Still lowercase, the alt-rock band led by Rob Thomas (who is perhaps more famous for "Smooth" on Santana's 1999 album) returns with their third album, the first on which the band shared songwriting duties as a unit.

Actress/singer J.Lo returns with 12 new tracks, including "Jenny from the Block," featuring guest appearances from Jadakiss and Styles. Lopez is also planning her first-ever tour in support of the album in 2003.

After frontman Zack de la Rocha left Rage Against the Machine in 2000, the remaining members of that Los Angeles band enlisted former Soundgarden leader Chris Cornell, and together they formed Audioslave. This is their debut release.

The hugely successful rapper returns with another Irv Gotti-produced effort, with guest appearances from Ashanti, Nas and Bobby Brown.

The late Beatle's final studio album was produced by Jeff Lynne with Harrison's son, Dhani.

Combining blues, R&B, jazz and funk influences, this latest offering from the ever-changing 4AD group headed by Warren Defever, like its predessor (2001's 'Someday My Blues Will Cover The Earth'), features the vocals of Lovetta Pippen. Included among the originals here are covers of The Equals' "Teardrops," Ida's "Maybe," and Jimi Hendrix's "Train."

The R&B singer returns with a follow-up to 2000's 'The Heat' which sees her moving in more of a hip-hop direction, with production help from hitmakers Rodney Jerkins, Babyface, Irv Gotti and the Neptunes.

The London-based collective is joined this time out by the likes of Simon Raymonde (Cocteau Twins), John Grant (The Czars) and Paul Anderson (Tram).

Backed by the London Symphony Orchestra, Joni Mitchell revisits songs from throughout her 35-year career on this two-disc set.

A male-female duo a la the White Stripes, Denmark's The Raveonettes make their debut with this brief disc of 8 neo-garage tunes.

Forget the Chemical Brothers; British producer/DJs Dan and John Kahuna really are brothers, and this, their debut LP, plays like a tour of electronica, venturing from electro to disco to acid to downtempo.

Working with a variety of producers, the acclaimed New York rapper returns with his second album. Mos Def, Bilal and members of the Roots are among the guests.

The 21-year old DJ turned-international R&B superstar from England returns with his second LP.

Not wanting to offend any potential listeners, the country superstar finally follows up the hit 'Come On Over' with two versions of her new album (both included in this two-CD set): a red disc of pop versions of her 19 new songs, and a green disc of those same 19 songs performed in a country music style. (A third, blue, disc of those songs performed in a world music style is targeted at international consumers.)

Founded in 1996 in San Francisco, this now New York-based instrumental outfit (which shares some members with the band !!!) has previously drawn a bit of acclaim for their vinyl-only releases. This six-track effort represents their first CD release, which showcases their dancier, dubbier, funkier brand of post-rock.

Missy Elliott reunites once again with super-producer Timbaland on this, her fourth studio album. The lead single is "Work It," a huge success even before the album's release. Guests on the disc include Jay-Z, Ludacris, Beyonce Knowles, TLC and Method Man.

The two surviving members of the popular R&B trio completed this long-delayed fourth album after the early 2002 death of cofounder Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes.

The band's first album of new songs since 1999's Viva el Amor contains 12 mostly reggae-tinged tracks.

Manitoba consists entirely of Toronto's Dan Snaith (yes, we are aware that Toronto isn't actually in Manitoba), and this is his debut album. [This release was originally credited under the name Manitoba before being re-released under the name Caribou after the name change]

Another member of the new generation of neo-art-punkers (think Interpol or Liars, perhaps), this Los Angeles-based British four-piece makes its debut with 'Chat & Business,' which comes with a complimentary set of stickers with which to decorate the album cover.

A sequel to his critically-acclaimed 2001 album 'The Blueprint,' Jay-Z's new two-disc set is all over the map in the course of 110 minutes and 25 tracks. The roster of producers and guests includes (but is by no means limited to): The Neptunes, Lenny Kravitz, Big Boi, Dr. Dre, Timbaland, Heavy D, Rakim, Beyonce Knowles, Faith Evans, Notorious B.I.G. and Scarface.

Still going strong, the Seattle grunge band returns with its seventh studio album.

Don't confuse The Warlocks of the 1960s (who later became the Grateful Dead) with the new band of the same name, who only sound like they come from the 1960s. This Los Angeles-based group favor lengthy, droning songs, evoking groups such as the Velvet Underground and Jesus & Mary Chain.

Phil Collins returns with his first album of new material in six years, but will anyone care other than the guys on South Park?

Former One Dove vocalist Dot Allison returns with her second solo release, following 1999's 'Afterglow.' Here, she works with members of Two Lone Swordsmen, Mercury Rev, and Death In Vegas.

Aw... little Justin's all grows up. First Mickey Mouse Club, then 'NSync, and now this, his solo debut. Can he be a success on his own? Well, having Timbaland and The Neptunes along as his producers certainly won't hurt.

Johnny Cash, still going strong at age 70, returns for a fourth album with producer Rick Rubin. Like the previous three pairings, this disc mixes Cash originals with unlikely covers, which this time out include Depeche Mode's "Personal Jesus," Nine Inch Nails' "Hurt," and Simon & Garfunkel's "Bridge Over Troubled Water." Fiona Apple, Nick Cave, and Don Henley are among the guests.

This three-track single (optimistically dubbed an "EP"), the band's second overall release, contains songs that allegedly will not appear on their upcoming full-length debut.

The fourth album from Jakob Dylan & Co. includes lead single "When You're on Top" and a bonus cover of Elvis Costello's "(What's So Funny 'bout) Peace, Love & Understanding." Long-time guitarist Michael Ward has left the group, leaving room for Pearl Jam's Mike McCready to provide some of the lead guitar on the album.

The English singer-songwriter finally returns with a follow-up to his 1999 breakthrough hit 'White Ladder.'

Breaking away from the Reprazent collective he headed, Bristol, England junglist Roni Size returns with his first true solo album, with no collaborators (or vocalists, for that matter) in sight on these 16 drum'n'bass tracks.

Picture a white man singing R&B. Picture a white man singing R&B while stripping down to his underwear. Picture an average-looking, slightly pudgy white man singing R&B while stripping down to his underwear. That's Har Mar Superstar, and this is his second album.

After wowing music critics and winning Britain's Mercury Music Prize for his 2000 debut album, 'The Hour of Bewilderbeast,' Damon Gough (who is the one and only member of Badly Drawn Boy) took a bit of time off, recording only the soundtrack for 'About A Boy' in the interim. He now returns with a proper follow-up, preceded by single "You Were Right."

Slightly (and confusingly) changing their name to Godspeed You! Black Emperor for this outing, the Canadian instrumental band recorded these 5 tracks (clocking in at 75 minutes) with Steve Albini as a follow-up to their extremely well-received 2000 effort 'Lift Yr Skinny Fists Like Antennas To Heaven.'

The very, very distinctive Icelandic band generated an enormous amount of positive press (and deservingly so) for their previous effort, 'Ágætis Byrjun,' which led to a major-label deal and this album, which, like each of its eight tracks, does not have a real title.

Legendary 1970s NYC electro-punk duo Suicide, hugely influential on the synth-pop, industrial, and electroclash movements to come in later decades, return with their first new album in ten years.

The suddenly prolific Amos returns with 18 new tracks, begging the question: Y Kant Tori Capitalize Her Song Titles? The album, her first for Epic, is structured as a cross-country journey through the U.S.

What good's an Eminem movie without an Eminem soundtrack? It's not all Slim Shady here, though, as the soundtrack album incorporates other artists (Xzibit, Macy Gray, Jay-Z, Nas) in a mix of old and new tracks.

Second only to Bob Marley in number of total reggae albums sold, international superstar Shaggy returns with his second album for MCA.

The Manchester-based pyschedelic pop quartet returns with a follow-up to their 2001 debut, 'Chemistry Is What We Are.'

The 22-year-old pop star's second English-language album includes 20 new tracks, most penned by Aguilera herself, although suddenly ubiquitous Linda Perry assists on four songs. Guests include Alicia Keys, Redman, and Dave Navarro.

The London-based electronica outfit, known for their vintage analogue equipment and propulsive (and destructive) live shows, return with their fifth full-length.

The solo career of Blur guitarist Graham Coxon takes on a bit more importance now if you believe the rumors that he has left that successful Britpop group for good. This is his fourth solo disc.

Sarah Cracknell, Bob Stanley & Pete Wiggs build on the sparse, cool electronica sound of their last album, 'The Sound of Water,' with this latest release. Doves guitarist Jez Williams makes a guest appearance.

Attempting to duplicate the unexpected mega-success of 1999's 'Supernatural,' the rock veteran returns with the formula intact, loading this disc with numerous guests from various musical genres to appeal to as many potential fans as possible. The list of contributors reads like the introductions to some televised awards show: Michelle Branch, Nickelback's Chad Kroeger, Seal, Macy Gray, Musiq, Placido Domingo, Ozomatli, Dido and P.O.D. (What, no Ozzy Osbourne?)

Former Nirvana drummer (and sometime Queens of the Stone Age drummer) Dave Grohl returns to the front of the stage for his role as vocalist, guitarist, and bandleader of the Foo Fighters on this, their fourth studio recording.

American's favorite high school rockers have graduated and grown up, resulting in this, their fifth (and most mature) album to date.

With a title like that, you pretty much know what to expect from Mr. Stewart on this outing, which includes standards such as "They Can't Take That Away from Me" and "I'll Be Seeing You." To make matters worse, Dave Koz and Arturo Sandoval guest.

This collection of B-sides, alternate versions and rarities contains 18 tracks, including an early cover of the Smiths' "This Charming Man."

Black Crowes frontman Chris Robinson takes leave from his band for this debut solo release.

This is the debut album by the London garage (or in this case, bedroom) band, which consists solely of 21-year-old Mike Skinner. Whether or not this style of music (very English rapping over garage/house beats) will translate well overseas remains to be seen, but garage (and especially Skinner) is the current flavor of the month with the UK music press.

Jack Dangers returns with his first Meat Beat Manifesto album since 1998's 'Actual Sounds and Voices.' The Orb's Dr. Alex Paterson and turntablist Z-Trip guest.

This is the debut album for the downbeat electronica duo from Norway, which has drawn comparisons to bands such as Air, Groove Armada, and Boards of Canada. Erlend Oye (Kings of Convenience) provides vocals on several tracks.

On her sixth studio album, the singer-songwriter works with producer John Parish (PJ Harvey) for the first time.

Yes, this is indeed LL Cool J's tenth album, which includes guest appearances from P. Diddy, Amerie, and Dru Hill, and production from The Neptunes and Trackmasters.

This is the first new album in three years for the country superstar.

This is the fourth album for the London-based, Brazilian-born jungle/breakbeat producer and DJ, following 2000's well-received 'Supermodified.'

The Chicago indie band's fifth album is the first in a planned trilogy, and features a bit more electronics than previous outings. Members of Tortoise guest on the album, as does Rebecca Gates from the Spinanes.

This is the sophomore effort for the Dublin trio, who generated some attention (and some unavoidable Joy Division comparisons) with their self-titled 2000 debut.

Ivy's Andy Chase produced this sophomore effort from the French band that gave us 2000's irresistibly poppy 'Puzzle.'

The latest from Tom Petty is a concept album (or diatribe, if you will) about/against the domination of popular music by large, greedy corporations. It was released on October 8, 2002 by a large, greedy corporation.

Although the album cover may say it's by J. Mascis & The Fog, there's not much left of The Fog other than J. himself on this 10 track effort.

While, like other artists lumped under the "electroclash" label, the Canadian-born Peaches (Merrill Nisker) utilizes a vaguely early-80s style synth-based sound, no one else, then or now, has managed to be quite as raw, lewd and sexually graphic as she.

Just when you feared the New Jersey hair band would never release another album, they did. Oh joy.

This seven-track EP recorded during the sessions for 'Romantica' includes covers of the Rolling Stones' "Waiting On A Friend" and Kraftwerk's "Neon Lights," as well as five new songs and videos for "Lovedust" and "1995."

Film and television actress Jennifer Love Hewitt actually had begun her recording career prior to appearing on "Party of Five," but never achieved the success in music that she did on screen. This latest album, coming as her popularity is increasing and utilizing the production talents of Meredith Brooks, represents perhaps her last chance at pop stardom.

The Los Angeles-based underground hip-hop outfit returns with a follow up to their 2000 debut, 'Quality Control.' Nelly Furtado guests on one track.

Yes, it's *that* Soft Cell, the English band that brought you early 80s hits such as "Tainted Love" and "Sex Dwarf." Their first release since 1984's 'This Last Night in Sodom,' 'Cruelty Without Beauty' offers 12 brand-new tracks from the reunited duo of Dave Ball and Marc Almond.

This is the Denver indie-pop band's first new album since 2000's 'The Discovery of a World Inside the Moone.'

The San Diego-based band returns with their fourth album of dark, atmospheric music, following previous albums '1,' '2,' and, yes, '3' (c'mon guys, what happened to '4?'). This one is a concept album of sorts, about a murder mystery.

This is the fifth LP for the French-pop-influenced, Berlin-based duo of Francoise Cactus and Brezel Goring.

The mercurial singer-songwriter returns with an album of interpretations of 13 traditional Irish songs.

The Canadian singer-songwriter's fifth album finds Sexsmith experimenting with electronica for the first time.

While the first full-length for the English chill-out duo, 'LemonJelly.KY,' was a collection of previously released singles, 'Lost Horizons' represents their first true album, with eight new tracks clocking in at precisely one hour in length.

This Sub Pop debut for the British Columbia band falls into the 80s/punk revival category occupied by the likes of French Kicks and Radio 4, although Cure comparisons are more likely (since lead singer Steve Bays' voice sounds, at times, almost identical to Robert Smith's).

This is the third (non-soundtrack) solo album for the Dire Straits leader, and finds him in a somewhat acoustic, American roots style.

Little LeAnn Rimes, the former 13-year-old country sensation, has been remade as a teen pop star with this latest release, thanks to a new team of producers and songwriters. But will the teen pop buyers of the world accept the new LeAnn Rimes? If only we had the time to worry about such things.

This is the second full-length album for the Los Angeles-based indie band, who are now labelmates of Omaha's Bright Eyes. Fans of the TV program "Boy Meets World" (all three of you) may recognize guitarist Blake Sennett, who played Joey on that show. (Singer Jenny Lewis has also guested on numerous sitcoms over the years.)

This is the fourth album from the successful West Coast rapper.

The Washington D.C.-based production duo of Rob Garza and Eric Hilton are back with their third proper LP, following 2000's 'The Mirror Conspiracy.' Like its predessor, 'Babylon' is a multicultural mix of down-tempo instrumentals and vocal tracks, with Pam Bricker, Lou Lou, Notch, Emiliana Torrini, Sleepy Wonder and Shinehead providing the voices.

This is the second in a series of self-released EPs from the newly-reborn band, following 'Read & Burn 01' which was released earlier in 2002.

Part book, part CD, this latest effort from the Bay Area collective was inspired by a trip to an auto junkyard. The jokes, satire, and subversion found in previous releases is absent this time around, instead replaced by a collection of letters and writings found in the auto wrecks presented in a 64-page full-color book, and, on the CD, a lyric- and melody- free noise assault that, as the band suggests, is the sound of their studio being destroyed in a car crash.

Why yes, yes we do. His real name is Tom Jenkinson, he dabbles in experimental electronica (a la Aphex Twin, who signed him to his first record deal), and this is his sixth album. Included among the seven new tracks here (totaling just 35 minutes) is an unexpected cover of Joy Division's "Love Will Tear Us Apart."

Greek-born Londoner Andy Dragazis returns with his second album of chill-out electronica.

Stephen Street is the producer for the Britpop band's catchy fifth album, their first since singer Brett Anderson's recovery from drug problems. Not surprisingly, it is also happier-sounding than previous Suede efforts.