The Brooklyn-based rockers move to emo label Vagrant for this John Agnello-produced release.

Steve Albini, Jim O'Rourke and Van Dyke Parks lend a hand on this five-song full-length from the folk singer-songwriter.

This debut album from the Norwegian shoegaze six-piece marks the inaugural release by the new record label from UK website Playlouder. Sufjan Stevens guests.

Acclaimed hip-hop producer James Yancey released this instrumental disc shortly before his death at the age of 32.

The singer-songwriter reflects on the recent deaths of her father, mother and stepmother with this 12-song set.

Twenty-five years after its original release, this groundbreaking, sample-driven collaboration between Byrne and Eno has been remastered and enlarged with seven bonus tracks.

'Crane Wife' marks the literate, Colin Meloy-led band's major label debut.

The short-lived early 1980s Scottish band (who, like followers Orange Juice, are a strong influence on present-day bands such as Franz Ferdinand) are celebrated in a 22-track compilation that includes their singles for Postcard, cuts from their only two LPs, and recordings from a session for John Peel.

Brendan Canty (Fugazi) produced this third album for the Oregon band, down to the duo of Hutch Harris and Kathy Foster after the departure of original drummer Jordan Hudson.

Jim White and Paul Oldham are among the guests on prolific songwriter Will Oldham's latest Bonnie "Prince" Billy studio recording.

Championed by Jay-Z and Kanye West, the Chicago MC finally makes his full-length debut with this 16-track disc.

The hip-hop collective's eighth album is their first for Def Jam records, and also features the return to the group of rapper Malik B.

If the concept of "The Beatles, remixed" saddens you, know that original Beatles producer George Martin was at the helm for this project, which serves as the soundtrack to the Vegas-based Cirque du Soleil show of the same name. The 26 mashed-up tracks here were augmented with additional instrumentation and vocals performed by The Beatles themselves, culled from hours of original demo and master tapes, with pieces of 130 songs ultimately represented in some form.

The country singer's second 2006 album is another change-of-pace: a disc full of love songs produced by Alison Krauss.

The London-based art-rockers led by Eddie Argos make their official debut with this 12-song effort.

The soul singer tackles 14 country tunes with the help of producer Buddy Miller and guests Emmylou Harris, Gillian Welch, Dolly Parton, Patty Loveless And Patti Griffin.

This is the Steely Dan vocalist's first solo disc in over a dozen years.

The Atlanta metal band's third album marks their major-label debut.

Not only the most-hyped band of early 2006, Sheffield, England's Arctic Monkeys (led by 19-year-old Alex Turner) managed to accomplish what the likes of Franz Ferdinand and The Libertines couldn't do before them: set the UK record for fastest-selling debut album of all time.

The fifth and final of Cash's sessions with producer Rick Rubin was recorded shortly before the singer's 2003 death. Included among two Cash originals are covers of songs by Bruce Springsteen, Hank Williams, and more.

The Texas psych-rockers led by husband-and-wife team Tom and Christina Carter return with this six-track follow-up to 2004's 'Joy Shapes.'

This is the full-length debut for French techno artist and DJ Pascal Arbez-Nicolas, best known for his 2001 single "La Rock 01" (which is included here).

This 43-song, 4-disc set is composed of all new recordings in roughly four different styles (one per disc): rock, country, acoustic bluegrass, and ballads.

The Boss' first all-covers album contains 13 tracks associated with folkie Pete Seeger.

This self-produced 20th album finds the New York band back down to a four-piece, with Jim O'Rourke dropping out after two albums.

This ten-track album compiles versions of songs first released in 2005 as AFX's "Analord" series of (quite expensive) vinyl singles.

The experimental Dallas, Texas outfit led by John Congleton returns with a spooky, noisy fourth album.

This is the fifth solo disc for the former Blur guitarist.

Like a more accessible, poppier version of Matmos, UK electronica artist Matthew Herbert likes to record concept albums with instrumentation derived from real-world objects. 'Scale' (which again features Dani Siciliano on vocals) samples 723 items (including coffins and fuel pumps) in its 11 politically-charged dance tracks.

The singer-songwriter's fifth studio album is the first for his new record label, Lonely Astronaut.

This seven-song follow-up to 2004's 'Blue Cathedral' adds a bit more melody and cleaner sound to the band's usual noise assault.

Leaving Songs is the Nashville-recorded second solo disc for Tindersticks frontman Stuart Staples, who is joined by Maria McKee on one track.

The Doug Martsch-led band returns with its first album in five years, and its first in 13 years not to utilize producer Phil Ek. Recent touring guitarist Jim Roth makes his recorded debut with the band, and Quasi's Sam Coomes returns to help on keyboards.

'City' finds veteran underground rapper Aceyalone backed by beats from RJD2.

Escovedo's first solo disc since 2000 was produced by John Cale.

This is the tenth album for the very large Nashville band led by Kurt Wagner.

While the trio of Roger Miller, Clint Conley and Peter Prescott typically wait a few decades between albums, this third LP follows just two years after their second.

The singer-songwriter's fifth release finds him backed for the first time by a full band, which includes Rachel Blumberg (The Decemberists) and Jordan Hudson (The Thermals). Neko Case and My Morning Jacket's Jim James guest.

Steve Albini returns as engineer for this fifth album from the Japanese post-rock outfit.

M.C. Schmidt and Drew Daniel's latest Matmos album includes contributions from Bjork and Antony. Each of the ten tracks focuses on a specific person who has influenced the group in some way, such as William S. Burroughs and Valerie Solanas.

This is the second album for the band led by Spencer Krug (who can also be found in both Wolf Parade and Frog Eyes).

Laura Cantrell, Peter Holsapple, and Annie Hayden guest on Mac McCaughan's second Portastatic album of 2006.

This is the highly-anticipated debut release for the pairing of Danger Mouse and Cee-Lo.

This full-length debut for the UK-based indie-pop band led by Fyfe Dangerfield includes the previously-released single "Trains To Brazil."

'Demo' is the self-produced debut for British rapper Derek DeSafo.

Following on the heels of one of 2005's best-reviewed world music discs is this second installment in the Congotronics series of electronica-esque African music, this time featuring the work of Konono No. 1 plus six additional (but similar) artists from Kinshasa.

This posthumous release--the late James Yancey's third solo album--was near completion at the time of his February 2006 death. Unlike 'Donuts,' this disc (featuring appearances by Madlib, Busta Rhymes and Common) is largely based on live instrumentation rather than samples.

The debut disc for the new band from former Unicorns members Nick Diamonds and J'aime Tambeur includes appearances from members of Royal City, Wolf Parade and Arcade Fire.

This debut LP for Scotland cut-and-paste artist Myles MacInnes was released in the UK in 2004 and finally hit American shores in early 2006.

The Scottish duo of Aidan Moffett and Malcolm Middleton return with a sixth studio album.

The Japanese band named after a Melvins song releases their latest album.

'Songs' is the first solo LP for the co-founder of The Posies, who is also a member of the current lineup of Big Star.

The Russia-born, New York-based anti-folkie returns with a dozen new tracks produced by David Kahne (The Strokes).

Despite the misleading title, 'The Greatest' is not a best-of collection, but rather is Chan Marshall's first album of original songs in three years. It was recorded in Memphis and finds the singer backed by some of that city's legendary session musicians.

The debut album from the Canadian rapper, who has also remixed songs for Lady Sovereign and Ciara.

This Eastern European-sounding, multi-instrumental effort is actually the work of Albuquerque teenager Zach Condon. Members of A Hawk And A Hacksaw also lend a hand.

This is the third Hawk album for former Neutral Milk Hotel drummer Jeremy Barnes. Like previous efforts, it has an Eastern European flavor, although unlike previous efforts, it also includes contributions from Beirut's Zach Condon.

This second Maritime LP is the final one to feature former Dismemberment Plan bassist Eric Axelson, who left the group (which also includes former members of the Promise Ring) after its recording.

This self-titled disc marks the debut for the Vermont freak-folk outfit.

Their music sounds British and the vocals are sometimes in Japanese, but this four-piece shoegaze outfit (returning here with a second album) hails from Brooklyn.

The veteran British folkie is joined by Espers, Devendra Banhart and Beth Orton on his latest release.

The Swedish singer-songwriter and former soccer player is backed by Mercury Rev on his latest release (which originally emerged in 2004 in Europe).

The Los Angeles-based electronica artist's fifth album has a bit of a Brazilian feel.

The veteran musician is backed by REM and/or Minus 5 members Peter Buck, Scott McCaughey, and Bill Rieflin (together, the Venus 3) on his first release since 2004's 'Spooked.'

The Fleetwood Mac guitarist's first solo outing in over a dozen years features bandmates Mick Fleetwood and John McVie on two tracks of a largely acoustic set.

This five-EP box set collects holiday-themed lo-fi and impromptu tracks (a mix of standards and originals originally intended as gifts for his friends and family) recorded by Stevens over the past five years.

This is the first release in three years for the husband-and-wife duo of Brett and Rennie Sparks.

They're either a bit early or a bit late with their new year's tidings, but the experimental Brooklyn band is back with 11 new tracks.

The jazz vocalist mixes originals with covers of songs by the likes of Tom Waits and Leonard Cohen for her third album, a follow-up to 2004's "Careless Love."

This double-disc live set features 21 tracks (many from last year's 'Z') recorded at The Fillmore in San Francisco.

Brian Deck (Modest Mouse) produced the Idaho singer-songwriter's fourth album and major-label debut.

The Montreal band led by Murray Lightburn is a little more rocking and a little less orchestral on this follow-up to 'No Cities Left.'

The acclaimed Argentinean artist returns with her fourth album of moody, electronica-infused indie-folk.

This is the second album for the acclaimed Canadian electronica outfit led by Jeremy Greenspan.

The rapper once again collaborates with producer 9th Wonder on this follow-up to 3:16.

The gospel/soul singer attempts to capitalize on on her reemergence on the pop scene (thanks to a 2004 compilation) with this disc of a dozen brand-new tracks, one of which was written by Will Oldham. Lambchop's Mark Nevers produced.

Dr. Dre, Kanye West and will.i.am are among the producers for the rapper's follow-up to 'Street's Disciple,' which marks his first release for Def Jam.

Not-so-prolific Welsh singer-songwriter Green Gartside returns with his first Scritti Politti album in seven years.

This intricate second album for the Brooklyn-based band led by Edward Droste is their first for Warp Records.

This is the appropriately-titled second release for the Philadelphia acid-folk group.

This is the solo debut for the veteran turntablist / DJ / producer, formerly of Jurassic 5.

The third album for the now Berlin-based experimental trio includes a DVD with (count 'em!) three videos for each of the dozen songs on the CD.

The New York trio's short but highly anticipated sophomore set--which features a mellower, more polished sound--was produced by Squeak E Clean and mixed by Alan Moulder.

The genre-mashing Londoners return with a quick follow-up to last year's debut 'Coming On Strong.'

This sophomore set finds the Texas five-piece utilizing a 1970's classic rock / soft rock sound.