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.'

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

The fourth album for the abrasive, Seattle-based punk-rockers was produced by John Goodmanson (Blonde Redhead).

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

The fourth album for the rock band is the first with its new guitarist, Matthew Fazzi (Fred Mascherino left to pursue a solo career.)

The tree-climbing, ice shelf-loving, Brighton, England band's second album follows two years after their debut ('The Decline Of British Sea Power') brought them critical acclaim on both sides of the Atlantic. Mads Bjerke (Spiritualized) produced.

This is the fourth solo album for the sometime Pulp guitarist.

The anticon crew that includes Doseone--and, fortunately, the nearly-killed Dax Pierson--makes the jump to a more major label (EMI/Astralwerks) for the first time.

'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 second album for the band features a film directed by the band's lead singer, Charles Fink.

The first album in seven years for the UK punk outfit founded in 1978 features newly reunited members Jaz Coleman, Youth and Paul Raven, with Dave Grohl filling in on drums.

A best-of collection from the band led by singer Shirley Manson.

The two-disc set contains some biggest hits, band favorites, and rare singles.

This second studio LP for the Sunderland, England trio once again finds the band being compared to XTC.

Sam Beam's latest release is a 6-track EP recorded with Brian Deck.

Daughter of Loudon and sister of Rufus, Martha becomes the third Wainwright to release an album in 2005. This self-titled effort is her full-length debut, following on the heels of her subtly-titled EP "Bloody Mother Fucking Asshole."

Their music sounds British and the vocals are sometimes in Japanese, but this four-piece shoegaze outfit (returning here with a second album) hails from Brooklyn.

The Portland, Ore. singer-songwriter's fourth album includes contributions from members of Rilo Kiley, My Morning Jacket, The Decemberists and Giant Sand.

DiFranco breaks from her usual DIY practice by enlisting Joe Henry to co-produce this latest release.

This self-released effort for the Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter (and former Til Tuesday frontwoman) is her first release since the twin 2000 critical successes of 'Bachelor No. 2' and the soundtrack to "Magnolia."

Jay Farrar has revived his post-Uncle Tupelo outfit Son Volt for their first album in seven years.

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.

The latest album for the indie rock band features Quasi's Sam Coomes, Treepeople's Scott Schmaljohn, Butthole Surfers' Paul Leary, John McMahon, and Roger Manning as guest musicians.

The sophomore album for the rock band started by Something Corporate's Andrew McMahon.

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 fourth album for the metal band was produced by Jason Suecof.

This is the fifth album (and first in six years) for the Swedish outfit led by vocalist/lyricist Nina Persson and guitarist Peter Svensson.

Will Oldham and members of the Jesus Lizard and Lambchop guest on David Berman's country-tinged fifth Silver Jews disc, which also sees the return of on-again, off-again band member Stephen Malkmus.

Less punk, more pop is the motto for the fourth album by the New Jersey emo band led by singer-songwriter Chris Conley.

The third album from the Portland, Ore. indie-rock band failed to elevate their standing in their home country, although they continue to sell well (and receive favorable press) in Europe.

The six-piece Glaswegian indie-pop band really did leave the country, recording this third full-length with producer Jari Haapalainen (The Concretes) in Sweden.

Often compared to Doves and Radiohead, Manchester-based Elbow is yet another new alternative band to emerge from the British music press hype machine. This debut album was shortlisted for 2001's Mercury Music Prize.

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.

This is the full-length debut for the Dallas, TX trio of brothers Benjamin and Brandon Curtis and Josh Garza.

Jakob Dylan & co.'s fifth long-player was produced by Brendan O'Brien.

This is the sixth album for the Vancouver, Canada indie rock outfit led by Dan Bejar (also of the New Pornographers).

This is the fourth album for the New Orleans-based trio. It is their first release on indie Beyond Music, after being dropped by Elektra for disappointing sales.

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.

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.

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.

This is the debut LP from the Texas band, which features three former members of At The Drive-In (including guitarist Jim Ward).

The Texan siblings release their second full-length album.

The band's first album since 1997's 'This Is Hardcore' is produced by Scott Walker and features 12 new tracks.

This is the second album for the Los Angeles-based indie band.

The follow-up to 2004's 'The Ride' is a timely 13-track song cycle about American immigration.

Jay Farrar returns to Son Volt to release the band's sixth album.

"Coincidentally" released on the same day as the fourth album by the White Stripes, to whom the Kills are frequently compared, 'Mean Side' is the debut full-length for the UK blues-rock duo of VV (aka Alison Mosshart) and Hotel, who are backed by a drum machine (a la the Raveonettes).

The Tim Kasher-led band has lost its cellist (Gretta Cohn) but added a horn section for its latest release, produced, as always, by Mike Mogis.

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.

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

The third LP from Scotland's Mogwai was produced by David Fridmann of Mercury Rev.

The debut album for the Scottish indie-rock quartet.

This is the Buffalo, NY band's follow-up to their acclaimed 1998 release 'Deserter's Songs.'

The singer-songwriter's fifth studio album is the first for his new record label, Lonely Astronaut.

The latest stripped-down, somewhat political rock effort from Ted Leo was produced by Chris Shaw (Dashboard Confessional, Bob Dylan).

Stephen Street produces the former Blur guitarist's fifth solo disc.

Neil Hannon returns with a follow-up to 2000's 'Gin Soaked Boy.' A bit of a departure, this album utilizes Radiohead producer Nigel Godrich and a larger group of musicians to highlight a more serious side to Hannon's music.

The debut album for the Montreal, Quebec-based indie rock trio.

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

Recorded during a Christmas show in 2004, this live set includes a mix of solo and Smiths material.

Bill Callahan's 12th Smog album finds him joined in the studio by such musicians as Jim White (Dirty Three) and Joanna Newsom.

The latest release from the trio of rockers from San Francisco.

This is the third solo album for Blur guitarist Graham Coxon.

This is the second album for the Swedish five-piece.

Southern California native Harper has gained a cult following for his jam-band-like approach to roots rock. This is his fifth studio LP.

This debut album showcases the British band's symphonic, shoegaze-y sound.

This is not my beautiful opera. The Talking Heads most verbose member returns with one of his more eclectic solo albums to date (and that's saying something), featuring covers of Lambchop, Bizet and Verdi (we're talking arias, people) scattered amongst originals that range from African rhythms to doo-wop. The Tosca Strings and Rufus Wainwright guest.

The newly reconfigured Philadelphia band, known mainly for their carnivalesque, acquired-taste sound and well-received live shows, return with a second LP.

The soundtrack to Sofia Coppola's second feature film includes the first new music in over ten years from My Bloody Valentine's Kevin Shields (who scored much of the film), new music from Air, and older tracks from Squarepusher, Jesus And Mary Chain, and Death In Vegas.

The singer-songwriter's debut is informed by the losses of his father (actor Anthony Perkins) to AIDS and of his mother (photographer Berry Berenson) in the 9/11 attacks.

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.)

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.

The latest EP for the Atlanta, Georgia indie-rock band was produced by Nicolas Vernhes.

This is the debut album for the alternative rock band who met in high school and now are based in Athens, Georgia.

The latest album for the Scottish band is its first in four years.

Elvis has returned to the land of rock--or at least, country-flavored rock, as he's joined on several tracks by Lucinda Williams and Emmylou Harris. It's his second disc to feature (and first to credit) his new backing band, The Impostors, who look an awful lot like his former backing band, The Attractions, save for the addition of bassist Davey Faragher.

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

The fourth album for the Canadian rocker was produced with Digitalism, Simian Mobile Disco and Soulwax.

Christian-indie rocker David Bazan follows 2000's 'Winners Never Quit' with this full-length album. This time out, Casey Foubert (Seldom) lends a hand with the instrumentation.

The second album for the band was produced by Spoon's Britt Daniel.

Phil Elverum's first LP release under the name Mount Eerie (which was also the title of his final record as The Microphones) is the self-released 15-track 'No Flashlight,' which will also see companion all-drums and "sing-along" discs released in the coming weeks.

This all-covers album includes Smith's takes on songs by Tears For Fears, Stevie Wonder, Nirvana, Paul Simon and Bob Dylan.

The British heavy metal band releases its latest album, produced with Cameron Webb.

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