This is the fourth full-length from Athens, Ga-based Of Montreal, led by Kevin Barnes. The full title is 'Coquelicot Asleep in the Poppies: A Variety of Whimsical Verse.'

This debut album from the Norwegian shoegaze six-piece marks the inaugural release by the new record label from UK website Playlouder. Sufjan Stevens guests.

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.

Stuck in label limbo since 1997, 'Old Ramon' finally sees the light of day, thanks to Sub Pop records. It is the first official RHP release since 1996's 'Songs For A Blue Guitar,' although frontman Mark Kozelek released the solo album 'What's Next to the Moon' and appeared in the film "Almost Famous" in the interim.

The third album for the dance-rock band is reportedly James Murphy's last as LCD Soundsystem.

The electro-rock Brooklyn-based duo releases its debut album with Mom + Pop and M.I.A.'s N.E.E.T. Recordings.

Miami, Fla. singer-songwriter Sam Beam (who moonlights as a cinematography professor) returns with his second album, recorded with Brian Deck (Modest Mouse, Red Red Meat) at the helm.

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

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 third release for the acclaimed cut-and-paste outfit features an expanded vocal role for guitarist Nick Zammuto.

The Athens, Ohio indie-rock band releases its latest album.

This 16-track disc (complete with a brief intermission between 'sets') marks the first studio recording in a whopping 22 years for the Boston-based trio of Roger Miller (guitar, vocals), Clint Conley (bass, vocals) and Peter Prescott (drums, vocals), with production by Bob Weston and Rick Harte and additional instrumentation on two tracks by the band Rachel's.

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.)

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

Mike McCarthy returns as producer for the Britt Daniel-led band's varied follow-up to their acclaimed 2002 outing 'Kill The Moonlight.' Spoon fans will not be disappointed.

Electric where the mellower 'Sung Tongs' was acoustic, 'Feels' is nevertheless another idiosyncratic outing for the freak-folk four-piece.

The Austin band serves up their latest album hoping fans go ga ga over it.

Sigur Ros' fourth album is the first to feature songs sung mainly in their native Icelandic, rather than their fabricated Hopelandish.

'Crane Wife' marks the literate, Colin Meloy-led band's major label debut.

It's a bit hard NOT to get noticed when your band consists of a couple dozen people dressed in white robes, but having one of the most memorable debut albums in recent years (think Mercury Rev + Spiritualized + Up With People) certainly doesn't hurt. This 10-song debut (which was originally intended as a demo) did in fact land the Austin, Texas band led by former Tripping Daisy member Tim DeLaughter a major label deal.

'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).

The Welsh band releases its ninth album features Franz Ferdinand’s Nick McCarthy rapping in German on 'Inaugural Trams.'

The half American, half English four-piece make their debut with an album that, like Manitoba's Up In Flames, combines organic and electronic elements from a variety of genres into a unique psychedelic stew.

The short-lived early 1980s Scottish band (who, like followers Orange Juice, are a strong influence on present-day bands such as Franz Ferdinand) are celebrated in a 22-track compilation that includes their singles for Postcard, cuts from their only two LPs, and recordings from a session for John Peel.

The debut full-length album for the New York artist who was discovered by Shara Worden of My Brightest Diamond.

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

The third album for the Austin-based singer Sam Beam.

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

Combine a singer who sounds more than a little like David Byrne, some solid indie-rock tunes, blurbs on all the right blogs, and a glowing review from Pitchfork and it all adds up to quite a buzz for this Brooklyn band's debut disc. Now all they need is a record deal.

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.

Brendan Canty (Fugazi) produced this third album for the Oregon band, down to the duo of Hutch Harris and Kathy Foster after the departure of original drummer Jordan Hudson.

'Inches' compiles A- and B- sides from nine different singles (originally released on nine different labels) dating back to the Rhode Island band's inception in 1995.

Jim White and Paul Oldham are among the guests on prolific songwriter Will Oldham's latest Bonnie "Prince" Billy studio recording.

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.

The second proper album from the Canadian instrumentalists consists of four independent works(each 18-22 minutes long).... yes, that's 2 songs per CD.

Chris Goss (Kyuss) produced this second album for the UK rockers.

The 13-piece outfit from Nashville (that isn't a country band) returns with a concept album about the former president (that really isn't about the former president). It's one of those things that you have to hear to understand.

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.

The sixth album for Mac McCaughan's other band (i.e., the one that isn't Superchunk) finds him joined by bassist Jim Wilbur and drummer/brother Matthew McCaughan. Tim Mooney produced.

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

The eclectic Washington, D.C.-based indie band follow their best-received album, 1999's 'Emergency & I,' with this, their fourth LP. The Plan announced their breakup subsequent to its release.

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.

This is the seventh release under the Six Organs name for Ben Chasny, who in recent years has also been a member of Comets On Fire.

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.

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.

This is the second album for the Peter Silberman-led band.

The latest release from GBV is a continuation of the band's new, more polished sound introduced on 1999's 'Do The Collapse.'

The Montreal band's Sub Pop debut was co-produced by Modest Mouse's Isaac Brock.

The third album for the Los Angeles-area punk-rock band.

Album number two for the Canadian indie-rockers is their first for Jagjaguwar.

The Brooklyn-based collective (on this release, reduced to the duo of Avey Tare and Panda Bear) combine vocal harmonies, a pair of acoustic guitars, and diverse influences into a unique sound on this latest release.

Produced by Dennis Herring (Camper Van Beethoven), the latest release from the Seattle-based indie rockers sees a return of guitarist Dann Gallucci (last with the band on Sad Sappy Sucker) and a new drummer (Benjamin Weikel) as well as a guest spot from the Dirty Dozen Brass Band.

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).

'Escondida' marks the first solo studio disc for the Texas-born folk singer-songwriter who also co-founded the Canadian group The Be Good Tanyas.

After both rapping and producing on other artists' records, double-threat Blueprint finally combines his talents on his first solo disc. Aesop Rock, Illogic and Vast Aire guest.

The British rock band uses a vast variety of musical instruments and styles for its second album.

Aside from the noisy "Cherry Chapstick," the tracks on And Then Nothing showcase a mellower sound for the Hoboken, NJ three-piece, which disappointed some long-time fans but certainly won over critics.

This is the first album since Jason Isbell left the band to pursue a solo career.

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.

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 London-based art-rockers led by Eddie Argos make their official debut with this 12-song effort.

The Scottish band's eagerly-awaited follow-up to their acclaimed self-titled debut is preceded by yet another insanely catchy single, "Do You Want To."

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

The San Francisco, California-based duo releases its sophomore album.

John Darnielle recorded this 13-track Mountain Goats disc with the help of musicians John Vanderslice, Peter Hughes, Franklin Bruno and Scott Solter.

The German electro-experimenters return with a follow up to last year's 'Niun Niggung.'

The rock quintet moves to Atlantic Records for its third album, which was produced by David Bottrill.

Julian Koster used a variety of antique and unusual recorders to achieve his unique sounds.

Former Modern Lover Jonathan Richman has been recording steadily for over 25 years, although he recently gained some new adherents with his work on the "There's Something About Mary" soundtrack.

The second EP for the singer was inspired by music she heard in church.

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.

This Alan Moulder-produced disc from the Kazu Makino-fronted band follows three years after 'Misery Is A Butterfly.'

Previously known as Manitoba, Daniel Snaith returns with his latest album.

Toronto-based singer/songwriter Hayden (Paul Hayden Desser) returns to his bedroom-recording indie-label roots, after two previous releases for Geffen.

The third full-length for the quartet from Baltimore was produced by J Robbins.

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.

The fourth album for the Portland, Oregon-based artist features Tara Jane O’Neill, Lori Goldston, and The Decemberists' Chris Funk as guest musicians.

Not only the most-hyped band of early 2006, Sheffield, England's Arctic Monkeys (led by 19-year-old Alex Turner) managed to accomplish what the likes of Franz Ferdinand and The Libertines couldn't do before them: set the UK record for fastest-selling debut album of all time.

Dan Lissvik produces the second solo album for the Concretes' former lead singer.

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).

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.

Peter Brewis wrote the songs as part of an imaginary crime thriller for his debut concept album.

Alt-country singer-songwriter Neko Case returns with her third solo album, after last appearing on the New Pornographers' acclaimed 'Mass Romantic" album. Here, the moody, cinematic music is provided by members of Calexico and Giant Sand.

After taking 12 years off prior to 2000's 'The Friends of Rachel Worth,' the legendary Australian indie-pop band is suddenly undergoing a bout of creativity as evidenced by yet another release this very same decade.