The all-female indie-rock band from Brighton, England (who in the past have crossed Stereolab's love for vintage electronics with a more raucous sound) worked with producer Steve Albini on this second full-length, which incorporates vocals into the mix for the first time.

Mike Patton (Faith No More) returns for his third studio album (which consists of a single, 74-minute song!) with his more experimental outfit Fantomas.

Mice Parade is the solo moniker adopted by Adam Pierce (drummer for the east coast indie rock band The Swirlies) for his forays into electronica and post-rock. Although he has expanded Mice Parade into a full-band effort on some previous releases, Pierce recorded this fourth studio LP mainly on his own.

The Manchester band follow their Mercury Music Prize-nominated debut 'Asleep In The Back' with this ambitious 11-track sophomore disc.

'Margerine Eclipse' marks the London-based band's first LP since the death of long-time member Mary Hansen, as well as the once-prolific group's longest-ever gap between albums (2 1/2 years).

The veteran Illinois-based college-radio favorites offer up more new wave (or is that post new wave or new new wave?) tunes on their eighth studio LP.

This 70-track, 4-disc collection is just what the title says: every Cure B-side and compilation track, in chronological order, from 1978-2001, each newly remastered and accompanied by extensive liner notes by Robert Smith.

The sophomore effort for the English quartet includes two tracks produced by the legendary (and allegedly homicidal) Phil Spector, with the remainder handled by John Leckie and Danton Suppie.

This limited edtion 11-song low-fi mini-album was recorded with producer Ian Broudie over the course of a week.

Brooklyn's Oneida has been around a bit longer (since 1997) than some of their fellow bands in the New York neo-garage/punk/new wave scene, and 'Secret Wars' marks their sixth LP.

'Punk Rock' is just that, combining new recordings of some of the band's edgier late-70s output with live performances culled from their 25th anniversary tour in 2002.

'Underachievers' is the first U.S. release for the Glasgow, Scotland-based band, who mine some of the same musical territory as fellow Scots Belle & Sebastian (as well as drawing more than a few Nick Drake comparisons).

This electronic-rock effort marks the full-length solo debut for Omaha, Neb.-based Denver Dalley of Desaparecidos.

Originally self-released in March 2003, 'Land Air Sea' returns in 2004 in a resequenced and remixed version (on Epitaph) for this side project from members of Weezer and Rocket From The Crypt.

Known for her work as half of the 4AD group Dead Can Dance, as well as more recent efforts scoring such films as Gladiator and Whale Rider, Lisa Gerrard here unites with Irish classical composer Patrick Cassidy for ten new tracks, including songs sung in Aramaic, Latin and Gaelic.

The latest LP from the Chicago-based experimental indie-rockers returns the same four-piece lineup (led, as always, by Tim Rutili) from 2003's Quicksand/Cradlesnakes.

Popular San Francisco-based indie producer and former MK Ultra frontman John Vanderslice returns with his fourth solo album.

The singer-songwriter's latest is a solo release in every sense of the word, as DiFranco wrote, produced, played, and sang everything on the album (not to mention releasing it on her own record label).

The Songs: Ohia leader offers seven new tracks on this completely solo release, the first he has recorded under his own name. It is the result of a single session in Omaha with engineer Mike Mogis (who worked with Molia on the 'Ghost Tropic' album).

Jason Schwartzman has departed, but the Los Angeles band continues on with a third album.

Producer T-Bone Burnett compiled this collection of traditional Americana, country and blues tunes to complement Anthony Minghella's Civil War epic. Among the performers here are Alison Krauss and the White Stripes' Jack White.

This is the seventh album for these Orange County alt-rockers.

Adams' 'Love Is Hell' 2-part album concludes with seven more tracks.

This limited-edition release from the Blur frontman consists of 14 original solo demos (recorded in hotel rooms during a recent tour) spread over four sides, each one clearly a work in progress.

The eclectic Mexican five-piece returns with a sophomore LP.

The Nirvana-esque four-piece returns with a follow-up to their 2001 major-label debut 'Come Clean.'

The Grammy-winning singer-songwriter's sophomore effort comes a full three years after her debut, 'Whoa, Nelly!'

The California nu-metal band offers a back-to-basics approach on this sixth LP.

Rjyan Kidwell's second release of 2003 (third, if you count his all-instrumental alternate version of 'Being Ridden') features 8 new songs that run the gamut from rap to industrial rock to glitchy electronica.

This 3-disc attractively-packaged retrospective on the groundbreaking New York band includes completely remastered tracks from each of their studio LPs as well as the same previously-unreleased-on-CD demos and new tracks included on the earlier 2-disc Sand In the Vaseline complilation. Also included are never-before-released alternate versions of five songs. The set also contains a DVD with an updated version of the Talking Heads music video compilation Storytelling Giant, with three additional videos not found on the original VHS release.

Originally intended as a loose, spontaneous recording called 'Get Back,' 'Let It Be' was eventually released (after the band's breakup) after being shelved and then reproduced/enhanced by Phil Spector, leaving many fans (and an angry Paul McCartney) wondering, "what if?" This new release answers that question to a certain extent, with an altered track listing (which adds "Don't Let Me Down") containing some de-Spectorized versions as well as some originals that have been remixed and remastered.

Definitely not your typical blink-182 album, this eponymous release finds the once-juvenile band finally showing a mature side, and winning critics over in the process. The Cure's Robert Smith guests on one track.

The sixth album for the Detroit rocker is more party-rock than rap-metal, although some hip-hop elements are retained from previous outings. Included is a cover of "Feel Like Makin' Love."

Following the unexpected critical and commercial success of M!ssundaztood, Pink returns with a third, even more rock-oriented album. Linda Perry returns to helm just a few tracks, with the bulk of the producing/writing chores falling to Rancid's Tim Armstrong.

Stephin Merritt's soundtrack to the film "Pieces of April" includes previously released tracks from his bands The 6ths and Magnetic Fields, as well as four brand new songs from the latter.

The born-again Christian rap-metal band returns with a follow-up to their 2001 hit 'Satellite.' Jason Truby replaces departed guitarist Marcos.

This is the third full-length for the Detroit garage rockers led by guitarist Mick Collins (ex of the Gories) and featuring a supersized rhythm section of two bass players and two drummers. Included in early versions are bonus covers of Brian Eno's "King's Lead Hat" and Robyn Hitchcock's "Executioner of Love."

The Canadian singer-songwriter emerges from a period of inactivity with her first album of new material since 1997's 'Surfacing.' Frequent collaborator Pierre Marchand returns as producer.

'Ghosts' marks the debut of the latest band from Mark Kozelek (Red House Painters). Filling out the lineup are RHP drummer Anthony Koutsos, American Music Club drummer Tim Mooney, and bassist Geoff Sanfield (Black Lab).

This five-song album is the second release from the Austin, Texas instrumental quartet known for their fierce live shows.

Love Is Hell, Part 1 is one-half of the planned 'Love Is Hell' full-length that Adams had intended as his official follow-up to 2001's 'Gold' until Lost Highway refused to release it intact (instead encouraging the singer to record a more upbeat LP, 'Rock n Roll'). John Porter (The Smiths) produces.

Hailing from Dublin, Ireland, The Thrills incorporate the sounds of California rock from the 1960s and 70s (the Byrds, Beach Boys) as well as a bit of Beatles thrown in for good measure on this debut album, already a hit in the UK (and a nominee for the Mercury Music Prize).

Recorded in just two weeks after Adams (rather, his record company) scrapped plans to release 'Love Is Hell' as his official follow-up to 'Gold' (the former will instead appear as a 2-part EP), 'Rock'n'Roll' features guest appearances from Billie Joe Armstrong (Green Day), Melissa Auf Der Mauer (Hole) and Parker Posey (every indie film in the last 15 years).

Skull Ring marks Iggy Pop's first appearance with his original band The Stooges in 30 years, as they provide backing on four tracks here. Also guesting are members of Green Day and Sum 41.

The Massachusetts-based trio's fourth album is their first for a major label. Dave Fridmann produces.

The Virginia band's sophomore disc has a more immediate sound compared to their trip-hoppy self-titled debut.

Exactly what the title says it is, this 16-track disc features songs from the Hedwig soundtrack (as well as new compositions inspired by the musical) interpreted by your favorite indie artists, including Yo La Tengo (with Yoko Ono!), Spoon, Robyn Hitchcock, The Polyphonic Spree, Frank Black, The Breeders, Bob Mould, and more.

This eagerly-awaited second LP for the heralded/hyped New York five-piece was produced by Gordon Raphael (who also produced their debut 'Is This It?') after aborted sessions working with Radiohead producer Nigel Godrich.

Paul Westerberg's blues-playin' alter ego returns with a second album (following 'Mono,' which was packaged with Westerberg's 'Stereo' release).

More "rocking" than recent LP 'Summer Sun,' this six-track EP includes four new songs plus alternate versions of "Cherry Chapstick" and the title cut.

This sophomore LP (and U.S. debut) for the English band was produced by the Cocteau Twins' Simon Raymonde.

Named after a recent documentary about him, Westerberg's latest home-recorded solo disc contains some of the songs first heard in that film, as well as new material. It was released concurrently with 'Dead Man Shake' by his alter-ego, Grandpaboy.

The London, England band's fourth LP finds them stripping away some of the layers (and extra musicians) found on previous outings for a more organic trip-hop approach.

The Brooklyn band's dance/punk/80s hybrid debut follows months of hype and anticipation fed by several years of touring. Included here is the single "House Of Jealous Lovers."

The witty Canadian band with a devoted fanbase is back with their first album since the poorly-received 'Maroon.' Ron Aniello (Guster, Lifehouse) produces.

The Montreal, Canada-based quartet (basically, 2003's version of Interpol) follows its acclaimed, 80s-influenced EP "Rememberese" with this debut full-length. "Still In Love Song" is the only song from that EP to reappear here.

The former Clash leader was nearing completion of this fourth and final solo album when he died of a heart attack in 2002. It includes covers of Bob Marley's "Redemption Song" (recorded without his backing band the Mescaleros) and Bobby Charles' "Before I Grow Too Old," as well as eight Strummer originals veering from reggae to rock.

The fourth album from the Glaswegian rock band is their darkest to date.

Picking up on the sounds of late 70s / early 80s post-punk and no-wave, this all-female Bay Area quartet drew positive notices for their debut 'Other Animals' and now return with a sophomore LP two years later.

The experimental collage artists combine samples, vocals (courtesy of Anne Doerner) and acoustic instrumentation on this second release.

The punk outfit led by Brody Armstrong (oops--make that Brody Dalle, now) makes its major-label debut with 'Coral Fang,' the band's third release overall.

The husband and wife duo of Brett and Rennie Sparks return with their sixth CD of dark, country-tinged folk-rock.

The first solo outing for Portishead's Beth Gibbons finds her teaming up with former Talk Talk bassist Paul "Rustin' Man" Webb on a largely acoustic, melodic collection of 10 tracks.

The Welsh band returns with 12 new tracks of indie rock mixed with folk, pop, and psychedelia.

This odds'n'ends disc compiles covers recorded by Mac McCaughan and his touring band in the studio, acoustic tracks recorded from college radio broadcasts, and one new song.

This final release from the now disbanded Washington, D.C. group is a remix album, but with a twist: all of the tracks were remixed by fans in response to an invitation on DP's website, with the best entries selected for inclusion on this disc.

Crooked Fingers' Eric Bachmann returns as producer for the third album from the duo of Orenda Fink and Maria Taylor.

The Toronto, Canada-based quartet returns with a fourth LP of psychedelic post-rock instrumentals, divided, as the title suggests, into three movements.

This five-song EP represents the first new studio material for the once prolific English band in two years (and first since the death of longtime member Mary Hansen). A new LP awaits in early 2004.

This is the fourth album for the Washington-based indie group led by Ben Gibbard (also of the Postal Service) and Chris Walla.

The veteran Scottish band's first album for Sanctuary (after a long run on Matador Records) is also their first without singer/cellist Isobel Campbell. The 12 tracks here were produced by Trevor Horn.

'Get Born' marks the debut of the Australian garage-rock quartet Jet.

'Evening' represents Jones' first album of self-penned material in six years. The roster of guests includes Nels Cline, David Hidalgo, Grant Lee Phillips and Bill Frisell.

The fifth LP for the chamber-pop trio is a collaboration with the New York-based progressive theater collective SITI Company.

This debut album for the Icelandic band (who draw more comparisons to Coldplay than to their countrymates Sigur Ros) was released in the UK in 2002 to some acclaim, prompting a major label deal with DreamWorks and a U.S. rerelease in 2003.

The New-York four piece makes its full-length debut with this 10-track effort that has drawn comparisons to the usual suspects (Joy Division, The Cure, The Pixies, et al) as well as to newer bands who also draw from the same sources (Interpol, Hot Hot Heat, et al).

The trio worked with producer Dave Eringa (Ash, Manic Street Preachers, Kylie Minogue) for this sophomore release.

Former Sunny Day Real Estate members Jeremy Enigk, William Goldsmith and Nate Mendel make their debut as The Fire Theft with this 13-track disc, co-produced by Brad Wood.

Unlike Jack and Meg White, this brother-sister garage-blues duo really are brother and sister. 'Gallowsbird's Bark' marks the full-length debut for New Yorkers Eleanor and Matthew Friedberger after several years touring with the likes of Spoon, The Kills and French Kicks.

This is the fourth album for the Neil Halstead-fronted band, who have taken on a more alt-country feel since their origins in Slowdive.

The first solo release for Dave Matthews (that's right, it's not the Dave Matthews Band this time out) finds him working with artists such as Tim Reynolds and Trey Anastasio (Phish).

The Canadian grunge act attempts to duplicate the multi-platinum success of 2001's 'Silver Side Up' with this latest release.

'North' is a song cycle of piano-based ballads dealing with the ups and downs romance--both the ending of one releationship and the subsequent beginning of a new love.

The critics were not kind to this follow-up to 'Chocolate Starfish...,' which sees the band with a new guitarist (who won the slot in a competition held at various Guitar Centers!) replacing the departed Wes Borland.

Don't be fooled by the title: While 'Identity Crisis' would have perfectly suited her poorly-received predecessor, 2001's Glen Ballard-produced 'Love, Shelby,' that's not the case here, as these 12 self-produced tracks are more likely to connect with fans of her breakthrough disc 'I Am Shelby Lynne.'