Jennifer Lopez's <I>Brave</I>
Photo: Epic

Tome of the Brave: Jennifer Lopez already put out an album this year — the Spanish-language Como Ama Una Mujer — is on tour with husband Marc Anthony and is reportedly expecting twins ... so naturally, what better time to put out another album? Brave, her sixth studio effort and fifth English-language one, has producer J.R. Rotem's fingerprints all over it and is underscored by the first single, "Do It Well." As she told MTV News, expect "dance, funk, R&B, hip-hop, all that stuff, all mixed up together to make some great pop music."

Jesus Superstar: Make no mistake about it, Kid Rock hasn't lost a shred of his ego in the four years it took him to put together his new LP. But the Devil Without a Cause has apparently found salvation since then, as he's now transformed into Rock N Roll Jesus. Dedicated to recently passed Atlantic Records co-founder Ahmet Ertegun, the disc finds Rock backed by his Twisted Brown Trucker Band over songs like "Blue Jeans and a Rosary," "Don't Tell Me You Love Me" and "Half Your Age," a jab at someone who won't be telling Rock she loves him anytime soon: the recently re-wed Pam Anderson.

Forever Young: She Wants Revenge are still fresh, having just released their self-titled debut last year, but now they're back with a ... new LP! (Thought we were going to say "back with a vengeance," huh? Nah, we'll spare you the pun.) The dark dance-rock duo get infinitely darker on This Is Forever, and Adam "Adam 12" Bravin recently told MTV News that they gorged themselves on the soundtracks to "Blade Runner," "Scarface" and other flicks during the recording of the effort. Keep your eye out for a potential DVD, featuring a video for each Forever track, coming down the pipe.

Spankalicious!: Repping the hip-hop set this week is Baltimore party-rapper Spank Rock, who has been on the fast track to fame after opening for Björk and drawing raves from Thom Yorke last year. Now he and producer Benny Blanco have put their skulls together for Bangers & Cash, an EP that must make Kurt Russell and Sylvester Stallone proud. Blanco chips in more than a few 2 Live Crew samples while Spank Rock does some rapid-fire spitting. Don't miss "Shake That" and "Loose."

Vanessa Carlton isn't saying die — while she parted ways with former label A&M after her second album, Harmonium, tanked, she's since hooked up with none other than Irv Gotti for the release of her third one, Heroes & Thieves. Carlton wrote her Inc. release in New York and recorded it in San Francisco — but she didn't do it all solo, as Linda Perry and Third Eye Blind frontman Stephan Jenkins helped her on the production end. Oh, and some lady by the name of "Stevie Nicks" guests on a track, "The One."

Band on the Run: Sizzling Seattle sophomores Band of Horses might cause a brain cramp or two with the title of their second album, Cease to Begin, which leans toward country at times but will fit snugly into "indie-rock" record bins all the same. The disc, produced by frequent Modest Mouse and Shins collaborator Phil Ek, has been getting glowing reviews, having made Rolling Stone's annual Hot List. Especially colorful song titles include "Cigarettes, Wedding Bands," "Lamb on the Lam (In the City)" and "The General Specific."

Moving Units?: Doing the dance-punk thing are Los Angelenos Moving Units, who hope their moniker comes to fruition following the release of Hexes for Exes. The group's second LP sounds bigger than the act's previous releases, thanks to additional electronic-drum and synthesizer sounds and contributions from a new fourth member, guitarist Victor Velazquez. "The Kids From Orange County" points out the fact that said L.A. neighbors can't live without the metropolis, while "Paper Hearts," a song about lost love, takes the album in a darker direction. If all else fails, the band should be getting some extra interest thanks to an opening spot for the Smashing Pumpkins at a San Francisco show earlier this year.

Troubadour Time: Four noteworthy indie singer/songwriters are stepping up to the plate this week with new material, with Robert Pollard leading the pack. Leave it to the former Guided by Voices majordomo, who can be found pictured in the dictionary next to the term "prolific," to crank out two new studio albums in one week — Coast to Coast Carpet of Love is more of a power-pop effort, while Standard Gargoyle Decisions (the one with the batty album cover) is more glam-rock.

While Uncle Bob will be turning 50 on Halloween, underground stalwart Scott Walker has a few years on him. Now he's hoping to share some pearls of wisdom with his new album, And Who Shall Go to the Ball? And What Shall Go to the Ball? "How much of a body does intelligence need to be potentially socialized in an age of ever-developing AI? This is but one of many questions that informed the approach to the project," Walker declared of the LP in a recent statement.

For his part, Jens Lekman has something to say on his latest effort, Night Falls Over Kortedala. The album is essentially a scorching screed in which Lekman rails against the same-named neighborhood in his Swedish hometown of Gothenburg. "What a depressing suburban hell this place is," he said in a recent press release, adding that he's been mugged countless times and is surrounded by shady characters. "As soon as I've finished this record, I will get the hell out of here." Still, he does provide some levity via "Shirin" — the tune is an ode to his barber.

While Lekman finds himself mostly in solitude, Scout Niblett has more than a few friends along for the ride on her fourth LP, This Fool Can Die Now: Steve Albini, who recorded the effort, as well as Will Oldham and a two-person rhythm section. The 14-track effort includes "Do You Want to Be Buried With My People?" and "Let Thine Heart Be Warmed."

Song Title of the Week:

"Yellow Guy/ Pink Eye" from Sleeping People's Growing

Album Cover of the Week:

Moving Units' Hexes for Exes

New Releases:

· 9th Wonder - The Dream Merchant 2 (Ryko)
· A Wilhelm Scream - Career Suicide (Nitro)
· Yolanda Adams - What a Wonderful Time (Columbia)
· Jeff Allen - Happy Wife, Happy Life Revisited (Koch)
· Alter Bridge - Blackbird (Republic)
· Astral Doors - New Revelation (Locomotive)
· Band of Horses - Cease to Begin (Sub Pop) [Buy Now]
· Pato Banton - Never Give In (Cornerstone Ras)
· Patterson Barrett - I Must Be Dreaming (Burnside)
· Beirut - The Flying Club Cup (Ba Da Bing!)
· Birds & Batteries - I'll Never Sleep Again (self-released)
· Karla Bonoff - Karla Bonoff Live (two CDs; self-release)
· Vanessa Carlton - Heroes & Thieves (Motown) [Buy Now]
· Deana Carter - The Chain (Vanguard)
· Cyrus Chestnut - Cyrus Plays Elvis (Koch)
· City Sleeps - Not an Angel (Trustkill)
· Marc Cohn - Join the Parade (Decca)
· Josie Cotton - Invasion of the B-Girls (Scruffy)
· The Crash Motive - Consequence (Wind-Up) [Buy Now]
· Shannon Curfman - Fast Lane Addiction (CC/Koch)
· Deadstring Brothers - Silver Mountain (Bloodshot)
· Brian Dewan - Words of Wisdom (Eschatone)
· Diamond Rio - A Diamond Rio Christmas: The Star Still Shines (Word)
· Edit - Certified Air Raid Material (Alpha Pup)
· DJ Envy & Red Cafe - The Co-Op (Koch)
· Extra Golden - Hera Ma Nono (Thrill Jockey)
· Faber Drive - Seven Second Surgery (Republic)
· The Fiery Furnaces - Widow City (Thrill Jockey)
· The Future Kings of Nowhere - The Future Kings of Nowhere (307 Knox)
· Josh Groban - Noel (Reprise) [Buy Now]
· David Guetta - Poplife (enhanced; Ultra)
· Deborah Harry - Necessary Evil (Eleven Seven)
· Robert Hazard - Troubadour (Rykodisc)
· Will Hoge - Draw the Curtains (Rykodisc)
· Gerry Hundt - Since Way Back (Blue Bella)
· Information Society - Synthesizer (Dancing Ferret)
· The Isley Brothers featuring Ronald Isley - I'll Be Home for Christmas (Def Soul Classics)
· Johnossi - Johnossi (Control Group)
· Kid Rock - Rock N Roll Jesus (Atlantic) [Buy Now]
· The Kilborn Alley Blues Band - Tear Chicago Down (Blue Bella)
· The Kin - Rise and Fall (Aletheia)
· Koop - Koop Island (Atlantic)
· Patti LaBelle - Miss Patti's Christmas (Def Soul Classics)
· Nils Landgren Funk Unit - License to Funk (Act Music)
· Shawn Lee - Hits the Hits (Ubiquity)
· Jens Lekman - Night Falls Over Cortedala (Secretly Canadian) [Buy Now]
· Jennifer Lopez - Brave (deluxe edition comes with DVD; Epic) [Buy Now]
· Leo - Nightmares (Rock Ridge)
· Bill Lupkin - Hard Pill to Swallow (Blue Bella)
· Claire Lynch - Crowd Favorites (Rounder)
· Mannheim Steamroller - Christmas Song (American Gramaphone)
· The Marble Index - Watch Your Candles Watch Your Knives (Rock Ridge)
· Cass McCombs - Dropping the Writ (Domino)
· Nick Moss & the Flip Tops - Play It 'Til Tomorrow (Blue Bella)
· Moving Units - Hexes for Exes (Metropolis) [Buy Now]
· MV & EE With the Golden Road - Gettin' Gone (Ecstatic Peace)
· The Naked Brothers Band - "The Naked Brothers Band" soundtrack (Nick Music/ Columbia) [Buy Now]
· Scout Niblett - This Fool Can Die Now (Too Pure)
· Nire - Vespers (Abandoned Love)
· Oblivion Sun - Oblivion Sun (Prophase)
· Obra Squara - Sunshyness (self-release)
· The Octopus Project - Hello, Avalanche (Peek-a-Boo)
· Old Time Relijun - Catharsis in Crisis (K)
· Parkway Drive - Horizons (Epitaph)
· Plumb - Blink (Curb)
· Robert Pollard - Coast to Coast Carpet of Love and Standard Gargoyle Decisions (Merge)
· Polysics - Polysics or Die!!!! Vista (MySpace)
· Prince Ali - Curb Side Service (Hiero Imperium)
· Prints - Prints (Temporary Residence)
· Puddle of Mudd - Famous (Geffen) [Buy Now]
· Ravens & Chimes - Reichenbach Falls (Better Looking)
· Dusty Rhodes and the River Band - First You Live (Side One Dummy)
· LeAnn Rimes - Family (Curb) [Buy Now]
· Riverside - Rapid Eye Movement (Inside Out)
· Rockfour - Memories of the Never Happened (Cooking Vinyl)
· She Wants Revenge - This Is Forever (Geffen) [Buy Now]
Read: "She Wants Revenge Embrace Their Inner Depeche Mode On This Is Forever"
· The Silver Seas - High Society (Cheap Lullaby)
· Sleeping People - Growing (digipak; Temporary Residence)
· Mindy Smith - My Holiday (Vanguard)
· The Smithereens - Christmas With the Smithereens (Koch)
· So They Say - Life in Surveillance (Fearless)
· Spank Rock and Benny Blanco - Bangers & Cash (EP; Downtown)
· Steriogram - This Is Not the Target Market (Rock Ridge) [Buy Now]
· Trent Summar & the New Rob Mob - Horseshoes & Hand Grenades (Palo Duro)
· Sunset Rubdown - Random Spirit Lover (Jagjaguwar)
· Tankard - Beast of Bourbon (Locomotive)
· Tuatara - West of the Moon (Fast Horse)
· Ugly - Ugly (Rock Ridge)
· Van Zandt - My Kind of Country (Columbia Nashville)
· Scott Walker - And Who Shall Go to the Ball? And What Shall Go to the Ball? (limited edition; 4AD)
· Ohmega Watts - What's Happening (two CDs; Ubiquity)
· Robert Wyatt - Comicopera (Domino)
· Y Society - Travel at Your Own Pace (Wax Orchard)
· Year Long Disaster - Year Long Disaster (Volcom)
· Various artists - Balance 012 Mixed by Lee Burridge (three-CD box set; EQ)
· Various artists - Chaos Restored With Justin Martin (Buzzin' Fly)
· Various artists - The Gift: A Tribute to Ian Tyson (Stony Plain)
· Various artists - Now Esto Es Musica Latino 3 (EMI)
· Various artists - Tokyo Calling 2 (King Street)

Notable Reissues and Archival Material:

· All That Remains - Behind Silence and Solitude (Razor & Tie) [Buy Now]
· Roy Ayers/ Ubiquity - Lifeline (digipak; Verve)
· Eric Clapton - Complete Clapton (two CDs; Reprise) [Buy Now]
· Stanley Clarke - Children of Forever (Verve)
· Duke Ellington and Coleman Hawkins - Duke Ellington Meets Coleman Hawkins (Verve)
· Emerson, Lake & Palmer - Brain Salad Surgery (Shout! Factory)
· Sara Evans - Greatest Hits (RCA)
· Fatboy Slim - LateNightTales (two CDs; Thrive) [Buy Now]
· Ian Gillan - Gillan's Inn - Deluxe Tour Edition (with DVD; Immergent)
· The Gladiators - No. 1 Singles (Heartbeat)
· Johnny Hartman - I Just Dropped by to Say Hello (Verve)
· The Isley Brothers - The Definitive Collection (Hip-O)
· Quincy Jones and His Orchestra - Quintessence (Verve)
· Mat Kearney - Nothing Left to Lose (Columbia) [Buy Now]
· The Ramsey Lewis Trio - The In Crowd (Verve)
· Moby Grape - Grape Jam; Moby Grape; and Wow (Sundazed)
· Oliver Nelson - The Blues and the Abstract Truth (Verve)
· Nighthawks - Metro Bar (Intuition)
· Luciano Pavarotti - Pavarotti Forever (two CDs; Decca)
· Ramp - Come Into Knowledge (Verve)
· Sonny Rollins - Sonny Rollins on Impulse! (Verve)
· Selah - Timeless: The Selah Collection (four-CD box set; Curb)
· Sarah Vaughan - Gold (Verve)
· Various artists - Every Child Deserves a Lifetime: Songs From the For Our Children Series (Shout! Factory)
· Various artists - Greetings From Los Angeles ... Eight Years of Acetate Records (Acetate)
· Various artists - Jazz Divas: Gold (two CDs; Verve)
· Various artists - An Olde English Christmas (Decca)
· Various artists - Summer Records Anthology 1974-1988 (Light in the Attic)

Music DVDs:

· Jeff Allen - "Happy Wife, Happy Life Revisited" (Koch)
· Ian Anderson - "Ian Anderson Plays the Orchestral Jethro Tull" (C&B)
· Leonard Bernstein - "The Gift of Music: An Intimate Portrait" (Deutsche Grammophon)
· Twinkie Clark - "Twinkie Clark and Friends: Live in Charlotte" (Verity)
· Bing Crosby - "Bing Crosby's White Christmas All Star Show" (Quantum Leap)
· Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs - "Best of the Flatt & Scruggs TV Show, Vol. 3" and "Vol. 4" (Shanachie)
· Bob Mould - "Circle of Friends" (MVD Visual)
· The Brian Setzer Orchestra - "One Rockin' Night: Live in Montreal" (Surfdog)
· Bernie Worrell - "Stranger: Bernie Worrell on Earth" (PD 101)
· Various artists - "Coping With Babylon: The Proper Rastology" (Sonerito)
· Various artists - "20 to Life: The Life and Times of John Sinclair (Steve Gebhardt)
· Various artists - "Coping With Babylon: The Proper Rastology" (Sonerito)

Digital Releases:

· British Sea Power - Krankenhaus? (Rough Trade/ World's Fair; hits terrestrial stores November 20)
· Radiohead - In Rainbows (available Wednesday on Radiohead.com as a DRM-free MP3 download; Discbox, which will ship on or before December3, also contains a second, enhanced CD; additional artwork; and vinyl)

Coming Attractions:

October 16:
· Jimmy Eat World - Chase This Light (Interscope)
· Angie Stone - The Art of Love & War (Stax) [Preorder]
· Thrice - The Alchemy Index: Vols. I & II: Fire & Water (Vagrant)[Preorder]

October 23:
· Seether - Finding Beauty in Negative Spaces (Wind-Up) [Preorder]
Read: "Seether Frontman Won't Respond To Amy Lee's Attack: 'I Just Refuse To Lower Myself To That Level' "
· Serj Tankian - Elect the Dead (Serjical Strike/ Reprise)
Read: "System Of A Down Frontman Serj Tankian On Intimate Solo LP: 'I Believe In It' "
· Carrie Underwood - Carnival Ride (Arista) [Preorder]

October 30:
· Avenged Sevenfold - Avenged Sevenfold (MVI also available; Warner Bros.) [Preorder]
· Backstreet Boys - Unbreakable (deluxe digipak also available; Jive) [Preorder]
· Mario - Go (J) [Preorder]
Read: "Mario Gets Back To Making Music With Akon, Timbaland, Neptunes"

• Jennifer Lopez
• Kid Rock
• She Wants Revenge
• Band of Horses
• Spank Rock

2008 Austin City Limits Festival

• N.E.R.D.
• Gnarls Barkley
• MGMT
• Silversun Pickups
• The Fratellis