The fifth studio release for the veteran UK rock trio fronted by Grant Nicholas comes three years after the suicide of the band's drummer, Jon Lee.

'Nightbird' marks the first disc of original songs from the duo of Andrew Bell and Vince Clarke in five years.

The band's first new album since 2000, a more stripped-down, "classic U2" disc than previous efforts, was recorded chiefly with producer Steve Lillywhite, with Chris Thomas and Nellee Hooper also helming some tracks.

The solo debut for the No Doubt vocalist features an eclectic group of guests, including Martin Gore, Andre 3000, The Neptunes, New Order, Wendy & Lisa and Dr. Dre.

This three-disc box set contains more than 50 previously unreleased recordings by the legendary Seattle band, including demos, live tracks, and alternate versions. Also included is an extensive bonus DVD filled with live performances.

Tool frontman Maynard James Keenan tackles a variety of covers on this latest from his side project, A Perfect Circle, including versions of songs by Depeche Mode ("People Are People"), Devo ("Freedom Of Choice") and Marvin Gaye ("What's Going On"). Also included are two originals.

The Welsh band's seventh studio disc was produced by Tony Visconti and Greg Haver.

One of 2004's Next Big Things in the UK music press, Razorlight make their full-length debut with this 13-track disc. Compared to the likes of Oasis and The Libertines, the band is led by self-proclaimed songwriting genius Johnny Borrell.

Bob Rock (Metallica) produced this sophomore album for the Montreal-based pop-punk band.

The Arizona emo band returns with a follow-up to their successful 2001 self-titled effort. Gil Norton produced.

The Canadian punk-pop outfit returns with a fourth LP, produced by Greig Nori. The disc is named after a UN worker (Chuck Pelletier) who helped the band escape violence in the Congo while they were there shooting a film.

'Astronaut' marks first album by Duran Duran's original lineup since 1983's 'Seven And The Ragged Tiger.' Dallas Austin and Don Gilmore are among the producers.

This 82-song, 4-disc box set compiles various indie and alternative tracks from the 1980s across multiple genres, and includes music from both the decade's "biggest" names (The Smiths, R.E.M., Depeche Mode, Violent Femmes, etc.) as well as lesser-known artists such as The Raincoats, Green On Red, and The Lyres.

Grand in scope, 'Lost Riots' is the debut disc for the UK band who are often described as falling somewhere between Coldplay and Godspeed You Black Emperor (wherever that might be). The band's guitarist, Jimmi Lawrence, took his own life shortly after the album was recorded.

The twentysomething pop-punkers attempt to move past their past TRL success with a more mature follow-up to 2002's 'Young And The Hopeless.'

The Northern California band's fifth album in ten years includes a cover of Bread's "Guitar Man."

The metal band returns after a seven-year recording hiatus with this new disc, produced by band leader Page Hamilton (the only original member here) with Jay Baumgardner and Charlie Clouser.

'Sun' is the 13th studio disc for R.E.M., who are joined here by frequent collaborators Ken Stringfellow and Scott McCaughey. Q-Tip also guest raps on "The Outsiders."

This is the third album for the Utah emo-rockers.

Structured as a rock opera complete with 9-minute-plus songs and a somewhat complicated storyline, 'American Idiot' is the Berkeley punk band's first album in over four years.

The New Zealand rockers return with a second album, produced by Led Zeppelin's John Paul Jones.

A reunited Curt Smith and Roland Orzabal return with their first Tears For Fears album together in 15 years.

Produced by Nick Franglen of Lemon Jelly, 'Hobo Sapiens' finds the 61-year-old Cale still willing to explore new musical territory. Note that none of the 12 songs here were on the "5 Tracks" EP released earlier in 2003.

What the Icelandic singer's fifth album lacks in instrumentation (although there is a bit, provided by members of Matmos, Mum, and other collaborators), it makes up for with voices--lots and lots of voices. Think everything from beatboxing (including contributions from The Roots' Rahzel), choirs and Inuit throat-singing to, well, Mike Patton.

The Northern California alt-metal band returns with a third album.

The Memphis-based band continues to move away from their early rap-metal sound, instead adding Southern rock into the mix on this fourth album.

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 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.

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

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 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).

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).

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.

The B-Boys, who have moved back to New York from their temporary home of Los Angeles, return with their first album in six years and their second to utilize the beats of Mixmaster Mike. These 15 tracks are all self-produced by the band (a first) and recall the style of their earliest work.

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.'

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.

This is the solo debut for Melissa Auf der Maur, who served as bassist for both Smashing Pumpkins and Hole. Chris Goss produced the disc, which also features appearances from Josh Homme (Queens of the Stone Age), Brant Bjork (Kyuss) and James Iha (Smashing Pumpkins).

Rick Rubin produced this third LP for the popular mask-wearing Des Moines-based metal outfit, who are set to headline Ozzfest this summer.

Yes, you'll see the word "Coldplay" in nearly every review for this debut disc, but the UK trio stand out from the crowd with their unconventional lineup of vocals, drums, and piano.

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

This U.S. debut disc for the genre-mashing Australian brother-sister duo of Chris and Vila Colonna (who appended the "81" to their name to avoid conflicts with a similarly-named children's music band) combines tracks from their EP "White Printz" and their UK single "Red Printz."

Morrissey's first studio release since 1997 (and seventh overall) was recorded in Los Angeles with producer Jerry Finn (Blink-182, Green Day) and longtime collaborators Alain Whyte and Boz Boorer.

The UK five-piece worked with producer Tchad Blake for this fourth LP.

The British band's eighth album sees Tim Burgess abandoning the falsetto he used on 2001's departure 'Wonderland' as the group returns to the more rock-oriented style of 'Tellin' Stories.'

Neil Hannon returns with his first album since 2001's 'Regeneration.' Basically a solo effort (though retaining the Divine Comedy name), 'Friends' was produced and largely performed by Hannon, with Nigel Godrich handling the mixing.

'Curse' marks the eighth studio album for Deborah Harry & co., and their first since their 1999 comeback effort 'No Exit.'

Working once again with producer Rob Schnapf (Beck, Guided By Voices, Elliot Smith), the Aussies return with a second LP.

A commercial and critical success in the UK upon its release in the fall of 2003, 'Absolution' marks the third album for the English rockers (who frequently draw comparisons to Radiohead--but then again, who doesn't?). It also marks their first time working with producer Rich Costey.

The seventh album for the hip-hop outfit introduces Latin and reggae elements into their sound. Guests include Prodigy (Mobb Deep) and Tim Armstrong (Rancid).

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 Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist returns with a follow-up to his 2001 solo release, 'To Record Only Water For Ten Days.'

This is the second album for the Reading, England rock band.

Probot is the all-star metal band founded by Nirvana/Foo Fighters drummer Dave Grohl and fronted by a variety of singers, including King Diamond, Max Cavalera (Sepultura), and Lemmy Kilmister (Motorhead).

The (we hope) ironically-titled 'America's Sweetheart' marks the solo debut for the former Hole leader, who co-wrote this album with Linda Perry and Elton John lyricist Bernie Taupin.

This is the second album for the nu-metal band out of Wales.

Singer-songwriter John Ondrasik returns with his third Five For Fighting album, with Bill Bottrell (Sheryl Crow) handling some of the production duties.

This is the veteran Australian band's 17th album.

The alt-metal band's first album since their 2001 hit 'Morning View' features a slightly different lineup, with Ben Kenney replacing bassist Dirk Lance. Brendan O'Brien produced.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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).

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.

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).

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 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.

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

El-P and Mr. Lif guest on Aesop Rock's second LP for the Def Jux label.

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.

The roster of this Los Angeles outfit (who make their debut with this self-titled release) includes members of Beck's touring band (Medal-Johnsen and Joey Waronker).

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