The rapper's eleventh album includes six tracks produced by Timbaland. R. Kelly also guests.

While some eponymous albums suggest a lack of creativity, the heralded UK rock outfit's sophomore disc is titled 'The Libertines' because it is indeed about The Libertines--or, more specifically, about the ongoing conflict between the band's two songwriters, Carlos Barat and Pete Doherty (the latter of whom was subsequently kicked out of the band after three failed rehab attempts). The Clash's Mick Jones returns as producer.

'Lesser Matters' is the debut disc for the Swedish shoegazers.

The Virginia indie-rockers (who share some members with the now defunct Denali) return with their fourth studio disc (and first for new label Lookout!), produced by Brian McTernan.

The R&B singer's latest is a double album, confining the two sides of his personality to separate discs: the radio- and club-friendly 'Happy People' is backed by the religious-themed 'U Saved Me.'

The highly political singer-songwriter returns with his 13th studio outing, which includes a duet with Emmylou Harris and a love song ("Condi Condi") about the current National Security Advisor.

The New York indie four-piece team up with, of all people, producers The Matrix on this follow-up to 'Electric Sweat.'

He's gone from working with Puff Daddy to working with... uh, God, but ordained minister Mase is back to the rap game (albeit with fewer references to sex and violence) after a five-year absence.

The distinctive Liverpool-based band returns with a third studio LP.

The German elecronica duo of Andi Toma and Jan St. Werner are back with their first LP in three years, combining distorted vocals and samples with their glitchy yet melodic--and sometimes even humorous--instrumentation.

No, the Drive-By Truckers haven't gone all gangsta rap on us; the title is just one example of the southern rockers' playful side. Founders Patterson Hood and Mike Cooley remain, although their surrounding cast has changed a bit since the acclaimed 'Decoration Day.'

'Business Casual' is the debut LP for the dance-oriented Nebraska four-piece, who are frequently compared to some combination of Wire, XTC and Gang Of Four and don't sound an awful lot like any of the other bands on Saddle Creek's roster, save for maybe The Faint.

'Dying' once again finds the country star backed on record by his touring band, the Dancehall Doctors.

'Cashville' is the solo debut for the G-Unit member (who in real life is Nashville, Tenn. native David Brown). Production on the disc is handled by Dr. Dre, Eminem, and Lil' Jon, with 50 Cent and Lloyd Banks also making appearances.

The Toronto, Canada country-surf-rockers led by the Good brothers (Dallas and Travis) return with a self-produced effort. Robyn Hitchcock guests on one track.

George Drakoulias produced this sophomore release for the singer-songwriter, who garnered praise for her 2002 debut 'Bramble Rose.' Here, she adds some Muscle Shoals-style soul to her roots and country repertoire.

The third album for the Vienna-based electronica-infused post-rock trio was recorded partially in Austria and partially with John McEntire in Chicago.

This solo disc from the co-founder of New Zealand rockers The Clean includes backing by members of Lambchop.

The third disc for the Twilight Singers, the side project for the Afghan Whigs' Greg Dulli, is a covers album, tackling such interesting, diverse subject matter as Bjork's "Hyperballad," John Coltrane's "A Love Supreme," and Marvin Gaye's "Please Stay (Once You Go Away)."

After 20 years and over 20 albums, Dayton, Ohio's Guided By Voices (led throughout its duration by Robert Pollard) is calling it quits with this final release.

Crowded House's Neil and Tim Finn reunite with producer Mitchell Froom for this disc, which also finds them joined by Los Angeles musicians Matt Chamberlain and Jon Brion.

No, it's not a Jeopardy answer meriting the response "Who are three people who have never been in my kitchen?" but rather the latest noise-fest from Tim Kinsella & co.

The Memphis-based band continues to move away from their early rap-metal sound, instead adding Southern rock into the mix on this fourth album.

The now Philadelphia-based band's fifth album in its ten-year history marks its debut for Secretly Canadian. What's not so secret is that the disc was produced by Dan Burton (Early Day Miners).

This is the second album for the group led by Bill Doss (formerly of Olivia Tremor Control), which mixes psychedelia and pop.

'The Hard Way,' co-produced by Kanye West, is the first disc for the trio of Snoop Dogg, Warren G. and Nate Dogg.

Slapped with the label "the female Beastie Boys" after their 2003 debut, the New York all-girl rap outfit make their major-label debut with 'All City,' which includes collaborations with Har Mar Superstar, ?uestlove and DJ Muggs.

This two-disc set marks the long-awaited compact disc debut of the legendary band's 1982 live double album. While the original tracks are retained (and the discs follow the original's breakdown of 1977-1979 and 1980-1981), a whopping 16 tracks are added to the set, including 13 that were never before released in any format.

The Los Angeles indie-rockers make their major label debut with 'More Adventurous.' In the two years since their previous outing together, the band's Jenny Lewis contributed vocals to the debut from the Postal Service, while Blake Sennett and Jason Boesel released an album from their own side project, The Elected.

The English duo, who normally rely on sampling and electronics, turn to live instrumentation for this third LP.

The former Screaming Trees member and Queens Of The Stone Age collaborator returns with his sixth solo album, credited to the Mark Lanegan Band. Guests include Ween, PJ Harvey, Josh Homme, Nick Oliveri and Izzy Stradlin and Duff McKagan.

Using a 2003 European tour as inspiration, the Athens, Georga indie-rockers recorded this sixth album as a series of narratives about both Americans traveling abroad and about recent immigrants to the United States.

After 15 years and six albums, the brothers Hartnoll are calling it quits with this final release. Lisa Gerrard (Dead Can Dance) guests on one track, with The Sparks collaborating on another.

The bespectacled singer-songwriter and Food Network hostess returns with a slightly darker effort, confusingly titled after a song that appeared on her previous album but is not included here.

The B.I.G. soundalike has managed to generate a great deal of buzz for his second solo disc, chiefly by being behind bars, where he's serving out a ten-year prison term resulting from a bad night on the town with P Diddy. The vocals on one track were literally phoned in from prison, while production is handled by Kanye West, Swizz Beatz, Just Blaze and more.

The duo of Prodigy and Havoc are assisted by guests such as 50 Cent, Nate Dogg, R. Kelly, Jadakiss and Nelly on this disc co-produced by The Alchemist.

This is the fifth LP in 15 years for the veteran hip-hop unit of Grand Puba, Lord Jamar and Sadat X.

The Good Life is a side project for Cursive's Tim Kasher, and this third full-length release (following the 'Lovers Need Lawyers' EP) finds him joined by Stefanie Drootin, Ryan Fox and Roger Lewis.

On of the many aliases of rapper Daniel Dumile (who is best known these days as the masked MF Doom), Viktor Vaughn is joined by a guests such as DJ Sure Shot and Kool Keith on this second release.

You wouldn't know it from their album covers, or their music, but this indie-rock four-piece hails from Athens, Georgia, not Tokyo. 'Tomorrow' is their third full-length and first in five years (four, if you include their collaboration with Bedhead).

9th Wonder is among the producers on the veteran Brooklyn MC's fifth full-length (rumored to be his last), a prequel to previous disc ?Disposable Arts.' Guests include Rahzel, Jean Grae and The Beatnuts.

This is the third album for former Boo Radleys guitarist Martin Carr.

This is the third full-length collaboration between Brian Eno and guitarist Robert Fripp, with the previous two outings coming in 1973 and 1975.

This is the solo debut for Adem Ilhan of the English electronica/post-rock band Fridge (whose lineup also includes Four Tet's Kieran Hebden). Unlike in Fridge (which is an instrumental outfit), Adem sings over these ten quiet, folksy tracks.

The former Tricky collaborator was nominated for the UK's Mercury Music Prize for her solo debut 'Quixotic,' which arrives in the U.S. a year later re-sequenced, re-designed, and re-titled (as 'Anything'). Included (as on the original version) is a collaboration with Josh Homme and Mark Lanegan, as well as tracks recorded with Tricky and David Holmes.

The Norway-based indie-folk duo of Erlend Øye and Erik Glambek Bøe reunite for a third album, following some detours by Øye into more electronic-based music.

Apart from demonstrating that his addition skills are as poor as Radiohead's, 'One Plus One' finds Damon Gough returning to the more low-key, lo-fi sound of his earlier work after the much glossier 'Have You Fed The Fish?' failed to win the British singer-songwriter new fans in 2002.

Allegedly recorded on a budget of $120, 'Terrorbird' is the somewhat strange debut for the post-punk four-piece from Los Angeles.

Although a New York band, Scissor Sisters (as evidenced by this debut disc) are definitely not part of the typical New York scene, eschewing garage and no wave to embrace campier, glammier 70s and 80s rock and dance music sounds. Included here is the band's cover of Pink Floyd's "Comfortably Numb."

The psychedelic indie-rockers from Santa Cruz, Calif. make their Sub Pop debut with this third disc. Guitarist Ben Chasny has been added to the lineup, supplementing the original quartet led by vocalist/guitarist Ethan Miller.

The sophomore effort from the Long Island emo band was produced by Lou Giordano (Ataris), and features new vocalist Fred Mascherino (joining band founder Adam Lazzara).

This is the second album for the French synth-rock outfit, who attracted some international acclaim with their 2000 debut 'United.'

The former Throwing Muses and Breeders member's third solo release finds her collaborating with the likes of Dean Fisher (who doubles as Juliana Hatfield's bassist and Donelly's husband) and Rich Gilbert.

Rhett Miller & co. recorded the stripped-down 'Drag It Up' (the band's first release in three years) in a 19th century church in Woodstock, NY.

The all-female Scandinavian quartet return with a disc produced by Pelle Gunnerfeldt (The Hives), their third album overall and first for new label RCA.

The Canadian singer-songwriter's Nonesuch debut features covers of songs by other Canadian singer-songwriters, including Neil Young, Leonard Cohen, Ron Sexsmith, Jane Siberry, and William Shatner. (OK, so maybe not the last one.) There's also one lang original for good measure.

The third album for the all-girl Canadian metal band was produced by Steve Thompson (Anthrax, Korn).

The second release from French electronica duo M83 takes shoegaze classics such as 'Loveless' as an inspiration, with synths taking the place of guitars.

Rick Rubin produced this fourth album for the Swedish quartet, which features contributions by Billy Preston and Ash's Charlotte Hatherley.

The producer (a college English professor in his former life) behind the fictitious hip-hop outfits The Majesticons and The Infesticons returns with a disc recorded under his own name. It's not the third installment in the -icons series (that will come later), but a standalone album that veers into multiple genres and moods.

The Swedish garage-rockers return with their third full-length disc.

A bit more "rock" than her older sister Jessica, the 19-year-old former ("7th Heaven") and current (her own MTV reality show) TV star makes her recording debut with these 11 tracks produced by John Shanks.

The inventive but challenging hardcore outfit returns with their first full-length studio recording since 1999's 'Calculating Infinity.'

This three-disc box set, subtitled "10 Years of B-Sides and Rarities," is just that, collecting 56 tracks from the Duluth, MN slowcore trio. Also included in the set is a 32-page booklet and a DVD with videos, concert footage and documentaries.

Colin McIntyre returns with his third album in as many years, like its predecessors a bit, well, strange.

Yes, for those of you keeping score at home, Alex Paterson is indeed still recording as The Orb, with 'Bicycles' marking the once trailblazing electronica group's sixth studio release.

The dancehall artist returns with a more genre-consistent (and yes, back to basics) album, with a lone Timbaland-produced crossover track, "All Girls Party."

The El Paso, Texas four-piece (featuring those members of At The Drive-In who didn't join the Mars Volta) return with a second full-length, produced by Mike Major.

This solo disc from the Posies member features guest appearances from Jill Sobule and members of Velocity Girl, Oranger and the Posies.

Originally self-released by the band in 2003, this debut album for Rogue Wave (basically just namesake Zach Rogue, plus additional musicians on some songs) was remastered and re-released by Sub Pop in 2004.

Wagon Christ is the alter-ego of prolific English electronica artist Luke Vibert (who also records under his own name and Plug).

Now together over 20 years as a band, the duo of Johns (Linnel and Flansburgh) return with their 10th studio album (their first for adults in three years), reuniting with producer Pat Dillett (who worked on the pair's 1990 album 'Flood').

Whereas its predecessor (2002's acclaimed 'Phrenology') clocked in at 79 minutes, 'The Tipping Point' is a concise 45-minute listen, featuring guests Devin The Dude, Ol' Dirty Bastard, Jean Grae and Television's Dave Chappelle.

The brother-sister duo of Matthew and Eleanor Friedberger return with a second quirky, challenging and eclectic LP.

Although the Dallas-based robe-wearing collective (who number close to 30) recorded their buzz-generating debut in just two days, this sophomore effort is the result of a full year in the studio. (Presumably, it's a very large studio.) Eric Feldman (Sparklehorse) and The Speekers produced.

The soul singer's latest release marks her 25th year as a recording artist (she made her debut in 1979 as a member of the first female rap group ever, Sequence). Guests here include Missy Elliott, Floetry and Snoop Dogg.

This debut for the Liverpool five-piece recalls bands such as Echo & The Bunnymen, U2 and The Verve. Cocteau Twins' Simon Raymonde produced.

A ten-year music-industry veteran at age 25, Brandy returns with 15 new tracks, ditching long-time collaborator Rodney Jerkins in favor of producers Timbaland, Organized Noize and Kanye West.

The second solo outing for the Black Crowes leader (who is now backed by a band named after his first solo disc, New Earth Mud) was co-produced by Robinson, Paul Stacey and Ethan Johns.

The Swedish group (originally formed 9 years ago as an all-girl trio, but now featuring 8 full-time members) make their international debut with an album that manages to combine elements of classic Motown, Mazzy Star and the Velvet Underground.

The follow-up to 2000's 'Bloodflowers' sees Robert Smith & co. working with metal producer Ross Robinson (Limp Bizkit, Korn) for the first time (and apparently, he ate up so much of the recording budget that they couldn't afford an album cover artist).

Kenny Chesney guests on '72 & Sunny,' the third solo disc for the Kid Rock protege.

The 80s-influenced laptop-pop duo of Dan Geller and Amy Dykes return with their third LP.

'Space Settings' is the debut from the hip-hop side project for Jimmy Tamborello (Postal Service, Dntel), who along with Plug Research artists Allen Avanessian, Daedelus and John Tejada (plus Thomas Fehlmann), provides the musical backdrop for an array of MCs that includes Beans and Rocmon.

Cee-Lo has left for a solo career, but the remaining members of the Atlanta-based hip-hop outfit return for their first album in five years, produced by Organized Noize.