This loud but eclectic disc marks the debut for the sextet from Nottingham, England.

The Chicago post-rock instrumentalists add vocals (courtesy of Kelly Hogan) into the mix for the first time on this, their fifth LP.

Produced by Dennis Herring (Camper Van Beethoven), the latest release from the Seattle-based indie rockers sees a return of guitarist Dann Gallucci (last with the band on Sad Sappy Sucker) and a new drummer (Benjamin Weikel) as well as a guest spot from the Dirty Dozen Brass Band.

'Curse' marks the eighth studio album for Deborah Harry & co., and their first since their 1999 comeback effort 'No Exit.'

This entertaining electronica-with-vocals debut by France's Marc Nguyen Tan (aka Colder) is informed by the last 25 years of electronic music, especially 70's and 80's artists such as Cabaret Voltaire and New Order.

This self-titled disc marks the debut for the unique-sounding New York post-rock/experimental trio of Philip Wann and twin sisters Claudia and Alley Deheza. Steve Rivette (Liars) produced, with guest drumming from Interpol's Sam Fogarino.

The third album from the Los Angeles-based underground hip-hop outfit features Kanye West on one track.

The 22-year-old Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter returns with 11 new tracks produced by Ethan Johns (Kings Of Leon).

Martin Terefe returns as producer for this sixth LP from the Canadian singer-songwriter, which includes appearances by Ed Harcourt and members of Travis.

The band's sixth album is their first for Polyvinyl and sees them branching out, into "1970s Afro beat and '80s new wave" as they say.

On this sixth album, the Athens, GA band's lineup has been expanded to include guitarist Eric Harris (Olivia Tremor Control) and bassist Craig McQuiston (The Glands). Vic Chesnutt guests on the title track.

The Silent League is the new orchestral pop outfit for Mercury Rev touring keyboardist Justin Russo. On this debut disc, Russo and the other five permanent group members were joined by Grasshopper from Mercury Rev, Interpol drummer Sam Fogarino, and Grand Mal's Bill Whitten.

The latest LP from Steven Tyler & co. includes just one original ("The Grind") with the remainder of the tracks occupied by covers of blues standards.

The guitarist pays homage to legendary bluesman Robert Johnson with these 14 covers.

The nipple-baring superstar's first album in three years features production from Dallas Austin, Babyface, Kanye West, and Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis.

The Scottish band led by Gary Lightbody (also leader of the Reindeer Section) returns with a third LP.

Recorded live at Los Angeles' Wiltern Theater in 2003, this 2-disc set finds Reed supported by a small (drummerless) band on material culled from his recent disc 'The Raven' as well as older albums from his 35-plus-year career (including Velvet Underground tunes "Venus In Furs," "Candy Says," and "Heroin").

Onelinedrawing is the alter ego for Sacramento, Calif.-based singer/guitarist Jonah Matranga, formerly of the emo band Far.

Working once again with producer Rob Schnapf (Beck, Guided By Voices, Elliot Smith), the Aussies return with a second LP.

'Madvillainy' is a collaboration between rapper MF Doom and producer Madlib.

'Misery' is the first 4AD release for the noisy, experimental indie rockers, who have mellowed/refined their sound a bit to fit their new label.

The Los Angeles-based indie rapper's second Def Jux disc was produced by 9th Wonder.

A commercial and critical success in the UK upon its release in the fall of 2003, 'Absolution' marks the third album for the English rockers (who frequently draw comparisons to Radiohead--but then again, who doesn't?). It also marks their first time working with producer Rich Costey.

This is the debut for the trio of Josh Homme (Queens of the Stone Age), Jesse Hughes and Timmy VanHamel, who, in case you were wondering, sound like neither The Eagles nor death metal.

Miami, Fla. singer-songwriter Sam Beam (who moonlights as a cinematography professor) returns with his second album, recorded with Brian Deck (Modest Mouse, Red Red Meat) at the helm.

Available for several years on his own website, Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter Gary Jules' second album finally got a major-label release in 2004 thanks to the unexpected success of one of its tracks--a cover of Tears For Fears' "Mad World"--that appeared on the Donnie Darko soundtrack.

Among the producers and guest vocalists appearing on Usher's fourth album are Ludacris, Nelly, Jermaine Dupri, The Neptunes, and Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis.

N.E.R.D., the rock-oriented trio of Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo (who also make up the in-demand hip-hop production team The Neptunes) and Shay, return with a highly-anticipated second album. Unlike their previous effort, 'Fly' finds Chad & Pharrell handling the instrumentation themselves.

This self-titled effort marks the full-length debut for the Brooklyn-based shoegazers.

They may sound like Brit rockers (Oasis comes to mind), but this four-piece led by singer Adrian Barrera comes from Atlanta. Owen Morris (Oasis) produced this debut disc.

The seventh album for the hip-hop outfit introduces Latin and reggae elements into their sound. Guests include Prodigy (Mobb Deep) and Tim Armstrong (Rancid).

The Canadian collective (who wowed critics with 2003's 'You Forgot It In People') offers a compilation of B-sides and previously unreleased tracks.

Wales' Jem Griffiths makes her debut with this 11-track LP, which combines her vocals with downtempo electronica from Jem and collaborator Yoad Nevo, reminding critics of recent albums from Dido and Zero 7.

This instrumental hip-hop disc marks the solo debut by the longtime producer for Aesop Rock and other Def Jux artists.

Vienna's Christian Fennesz, who creates ambient electronica based on processed guitar sounds, returns with his first solo studio effort in four years. David Sylvian guests on one track.

The indie singer-songwriter's fourth solo album, produced by Danielson Famile's Daniel Smith, follows on the heels of his critically-lauded 2003 effort 'Greetings From Michigan.'

This is not my beautiful opera. The Talking Heads most verbose member returns with one of his more eclectic solo albums to date (and that's saying something), featuring covers of Lambchop, Bizet and Verdi (we're talking arias, people) scattered amongst originals that range from African rhythms to doo-wop. The Tosca Strings and Rufus Wainwright guest.

This is the second group album (as cLOUDDEAD) for three of the founders of the indie hip-hop collective anticon: Why?, Doseone and Odd Nosdam.

This is the sixth album for the Vancouver, Canada indie rock outfit led by Dan Bejar (also of the New Pornographers).

21-year-old Norwegian pop singer-songwriter Sondre Lerche returns with his second U.S. release.

The San Francisco noise-rockers' latest is a concept album about the Pied Piper-esque title character, who is based on the drawings of illustrator Ken Kagami.

The most hyped band to come out of the UK in early 2004 is Glasgow, Scotland's Franz Ferdinand, an art-rock quartet who make their full-length debut with this self-titled release, the winner of the UK's coveted Mercury Music Prize in 2004.

Tom Jenkinson's latest full-length attempts to incorporate more of his live sound into the overall feel.

Michael Stipe and Conor Oberst guest on this sophomore disc for the Athens, GA outfit led by producer Andy LeMaster (Bright Eyes), with vocals from Orenda Fink and Maria Taylor (Azure Ray).

The Def Jux rapper expands into the realm of modern jazz, with the help of Blue Series stalwarts Matthew Shipp, William Parker and Guillermo Brown.

The modern-jazz trio stick to the formula of their well-received 2003 debut on this sophomore effort, working again with producer Tchad Blake on a mix of originals and unlikely covers (this time out including Black Sabbath's "Iron Man" and The Pixies' "Velouria").

The Detroit garage rockers make their major-label debut with this sophomore album, which was produced by Jerry Harrison.

Brooklyn art-rockers TV On The Radio make their full-length debut with this release. The trio consists of vocalist/animator Tunde Adebimpe, multi-instrumentalist/producer David Andrew Sitek (who produced the Yeah Yeah Yeahs debut) and guitarist Kyp Malone.

"The Smiths" is a phrase you often see in descriptions of the Seattle three-piece Aveo, as their catchy, guitar-driven rock does sometimes recall Moz, Marr & co. This is their second album, produced (like the first) by Phil Ek.

The Boston-based singer-songwriter's second studio album features songs written by Nick Saloman (aka the Bevis Frond), as well as covers of Pink Floyd's "Fearless" and Pete Ham's "Baby Blue."

The mellow UK electronic outfit (who have been compared to artists such as Morcheeba and Air) follows up 2001 debut 'Simple Things' with this 11-track effort.

The former Anti-Pop Consortium member's second solo release is a nine-song EP, with six new tracks and three remixes by Kings, Prefuse 73 and El-P.

Like fellow Atlanta hip hoppers OutKast, Cee-Lo has trouble sticking to a single genre, as he mixes up styles throughout this sophomore release. Timbaland, The Neptunes and Ludacris guest.

This is the fourth album for the Kansas City (Mo.)-based emo band.

The third full-length for the Chicago-based art-rock four-piece was produced (like its predecessor) by John Congleton.

The English trip-hop outfit led by vocalist Louise Robinson (nee Rhodes) and producer Andy Barlow return for a fourth album.

The Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist returns with a follow-up to his 2001 solo release, 'To Record Only Water For Ten Days.'

This is the fourth solo album for the Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter (and occasional Gilmore Girls actor) formerly of the group Grant Lee Buffalo.

This 26-track disc compiles (for the first time on CD) songs from the acclaimed soul singer's 1969-1973 Muscle Shoals period when she recorded for Fame Records--a period that netted her 12 consecutive Billboard R&B hits.

The former member of *NSync makes his solo debut with 'Schizophrenic,' working with a range of producers including Basement Jaxx.

This is the second album for the Reading, England rock band.

The New York punk outfit moves even further away from the mainstream on this sophomore effort (a concept album about witch trials), which also sees them with a new rhythm section.

All Night Radio is the latest (and most psychedelic) incarnation for Beachwood Sparks' Dave Scher and Jimi Hey.

This self-titled disc marks the debut for the quirky Austin/Brooklyn indie-rock trio, whose guitar-keyboard-drums sound is sometimes reminiscent of Spoon.

Recorded at the same time and released on the same day, 'Aw C'Mon' and 'No, You C'Mon' are actually intended as separate albums, rather than two parts of a double album. The Nashville String Machine lends strings to each.

The Washington, D.C. band's seventh album finds the band in a more political mood, even sampling President Bush (the newer one) on one track.

Recorded at the same time and released on the same day, 'Aw, C'Mon' and 'No, You C'Mon' are actually intended as separate albums, rather than two parts of a double album. The Nashville String Machine lends strings to each.

This is the fourth release for the all-female Japanese rock band fronted by Yoshimi P-We of the Boredoms.

This tongue-in-cheek Canadian duo mixes 70s and 80s electro, funk, rock, and dance sounds on this debut.

The veteran duo of Emily Saliers and Amy Ray continue with their well-established sound on this ninth studio album.

The Americana collective founded and led by fronted by Robert Fisher returns with a fifth LP. Co-founder/guitarist Paul Austin is no longer a full-time band member, but he appears on some tracks, as do Kristin Hersh, Chris Eckmen (The Walkabouts) and a variety of other guests.

The band's sophomore disc includes guest appearances by Wilco and Scott McCaughey (Minus 5).

This is the third full-length album for the challenging, intensely personal Bay Area post-punk outfit led by Jamie Stewart.

The paintings of Edward Hopper are the inspiration for this second solo outing from the former Stone Roses guitarist, who also spent time in The Seahorses.

Probot is the all-star metal band founded by Nirvana/Foo Fighters drummer Dave Grohl and fronted by a variety of singers, including King Diamond, Max Cavalera (Sepultura), and Lemmy Kilmister (Motorhead).

The dance-pop diva, still going strong at 35, returns with a new album.

The (we hope) ironically-titled 'America's Sweetheart' marks the solo debut for the former Hole leader, who co-wrote this album with Linda Perry and Elton John lyricist Bernie Taupin.

The in-demand Chicago-based producer makes his debut with the help of guests Ludacris, Jay-Z, Mos Def, Dirt McGirt, and more.

The German noisemakers return with a somewhat quieter affair, marking their first studio recording in four years.

Arif Mardin produced this follow-up to the singer's hugely successful 2002 effort 'Come Away With Me.' Dolly Parton guests.

London-born, 19-year-old jazz vocalist Nellie McKay makes her debut with this 2-disc set produced by Beatles engineer Geoff Emerick. Unlike contemporaries such as Norah Jones, McKay brings a darker edge and a sense of humor (and even a hint of hip hop) to her songs, all of which she wrote herself.

The veteran singer-songwriter was forced by Island to re-record the songs for this eighth album three times, before the label finally approved a release. This final version was recorded with producer John Shanks (Alanis Morissette) and marks the first of her albums to include songs not written by Etheridge.

One of the more attention-grabbing British bands to emerge in the last few years--their fun, genre-jumping debut album landed them a Mercury Music Prize nomination--The Coral returns with a more coherent, '60s-influenced sophomore LP.

Although lumped in with the New York garage-rock scene, The Walkmen (which includes members of defunct bands Jonathan Fire Eater and The Recoys) stand out by incorporating a wider range of influences and instrumentation. (Plus, they own their own New York recording studio, which puts them about as far from an actual garage as you can get). This is the band's second LP, which follows their acclaimed 2002 debut 'Everyone Who Pretended to Like Me Is Gone.'

This is the second album for the nu-metal band out of Wales.