This is the debut full-length release for the New Zealand rockers, who have drawn comparisons to everyone from The Stooges and AC/DC to, of course, the White Stripes, and have been the subject of fawning articles in the UK music press (but then again, who hasn't) in recent months.

Chan Marshall's first album of new material since 1998 was recorded in Los Angeles with Adam Kasper (Queens of the Stone Age, Foo Fighters, Pearl Jam), who in turn brought in friends such as Dave Grohl and Eddie Vedder.

This disc compiles tracks from three previously-released EPs by the indie rock trio, who originally got their start composing music for NPR's "This American Life." Also included are three brand-new tracks.

The Tucson, Arizona-based duo of Joey Burns and John Convertino return with their fourth full-length album.

Al Jourgensen is back, and, apparently, angrier than ever. Included here on the industrial band's eighth album is a cover of Magazine's "The Light Pours Out of Me."

The Australian instrumental trio, known for their dark, minimalist, atmospheric sound, includes Bad Seeds' violinist Warren Ellis, guitarist Mick Turner, and drummer Jim White.

One of the highlights of Dntel's 2001 debut album was "This Is the Dream of Evan & Chan," where Dntel electronica mastermind Jimmy Tamborello was joined by Death Cab For Cutie's Ben Gibbard on vocals. Satisfied by those results, the two continued to collaborate (by mail), eventually resulting in enough material for this full album that ventures more into synth-pop/new wave territory than their previous single.

Folkie Dar Williams returns with her sixth album, which is perhaps her most diverse and fullest-sounding yet, enhanced by the presence of a host of contributors including Alison Krauss, John Medeski, Bela Fleck, and John Popper.

John Hammond follows his successful album of Tom Waits covers, Wicked Grin, with his first-ever original material. Well, ok, so he only wrote one song on this new album, but it is his first. Complimenting that track are selections written by the likes of Tom Waits, George Jones, Jagger/Richards and David Hidalgo (who also appears on the album).

Nick Cave & co. return for a follow up to 2001's 'No More Shall We Part.'

Ted Leo, formerly of Chisel, returns with his fourth album of punk-influenced singer-songwriter indie-folk rock.

The fun-loving Britpop outfit, popular in the U.K. but unsuccessful to date in the U.S., returns with its fourth LP.

This is the second LP for the band that was once Spiritualized--that is, before Jason Pierce fired them and hired a new Spiritualized.

The Smiths' guitarist takes a turn at the microphone for the first time, handling vocal duties for his new band, The Healers. The lineup also includes Zak Starkey (son of Ringo Starr) on drums and Kula Shaker bassist Alonza Bevan.

Mixing post-rock and emo with punk edigness and experimentalism, Chicago's Joan of Arc features members of the Owls and Cap'n Jazz, including Owls vocalist Tim Kinsella. On this fourth album, they are also joined by members of Califone, Isotope 217, and Ugly Casanova, among others.

One-hit wonders, you say? Well, the New York trio did score an MTV hit with "Popular," from their 1996 debut album, but it is a more mature and less commercial Nada Surf that returns now with a third LP, their first for indie label Barsuk.

Don't know Bonnie "Prince" Billy? You may know him better by his given name, Will Oldham, who recorded under his name as well as Palace Music throughout the 1990s. This is his third album under the Billy moniker, and features contributions from members of Lambchop.

This six-track disc is a collaboration between Wilco frontman Jeff Tweedy, drummer Glenn Kotche, and Jim O'Rourke (known for both his acclaimed recent solo albums and work with Wilco and Sonic Youth).

What could possibly be more relevant in 2003 than an 80s band covering their favorite hits of the 60s, 70s, and 80s? Tracks here include Peter Gabriel's "Solsbury Hill," Buddy Holly's "Everday," and The Buggles' "Video Killed the Radio Star."

The new group led by Billy Corgan of The Smashing Pumpkins features a lineup including fellow Pumpkin Jimmy Chamberlin on drums and guitarists Matt Sweeney (Chavez, Skunk) and David Pajo (Slint, Tortoise).

Frequently compared to the Beta Band, this equally eclectic Isle of Wight-based duo of Paul Butler and Aaron Fletcher literally recorded this debut album in their shed.

This is the third LP for the New York-based noise-rock trio, known for their intense live shows.

Available in two different versions, the latest from Lou Reed is based on the writings of Edgar Allen Poe. The 2-CD set includes tracks with readings of Poe by various actors (such as Willem Dafoe, Steve Buscemi and Amanda Plummer), backed by Reed, while the single-disc set pulls only the more song-oriented pieces from the longer version. Hal Willner produces.

This is the fourth album for the Wisconsin-based indie/emo trio.

The Chicago-based post-rockers return with their sixth album, their once frenetic pace of releasing albums slowed over recent years due to numerous side projects (solo albums for vocalist Sam Prekop and guitarist Archer Prewitt, and work in Tortoise, among other things, for drummer John McEntire). Included here is the band's cover of David Bowie's "Sound and Vision."

The Seattle-based experimental space-rock outfit returns with their sophomore LP, following their 2001 debut 'Be Gentle With the Warm Turtle.'

This Gainesville, Fla.-based five-piece band, which mixes indie rock and alt-country with a bit of electronica, features John Orth, who also appeared on the 2002 release by the Modest Mouse side project Ugly Casanova. Brian Deck produces.

Brokeback is a side project for Eleventh Dream Day/Tortoise bassist Douglas McCombs (joined semi-permanently by second bassist Noel Kupersmith), supplemented here on this third album by Laetitia Sadier and the late Mary Hansen from Stereolab.

The Glasgow, Scotland-based band follow 2000's stunning 'The Great Eastern' with this, their fourth (and almost equally stunning) LP. Dave Fridmann (Mercury Rev) returns as producer.

Crooked Fingers is a side project for Archers of Loaf frontman Eric Bachmann. This third album follows in the dark, drunken-blues/Americana tradition of the first two, which drew Bachmann comparisons to Tom Waits and Leonard Cohen, among others.

The Microphones is an alias for Washington state-based Phil Elvrum, who returns here with a five-part concept album named after a mountain in his home state. The album is also being released in two limited edition alternate versions, one an a capella version called "Singing from 'Mt. Eerie,'" and one a drums-only version (!) called, naturally, "Drumming from 'Mt. Eerie.'"

The former Style Council and Jam frontman returns with a solo album, and finds Weller producing and playing most of the instruments himself, with the help of a few celebrity guests such as Noel Gallagher, Kelly Jones and Aziz Ibrahim.

This is the third album for the New York-based duo of Joshua Klein and Hewson Chen, who are frequently compared to (and sound like) Stephin Merritt bands (Magnetic Fields, Future Bible Heroes) and 80s outfits such as OMD. Included here is a cover of Husker Du's "Green Eyes."

The only "rock" act signed to Peter Gabriel's Real World label, Akron, Ohio native Joseph Arthur returns with his third album.

The Toronto, Canada punk outfit returns with a follow-up to their successful 2001 debut, 'All Killer No Filler.'

Not the true follow-up to 'Toxicity' that fans were hoping for, 'Steal This Album' instead consists of outtakes from that 2001 album, originally leaked on the Internet in rough versions and now polished up for release on CD.

Bobby Gillespie and co. follow 2000's widely acclaimed 'XTRMNTR' with a similar blend of Stooges-style rock and electronica, thanks to the production work of semi-official Primal Scream member Kevin Shields (formerly of My Bloody Valentine) and Andy Weatherall. Tracks include first single "Miss Lucifer," "City," a remake of a Gillespie-sung track on David Holmes' most recent album, and "Some Velvet Morning," sung as a duet with supermodel Kate Moss.

Still lowercase, the alt-rock band led by Rob Thomas (who is perhaps more famous for "Smooth" on Santana's 1999 album) returns with their third album, the first on which the band shared songwriting duties as a unit.

After frontman Zack de la Rocha left Rage Against the Machine in 2000, the remaining members of that Los Angeles band enlisted former Soundgarden leader Chris Cornell, and together they formed Audioslave. This is their debut release.

The late Beatle's final studio album was produced by Jeff Lynne with Harrison's son, Dhani.

Combining blues, R&B, jazz and funk influences, this latest offering from the ever-changing 4AD group headed by Warren Defever, like its predessor (2001's 'Someday My Blues Will Cover The Earth'), features the vocals of Lovetta Pippen. Included among the originals here are covers of The Equals' "Teardrops," Ida's "Maybe," and Jimi Hendrix's "Train."

The London-based collective is joined this time out by the likes of Simon Raymonde (Cocteau Twins), John Grant (The Czars) and Paul Anderson (Tram).

Backed by the London Symphony Orchestra, Joni Mitchell revisits songs from throughout her 35-year career on this two-disc set.

A male-female duo a la the White Stripes, Denmark's The Raveonettes make their debut with this brief disc of 8 neo-garage tunes.

Founded in 1996 in San Francisco, this now New York-based instrumental outfit (which shares some members with the band !!!) has previously drawn a bit of acclaim for their vinyl-only releases. This six-track effort represents their first CD release, which showcases their dancier, dubbier, funkier brand of post-rock.

The band's first album of new songs since 1999's Viva el Amor contains 12 mostly reggae-tinged tracks.

Another member of the new generation of neo-art-punkers (think Interpol or Liars, perhaps), this Los Angeles-based British four-piece makes its debut with 'Chat & Business,' which comes with a complimentary set of stickers with which to decorate the album cover.

Still going strong, the Seattle grunge band returns with its seventh studio album.

Don't confuse The Warlocks of the 1960s (who later became the Grateful Dead) with the new band of the same name, who only sound like they come from the 1960s. This Los Angeles-based group favor lengthy, droning songs, evoking groups such as the Velvet Underground and Jesus & Mary Chain.

Phil Collins returns with his first album of new material in six years, but will anyone care other than the guys on South Park?

Johnny Cash, still going strong at age 70, returns for a fourth album with producer Rick Rubin. Like the previous three pairings, this disc mixes Cash originals with unlikely covers, which this time out include Depeche Mode's "Personal Jesus," Nine Inch Nails' "Hurt," and Simon & Garfunkel's "Bridge Over Troubled Water." Fiona Apple, Nick Cave, and Don Henley are among the guests.

This three-track single (optimistically dubbed an "EP"), the band's second overall release, contains songs that allegedly will not appear on their upcoming full-length debut.

The fourth album from Jakob Dylan & Co. includes lead single "When You're on Top" and a bonus cover of Elvis Costello's "(What's So Funny 'bout) Peace, Love & Understanding." Long-time guitarist Michael Ward has left the group, leaving room for Pearl Jam's Mike McCready to provide some of the lead guitar on the album.

The English singer-songwriter finally returns with a follow-up to his 1999 breakthrough hit 'White Ladder.'

Picture a white man singing R&B. Picture a white man singing R&B while stripping down to his underwear. Picture an average-looking, slightly pudgy white man singing R&B while stripping down to his underwear. That's Har Mar Superstar, and this is his second album.

After wowing music critics and winning Britain's Mercury Music Prize for his 2000 debut album, 'The Hour of Bewilderbeast,' Damon Gough (who is the one and only member of Badly Drawn Boy) took a bit of time off, recording only the soundtrack for 'About A Boy' in the interim. He now returns with a proper follow-up, preceded by single "You Were Right."

Slightly (and confusingly) changing their name to Godspeed You! Black Emperor for this outing, the Canadian instrumental band recorded these 5 tracks (clocking in at 75 minutes) with Steve Albini as a follow-up to their extremely well-received 2000 effort 'Lift Yr Skinny Fists Like Antennas To Heaven.'

The very, very distinctive Icelandic band generated an enormous amount of positive press (and deservingly so) for their previous effort, 'Ágætis Byrjun,' which led to a major-label deal and this album, which, like each of its eight tracks, does not have a real title.

Legendary 1970s NYC electro-punk duo Suicide, hugely influential on the synth-pop, industrial, and electroclash movements to come in later decades, return with their first new album in ten years.

The suddenly prolific Amos returns with 18 new tracks, begging the question: Y Kant Tori Capitalize Her Song Titles? The album, her first for Epic, is structured as a cross-country journey through the U.S.

The Manchester-based pyschedelic pop quartet returns with a follow-up to their 2001 debut, 'Chemistry Is What We Are.'

The solo career of Blur guitarist Graham Coxon takes on a bit more importance now if you believe the rumors that he has left that successful Britpop group for good. This is his fourth solo disc.

Sarah Cracknell, Bob Stanley & Pete Wiggs build on the sparse, cool electronica sound of their last album, 'The Sound of Water,' with this latest release. Doves guitarist Jez Williams makes a guest appearance.

Attempting to duplicate the unexpected mega-success of 1999's 'Supernatural,' the rock veteran returns with the formula intact, loading this disc with numerous guests from various musical genres to appeal to as many potential fans as possible. The list of contributors reads like the introductions to some televised awards show: Michelle Branch, Nickelback's Chad Kroeger, Seal, Macy Gray, Musiq, Placido Domingo, Ozomatli, Dido and P.O.D. (What, no Ozzy Osbourne?)

Former Nirvana drummer (and sometime Queens of the Stone Age drummer) Dave Grohl returns to the front of the stage for his role as vocalist, guitarist, and bandleader of the Foo Fighters on this, their fourth studio recording.

American's favorite high school rockers have graduated and grown up, resulting in this, their fifth (and most mature) album to date.

This collection of B-sides, alternate versions and rarities contains 18 tracks, including an early cover of the Smiths' "This Charming Man."

Black Crowes frontman Chris Robinson takes leave from his band for this debut solo release.

On her sixth studio album, the singer-songwriter works with producer John Parish (PJ Harvey) for the first time.

The Chicago indie band's fifth album is the first in a planned trilogy, and features a bit more electronics than previous outings. Members of Tortoise guest on the album, as does Rebecca Gates from the Spinanes.

This is the sophomore effort for the Dublin trio, who generated some attention (and some unavoidable Joy Division comparisons) with their self-titled 2000 debut.

The latest from Tom Petty is a concept album (or diatribe, if you will) about/against the domination of popular music by large, greedy corporations. It was released on October 8, 2002 by a large, greedy corporation.

Although the album cover may say it's by J. Mascis & The Fog, there's not much left of The Fog other than J. himself on this 10 track effort.

Just when you feared the New Jersey hair band would never release another album, they did. Oh joy.

This seven-track EP recorded during the sessions for 'Romantica' includes covers of the Rolling Stones' "Waiting On A Friend" and Kraftwerk's "Neon Lights," as well as five new songs and videos for "Lovedust" and "1995."

Yes, it's *that* Soft Cell, the English band that brought you early 80s hits such as "Tainted Love" and "Sex Dwarf." Their first release since 1984's 'This Last Night in Sodom,' 'Cruelty Without Beauty' offers 12 brand-new tracks from the reunited duo of Dave Ball and Marc Almond.

This is the Denver indie-pop band's first new album since 2000's 'The Discovery of a World Inside the Moone.'

The San Diego-based band returns with their fourth album of dark, atmospheric music, following previous albums '1,' '2,' and, yes, '3' (c'mon guys, what happened to '4?'). This one is a concept album of sorts, about a murder mystery.

The mercurial singer-songwriter returns with an album of interpretations of 13 traditional Irish songs.

The Canadian singer-songwriter's fifth album finds Sexsmith experimenting with electronica for the first time.

This Sub Pop debut for the British Columbia band falls into the 80s/punk revival category occupied by the likes of French Kicks and Radio 4, although Cure comparisons are more likely (since lead singer Steve Bays' voice sounds, at times, almost identical to Robert Smith's).

This is the third (non-soundtrack) solo album for the Dire Straits leader, and finds him in a somewhat acoustic, American roots style.

This is the second full-length album for the Los Angeles-based indie band, who are now labelmates of Omaha's Bright Eyes. Fans of the TV program "Boy Meets World" (all three of you) may recognize guitarist Blake Sennett, who played Joey on that show. (Singer Jenny Lewis has also guested on numerous sitcoms over the years.)

This is the second in a series of self-released EPs from the newly-reborn band, following 'Read & Burn 01' which was released earlier in 2002.

Stephen Street is the producer for the Britpop band's catchy fifth album, their first since singer Brett Anderson's recovery from drug problems. Not surprisingly, it is also happier-sounding than previous Suede efforts.