baby's Got A Temper" flopped, Prodigy leader Liam Howlett scrapped the album in progress, jettisoned vocalists Keith Flint and Maxim Reality, and took a second stab at recording, enlisting Liam Gallagher, Twista and Juliette Lewis to sing, rap, and howl over what eventually became 'Always Outnumbered.'

Mike Mogis produced this fourth album for the dance-inducing Nebraska indie rockers. Azure Ray's Orenda Fink and Maria Taylor add vocals on several tracks.

Howe Gelb is joined by producer John Parish and singers Vic Chesnutt and Patsy Jean on his latest Giant Sand offering.

The New Zealand rockers return with a second album, produced by Led Zeppelin's John Paul Jones.

A reunited Curt Smith and Roland Orzabal return with their first Tears For Fears album together in 15 years.

A 20-year veteran of the indie music scene, the former Come frontwoman returns with her second solo LP.

Think of 'Suit' as 'The Love Below' to 'Sweat's 'Speakerboxxx.' Where 'Sweat' is the more party-oriented of the two discs simultaneously released by Nelly, 'Suit' showcases the rapper's gentler side, and includes collaborations with Snoop Dogg, Tim McGraw (!), Mase and Pharrell Williams.

Har Mar's third disc features contributions from Northern State and members of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and was produced by John Fields (Andrew WK).

The UK rapper follows his Mercury Music Prize-winning debut 'Boy In The Corner' with this sophomore release.

The Canadian folk-rock twins return with their third album.

The veteran singer jams through covers of songs by the likes of Neil Young, Bob Dylan, and, er, Sister Sledge.

Disc #2 for the Irish band was produced by Dave Sardy (Marilyn Manson), with Peter Buck and Van Dyke Parks helping on a track apiece.

This ninth album for the Chicago rockers was recorded with Steve Albini.

This third album for the Brooklyn five-piece post-punk/dance-punk outfit was produced by Max Heyes (Ocean Colour Scene, Doves).

This is the debut disc for the atmospheric Denton, Texas indie rockers.

Produced by Nick Franglen of Lemon Jelly, 'Hobo Sapiens' finds the 61-year-old Cale still willing to explore new musical territory. Note that none of the 12 songs here were on the "5 Tracks" EP released earlier in 2003.

This is the long-awaited (and completely self-produced) solo debut for the acclaimed rapper, who formerly fronted the group Sonic Sum.

No, it's not a folk album, but Westerberg does handle all of the instruments himself on this latest solo release. (We suppose that it's hard to find replacements for The Replacements.)

The blues-rock duo of Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney return with their third album, so-named because it was recorded in a deserted rubber (tire) factory.

The R&B singer's first studio album since 1994 includes a duet with Babyface.

One of the rare country music stars who is both a critical and commercial success (and without crossing over into pop), Jackson returns with a follow-up to his huge 2002 hit 'Drive.'

The singer-songwriter (who also appears in the group The Thorns) releases his first official solo disc since 1999's 'In Reverse.' Van Dyke Parks guests.

The properly-hatted New York City four-piece make their debut with this ambitious CD.