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.

This double-disc set is the influential singer-songwriter's first album in a dozen years.

The Canadian alt-metal outfit returns with a self-produced fourth album.

13+God is a collaboration between German rocktronica outfit The Notwist and American indie-rappers Themselves. Also guesting are members of Ms. John Soda, Lali Puna, and cLOUDDEAD; basically, if they're on Morr Music or Anticon, you'll find them here.

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

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."

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

This is the debut LP for Stephen McBean's Black Mountain project, which shares members with Jerk With A Bomb and Pink Mountaintops.

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

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

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

Radiohead producer Nigel Godrich helms the bassist's 20th post-Beatles album, which finds McCartney in true solo mode, playing every instrument on these 13 songs.

'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 U.K. pop-funk outfit led by Jay Kay returns with a sixth album.

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.

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!)

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.

The latest neo-folk outfit under the tutelage of Michael Gira are the Brooklyn quartet Akron/Family, who make their debut with this self-titled 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.

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

The androgynous singer Antony is backed by the likes of Lou Reed, Devendra Banhart, Boy George and Rufus Wainwright on his sophomore release.

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.

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.

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.

The rapper's second album was "executive" produced by Dr. Dre, Eminem and 50 himself and includes the singles "Piggybank" and "Disco Inferno."

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

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.

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

The singer's first album in five years finds her once again collaborating with producer Nicky Ryan and lyricist Roma Ryan, and includes three songs in her new made-up language Loxian.

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 Omaha, Nebraska alt-rockers return with an eighth album.

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

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.

Brendan Lynch produced this debut for the English blues-rock band, who are named after a Skip James song.

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

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

Album number two finds the Nashville star reuniting with songwriter John Rich in an attempt to duplicate the mega-success of her debut, 'Here For The Party.'

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

This is the third album for the Jamaican dancehall star.

Half the band has departed (replaced by a drum machine), but Broadcast's third LP still features the vocals of Trish Keenan and James Cargill's retro-electronic sound.

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

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

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.

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?

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.)

Indie rap meets indie rock in the latest full-length from Yoni Wolf, who, as on 'Sanddollars,' is now supported by a full band.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

The indie-rock trio 50 Foot Wave includes a pair of Throwing Muses (Kristin Hersh and Bernard Georges) plus Rob Ahlers. This full-length debut follows a self-titled EP released in 2004.

The psychedelic prog-rock outfit led by Cedric Bixler Zavala and Omar Rodriguez return with a second ambitious album, which follows the death of band member Jeremy Ward.

The Russian-born singer/pianist makes her major-label debut with this disc produced by Gordon Raphael (The Strokes).

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.

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.

The trio's seventh album (their first for Sub Pop) features production work from Dave Fridmann and an atypically energetic sound.

This is the second full-length for the Toronto group fronted by Emily Haines, who is also a member of Broken Social Scene.

After the critical lashing for her previous pop-oriented album, the singer-songwriter enlisted John Alagia (Dave Matthews Band, John Mayer) to produce this follow-up set.

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

The 19-year-old East London "grime" MC makes his debut with this LP which features contributions from Mike Skinner (The Streets), Diplo and Paul Epworth.

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.

Rick Rubin produced album number five for the Rivers Cuomo-led band.

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

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.)

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 soon-to-be-incarcerated (for perjury) rapper offers a fourth solo disc. Kanye West and Scott Storch are among the producers.

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

A radical departure from previous efforts, the band's third album adds a lot of acoustic guitars and other Americana and blues elements into the mix.

Madlib's somewhat bizarre alter-ego returns with a 27-track set.

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 veteran Manchester band's latest disc was produced by Tore Johansson and John Leckie, and sees touring guitarist Phil Cunningham becoming an official full-time band member, replacing departed keyboardist Gillian Gilbert.

The experimental electronica duo of Rob Brown and Sean Booth return with eight new tracks.

For you Nick Cave completists out there, this three-disc box set compiles 56 tracks spanning both decades of his work with the Bad Seeds, including some previously unreleased material.

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.

Michael Gira's post-Swans project Angels Of Light returns with a fourth release of mostly acoustic folk/rock, backed by musicians from Akron/Family.

This is the second album for the garage-blues duo of VV and Hotel (known to their parents as Alison Mosshart and Jamie Hince).