The always-prolific Elvis Costello has two releases set to go. Il Sogno is his first classical album, conducted by Michael Tilson Thomas and performed by the London Symphony Orchestra. The other disc, The Delivery Man, will probably be of greater interest to fans as it delivers Costello's rock with guest appearances by Emmylou Harris and Lucinda Williams.
John Fogerty's first disc of the new century features the anti-war title track, "Déjà Vu All Over Again." But what always sounds familiar is Fogerty's classic songwriting and distinctive vocals, neither of which has changed much in the decades since he fronted Creedence Clearwater Revival at Woodstock.
With American Idiot, Green Day returns to compete with all the Vans Warped bands that ripped them off as surely as they once did the Ramones and the Buzzcocks.
Artsy, so New York, and without any commercial potential, Luna has been making some the most intelligent and inspired guitar rock you have never heard. Having parted ways with major labels years ago, Luna is nonetheless still at it and Rendezvous is sure to give pleasure to those few smart enough to give it a listen.
Riddle: Other than Speaking in Tongues, what else could you call a spoken-word album from Gene Simmons? Answer: a disc to avoid at all costs.
For decades, Social Distortion has made rare but reliable rock records that are a tribute to Mike Ness's love of outlaws, losers, motorcycles and distortion. This one comes with a sweet title: Sex, Love and Rock 'N' Roll.
Though her past studio efforts have been middling, Nikka Costa is one of the great live-concert performers around today. Let's hope that can'tneverdidnothin is better than its title.
Before Nine Inch Nails, there was Helmet. Size Matters marks the return of the hardest brains to ever rock.
Though the group no longer commands the attention of old, R.E.M. is still one of the most creative bands to ever pack stadiums. Around the Sun's first single is "Leaving New York."
Brilliant eccentric Tom Waits returns with Real Gone, a disc that once again features the guitar work of Marc Ribot.
Camper Van Beethoven's New Roman Times is sort of a science fiction, anti-war concept album. If that seems weird, what else would you expect from the band that back in the '80s merged bluegrass and hard-core punk.
Yes, ladies of the '80s, all of the original members of Duran Duran are back for Astronaut.
Dear Heather is the intriguing title of the latest offering from 70-year-old poet and monk Leonard Cohen. What happened to Suzanne?
Lucinda Williams has had some spotty concerts here in Las Vegas, including one at the Hard Rock that ended in a meltdown. The two-disc Live @ the Fillmore West ought to show she can do a lot better on a good night.
Mixing original tracks with covers, A Perfect Circle greets the election with a collection of songs about war: aMOTION.
OK, The Eminem Show was great, but what to do for an encore? The most controversial and successful performer in popular music, Eminem, follows up with Encore.
Though a disc with some of the work tapes went missing, the material never turned up in the web's file-sharing community. So, the next U2 album remains shrouded in mystery right down to the title. Fittingly, "Vertigo" is said to be the title of the first single.