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.

Not wanting to offend any potential listeners, the country superstar finally follows up the hit 'Come On Over' with two versions of her new album (both included in this two-CD set): a red disc of pop versions of her 19 new songs, and a green disc of those same 19 songs performed in a country music style. (A third, blue, disc of those songs performed in a world music style is targeted at international consumers.)

You won't read very many reviews of this New York band without seeing the words Joy Division pop up, and although there are some similarities, Interpol has something new to offer as well. This debut LP includes the tracks "PDA" and "NYC" from the group's well-received first single for Matador.

This high-energy dance album from the Australian veteran includes the UK hit single "Can't Get You out of My Head." It is her first American release since 1988, although she has retained her popularity in Europe and her native Australia since the 1980's, updating her sound along the way.

Jay-Z's mortal enemy returns with his third (!) release of 2002, which includes collaborations with Alicia Keys and 2Pac (yes, that 2Pac, who, as you may recall, died several years ago).

One of two Waits releases in May 2002 ('Blood Money' is the other), 'Alice' was originally written as an opera and actually performed live during an 18-month engagement in Hamburg in the early 1990s. However, this is the first recording of these 15 tracks, culled from recent studio sessions.

Pop/jazz vocalist and pianist Norah Jones, the daughter of Ravi Shankar, picked up 5 Grammy awards for this debut album, produced by Arif Mardin.

The Scottish duo finally return with a full-length follow-up to their acclaimed 1998 debut, 'Music Has A Right To Children.'

The fourth full-length for production duo Tom Rowlands and Ed Simons features the singles "Star Guitar" and "It Began In Afrika." Guest vocalists include long-time Chemical Brothers staple Beth Orton and Richard Ashcroft.

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.

The Oklahoma band finally returns with a follow-up to perhaps their strongest effort to date, 1999's 'The Soft Bulletin.' Here, the Lips venture even more into electronic territory, working once again with producer Dave Fridmann (Mercury Rev). Yoshimi of Japanese band The Boredoms guests on vocals on one track and lends her name to part of the album's title (the "Yoshimi" part, not the "Pink Robots" part).

Bowie's first studio album in three years (and first for his new label ISO Records, distributed by Columbia) finds the older white duke working with producer Tony Visconti for the first time since 1980's 'Scary Monsters.' Pete Townsend and Dave Grohl guest on guitar on a track apiece.

The Austin, Tex. indie rockers return with their fourth album, following 2001's critically acclaimed 'Girls Can Tell.'

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

The soundtrack to the fictionalized account of the rise and fall of Manchester's Factory Records includes, somewhat obviously, a generous helping of New Order, Joy Division, and Happy Mondays songs (including the title track by the latter), as well as cuts from A Guy Called Gerald, Durutti Column, and the Buzzcocks. This is also the only album where you'll find the newest New Order single, "Here to Stay," a collaboration with the Chemical Brothers that failed to appear on either group's latest LP.

The St. Louis rapper follows up the massive success of his 2000 debut LP 'Country Grammar' with 19 new tracks cut from the same cloth, including the Neptunes-produced single "Hot In Here." Justin Timberlake guests on one track.

The California alt-metal outfit finally returns with a successor to the smash hit 1999 album 'Issues.'

Believe it or not, these guys have been around for over 15 years now, and this is their eighth release (and first since 1998's 'Dizzy Up The Girl').

Kinky is a five-piece band from Monterrey, Mexico that combines rock, electronica, and traditional Latin music. This debut album was produced by Chris Allison (Coldplay, Beta Band).

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

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 band that gave us alt-radio hit "6 Underground" returns with a third album, although their second (1999's 'Splinter') failed to secure U.S. distribution. Guitarist Chris Corner now handles lead vocals, replacing the departed Kelli Dayton.

The groundbreaking Philadelphia rap outfit returns with 13 new tracks and guest contributions from Jill Scott, Nelly Furtado, Talib Kweli and Musiq.

While, like other artists lumped under the "electroclash" label, the Canadian-born Peaches (Merrill Nisker) utilizes a vaguely early-80s style synth-based sound, no one else, then or now, has managed to be quite as raw, lewd and sexually graphic as she.

Yup... Up's two-letter name signifies that this is indeed a brand-new Peter Gabriel studio recording, his first since 1992's 'Us.' The music goes in a now-typical multi-cultural direction, with input from gospel singers The Blind Boys of Alabama and the late Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.

The ever-popular contemporary country act returns with their sixth album.

When it rains it pours: After going five years without a Weezer album, fans of the quirky alt-rockers get two new discs in two years, with this (their fourth release overall) quickly following 2001's Green Album.

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

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

The 21-year old DJ turned-international R&B superstar from England returns with his second LP.

What good's an Eminem movie without an Eminem soundtrack? It's not all Slim Shady here, though, as the soundtrack album incorporates other artists (Xzibit, Macy Gray, Jay-Z, Nas) in a mix of old and new tracks.

Prolific 22-year-old Nebraska singer-songwriter Connor Oberst returns to his Bright Eyes guise for this 13-track effort, following a stint fronting the band Desaparecidos.

Morissette's third studio album is the first one the 27-year-old Canadian songwriter has produced herself.

Stung by a drug arrest and nasty rumors over the last few years, the diva finally emerges with her first album of new material in four years.

A sequel to his critically-acclaimed 2001 album 'The Blueprint,' Jay-Z's new two-disc set is all over the map in the course of 110 minutes and 25 tracks. The roster of producers and guests includes (but is by no means limited to): The Neptunes, Lenny Kravitz, Big Boi, Dr. Dre, Timbaland, Heavy D, Rakim, Beyonce Knowles, Faith Evans, Notorious B.I.G. and Scarface.

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.

This compilation collects tracks recorded from 1998-2001 that, for various reasons (and not because they were of inferior quality), were not included on the rapper's albums released during that time.

The official solo debut for the Phish head features 12 new Anastasio-penned tracks, with the guitarist backed by an eight-piece band.

This is the debut album for in-demand hip-hop production duo The Neptunes, recording with Shay under the name N.E.R.D. (for "No One Ever Really Dies"). Note that there are two different versions of this album in circulation. The original version, featuring mainly electronic instrumentation, was intended for release in August 2001 but was shelved by the band (only to be released in the UK over the band's objection). This new version, released March 2002, was completely rerecorded, and features live instrumentation by Minneapolis funk band Spymob.

Even the most casual DMB fan knows the story by now: Dave & Co. record a dark, challenging album with producer Steve Lillywhite, those "Lillywhite Sessions" are leaked onto the Internet where the tracks quickly become fan favorites, and the band chooses not to release them, instead heading back into the studio with producer Glen Ballard to record 'Everyday.' The new studio LP 'Busted Stuff' does not contain those original tracks from the 2000 sessions, but nine of those songs (plus two new tracks) are here, newly recorded.

This is the fifth studio album for the one-time superstars, who now retain only the brothers Gallagher from their original lineup. Former Ride guitarist Andy Bell and Heavy Stereo bassist Gem Archer make their first studio appearances as members of the band, and in an Oasis first, all four members share in the songwriting.

The Bay Area's Josh Davis (aka DJ Shadow) finally returns with a proper full-length follow-up to 1996's groudbreaking 'Endtroducing,' which achieved near-legendary status for its imaginative use of samples (a style that would later be adopted by acts such as The Avalanches).

Over two years in the making, 'After Everything' is the twelfth album from the Australian band, still best known for their 1988 hit "Under The Milky Way."

On his fifth album, the underground rapper ventures more into the rock, soul, and jazz territory of his influences, with production help from the Soulaquarians. An eclectic array of guests includes Prince, Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, Bilal, Mary J. Blige, and Stereolab's Laetitia Sadier.

This is the first new album in three years for the country superstar.

The former Australian teen grunge stars (whose 1995 debut was released when they were just 15) are still together, and this album marks their fourth release, highlighted by a more mature, refined sound.

Not quite the next Linkin Park album, 'Reanimation' is instead a remix of their entire debut album, 'Hybrid Theory' (actually, a remix of the Japanese version, which contained extra tracks). The 19 songs here have been reinvented by an array of alternative and hip hop musicians and producers, including members of Korn, Jurassic 5, Orgy, and Staind, and given cryptic new titles such as "Rnw@y" and "My{Dsmbr." (You'd think with all the money they're making they could at least buy a vowel.)

One of 2002's much-hyped neo-garage rock bands, New York's Yeah Yeah Yeahs have opened for acts such as the White Stripes and the Strokes, and have drawn comparisons to both. This five-track debut EP was originally released in 2001 on the indie Shifty label, and saw a rerelease in the summer of 2002 on Touch & Go.

The No-Cal rap-metal outfit returns with a second album for Dreamworks (their third overall). Lead singer Coby Dick has reverted back to his given name, Jacoby Shaddix, but otherwise, the band and sound remain the same.

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.)

The third studio album for the heralded British band features 13 new self-produced tracks.

Luna's sixth studio album is their first on new label Jetset, and also their first (aside from Luna Live!) to feature Brita Phillips on bass (replacing Justin Harwood, and leaving Dean Wareham as the sole founding member remaining). The all-star production team of Gene Holder and Dave Fridmann were behind the boards for these 12 new tracks.

This big-budget debut album from 22-year-old Detroit-raised rocker Andrew WK took the UK (well, at least its music press) by storm in late 2001.

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.

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

The two surviving members of the popular R&B trio completed this long-delayed fourth album after the early 2002 death of cofounder Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes.

Missy Elliott reunites once again with super-producer Timbaland on this, her fourth studio album. The lead single is "Work It," a huge success even before the album's release. Guests on the disc include Jay-Z, Ludacris, Beyonce Knowles, TLC and Method Man.

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?)

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.

The Duluth, MN indie band, known for their slow, sparse sound and vocal harmonies of husband and wife guitarist Alan Sparhawk and drummer Mimi Parker, scored their biggest critical success yet with 2001's 'Things We Lost In The Fire.' This follow-up features 13 new songs (many of which have been debuted live on recent tours) mixed by Tschad Blake.

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."

Filter's third LP finds the band moving in a less industrial/electronic direction.

Now into their third decade of recording, Sonic Youth offer up a return to form that has more in common with their output of the 80s than with anything they have released in recent years. Multi-instrumentalist Jim O'Rourke, who worked with the band on their previous effort 'NYC Ghosts & Flowers,' is now a full-fledged member of the group.

The Glasgow band's fifth album serves as the soundtrack to the Todd Solondz film of the same name--in theory, that is, as only a few minutes of this new material is actually used in the movie (in fact, much of the album was recorded after the movie was released). However, as with a typical soundtrack album, expect snatches of dialogue and numerous instrumental tracks interspersed with fully-developed songs.

Fresh off the Roxy Music reunion tour, Bryan Ferry resumes his solo career with this 13-track effort, a mix of Ferry originals and covers (including two Dylan tracks). Ferry has actually been working on this album for parts of the last eight (!) years, and it includes contributions from former Roxy Music partner/nemesis Brian Eno, the Eurythmics' Dave Stewart, and Radiohead's Johnny Greenwood.

Can he do it again? Coming a full three years after his surprise megahit 'Play,' this new album from Richard Melville Hall attempts to repeat that disc's success with (surprise) 18 new tracks, including collaborations with Angie Stone, Sinead O'Connor, Azure Ray and MC Lyte.

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.

Natalie Imbruglia's second album is a follow-up to her 1998 international hit debut, 'Left Of The Middle.' Ian Stanley and Pascal Gabriel are among the producers working on this disc.

This is the much-heralded debut album from the English foursome, produced by Steve Osbourne.

Busta is back with 19 new tracks, including collaborations with Mariah Carey, Carl Thomas and The Neptunes.

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.

Working with a variety of producers, the acclaimed New York rapper returns with his second album. Mos Def, Bilal and members of the Roots are among the guests.

The hugely successful rapper returns with another Irv Gotti-produced effort, with guest appearances from Ashanti, Nas and Bobby Brown.

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

This is the fourth album from the successful West Coast rapper.

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

The Chicago alt-metal band follows their 2 million-selling debut, 'The Sickness,' with this sophomore effort, working once again with producer Johnny Z.

X marks the veteran English arena-rock band's tenth album.

This is the third album for the Irish indie-punk quartet, and takes a less harsh, more pop approach than their poorly-received 1998 sophomore effort 'Nu-Clear Sounds.'

The Minneapolis underground hip-hop duo of rapper Slug and producer Ant offer up 18 new tracks.

This enhanced-CD experience is TMBG's first official album geared toward the younger set, with 17 children's songs with titles such as "Where Do They Make Balloons?" and "I Am Not a Grocery Bag." (Not that the titles themselves make this any different than a grownup TMBG album, mind you.)

This is the second album for the eclectic indie-rock band fronted and founded by John Schmersal (Brainiac). For this outing, the band has expanded to a four-piece, with new members Matt Schultz and former Blonde Redhead bassist Toko Yasuda (who replaces Steve Calhoon and handles some vocals).

Canada's favorite prog rockers return with their first album of new material in six years, eh.

Written for a Robert Wilson stage production of Georg Büchner's unfinished 1836 play 'Woyzeck,' 'Blood Money' is one of two Waits releases in May 2002 (the other being 'Alice,' which was similarly created for the stage).

The New York-based experimental jazz trio expands its sound on this album by adding turntablists DJ P Love and DJ Olive and a five-piece horn section.