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 third solo disc from the Canadian singer-songwriter and member of Royal City features members of Hidden Cameras, Royal City and The Constantines.

The most hyped band to come out of the UK in early 2004 is Glasgow, Scotland's Franz Ferdinand, an art-rock quartet who make their full-length debut with this self-titled release, the winner of the UK's coveted Mercury Music Prize in 2004.

The Toronto, Canada country-surf-rockers led by the Good brothers (Dallas and Travis) return with a self-produced effort. Robyn Hitchcock guests on one track.

The indie singer-songwriter's fourth solo album, produced by Danielson Famile's Daniel Smith, follows on the heels of his critically-lauded 2003 effort 'Greetings From Michigan.'

The second release from French electronica duo M83 takes shoegaze classics such as 'Loveless' as an inspiration, with synths taking the place of guitars.

The soul singer returns with a follow-up to her Grammy-nominated debut.

This debut LP from the English band certainly recalls English bands from the early 80s, most notably XTC.

Like fellow Atlanta hip hoppers OutKast, Cee-Lo has trouble sticking to a single genre, as he mixes up styles throughout this sophomore release. Timbaland, The Neptunes and Ludacris guest.

The Los Angeles-based indie rapper's second Def Jux disc was produced by 9th Wonder.

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.

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

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.

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 psychedelic indie-rockers from Santa Cruz, Calif. make their Sub Pop debut with this third disc. Guitarist Ben Chasny has been added to the lineup, supplementing the original quartet led by vocalist/guitarist Ethan Miller.

Miami, Fla. singer-songwriter Sam Beam (who moonlights as a cinematography professor) returns with his second album, recorded with Brian Deck (Modest Mouse, Red Red Meat) at the helm.

The British DJ and composer one again provides the score for Steven Soderbergh's caper flick, as he did for Ocean's Eleven.

This 16-track disc (complete with a brief intermission between 'sets') marks the first studio recording in a whopping 22 years for the Boston-based trio of Roger Miller (guitar, vocals), Clint Conley (bass, vocals) and Peter Prescott (drums, vocals), with production by Bob Weston and Rick Harte and additional instrumentation on two tracks by the band Rachel's.

The former Wu-Tang member's fourth solo album (and first since ditching the "Killah" portion of his name) features contributions from Missy Elliott, Jadakiss and RZA.

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

Chris Goss (Kyuss) produced this second album for the UK rockers.

The London art rockers have changed their lineup for this sophomore release, dropping bassist Jon Ball for Tracy Bellaries. Alex Newport (At The Drive In, Icarus Line) produces.

'Inches' compiles A- and B- sides from nine different singles (originally released on nine different labels) dating back to the Rhode Island band's inception in 1995.

Brooklyn's Oneida has been around a bit longer (since 1997) than some of their fellow bands in the New York neo-garage/punk/new wave scene, and 'Secret Wars' marks their sixth LP.

This is the third LP for the German electro-pop outfit led by vocalist Valerie Trebeljahr and guitarist Markus Acher (also of The Notwist).

The Brooklyn-based collective (on this release, reduced to the duo of Avey Tare and Panda Bear) combine vocal harmonies, a pair of acoustic guitars, and diverse influences into a unique sound on this latest release.

'Escondida' marks the first solo studio disc for the Texas-born folk singer-songwriter who also co-founded the Canadian group The Be Good Tanyas.

Produced by Dennis Herring (Camper Van Beethoven), the latest release from the Seattle-based indie rockers sees a return of guitarist Dann Gallucci (last with the band on Sad Sappy Sucker) and a new drummer (Benjamin Weikel) as well as a guest spot from the Dirty Dozen Brass Band.

This is the solo debut for Adem Ilhan of the English electronica/post-rock band Fridge (whose lineup also includes Four Tet's Kieran Hebden). Unlike in Fridge (which is an instrumental outfit), Adem sings over these ten quiet, folksy tracks.

Husband T Bone Burnett produced this latest effort for the singer-songwriter, her first in three years.

The Songs: Ohia leader offers seven new tracks on this completely solo release, the first he has recorded under his own name. It is the result of a single session in Omaha with engineer Mike Mogis (who worked with Molia on the 'Ghost Tropic' album).

The singer-songwriter recorded this fourth LP in New Orleans.

Nino Rojo, the eccentric singer-songwriter's second release of 2004, was recorded during the same sessions that produced 'Rejoicing In The Hands.'

'You're A Woman' is the first album for the Canadian duo of vocalist/drummer Sebastien Grainger and bassist Jesse F. Keeler. It's a drum 'n' bass album in the literal sense of the term, as those are the only two instruments (aside from a very infrequent synthesizer) on the record.

This solo disc from the co-founder of New Zealand rockers The Clean includes backing by members of Lambchop.

The third full-length for the Chicago-based art-rock four-piece was produced (like its predecessor) by John Congleton.

The Los Angeles band celebrates 30 years in the music business with this 12th studio recording, the first the band has self-produced. Guests include Café Tacuba, Dave Alvin, Tom Waits, Ruben Blades and Elvis Costello.

'Love Songs' is the first new studio album in ten years for a reunited Mark Eitzel & co.

The fifth and final album from The Delgados (released on the band's own Chemikal Underground label) was co-produced with Tony Doogan. It ditches the strings of its orchestral predecessor, 'Hate,' to take a much poppier approach.

The Good Life is a side project for Cursive's Tim Kasher, and this third full-length release (following the 'Lovers Need Lawyers' EP) finds him joined by Stefanie Drootin, Ryan Fox and Roger Lewis.

Vienna's Christian Fennesz, who creates ambient electronica based on processed guitar sounds, returns with his first solo studio effort in four years. David Sylvian guests on one track.

The fourth album for the veteran Scottish band is their first album release in eight years and first U.S. release since 1993's 'I've Seen Everything.'

This debut by Australian Dan Whitford mixes retro-synth pop with some guitars and live instrumentation.

The former Anti-Pop Consortium member's second solo release is a nine-song EP, with six new tracks and three remixes by Kings, Prefuse 73 and El-P.

The blues-rock duo of Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney return with their third album, so-named because it was recorded in a deserted rubber (tire) factory.

Although a New York band, Scissor Sisters (as evidenced by this debut disc) are definitely not part of the typical New York scene, eschewing garage and no wave to embrace campier, glammier 70s and 80s rock and dance music sounds. Included here is the band's cover of Pink Floyd's "Comfortably Numb."

When you record one of the most acclaimed albums of the decade, what do you do for an encore? If you are Jeff Tweedy & co., you return with both old (Jim O'Rourke again producing) and new (yet another lineup change) for your fifth studio LP.

MF Doom drops his first solo record (under the MF Doom name) since 1999's 'Operation Doomsday.'

Alan Moulder mixed this sophomore disc for the hard-rocking Los Angeles band, known for their black and red "uniforms" and strong live sets.

Recorded at the same time and released on the same day, 'Aw C'Mon' and 'No, You C'Mon' are actually intended as separate albums, rather than two parts of a double album. The Nashville String Machine lends strings to each.

The New Pornographers singer (and accomplished solo artist) offers up a live set of originals and eclectic covers, backed by The Sadies.

The underground hip-hop producer (also a member of Soul Position) returns with a follow-up to his acclaimed 2002 Def Jux Debut, 'Dead Ringer.'

One of the rare country music stars who is both a critical and commercial success (and without crossing over into pop), Jackson returns with a follow-up to his huge 2002 hit 'Drive.'

This is the third full-length album for the challenging, intensely personal Bay Area post-punk outfit led by Jamie Stewart.

Rilo Kiley's Blake Sennett is the mastermind behind this collective, which includes contributions from members of Azure Ray and Ozma and production from Mike Mogis (Bright Eyes) and Jimmy Tamborello (DNTEL, Postal Service).

Nas co-produced this double album along with Salaam Remi, Q-Tip and L.E.S. Also stopping by to lend a hand (or a voice) are Busta Rhymes, Kelis, Ludacris and Maxwell.

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.

While some eponymous albums suggest a lack of creativity, the heralded UK rock outfit's sophomore disc is titled 'The Libertines' because it is indeed about The Libertines--or, more specifically, about the ongoing conflict between the band's two songwriters, Carlos Barat and Pete Doherty (the latter of whom was subsequently kicked out of the band after three failed rehab attempts). The Clash's Mick Jones returns as producer.

The Detroit garage rockers make their major-label debut with this sophomore album, which was produced by Jerry Harrison.

The group's first release on its own AOI label features guests such as Ghostface, MF Doom, Sean Paul, Common and that noted MC Spike Lee. Production assistance comes from Madlib and 9th Wonder.

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

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

The New York-based foursome of Paul Banks, Carlos D., Sam Fogarino and Daniel Kessler took indie rockers worldwide by storm (and made Matador a lot of money) with 2002's 'Turn On The Bright Lights,' which introduced their neck-stabbing guitar-rock mix of Joy Division, The Cure, The Smiths, and all of your other favorite 80s bands. That captivating sound returns on this sophomore release, which features many of the new tracks ("Narc," "Length Of Love," etc.) which first debuted live during their relentless touring over the past two years.

This three-disc box set, subtitled "10 Years of B-Sides and Rarities," is just that, collecting 56 tracks from the Duluth, MN slowcore trio. Also included in the set is a 32-page booklet and a DVD with videos, concert footage and documentaries.

The Americana collective founded and led by fronted by Robert Fisher returns with a fifth LP. Co-founder/guitarist Paul Austin is no longer a full-time band member, but he appears on some tracks, as do Kristin Hersh, Chris Eckmen (The Walkabouts) and a variety of other guests.

Originally self-released by the band in 2003, this debut album for Rogue Wave (basically just namesake Zach Rogue, plus additional musicians on some songs) was remastered and re-released by Sub Pop in 2004.

DJ Danger Mouse's bootleg hit, which mixes together vocals from Jay-Z's 'The Black Album' and music from The Beatles' 'The White Album,' has brought legal action from Beatles record label EMI, preventing record stores from selling the album.

Brooklyn art-rockers TV On The Radio make their full-length debut with this release. The trio consists of vocalist/animator Tunde Adebimpe, multi-instrumentalist/producer David Andrew Sitek (who produced the Yeah Yeah Yeahs debut) and guitarist Kyp Malone.

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

Martin Terefe returns as producer for this sixth LP from the Canadian singer-songwriter, which includes appearances by Ed Harcourt and members of Travis.

This is the sophomore disc for the Texas five-piece featuring former Bedhead co-founders (and current brothers) Matt and Bubba Kadane. The album was recorded in Chicago with Steve Albini.

A bit more upbeat-sounding than its predecessors, 'Elk-Lake Serenade' is the fourth studio disc for Toronto singer-songwriter Hayden Desser (who draws frequent Neil Young comparisons, and not just for being Canadian).

Recorded at the same time and released on the same day, 'Aw, C'Mon' and 'No, You C'Mon' are actually intended as separate albums, rather than two parts of a double album. The Nashville String Machine lends strings to each.

They might sound Britpop (and at the very least, a bit like The Smiths), but this collective led by Murray Lightburn hails from Montreal, Canada. This is their second album and first U.S. release.

The underground New York MC returns with her sophomore LP, with some production assistance from 9th Wonder.

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.

Howe Gelb is joined by producer John Parish and singers Vic Chesnutt and Patsy Jean on his latest Giant Sand offering.

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.

London-born, 19-year-old jazz vocalist Nellie McKay makes her debut with this 2-disc set produced by Beatles engineer Geoff Emerick. Unlike contemporaries such as Norah Jones, McKay brings a darker edge and a sense of humor (and even a hint of hip hop) to her songs, all of which she wrote herself.

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

The Martha's Vineyard native recorded this debut LP of intelligent, folky rock when he was 19.

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.

Stephin Merritt handles all of the vocal duties on Magnetic Fields' latest release (so named because each song title begins with the letter I), though the musicians who helped flesh out '69 Love Songs' return, including Claudia Gonson (also of Future Bible Heroes and the band's manager), John Woo and Sam Davol.

A reunited Nivek Ogre and cEvin Key return with their first Skinny Puppy album in eight years, with Ken Marshall (Tool) producing. (Apparently, their brand of hardcore political industrial noise is only needed during Republican administrations.)