'Lesser Matters' is the debut disc for the Swedish shoegazers.

The Virginia indie-rockers (who share some members with the now defunct Denali) return with their fourth studio disc (and first for new label Lookout!), produced by Brian McTernan.

The highly political singer-songwriter returns with his 13th studio outing, which includes a duet with Emmylou Harris and a love song ("Condi Condi") about the current National Security Advisor.

The New York indie four-piece team up with, of all people, producers The Matrix on this follow-up to 'Electric Sweat.'

The distinctive Liverpool-based band returns with a third studio LP.

No, the Drive-By Truckers haven't gone all gangsta rap on us; the title is just one example of the southern rockers' playful side. Founders Patterson Hood and Mike Cooley remain, although their surrounding cast has changed a bit since the acclaimed 'Decoration Day.'

'Business Casual' is the debut LP for the dance-oriented Nebraska four-piece, who are frequently compared to some combination of Wire, XTC and Gang Of Four and don't sound an awful lot like any of the other bands on Saddle Creek's roster, save for maybe The Faint.

The Toronto, Canada country-surf-rockers led by the Good brothers (Dallas and Travis) return with a self-produced effort. Robyn Hitchcock guests on one track.

George Drakoulias produced this sophomore release for the singer-songwriter, who garnered praise for her 2002 debut 'Bramble Rose.' Here, she adds some Muscle Shoals-style soul to her roots and country repertoire.

The third album for the Vienna-based electronica-infused post-rock trio was recorded partially in Austria and partially with John McEntire in Chicago.

This solo disc from the co-founder of New Zealand rockers The Clean includes backing by members of Lambchop.

The third disc for the Twilight Singers, the side project for the Afghan Whigs' Greg Dulli, is a covers album, tackling such interesting, diverse subject matter as Bjork's "Hyperballad," John Coltrane's "A Love Supreme," and Marvin Gaye's "Please Stay (Once You Go Away)."

After 20 years and over 20 albums, Dayton, Ohio's Guided By Voices (led throughout its duration by Robert Pollard) is calling it quits with this final release.

Crowded House's Neil and Tim Finn reunite with producer Mitchell Froom for this disc, which also finds them joined by Los Angeles musicians Matt Chamberlain and Jon Brion.

No, it's not a Jeopardy answer meriting the response "Who are three people who have never been in my kitchen?" but rather the latest noise-fest from Tim Kinsella & co.

The now Philadelphia-based band's fifth album in its ten-year history marks its debut for Secretly Canadian. What's not so secret is that the disc was produced by Dan Burton (Early Day Miners).

This two-disc set marks the long-awaited compact disc debut of the legendary band's 1982 live double album. While the original tracks are retained (and the discs follow the original's breakdown of 1977-1979 and 1980-1981), a whopping 16 tracks are added to the set, including 13 that were never before released in any format.

The Los Angeles indie-rockers make their major label debut with 'More Adventurous.' In the two years since their previous outing together, the band's Jenny Lewis contributed vocals to the debut from the Postal Service, while Blake Sennett and Jason Boesel released an album from their own side project, The Elected.

The English duo, who normally rely on sampling and electronics, turn to live instrumentation for this third LP.

The former Screaming Trees member and Queens Of The Stone Age collaborator returns with his sixth solo album, credited to the Mark Lanegan Band. Guests include Ween, PJ Harvey, Josh Homme, Nick Oliveri and Izzy Stradlin and Duff McKagan.

Using a 2003 European tour as inspiration, the Athens, Georga indie-rockers recorded this sixth album as a series of narratives about both Americans traveling abroad and about recent immigrants to the United States.

The Good Life is a side project for Cursive's Tim Kasher, and this third full-length release (following the 'Lovers Need Lawyers' EP) finds him joined by Stefanie Drootin, Ryan Fox and Roger Lewis.

You wouldn't know it from their album covers, or their music, but this indie-rock four-piece hails from Athens, Georgia, not Tokyo. 'Tomorrow' is their third full-length and first in five years (four, if you include their collaboration with Bedhead).

This is the third album for former Boo Radleys guitarist Martin Carr.

This is the solo debut for Adem Ilhan of the English electronica/post-rock band Fridge (whose lineup also includes Four Tet's Kieran Hebden). Unlike in Fridge (which is an instrumental outfit), Adem sings over these ten quiet, folksy tracks.

The former Tricky collaborator was nominated for the UK's Mercury Music Prize for her solo debut 'Quixotic,' which arrives in the U.S. a year later re-sequenced, re-designed, and re-titled (as 'Anything'). Included (as on the original version) is a collaboration with Josh Homme and Mark Lanegan, as well as tracks recorded with Tricky and David Holmes.

Apart from demonstrating that his addition skills are as poor as Radiohead's, 'One Plus One' finds Damon Gough returning to the more low-key, lo-fi sound of his earlier work after the much glossier 'Have You Fed The Fish?' failed to win the British singer-songwriter new fans in 2002.

Allegedly recorded on a budget of $120, 'Terrorbird' is the somewhat strange debut for the post-punk four-piece from Los Angeles.

Although a New York band, Scissor Sisters (as evidenced by this debut disc) are definitely not part of the typical New York scene, eschewing garage and no wave to embrace campier, glammier 70s and 80s rock and dance music sounds. Included here is the band's cover of Pink Floyd's "Comfortably Numb."

The psychedelic indie-rockers from Santa Cruz, Calif. make their Sub Pop debut with this third disc. Guitarist Ben Chasny has been added to the lineup, supplementing the original quartet led by vocalist/guitarist Ethan Miller.

The sophomore effort from the Long Island emo band was produced by Lou Giordano (Ataris), and features new vocalist Fred Mascherino (joining band founder Adam Lazzara).

The former Throwing Muses and Breeders member's third solo release finds her collaborating with the likes of Dean Fisher (who doubles as Juliana Hatfield's bassist and Donelly's husband) and Rich Gilbert.

The all-female Scandinavian quartet return with a disc produced by Pelle Gunnerfeldt (The Hives), their third album overall and first for new label RCA.

The third album for the all-girl Canadian metal band was produced by Steve Thompson (Anthrax, Korn).

Rick Rubin produced this fourth album for the Swedish quartet, which features contributions by Billy Preston and Ash's Charlotte Hatherley.

The producer (a college English professor in his former life) behind the fictitious hip-hop outfits The Majesticons and The Infesticons returns with a disc recorded under his own name. It's not the third installment in the -icons series (that will come later), but a standalone album that veers into multiple genres and moods.

The Swedish garage-rockers return with their third full-length disc.

A bit more "rock" than her older sister Jessica, the 19-year-old former ("7th Heaven") and current (her own MTV reality show) TV star makes her recording debut with these 11 tracks produced by John Shanks.

The inventive but challenging hardcore outfit returns with their first full-length studio recording since 1999's 'Calculating Infinity.'

This three-disc box set, subtitled "10 Years of B-Sides and Rarities," is just that, collecting 56 tracks from the Duluth, MN slowcore trio. Also included in the set is a 32-page booklet and a DVD with videos, concert footage and documentaries.

Colin McIntyre returns with his third album in as many years, like its predecessors a bit, well, strange.

The El Paso, Texas four-piece (featuring those members of At The Drive-In who didn't join the Mars Volta) return with a second full-length, produced by Mike Major.

This solo disc from the Posies member features guest appearances from Jill Sobule and members of Velocity Girl, Oranger and the Posies.

Originally self-released by the band in 2003, this debut album for Rogue Wave (basically just namesake Zach Rogue, plus additional musicians on some songs) was remastered and re-released by Sub Pop in 2004.

Now together over 20 years as a band, the duo of Johns (Linnel and Flansburgh) return with their 10th studio album (their first for adults in three years), reuniting with producer Pat Dillett (who worked on the pair's 1990 album 'Flood').

The brother-sister duo of Matthew and Eleanor Friedberger return with a second quirky, challenging and eclectic LP.

Although the Dallas-based robe-wearing collective (who number close to 30) recorded their buzz-generating debut in just two days, this sophomore effort is the result of a full year in the studio. (Presumably, it's a very large studio.) Eric Feldman (Sparklehorse) and The Speekers produced.

This debut for the Liverpool five-piece recalls bands such as Echo & The Bunnymen, U2 and The Verve. Cocteau Twins' Simon Raymonde produced.

The second solo outing for the Black Crowes leader (who is now backed by a band named after his first solo disc, New Earth Mud) was co-produced by Robinson, Paul Stacey and Ethan Johns.

The follow-up to 2000's 'Bloodflowers' sees Robert Smith & co. working with metal producer Ross Robinson (Limp Bizkit, Korn) for the first time (and apparently, he ate up so much of the recording budget that they couldn't afford an album cover artist).

Kenny Chesney guests on '72 & Sunny,' the third solo disc for the Kid Rock protege.

This is the second solo release for the former D Generation frontman. Malin's buddy Ryan Adams does not produce this time around, but he does appear on the album.

Jim Heath & co. return for an eighth album of rockabilly tunes.

The fourth album from the Bay Area indie rockers (led by singer-guitarist Carlos Forster) is their first in three years.

This is the second DFA release for the Brooklyn outfit who have evolved from abrasive noise rock to a little less abrasive psychedelic electronica. Production was handled by the DFA, Steve Revitte (Liars) and Nicolas Vernhes (Fiery Furnaces).

The current Mojave 3 and former Slowdive member makes her long-awaited solo debut with 'Waves Are Universal,' which features production by David Naughton and drumming by Ashley Bates (Chapterhouse).

These thirteen tracks mark just the third solo disc for the former Beach Boys songwriter, and include songs that Wilson has written over the past two decades. Paul McCartney, Eric Clapton and Elton John guest. (Sorry, no Snoop Dogg or Missy Elliott.)

This is the first album in three years for the now 50-something Richman.

The stripped-down 'The Will To Death' is not just the second solo disc in 2004 for the Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist, but marks the first of a whopping six planned albums for Record Collection this year.

When you record one of the most acclaimed albums of the decade, what do you do for an encore? If you are Jeff Tweedy & co., you return with both old (Jim O'Rourke again producing) and new (yet another lineup change) for your fifth studio LP.

Classically-trained guitarist Jimmy LaValle, who has played on albums by Tristeza and Black Heart Procession in addition to his own Album Leaf project, traveled from San Diego, CA to Iceland to record this third Album Leaf disc as a guest of Sigur Ros. Members of Sigur Ros, Mum, and Black Heart Procession appear on the album.

The oh-so-punny industrial rockers return with, believe it or not, their 10th LP (although that does include their early synth-pop releases when they were scary for very different reasons).

This is the third album of psychedelic-rock tunes from Swedish multi-instrumentalist/vocalist Gustav Ejstes.

Yes, as you may have surmised, this is the real new Fall full-length (just one in a very, very long line of releases from the amazingly prolific Mark E. Smith and company). Originally titled 'Country On The Click,' this album was leaked in early stages on the Internet, but has since been remixed and resequenced.

'Hot Fuss' marks the debut for the Las Vegas-based garage rockers led by 22-year old vocalist/songwriter Brandon Flowers.

'This Is For Real' is the full-length debut for the trashy electro-punk outfit out of Sheffield, England.

The Vermont jam band has announced that 'Undermind,' their 11th studio effort, will be their last. Tchad Blake produced.

This is the second solo album for the E Street Band member (and Bruce Springsteen wife), and was recorded over the last 11 (!) years.

Andy Dragazis' third Blue States album is a major departure, adding vocalist/guitarist Chris Carr and drummer Jon Chandler to the mix and moving well away from the chill-out vibe of the previous two discs.

This is the second disc for the duo of Robin Guthrie (Cocteau Twins) and vocalist Siobhan de Mare (Mono).

The Toronto lo-fi indie-rockers, led by Will Oldham-esque singer-songwriter Aaron Riches, make their Sanctuary debut with this third album.

'Contraband' marks the debut LP for what basically amounts to Scott Weiland (Stone Temple Pilots) fronting Guns N Roses (including Duff McKagan and Slash).

'Brother Is To Son' is nominally a solo effort for Daniel Smith (aka "Brother Danielson," aka leader of the Christian indie-rock outfit the Danielson Familie), although fellow Familie (and, in real life, family) members appear throughout this acoustic-only disc, as does frequent collaborator Sufjan Stevens.

The Portland, Ore. duo of Brandon Summers and Benjamin Weikel are back with their third album, and first for Sub Pop.

This 19-track live CD from the former Son Volt and Uncle Tupelo member includes two new songs, 15 tracks culled from his three solo discs, and covers of Neil Young and Pink Floyd. It was recorded during his tour in the fall of 2003 while he was backed by a five-piece band (Canyon).

The mellow Canadian rock outfit led by Margo and Michael Timmins mark nearly 20 years in the business with this eighth studio disc.

This is the second full-length for the dance-oriented Sacramento/New York seven-piece (down from eight), who share several members with the band Out Hud.

The always interesting Florida-based singer-songwriter's third album was co-produced by Joe Henry, with appearances from Aimee Mann, Chocolate Genius, M. Ward, Bil Frisell and The Sadies.

The veteran New York band, again operating as a five-piece (with Jim O'Rourke still in the group), return with a successor to one of their best albums in recent memory, 2002's 'Murray Street.'

The veteran Southern California hardcore punk band returns with--as you may have guessed from the title--a political-themed disc, complete with carefully-footnoted lyrics.

This is the first solo release for Carl Newman, who can also be found leading indie-rock supergroup The New Pornographers as well as the (now defunct) Canadian power-pop band Zumpano.

The Bay Area indie-pop band returns with a second LP.

On her seventh album, a sparser affair than her 2000 effort 'Stories From The City?,' PJ Harvey produced, mixed, and played all of the instruments herself (aside from drums, handled by Robert Ellis), with some additional production from Head.

The Texas noise-rock trio led by John Congleton returns with a third LP.

The London art rockers have changed their lineup for this sophomore release, dropping bassist Jon Ball for Tracy Bellaries. Alex Newport (At The Drive In, Icarus Line) produces.