The first new album for the English electronic outfit in six years sees the band heading in a completely new direction, away from their dark electronica in favor of a more organic, psychedelic rock vibe. Surprisingly (for a FSOL album), there's guitar, vocals, strings, and harmonica, and trippy song titles such as "The Mello Hippo Disco Show."

The soundtrack to the fictionalized account of the rise and fall of Manchester's Factory Records includes, somewhat obviously, a generous helping of New Order, Joy Division, and Happy Mondays songs (including the title track by the latter), as well as cuts from A Guy Called Gerald, Durutti Column, and the Buzzcocks. This is also the only album where you'll find the newest New Order single, "Here to Stay," a collaboration with the Chemical Brothers that failed to appear on either group's latest LP.

The English singer-songwriter's third LP features quite an array of guests, including Ryan Adams, Emmylou Harris, and the Chemical Brothers (who have utilized Orton's vocals on several of their own albums). Another longtime collaborator, William Orbit, appears for one track, with the remainder of the mixing duties falling to Everything But The Girl's Ben Watt.

The former Soul Asylum frontman offers up a debut solo release that is quite a departure from his former band's work, emphasizing loungey R&B and soul grooves instead of punky alternative rock.

Not quite the next Linkin Park album, 'Reanimation' is instead a remix of their entire debut album, 'Hybrid Theory' (actually, a remix of the Japanese version, which contained extra tracks). The 19 songs here have been reinvented by an array of alternative and hip hop musicians and producers, including members of Korn, Jurassic 5, Orgy, and Staind, and given cryptic new titles such as "Rnw@y" and "My{Dsmbr." (You'd think with all the money they're making they could at least buy a vowel.)

Filter's third LP finds the band moving in a less industrial/electronic direction.

This four-piece alt-metal band from Alabama draws frequent comparisons to Linkin Park, and even work with Linkin producer Don Gilmore on this major-label debut album.

2001 gave us The White Stripes and The Strokes; 2002 gives us The Hives and The Vines. This Australian four-piece outfit is the latest rock band to be hyped to stratospheric proportions (and an instant major-label contract) by the UK rock press, who compared the Vines to Nirvana (the band, not the concept). But although the Aussies did indeed get their start as a Nirvana cover band, there is a bit more to their debut album 'Highly Evolved' than Grunge, Part 2.

The English trip-hop outfit's fourth studio album features unlikely guest vocal appearances from rapper Slick Rick and Lambchop's Kurt Wagner.

The Oklahoma band finally returns with a follow-up to perhaps their strongest effort to date, 1999's 'The Soft Bulletin.' Here, the Lips venture even more into electronic territory, working once again with producer Dave Fridmann (Mercury Rev). Yoshimi of Japanese band The Boredoms guests on vocals on one track and lends her name to part of the album's title (the "Yoshimi" part, not the "Pink Robots" part).

Even the most casual DMB fan knows the story by now: Dave & Co. record a dark, challenging album with producer Steve Lillywhite, those "Lillywhite Sessions" are leaked onto the Internet where the tracks quickly become fan favorites, and the band chooses not to release them, instead heading back into the studio with producer Glen Ballard to record 'Everyday.' The new studio LP 'Busted Stuff' does not contain those original tracks from the 2000 sessions, but nine of those songs (plus two new tracks) are here, newly recorded.

One of 2002's much-hyped neo-garage rock bands, New York's Yeah Yeah Yeahs have opened for acts such as the White Stripes and the Strokes, and have drawn comparisons to both. This five-track debut EP was originally released in 2001 on the indie Shifty label, and saw a rerelease in the summer of 2002 on Touch & Go.

Only the band's fourth studio recording in their 10+ year existence, 'Hard Candy' offers up 13 new tracks, including the single "American Girls" and "Butterfly Reverse," which was cowritten by Ryan Adams. Steve Lillywhite produces.

Although their ride has been rocky at times, the Los Angeles band is nearing its 20th anniversary. (And if you grew up listening to the band, doesn't that make you feel old.) This, their eighth album, finds the Chili Peppers working with producer Rick Rubin.

The second album from the London band is a continuation of their Scott Walker-influenced dark and melancholy pop sound from their 2000 debut. (Not a Scott Walker fan? Think Tindersticks, Pulp or Divine Comedy.)

This 15-track collection compiles the band's B-sides, soundtrack contributions, and other oddities.

This is the fifth studio album for the one-time superstars, who now retain only the brothers Gallagher from their original lineup. Former Ride guitarist Andy Bell and Heavy Stereo bassist Gem Archer make their first studio appearances as members of the band, and in an Oasis first, all four members share in the songwriting.

Basically a continuation of The Wedding Present (but with a broader, more "cinematic" sound), Cinerama features David Gedge and Simon Cleave from that band as well as Gedge's wife, Sally Murrell. Torino, the group's third studio album, was produced by Dare Mason and longtime collaborator Steve Albini, and features the UK hit single "Health And Efficiency."

Now into their third decade of recording, Sonic Youth offer up a return to form that has more in common with their output of the 80s than with anything they have released in recent years. Multi-instrumentalist Jim O'Rourke, who worked with the band on their previous effort 'NYC Ghosts & Flowers,' is now a full-fledged member of the group.

The groundbreaking English four-piece art-punk band has reunited (25 years after their debut) to record this 6-track EP, representing their first new studio output together since 1990's 'Manscape.'

The No-Cal rap-metal outfit returns with a second album for Dreamworks (their third overall). Lead singer Coby Dick has reverted back to his given name, Jacoby Shaddix, but otherwise, the band and sound remain the same.

The California alt-metal outfit finally returns with a successor to the smash hit 1999 album 'Issues.'

This double-disc live album was recorded on the band's farewell tour in Manchester in 2001. Among the 22 tracks are most of the group's hits, including "Sit Down," "Laid," and "Born of Frustration."

Bowie's first studio album in three years (and first for his new label ISO Records, distributed by Columbia) finds the older white duke working with producer Tony Visconti for the first time since 1980's 'Scary Monsters.' Pete Townsend and Dave Grohl guest on guitar on a track apiece.

This enhanced-CD experience is TMBG's first official album geared toward the younger set, with 17 children's songs with titles such as "Where Do They Make Balloons?" and "I Am Not a Grocery Bag." (Not that the titles themselves make this any different than a grownup TMBG album, mind you.)

The Manchester, England band reunites with producer Steve Osborne for their sophomore album, following 2000's 'Lost Souls,' which launched them into stardom in both the U.S. and U.K. "There Goes the Fear" is the lead single.

This debut LP for the electric English quartet was originally released in March 2001 to enough critical acclaim that Sony/Epic picked the album up for a re-release in the summer of 2002. Their sound combines harder-edged alt-rock with "shoegazing"-style noise manipulation.

The 17-year-old Canadian singer-songwriter-skater nails the adult alternative Michelle Branch/Jewel/Alanis Morissette sound on this debut album, featuring her breakout hit single "Complicated."

A comeback of sorts, 'Title TK' comes a full nine years after The Breeders' previous effort (1993's 'Last Splash') and sees the group with a new lineup (only Kim Deal and sister Kelley remain) and producer (Steve Albini).

Fresh off the Roxy Music reunion tour, Bryan Ferry resumes his solo career with this 13-track effort, a mix of Ferry originals and covers (including two Dylan tracks). Ferry has actually been working on this album for parts of the last eight (!) years, and it includes contributions from former Roxy Music partner/nemesis Brian Eno, the Eurythmics' Dave Stewart, and Radiohead's Johnny Greenwood.

Bermuda-born singer/songwriter Heather Nova returns with her fourth album, which was a hit in England upon its release there in the fall of 2001.

Can he do it again? Coming a full three years after his surprise megahit 'Play,' this new album from Richard Melville Hall attempts to repeat that disc's success with (surprise) 18 new tracks, including collaborations with Angie Stone, Sinead O'Connor, Azure Ray and MC Lyte.

This 80s-esque goth/electro-pop debut album from the Los Angeles band fronted by P. Exeter "Elijah" Blue (the son of Cher and Greg Allman) finally sees an official release, after five years of delays and two separate major label deals.

When it rains it pours: After going five years without a Weezer album, fans of the quirky alt-rockers get two new discs in two years, with this (their fourth release overall) quickly following 2001's Green Album.

One of the first Next Big Things of 2002, Sweden's The Hives follow last year's media darlings The Strokes and The White Stripes in bringing the rock back to alternative rock. The only catch is that the band has been around for over a decade, with this particular album actually dating back to 2000, when it gained a limited U.S. release on a tiny Epitaph imprint. However, the Swedes were able to benefit from the rush to capitalize on the neo-garage/punk-rock movement by scoring a major label deal in early 2002 and a rerelease of this, their second full-length. (They've got The Strokes beat on length, though, managing to release an even shorter album, at just 27 minutes.)

The Boys' eighth studio release features features Johnny Marr on guitar.

The former Bauhaus member returns with his first solo album in six years, which sees him adding traditional Middle Eastern instrumentation to the mix and moving in a more ambient direction.

The third studio album for the heralded British band features 13 new self-produced tracks.

Luna's sixth studio album is their first on new label Jetset, and also their first (aside from Luna Live!) to feature Brita Phillips on bass (replacing Justin Harwood, and leaving Dean Wareham as the sole founding member remaining). The all-star production team of Gene Holder and Dave Fridmann were behind the boards for these 12 new tracks.

Instead of a real follow-up to "The Hour of Bewliderbeast" (look for that later in 2002), Damon Gough returns with the score to the film adaptation of the Nick Hornby novel. The 16 new tracks here are split between short instrumental pieces and full songs.

Costello's first album of original material in six years is a return to his new wave/punk/rock roots, with several members of The Attractions (Steve Nieve, Pete Thomas) in tow.

The former Replacements leader returns with his first solo effort in three years, which actually is two albums in one: Stereo, his new 12-track solo release; and Mono, a second recording by Westerberg and full band under the Grandpaboy name.

The long wait for this fourth album from Jeff Tweedy & co. is partially the result of the tumultuous recording process that left the band without its guitarist (Jay Bennett) and its record label (Warner/Reprise). Fellow Chicagoan Jim O'Rourke mixed the 11 tracks.

This long-awaited fourth album from the London-based outfit headed by Tjinder Singh and Ben Ayres is an even more eclectic mix of styles than previous efforts. The 13 new tracks include the excellent (and excellently titled) lead single "Lessons Learned From Rocky I to Rocky III," and a reworking of "People Power (In The Disco Hour)" from Singh and Ayres' Clinton side project.

This is the third album for the San Francisco band featuring drummer Lynn Perko and former Faith No More keyboardist Roddy Bottum.

Believe it or not, these guys have been around for over 15 years now, and this is their eighth release (and first since 1998's 'Dizzy Up The Girl').

The New York trio is back with their fifth album for Matador (and first since 1998). Here, they work with veteran rock producer Steve Jordan and get some help from Bernie Worrell and Dr. John.

This is the Cincinnati, Ohio band's major label debut.

This is the fifth album (and a return to English-lanugage songs) for the well-regarded Welsh indie band, now signed to a major label (Epic). It is the first album ever to be released simultaneously on DVD and CD (with the DVD containing a movie and a remix for each track on the album). Paul McCartney and John Cale have cameo appearances on the album.

Based in Los Angeles, the Eels have had some stateside success on MTV but have perhaps found greater popularity in the UK and Europe. This new LP (their fourth) features guest appearances by Koool G Murder, John Parish (who also produces), and Joe Gore.

This is the second studio release for the London-based electronica/rock/funk band. Vocals are handled by a group of guests, including Bootsy Collins and Lisa Millet, following the departure of the group's vocalist Wrekked Train.

After recording two well-received albums of Woody Guthrie covers with Wilco, the anti-folk pioneer returns to recording original material, this time with his touring band, the Blokes.

The singer-songwriter's third album (which comes a full five years after her second, 1997's 'Firecracker') features 12 new tracks, including "We Could Still Belong Together" from the "Legally Blonde" soundtrack.

Los Angeles-based Phantom Planet is best known for counting among its members "Rushmore" star Jason Schwartzman and "Donnie Darko" star Alex Greenwald. 'The Guest,' their second album, was produced by Mitchell Froom and Tchad Blake.

Morissette's third studio album is the first one the 27-year-old Canadian songwriter has produced herself.

This disc collects remixes and B-sides (album title notwithstanding) culled from the singles generated by the animated supergroup's international hit debut album. The 9 songs here (totalling just 38 minutes) include two previously unreleased tracks.

The seventh album for the Texas-based rockabilly star and his band features the track "Like a Rocket," selected as this year's official Daytona 500 theme song.

The band that gave us alt-radio hit "6 Underground" returns with a third album, although their second (1999's 'Splinter') failed to secure U.S. distribution. Guitarist Chris Corner now handles lead vocals, replacing the departed Kelli Dayton.

This is the band's second collaboration with French filmmaker Claire Denis, after recording the soundtrack to her earlier film "Nenette et Boni."

The former member of Throwing Muses, Belly, and the Breeders returns with her second solo album, following 1997's 'Lovesongs for Underdogs.'

Over two years in the making, 'After Everything' is the twelfth album from the Australian band, still best known for their 1988 hit "Under The Milky Way."

This is the debut album for psychedlic British indie-rockers Electric Soft Parade (actually two teenage brothers, Tom and Alex White), drawing comparisons to everyone from Grandaddy and the Charlatans to Teenage Fanclub and Buffalo Springfield.

Former Camper Van Beethoven frontman David Lowery once again leads Cracker for the band's first new album in four years. Sparklehorse's Mark Linkous co-produces and adds backing vocals and instrumentation.

The fourth full-length for production duo Tom Rowlands and Ed Simons features the singles "Star Guitar" and "It Began In Afrika." Guest vocalists include long-time Chemical Brothers staple Beth Orton and Richard Ashcroft.

Often compared to Doves and Radiohead, Manchester-based Elbow is yet another new alternative band to emerge from the British music press hype machine. This debut album was shortlisted for 2001's Mercury Music Prize.

This first U.S. release (a debut album, 'Roulette,' was released in 2001 in the UK only) for the duo of ex-Cocteau Twins guitarist Robin Guthrie and ex-Mono vocalist Siobhan De Mare compiles the contents of three previous EPs along with three new tracks and a video (on a bonus CD-ROM).

These 14 new tracks from the Los Angeles punk band mark the 20th anniversary of the group's first LP.

David Bottrill produced this third LP for the Peoria, Ill.-based metal band.

This is the first album in nine years for the reunited Los Angeles alternative act, featuring three original members Johnette Napolitano, Jim Mankey and Harry Rushakoff. The 12 new tracks here include "Roxy," a tribute to Roxy Music.

Brother-sister duo Jim and Alison Shaw return for this, the distinctive English band's seventh album. While Alison's unique vocals are still clearer in the mix (as they were for 'Population Four'), the music here is more varied and ventures a bit more into electronica.

This is the much-heralded debut album from the English foursome, produced by Steve Osbourne.

The follow-up to 'Return of Saturn' finds Gwen Stefani & co. working with a variety of producers (Sly and Robbie, Ric Ocasek, William Orbit) in a variety of styles.

This self-titled effort is the California band's third album.

The singer's third solo album was produced by T-Bone Burnett.

Recorded during a 2000-2001 European tour, Radiohead's first live album contains just eight tracks: seven songs culled from 'Kid A' and 'Amnesiac,' plus long-time live staple "True Love Waits."

The sophomore effort for Eagle-Eye Cherry (following 1998's Grammy-nominated 'Desireless') includes a guest appearance from sister Neneh Cherry on one track. Rick Rubin produces.

Yes, apparently they ARE still around. This is the Irish group's sixth album since 1993, and their first with original producer Stephen Street in some time.

This is the fourth long-player for Gavin Rossdale and Bush, and was produced by Dave Sardie (Slayer, Marilyn Manson).

This is the debut album for the former Mazzy Star chanteuse's new band.

The band's first album together since 1993's 'Republic' finds the group moving away from electronica and back to guitar rock. The Smashing Pumpkins' Billy Corgan duets with Bernard Sumner on "Turn My Way" (and has been touring with the band as an additional guitarist), and Primal Scream's Bobby Gillespie and Innes contribute vocals and guitar to "Rock The Shack." Steve Osborne produced the 10-track album.

Orange County, CA alternative rockers Lit scored MTV airplay with 1999's major-label debut 'A Place in the Sun.'

Brothers Nick and Stephen "Tin Tin" Duffy return for the Lilac Time's sixth LP. The Barenaked Ladies' Stephen Page also contributes to the album.

This is the debut album from New York indie-rockers The Strokes, who have been hyped by the British music press following the release of "The Modern Age" EP in early 2001. It almost goes without saying, but the group is frequently compared to the Velvet Underground, among others, thanks in part to singer-songwriter Julian Casablancas' Lou Reed-esque vocals.

Another eclectic offering from Shirley Manson and Garbage, their third album and first since 1998.

Former Stone Roses frontman Ian Brown returns with his third solo album, following 2000's 'Golden Greats.' The first single is "F.E.A.R."