The duo's fifth long-player, destined to be known as GBMS in record reviews everywhere, was recorded in their Detroit studio. While not a total departure from previous efforts, it does find them expanding their sound away from their usual guitar+drums formula.

Trent Reznor finally returns with a follow-up to 1999's 'The Fragile.' Dave Grohl guests.

When the comic supergroup's 2001 debut sold an astounding 6 million copies worldwide, a sequel became necessary. Hence 'Demon Days.' Returning leader Damon Albarn (Blur) and new producer Danger Mouse are joined by guests Shaun Ryder (Happy Mondays), Ike Turner, MF Doom, De La Soul and Dennis Hopper.

This short but wildly eclectic debut album from Maya Arulpragasam, a Sri Lankan-born, London-based artist and daughter of a Tamil Tiger revolutionary, is preceded by enormous buzz in both the U.K. and the U.S.

For their fourth album, produced by John Leckie, the Kentucky band sports a new keyboardist and guitarist.

Borrowing a page from late-80s to early-90s DM in terms of sound (and possibly even quality), the Ben Hillier-produced 'Angel' is the first Depeche Mode album to feature some David Gahan-penned songs in addition to the usual assortment of Martin Gore tracks.

The second album by "singer" Ashlee Simpson was produced by John Shanks.

This multiculti London four-piece (making their full-length debut with 'Silent Alarm') has been heralded in seemingly every music magazine in the world as 2005's answer to Franz Ferdinand.

The ubiquitous Dave Fridmann produced this latest outing for the veteran indie rockers, their first album for Sub Pop.

Co-produced by Rick Rubin, this 12-song disc was recorded during the same sessions as 'Mesmerize,' and is intended to be heard with that earlier 2005 disc as one complete set.

The singer-songwriter's third album finally sees the light of day after originally being shelved by her record label in 2003 and then leaked onto the Internet. This official 'Machine' is a newly-recorded version (with producer Mike Elizondo taking over for the original's Jon Brion), so if you've heard the leaked tracks, you haven't heard this. Let the comparisons begin!

The first of two planned 2005 releases for the Colombian pop star is this Spanish-language disc, with its English counterpart due in the fall.

'I'm Wide Awake' is the more country/acoustic of Conor Oberst's twin January 2005 releases under the Bright Eyes name. Emmylou Harris provides vocals on three tracks.

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 mellow singer-songwriter re-teams with producer Mario Caldato Jr. for this follow-up to 'On And On.'

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

Guests on the R&B outfit's latest include Jack Johnson, Justin Timberlake and James Brown.

The French electronica duo's third LP is closer in sound to their first than to 2001's 'Discovery.'

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

The Ben Gibbard-led group makes its major-label debut with this 11-song disc, produced by band member Chris Walla.

'Bleed' marks Shirley Manson and Butch Vig's first Garbage album since 2001. Dave Grohl guests on one track.

This double-disc set from Dave Grohl & co. includes one full CD of acoustic tracks. Guests include John Paul Jones, Norah Jones, Josh Homme and Petra Haden.

The 80s star returns with his first album in a dozen years.

The singer's second 2005 release is sung entirely in English, and includes two tracks originally sung in Spanish on Fijacion Oral Vol. 1.

Mark Everett's diverse and epic sixth Eels album spans two CDs. It probably would never be classified as a happy album, but it does include appearances from Tom Waits, R.E.M.'s Peter Buck, and The Lovin' Spoonful's John Sebastian.

This much-anticipated release for the eclectic performer--a return to the "fun" Beck of 'Odelay' and 'Midnite Vultures'--was produced by the Dust Brothers and Tony Hoffer.

K-OS, Jason Tate (The Weakerthans) and Murray Lightburn (The Dears) guest on the Canadian collective's follow-up to 'You Forgot It In People.'

Ethan Johns produced this sophomore album for southern rockers and brothers Caleb, Nathan, Jared and Matthew Followill. (OK, so Matthew is only a cousin, but he was still allowed to join the band.)

The abrasive bass/drums duo of Brian Gibson and Brian Chippendal return with a follow-up to 2003's 'Wonderful Rainbow.'

This is the third album for the alt-metal band fronted by David Draiman.

This is the third album of sunny indie-pop tunes for the acclaimed union of Neko Case, Dan Bejar (also of Destroyer) and A.C. Newman.

The singer-songwriter returns with her first album of original material in three years, a conceptual work centering on the title character, with its 19 songs divided into six thematic "gardens." Damien Rice guests on one track.

Another hot, retro-sounding band based in New York? Is there some sort of factory churning these bands out? (Or in the case of The Bravery, a Factory?) The band's self-titled debut, preceded by the requisite buzz, utilizes a new wave-flavored sound which is also reminiscent of, oh, let's just say New Order and The Cure.

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.

This is the first U.S. release for the popular Finnish goth-rock band (the initials stand for His Infernal Majesty) fronted by Ville Hermani Vallo.

The rapper's follow-up to 2002's love-it-or-hate-it 'Electric Circus' was produced largely by Kanye West. For some reason, John Mayer guests.

Siblings Matt and Eleanor Friedberger are joined by their 83-year-old grandmother (!) on their latest eclectic release.

Only Josh Homme remains from the QOTSA's previous LP, and he's now joined by guitarist Troy Van Leeuwen (A Perfect Circle) and drummer Joey Castillo (Danzig). The band's fourth album also includes appearances by Brody Dalle, Shirley Manson and ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons.

This debut disc showcases the 50s and 60s pop stylings and three-part harmonies of the pair of brother-sister duos (Romeo & Michelle Stodart and Sean & Angela Gannon) that make up The Magic Numbers.

The Matrix co-produced the band's first album since 2003.

You don't see many musicians described as a "whistler" but Chicago's Andrew Bird (who is also a singer-songwriter, guitarist, and originally, a violinist) fits the bill. This is his fifth release (and second for Ani DiFranco's record label), which finds him backed by several members of his group Bowl Of Fire.

Rick Rubin produced this second album for the Chris Cornell-meets-Rage Against The Machine supergroup.

Chris Walla produced this third album for the literary Portland, Ore.-based five-piece led by Colin Meloy.

This is the third emo-sci-fi album from the prog-rock foursome fronted by Claudio Sanchez.

The Smashing Pumpkins/Zwan leader's solo debut includes a cover of the Bee Gees' "To Love Somebody." Jimmy Chamberlin and Robert Smith guest.

This is the fourth album for the Austin band led by singer-songwriter Will Sheff.

This is the first album in five years for the boy- er... man-band.

Brendan O'Brien produced (and plays bass on) the singer's 19th album, which finds Springsteen backed by a variety of guests. Several of the 12 tracks here have previously surfaced in live performances, including two dating back to 1995.

Don Was co-produced the band's first new studio album in eight years. Keith Richards sings on two tracks.

Boasting a somewhat higher profile after a tour supporting Broken Social Scene, fellow Canadians Stars return with a third LP, produced by Tony Hoffer.

The more experimental of Conor Oberst's two releases in January 2005 is the electronic-flavored 'Digital Ash,' which includes some help from the Yeah Yeah Yeah's Nick Zinner and the Postal Service's Jimmy Tamborello.

This is the fourth album for the critically-acclaimed Texas-based band.

Credited to Ryan Adams & The Cardinals, double album 'Cold Roses' is the first of three planned 2005 releases for the prolific singer-songwriter. Tom Schick produced.

'Stand Up' is the band's first studio album in three years and finds them working for the first time with producer Mark Baston (50 Cent, Beyonce).

The actress' second album rocks a bit more than her first, and includes covers of songs by Cheap Trick and Stevie Nicks.

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

This is the third LP for the Brooklyn five-piece fronted by deep-voiced Matt Berninger.

Stephen Street (Blur) produced this debut disc for the Leeds, England five-piece.

Steve Lillywhite produced this second album for the singer-songwriter.

Big Boi, Timbaland and Rodney Jerkins are among the producers for J.Lo's first album in three years. Other guests include Fat Joe, Fabolous and Marc Anthony.

Ben Hiller (Elbow, Blur) produced the Manchester band's follow-up to 'The Last Broadcast.'

This debut full-length by the Norwegian singer is preceded by quite a bit of critical buzz on both sides of the Atlantic.

The Matchbox 20 frontman's first solo outing includes appearances by John Mayer and Robert Randolph.

Hipsters, rejoice! James Murphy, one-half of the in-demand indie-rock production duo The DFA (The Rapture, et al), finally makes his full-length debut as an artist as LCD Soundsystem.

Jim Abbiss (Kasabian) produced this third album for the UK band, which finds them expanding slightly away their electroclash sound.

The band's fifth album was produced by David Bottrill (Tool).

The Tears' debut album reunites Suede's Brett Anderson and Bernard Butler for the first time in over a decade.

The fun, energetic collage of danceable, mainly instrumental music (genre names don't really apply here) on this debut disc from England's The Go! Team recalls, if only somewhat, the debut from The Avalanches.

The west coast rapper's debut boasts an all-star production and guest roster including the likes of Eminem, Timbaland, Kanye West, Just Blaze, Busta Rhymes, Dr. Dre and 50 Cent.

Named after Charles Manson's getaway driver, the British quartet Kasabian drew comparisons to The Stone Roses, Happy Mondays, and Primal Scream with this debut LP.

This is the second album for the South London four-piece.

The experimental San Francisco outfit led by Rob Fisk and Greg Saunier return with what is by far their lengthiest (and calmest) release yet.

The actor and MC reunites with DJ Jazzy Jeff for several tracks on his ninth album, which also includes appearances from Mary J. Blige, Timbaland and Snoop Dogg.

The latest from the New York-based techno guru eschews samples for live instrumentation and vocals (by the bald one himself), and is backed by a second disc of ambient works.

Three years after their sensational debut (and we don't use that adjective in the way that means "outstanding"), it turns out that they aren't schoolgirls, and they aren't lesbians. But what the Russian duo does have on this second album is Sting. Now that's edgy!

Jerry Finn (blink-182) produced this follow-up to 'Good Mourning.'

Producer Rick Rubin attempts to do for Neil Diamond what he did for Johnny Cash, resulting in a rare stripped-down, intimate set for the veteran performer. (Don't expect any Nine Inch Nails covers, though; these are all Diamond originals.)

Well, they certainly aren't the most prolific of artists, but the acclaimed Scottish electronica duo of Michael Sandison and Marcus Eoin finally return with a third album.

The Portland, Ore. band's follow-up to 'Welcome To The Monkey House' was co-produced by frontman Courtney Taylor(-Taylor) and Gregg Williams.

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of her debut, 'Jagged Little Pill,' the Canadian singer-songwriter has re-recorded all of that album's songs using acoustic instruments. (It's certainly easier than writing new songs!)

Kevin Barnes' eighth Of Montreal disc finds the Georgian heading into more electronic territory, enlisting his laptop to assist in the recording process. Music on a laptop--who knew?

This is the debut full-length for the bawdy San Diego, Calif. rock outfit led by Jason Hill and Brian Karscig.

Folds' second solo outing actually finds him working once again in trio format, now joined by drummer Lindsay Jamieson (Departure Lounge) and bassist Jared Reynolds (who, like Folds, contributed to the recent William Shatner album).

The British band's second album was produced by Roy Thomas Baker (Queen).

This collaboration between MF Doom and Danger Mouse includes voices and skits from Cartoon Network's Adult Swim shows. Non-animated folks like Ghostface Killah, Cee-Lo & Talib Kweli also lend a hand.