This is the solo debut for founding Pavement guitarist Scott Kannberg (aka "Spiral Stairs"). As Preston School of Industry, Spiral is joined by Andrew Borger on drums and Jon Erickson on bass, with other musicians guesting.

This is the eighth full-length release for British art-pop ensemble. Not surprisingly, John McEntire and Jim O'Rourke co-produced the album, with additional contributions from Sean O'Hagan (The High Llamas).

The sixth album from Mary J. Blige features guest appearances from Lenny Kravitz, Eve, and Missy Elliott and production work from The Neptunes and Dr. Dre.

Produced by Ross Robinson, 'Iowa' is the metal band's third album.

The legendary (and influential, at least among the indie rock set) New Zealand band The Clean returns with its first album in five years (and only the fourth of their 22-year career). Yo La Tengo's Georgia Hubley and Ira Kaplan guest on two tracks.

This is the first album for Mike Scott and company (well, basically just Mike Scott) since 1993's 'Dream Harder,' although Scott did have two solo albums in the interim.

This is the fourth release for Quasi, which features Sam Coomes (formerly of The Donner Party, and sometimes bandmate of Elliott Smith and Built to Spill) and Sleater-Kinney's Janet Weiss.

Featuring former members of Spiritualized (who were fired by Jason Pierce before the recording sessions for 'Let It Come Down'), Lupine Howl offers up nine tracks on this debut album, including previously-released singles "Vaporizer" and "125."

This is Laurie Anderson's first music release since 1994's 'Big Red.' Originally conceived as a studio verision of her recent theatrical production "Songs and Stories from Moby Dick," the thirteen-song album contains only three tracks from that show, supplemented with newer material. Guest musicians include Lou Reed, Dr. John, Bill Frisell, Mocean Worker and Van Dyke Parks.

Alison Krauss and her band have gained popularity in recent months, thanks to the success of the O Brother, Where Art Thou? soundtrack (which featured the band's version of "I Am A Man Of Constant Sorrow" among other contributions). This is their first album since 1999's 'Forget About It.'

Soul singer-songwriter Maxwell returns with his third studio album, following 1998's 'Embrya' and his well-received 1996 debut 'Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite.' The disc includes a cover of longtime live staple "This Woman's Work" (a Kate Bush cover).

The third U.S. release for the eclectic Amsterdam-based duo (following 2001's import-only release 'Sound Shopping') contains 14 equally eclectic tunes, including highlights "Dirty Robot" and "5th Dimension."

This is the fourth album for the New Orleans-based trio. It is their first release on indie Beyond Music, after being dropped by Elektra for disappointing sales.

Atlanta's Usher Raymond returns with his third studio release. The Neptunes, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis are among the producers.

This is the third solo album for Blur guitarist Graham Coxon.

This is the debut album for in-demand hip-hop production duo The Neptunes, recording with Shay under the name N.E.R.D. (for "No One Ever Really Dies"). Note that there are two different versions of this album in circulation. This version is the original recording, using mainly electronic instrumentation, that was intended for a full release in August 2001 but was shelved by the band (only to be released in the UK over the band's objection). The new version, released March 2002, was completely rerecorded, and features live instrumentation by Minneapolis funk band Spymob.

This long-awaited follow-up to the Los Angeles alternative-electronica band's 1997 debut, 'Vegas,' features guest appearances from members of Rage Against The Machine and Stone Temple Pilots as well as Jon Brion.

This is Sam Phillips' first new album in five years, following 1996's poorly-received 'Omnipop.' Phillips' husband, T-Bone Burnett, produces.

This is the sophomore effort for British duo, following their eponymous debut... in 1992. This time out, they utilize samples from artists as diverse as Iggy Pop, Michael Stipe, Metallica, Chrissie Hynde, and Chuck D.

This is the third album for the California native. David Rawlings has replaced T-Bone Burnett as producer.

This is the fourth album for the Sacramento-based alternative rockers best known for their hits "Never There" and "The Distance."

This is the third album for Justin Timberlake & co. But will it be the last?

The debut album from 22-year-old Bilal Oliver features production work from Raphael Saadiq, Dr. Dre, Mike City and James Poyser. The first single is "Soul Sista," which originally appeared on the Love and Basketbal soundtrack.

This is Iggy Pop's first album since 1999's poorly-received 'Avenue B.'

This is the debut solo release for former Jane's Addiction/Porno For Pyros frontman Perry Farrell. Many of the tracks are more electronic in nature than his previous output with the two bands. Dave Navarro, Jon Brion, and the Mad Professor are among the guest contributors.

The debut album for I Am The World Trade Center was recorded entirely on a laptop computer, with music by Kindercore head Dan Geller and vocals by Amy Dykes. [The band officially shortened its name to I Am The World following the tragic events of September 11, 2001.]

This is the third album for Detroit-born Aaliyah, who debuted in 1994 (at the age of 15) with 'Age Ain't Nothing But a Number.' Timbaland produces three tracks. The singer died in a plane crash in August 2001, shortly after the release of the album.

The second full-length (not including a collection of EPs) from Britain's heralded Beta Band is just as eclectic as the band's first outing, combining pop and indie rock with touches of hip hop and electronica. The ten new tracks are highlighted by the singles "Squares" and "Broke." (And if the immodest album title reminds you of the Stone Roses' 'Second Coming,' don't worry--the comparisons end there.)

This is the third album from the New York-based trio, led by French singer Dominique Durand and it finds the group adding a bit of trip-hop into the mix. The album includes a cover of the Blow Monekys' "Digging Your Scene."

The Boise, Idaho trio returns with a follow-up to 1999's 'Keep It Like A Secret.'

Aside from the track "Heal Me," which includes background vocals by Laura Dern and Meg Ryan, this is a true solo effort for Melissa Etheridge, who wrote and performed all 10 tracks on this, her seventh album. Much of the music was written during her breakup with her long-time companion, and the songs reflect this experience.

This is the first album for the West Coast production team / hip-hop outfit formerly known as Tha Alkaholiks (and their fourth album to date, including that previous incarnation). Xzibit, Rockwilder, Kurupt and Busta Rhymes are among the guest contributors.

This is the debut American release for the experimental Spanish rock outfit, who have appeared on tour with Smog and the Magnetic Fields. Half the album features Leonard Cohen-esque vocals (sung in English), while the remaining tracks are instrumentals.

The debut album from California electronic artist Timothy Wiles includes collaborations with Beenie Man and Davey Dave.

The Detroit-based "brother-sister" (or, if you don't believe everything you read, ex husband and wife) indie duo of Jack (guitars) and Meg (drums) White continue their stripped-down sound on this, their third full-length.

The bands fifth studio album (and first for Beggars Banquet), 'Can Our Love...' features eight new tracks produced by the band with Ian Caple. It expands on the more-soul-based sound that appeared on 1999's 'Simple Pleasure.'

This is the eleventh studio album for the Manchester band that originally formed in 1982. Like many of their recent LPs, it was produced by Brian Eno. The lead single is "Getting Away With It (All Messed Up)."

Another eclectic effort from the former Massive Attack member features guest contributions from the likes of Alanis Morrisette, Cyndi Lauper, Ed Kowalcyzk (Live), and members of the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

The follow-up to the Jaxx' critically-acclaimed 1999 debut album, 'Remedy,' 'Rooty' finds the British house duo adding to the party vibe with elements of pop and R&B thrown into the mix. The lead single is "Romeo."

This is the fifth full-length release from Tom Jenkinson (aka Squarepusher). "My Red Hot Car" is the lead single.

This is the sixth album (and third on Beggars Banquet) for San Francisco's Swell, which now is a one-man band consisting entirely of David Freel.

This is actor-singer Sisqo's sophomore effort, following his 1999 debut 'Unleash The Dragon.' (Sense a pattern here?) Teddy Riley produced the lead single, "Can I Live."

Forget concept albums; this is a concept band. Formed by Dan "The Automator" Nakamura, Del tha Funkee Homosapien, Blur's Damon Albarn, Cibo Matto's Miho Hatori, and the Tom Tom Club's Tina Weymouth and Chris Frantz (with visuals by "Tank Girl" creator Jamie Hewlett), the Gorillaz are a "virtual" hip-hop outfit of cartoon characters based somewhere in the future. Hey, we don't make this stuff up; we just report it.

This is the second album of new material for 17-year old pop singer Mandy Moore. In case you are keeping score at home, her official bio indicates that she has three cats: Milo, Zoe, and Chloe. Those crazy rock stars!

Also known as the Dirty Dozen, D-12 consists of six (yes--we know that's not a dozen) Detroit-based rappers, including Eminem. 'Devil's Night' is their debut full-length, produced in part by Dr. Dre.

Grunge is long-gone, but somehow STP have survived. This is the fifth album for these long-time favorites of alternative radio.

This is the first new album for the UK act since 1992's 'Connected.'

The first album in four years (since 1997's 'The Drop') for Brian Eno finds the legendary musician/producer paired for the first time with German DJ/percussionist J. Peter Schwalm. Longtime Eno friend Laurie Anderson provides vocals on one song, although most of the thirteen tracks are atmospheric, soundtrack-like instrumentals (some with strings). Believe it or not, Eno will be performing live in support of the album, with at least one scheduled date (at the Fuji Rock Festival on 29 July 2001).

The fourth album for the Orange County frat-rockers.

This is the follow-up to 1999's 'Enema Of The State.' If you like them, then don't worry--they haven't grown up. If you don't like them, well... they haven't grown up.

The follow-up to 2000's hit 'The Man Who,' 'Invisible Band' contains similar-sounding guitar pop from the Scottish rockers. The album was produced by Nigel Godrich, who worked with Radiohead on 'Kid A' and 'OK Computer.'

Yearwood's follow-up to 'Real Live Woman' includes guest performances from Don Henley and Rosanne Cash.

The follow-up to his 1998 self-titled debut (which gained the Canadian singer-songwriter "Best New Artist" honors from Rolling Stone), 'Poses' contains 12 new tracks from sessions with five different producers. He also has songs on the soundtracks for "Shrek" and "Moulin Rouge."

This is the smash-hit debut album from 20-year-old singer-songwriter (and classically-trained pianist) Alicia Keys.

Ian Astbury & Co. return with their first album of new material since 1994.

Canadian singer-songwriter Ron Sexsmith returns with his fifth album, produced by Steve Earle and Ray Kennedy.

These eleven tracks were recorded during the same sessions that produced 2000's 'Kid A,' but are a bit more song-like and a bit less electronic.

Although Lucinda Williams' recording career began in 1979, this is just her sixth full-length release, following 1998's well-received 'Car Wheels on a Gravel Road.' 'Essence' features 11 new trackes penned by Williams and co-produced by Charlie Sexton and Bo Ramsey.

The latest installment in Ultra Records' Back To Mine DJ mix series is a set by Everything But The Girl.

The release notes say that this is the third installment in the trilogy that began with "Not For Threes" and "Rest Proof Clockwork" and that it deals with the "duality of the ear." Hey, as long as it sounds good.

The French indie-electronica band made waves with their 1998 debut 'Moon Safari,' but since then their only release has been the motion picture score to Sofia Coppola's "The Virgin Suicides." The wait for their true sophomore album is over with the release of '10,000 Hz Legend,' which includes guest vocal contributions from Beck and Buffalo Daughter.

This is Carpenter's first studio release since 1996, and features a seven-piece band.

This is the debut American release for the Tokyo-born (but internationally-raised) singer-songwriter, who is the daughter of producer Don Costa and the goddaughter of Frank Sinatra. Costa has been performing since the age of five and has already scored hits in Europe and Australia.

The fourth LP for the Brooklyn-based indie band is their first since 1999's highly-acclaimed 'The Albemarle Sound.' Led by vocalist Gary Olson and now expanded to five additional full-time mebers, the group continues to develop their Britpop-influenced sound on this latest outing.

Markus Popp returns with eleven untitled tracks of noise and sounds of skipping CDs. Some people like that.

This is the third album from the group since founding members Ian McCulloch and Will Sergeant reunited in 1997.

Mark Eitzel's fifth solo release since the breakup of American Music Club is his first album in three years. Unlike on his previous albums, Eitzel is mostly alone here, both producing and playing most of the instruments.

Redman's long-delayed fifth album was produced by Erick Sermon and features 23 new tracks. Guests include George Clinton, Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott, Method Man, and Scarface.

This is the follow-up to Tyrese's self-titled 1998 debut.

This is the fourth album for the UK's Echobelly. It includes the singles "Tell Me Why" and "Digit."

This is the third album for Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott, and it again features the acclaimed production work of Timbaland. Guests include Busta Rhymes, Redman, Method Man, Ludacris, Eve, Jay-Z, and Ginuwine.

Fantastic Plastic Machine is Japanese DJ/radio host/fashion magazine editor Tomoyuki Tanaka, and this is his third release, capturing a wide range of sounds from Philly soul to lounge to exotica to electronica. Schoolhouse Rock vocalist Bob Dorough guests on one track.

The Josh Haden-led Spain expanded to a four-piece band for this, their third album.

The band's first album of new material in five years was produced by Tool with David Bottrill and features 13 tracks.

The first album of new material in three years for the ever-consistent Cowboy Junkies.

Believe it or not, this is indeed a brand-new album from L.A.'s Go-Go's -- their first in 17 years, to be exact. The original lineup (including Belinda Carlisle and Jane Wiedlin) is intact for this 13-track outing, produced by Paul Kolderie and Sean Slade (Hole, Radiohead). Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong is featured on the first single, "Unforgiven."

This is the first album of new material since 1997's 'Ultra' for Depeche Mode, which again sees the band as a trio (consisting of David Gahan, Martin L. Gore, and Andy Fletcher) but also sees them experimenting more with a wider variety of sounds, including acoustic guitar. It is DM's first time in the studio with producer Mark Bell, who has previously worked with Bjork and was a member of the early-90s techno outfit LFO. The lead single from the 13-track album is "Dream On."

San Francisco's Michael Franti (formerly of the Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy) and Spearhead mix rap, soul, R&B, funk, jazz, and trip-hop with intelligent and opinionated lyrics on these 22 tracks.

This "green album," produced by Ric Ocasek, is actually the second untitled album for the Los Angeles band, not to be confused with 1994's "blue album." The album is the band's first since leader Rivers Cuomo's graduation from Harvard -- in fact, it is their first since their 1996 sophomore effort, 'Pinkerton,' which alienated some fans with a shift toward an angrier sound.

One of the preeminent practitioners of the style of electronica labeled "Intelligent Dance Music," Autechre (consisting of Sean Booth and Rob Brown) returns with its first album in three years.

This sophomore effort from Icelandic quartet Sigur Ros (which translates to "Victory Rose") appeared on numerous year-end Best Of lists in 2000, despite not receiving an official release in the United States until the following year. Imagine one of Radiohead's recent albums -- or better yet, Spiritualized or My Bloody Valentine -- but with everything sung in Icelandic. This album garnered the band the 2001 Shortlist Prize for Artistic Achievement In Music.

'Reveal,' the Athens, GA band's 12th full-length album, marks the 20-year anniversary of the group. Operating as a trio for the second consecutive outing, R.E.M. offer up 12 new tracks, mainly of the mid-tempo acoustic guitar and keyboard variety. Guests include Joey Waronker, Ken Stringfellow (The Posies), and Scott McCaughey (The Young Fresh Fellows).

Melding post-rock and electronica, German trio To Rococo Rot have garnered attention by releasing a series of well-received albums on indie labels (most notably 1999's 'The Amateur View') and producing Saint Etienne's 'Sound of Water' LP. Here, they combine with New York turntablist I-Sound for their first release on Mute Records.

The band's sixth album is their first since the death of bassist Bobby ("Brooklyn Bob") Sheehan and serves as a tribute to him.

'Lions' continues to build on the sound established in 1999's 'By Your Side,' with this outing produced by Don Was.