This is the third album from the husband-wife duo of Kori Gardner (keyboards) and Jason Hammel (drums). Spoon's Jim Eno produced, along with John Croslin.

John Schmersal and Enon return with their third LP, which features an increased vocal presence by Toko Yasuda.

The girls in question on this debut disc are Blake Babies veterans Juliana Hatfield (guitars, vocals) and Freda Love (drums) plus bassist Heidi Gluck (The Pieces).

The Seattle hard rock band's sophomore album was produced by Phil Ek (Modest Mouse, Built To Spill).

The duo of Sam Coomes and Janet Weiss (Sleater-Kinney) return with their fifth LP.

The seventh LP for the San Francisco-based band sees the fractured band reunited, as singer and co-founder David Freel is rejoined by drummer Sean Kirkpatrick.

This is the second album for the Portland, Ore.-based indie five-piece led by Colin Meloy.

The San Francisco group's fourth album is its darkest in mood so far, perhaps a result of several changes in band membership since 2001's 'The Coast Is Never Clear.'

The indie rockers took four years to record this third album.

He's nothing if not prolific. Black's fourth album in two and a half years features 13 new tracks and appearances from some of his usual cohorts (Stan Ridgway, Joey Santiago).

Oft-compared to Joy Division, this unique British four-piece sports single-word names (Hamilton, Noble, Yan, and Wood), dons military apparel for their live shows, and tackles dark, weighty themes in their lyrics (Czech history, anyone)? 'The Decline' marks their full-length debut, drawing critical praise on both sides of the Atlantic.

Byrne's latest release originated as the soundtrack to the film 'Young Adam' (itself based on the novel by Scottish beat writer Alexander Trocci). Since the film is set in Scotland, and since the former Talking Head himself was born there, he decided to enlist members of Glasgow-based groups such as Mogwai, Belle & Sebastian and The Reindeer Section to assist with this music (only a small portion of which actually is heard in the film).

A quick follow-up by Spiritualized standards, 'Amazing Grace' finds Jason Pierce with a new record label (his own Spaceman Records imprint) and a more immediate, less orchestral sound than on 2001's 'Let It Come Down.'

The Southern rockers make their major-label debut with this 12-track effort.

The fifth release from the Chicago-based outfit continue their foray into "modern classical" composition using acoustic instruments.

This is the third LP for the English trio of vocalist Sarah Nixey, former Auteurs frontman Luke Haines and former Jesus & Mary Chain member John Moore. Together, they sound a bit like Saint Etienne, but with a much more political and satirical approach to their lyrics.

Denmark's Raveonettes--now including two new members in addition to founders Sune Rose Wagner, Sharin Foo and their drum machine--make their major-label debut with this 13-track effort produced by Richard Gottehrer (Blondie). As on their debut EP, all songs are restricted to a single key (here, b-flat major) and must be shorter than 3 minutes.

The London-by-way-of-Los-Angeles-by-way-of-San Francisco rockers known as JAMC--er, make that BRMC--return with their second LP, which actually finds the group distancing themselves (at least a little) from the Jesus and Mary Chain-influenced sound of their debut.

This is the second album for the Brooklyn- (formerly Ohio-) based indie rockers fronted by singer Matt Berninger.

This is the third studio album for the Denver-based indie pop band led by Tammy Ealom.

This is the second LP for the Montreal-based indie-pop quartet featuring actor Torquil Campbell, Evan Cranley (also a member of Broken Social Scene), Amy Millan and Chris Seligman.

This is the third album for the Winnipeg, Canada-based group led by former Propagandhi member John K. Samson.

The Ontario, Canada band makes its Sub Pop (and U.S.) debut with this, their second LP, which mixes alternative rock with punk and soul.

The ever-prolific Robert Pollard returns with a brand-new GbV studio disc (the 15th or so since 1987), retaining the core group of musicians that has been with him for the last few albums.

If you think the concept of a guitar-drums blues duo from Detroit sounds a bit, well, familiar, consider this: Soledad Brothers guitarist Johnny Walker allegedly is responsible for teaching the White Stripes' Jack White how to play guitar. This is the Brothers' third studio LP.

This party album from the Danish band Junior Senior has garnered attention throughout Europe with its mix of garage rock, pop and disco.

A former member of Billy Childish's band Thee Headcoatees, Holly Golightly has gained a wider following in recent months due to her guest appearance on The White Stripes' 'Elephant.' New devotees will have a lot to discover: this is her ninth solo album since 1995.

The Australian rockers, who have attracted attention in their homeland and in Europe with their early EPs, make their full-length debut with this LP.

The fourth LP for the singer-songwriter (who is also a member of The Thorns) is his first without longtime producer Brendan O'Brien, as Droge handles production chores himself.

The London-based band follow their singles collection ('Suburban Light') with this, their first true studio LP, which continues their hazy, 60s-influenced sound developed in those earlier songs.

This 16-track compilation offers an impressive sampling of the New York underground scene from the late 1970s and early 80s, including cuts from "no-wave," post-punk, experimental and hip-hop artists such as ESG, Material, DNA, Defunkt, and Liquid Liquid.

The New York-based but Chicago-sounding post-rock outfit (think Isotope 217 or Tortoise) founded by Sasha Frere-Jones offers 13 new tracks on their first LP since 1998, and their first with new bassist (one of two) Erik Sanko of Skeleton Key.

This solo release from the anticon collective's Jonathan Wolf (aka Why?), also a member of cLOUDDEAD, sees the experimental rapper mixing in a healthy dose of indie guitar with beats and samples that venture from lo- to hi- fi.

This is the second solo LP from the co-founder of such legendary alt-country bands as Uncle Tupelo and Son Volt.

The Boston-based trio has developed a devoted following over the course of three albums and ten years of touring. This fourth album, produced by Roger Moutenot (Yo La Tengo), adds additional elements such as bass and drums to their ususal mix of two acoustic guitars and bongos.

The quirky, Portland, Ore.-based indie rock trio recorded this highly-regarded genre-twisting debut album with the aid of a homemade software program.

The duo of 764-HERO guitarist/vocalist John Atkins and Black Heart Procession drummer Joe Plummer return with a second LP.

Don't let the title fool you; the Glaswegian instrumental post-rockers are just as dour as ever on this fourth studio LP.

This sophomore LP for the Reading, England band continues the retro-futuristic pop sound (frequently compared to Stereolab) from their debut, with vocals sung in English, Spanish and French.

The Austin, Texas-based drone-pop qunitet--known to friends and reviewers as AmAnSet--returns with their fifth LP.

The Southern rock band led by Patterson Hood follow up their 2-disc concept album about Lynyrd Skynyrd ('The Southern Rock Opera') with this less conceptual but equally rocking LP.

'Twice,' which, yes, follows 2001's 'Once,' is the second album for the Los Angeles-based band that features three members of Beachwood Sparks. While the Sparks employ a 60's California pop sound, the Tyde tend to echo somewhat more recent British groups such as Felt.

The sixth studio LP for the distinctive English band is preceded by the EP "Don't Even Go There" (which shares one track with the album).

The fourth album for the alt-country trio (whose song "Moment in the Sun" is the theme for NBC's "Ed") was produced by Joe Chiccarelli (American Music Club).

The best indie rock band to come out of Modesto, California in quite some time (well, ever, we'd think) returns with a long-awaited fourth LP, arriving a full three years after The Sophtware Slump thanks to worldwide tours and a lengthy recording process.

The New York-based indie-pop band, led by Adam Schlesinger and Chris Collingwood, returns with a long-awaited third LP.

Search engines hate them, but !!! (pronounced "Chik Chik Chik," of course) are popular with live audiences for their funkier, dancier (yes, that's a word--trust us) approach to indie music. The Sacramento band shares three members with Out Hud, and this is their 2-song debut for Touch And Go (with a full album to follow in 2004).

Bassist Britta Phillips and guitarist Dean Wareham (each a member of the band Luna) offer a mix of originals and covers, including takes on songs by Madonna, the Silver Jews and the Doors, all produced by Tony Visconti (David Bowie, T. Rex).

The Toronto, Canada indie-rock collective generated a great deal of praise for this 2002 sophomore effort, which was released in the U.S. in June, 2003 for the first time.

This compilation (whose name borrows from the similar 1978 Brian Eno-curated disc 'No New York') contains 16 tracks from artists at the forefront of the current New York indie scene, including The Strokes, Interpol, The Natural History, Radio 4, The Walkmen, The Rapture, Calla, Longwave, Ted Leo & The Pharmacists, Yeah Yeah Yeahs (credited to "Unitard") and The Rogers Sisters.

Recorded by Steve Albini, 'Run To Ruin' is the New York singer-songwriter's third LP. The Dirty Three's Jim White chips in on drums.

The Los Angeles-based indie-rock band led by Blair Shehan (formerly of Knapsack) makes its long-awaited full-length debut after several years of touring with bands ranging from Death Cab For Cutie to the Foo Fighters.

Better known to the indie-rock crowd than the hip-hop community (perhaps because in his former life, he was a white, balding computer programmer), San Francisco-based Topher Lafata (aka Gold Chains) follows a series of well-received EPs and singles with this full-length debut.

A member of fellow anticon collective artist cLOUDDEAD, Odd Nosdam returns with his second solo LP, a two-part disc that combines instrumental tracks and beats with a found-sound collage approach.

The hard-to-like band's second album of early 2003 was recorded during the same sessions that gave rise to 'So Much Staying Alive and Lovelessness.'

This is the second album from the post-punk outfit, one of the edgier, less-mainstream bands on the current New York underground circuit.

The first album in four years for Kurt Heasley and his band continues his fixation with all things British.

This is the sophomore disc for the Norwich, England rock band (led by excitable vocalist Nikki Colk) who at times recall a harder-rocking Electrelane or a UK version of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs.

Another somewhat strange indie-pop band from Oklahoma (Flaming Lips, anyone?), the Starlight Mints return with 11 catchy new tunes on this sophomore release.

Named after a suburb of his native Sheffield, England, 'Lowedges' is the third solo release for the Pulp guitarist.

Joe Pernice and company return with ten new indie-pop gems.

Featuring guitarists named Rock and Roll Indian and Surge Joebot, the latest indie-rock sensation to come out of Detroit combines punk, new-wave and disco on this debut full-length. Included here is a new version of their hit single "Danger! High Voltage" with the White Stripes' Jack White on backing vocals.

Recording under his own name for the first time rather than his usual Third Eye Foundation (definitely not to be confused with Third Eye Blind), Bristol, England's Matt Elliott returns with a dark, moody collection of lo-fi, sample-based electronica.

The San Francisco rock band formerly known as VSS and then Slaves returns with a second album for Sub Pop in their current Pleasure Forever incarnation.

This EP-sized companion-piece to One Bedroom contains three versions of tracks from that recent album (remixed by Stereolab, Carl Craig and Broadcast) as well as four new songs.

21-year old Rjyan Kidwell seems to have all the bases covered on his latest full-length, which might be considered your typical glitchtronica-indie-folk-hip-hop-emo-electro-party jam, if it weren't for the fact that there is absolutely nothing typical about it at all.

The Vancouver, Canada indie supergroup attempts to duplicate the success of 2000's 'Mass Romantic' with this sophomore release. Neko Case returns to handle vocal duties.

Otherwise known as the backing band for Robert Pollard in Guided By Voices, Cleveland's Cobra Verde combine numerous 70s rock influences on this, their third studio album. J Mascis guests.

The sample-based indietronica LP 'Rounds' is the third solo effort for Fridge's Kieran Hebden.

If you can picture an explicitly gay version of the Polyphonic Spree recording church music, then you have a general idea of this unconventional debut album from Toronto, Canada's Hidden Cameras.

This is the second full-length for the Olympia, Wash-based indie-punk trio led by powerful singer Beth Ditto.

The one constant in the Seattle indie band The Long Winters is Alaska native John Roderick, who is joined on this sophomore effort by a host of musicians including Peter Buck (REM), Scott McCaughey (Minus 5) and Sean Ripple (American Analog Set), with Chris Walla (Death Cab For Cutie) and Ken Stringfellow (The Posies) co-producing.

This is the third LP for the Louisville-based emo band known for their strong live shows.

The debut album for Ireland's Gemma Hayes shows the twentysomething singer-songwriter attempting to synthesize her diverse influences, who range from My Bloody Valentine to Joni Mitchell. Dave Fridmann produces.

The dour Glasgow-based duo of Aidan Moffat and Malcom Middleton return for their fifth studio album, with guest contributions from members of Bright Eyes and Mogwai.

The indie-rock combo led by Roman Kuebler (whose resume includes a stint as the touring bassist for Spoon) makes their full-length debut with this 12-track effort.

Following her tenure as singer for roots-rockers Lone Justice, Maria McKee issued a series of three solo releases in the mid 1990s, and then remained relatively quiet for seven years until 'High Dive,' her self-released return.

'2' is the aptly-named second album for the Portland-based indie-pop quartet.

After a five-year break from the music business, Lisa Germano returns with a new record deal and a new album, hoping to regain the cult following she developed through a series of critically-lauded releases for 4AD in the 1990s.

Championed (and signed) by the White Stripes' Jack White, this spare, Michigan-based keyboard-bass-drums trio has been labeled by Rolling Stone as this generation's Devo. White produced this debut LP, which was mixed by Mercury Rev's Dave Fridmann. And why the album title? According to the band's website, "We all love rabbits."

This debut album for the Washington D.C. punk five-piece (with a rhythm section stocked with two drummers and two bassists) has drawn comparisons to Liars, Fugazi, and Q and Not U.

This is the sophomore release for San Francisco's atmospheric noise-pop band led by vocalist Chris Streng, whose previous band shared members with Black Rebel Motorcycle Club.

Yet another experimental indie band to arise out of the Chicago scene, the Fruit Bats are the brainchild of multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Eric Johnson, who has played with Ugly Casanova, I Rowboat, and Califone. On this second Fruit Bats LP, he is joined by Gillian Lisee and producer Brian Deck.

Portastatic is a side project for Superchunk's Mac McCaughan (who also is part owner of Merge Records). On this, his first Portastatic LP since 1997, he is joined by Sleater-Kinney's Janet Weiss as well as members of Sparklehorse and Lambchop.

The Akron, Ohio guitar-drums blues duo (needless White Stripes comparison omitted) of Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney recorded this sophomore effort in a single 14-hour session.