The Strokes
Photo: Colin Lane

Different Strokes: The cover of the new Strokes album, First Impressions of Earth, depicts a cosmic image not unlike what the beginning of the universe looked like — according to sources, anyway. But it's hardly a back-to-basics effort for the band, which, along with producer David Kahne (Sugar Ray, Fishbone), journey to a galaxy far, far away to explore big ideas and expansive sounds. As if a garage ever existed! Fans who didn't pre-order the disc through the band's Web site — which would have earned them a free "Juicebox" 7-inch — should be on the lookout for the First Impressions deluxe edition, which'll have some enhanced stuff that's so cool we can't even tell you about it. Songs include: "15 Minutes," "Electricityscape" and "Vision of Division."

MOST Wanted OST: One wouldn't expect Happy Madison's slapstick flick "Grandma's Boy" to have a taste-making soundtrack, but that's exactly what Adam Sandler and friends had in store for the companion, which is in stores now. The set features recent material by Paul Wall, Bloc Party, the Futureheads, Fischerspooner, VHS or Beta and Aphex Twin, plus an original song by Kool Keith and a selection from the indomitable Spin Doctors.

The Buzz Is Strong With This One: British hopefuls the Editors made a big splash in their homeland with 2005's The Back Room, but before that record finally gets a Stateside release in April, the band is slipping out a two-part single in the U.K. "Munich Pt. 1" has a cover of Stereolab's "French Disko" on the flip side, while "Munich Pt. 2" is backed by "Find Yourself a Safe Place," a remix of "Munich" by Cicada and a video for the song of the same name. Both could prove to be rather collectible if the British press is right about the Editors (hint, hint).

More Morricone: Mere weeks after Ipecac breathed new life into film composer Ennio Morricone's canon with a two-disc archival compilation "Crime and Dissonance," Sony Classical hath bequeathed another related catalog release: Yo-Yo Ma Plays Ennio Morricone, now made available in the hyper-quadraphonic Super Audio Compact Disc format. Think you might be a classical-music audiophile trapped in an R. Kelly fan's body? This disc should tell you one way or the other.

Behind the Rappers: Dying for some new Kanye and 50 Cent goods, but without all that singing and stuff? Might want to feast your eyes on "Hip Hop Uncensored, Vol. 6: Ready to Sign," an hour-long DVD that guides you along the roads that led the budding rappers to the big time. Also among the bevy of featured rappers is Lil Jon, Young Buck, Lloyd Banks, David Banner, Jadakiss, Juelz Santana, Jim Jones, Mike Jones and Cassidy.

New Releases:

• 16 Braz - The Transition (Aryell Global)
• Ian Allen - Nova's Lounge (Mia Mind Music)
• Jimmy Amadie - Let Groove (TP Recordings)
• Beast With 2 Backs - The Sharpest Spires (So Snug)
• Tina deVaron - Water Over Stones (IMAH)
• Macka Diamond - Money-O (Greensleeves)
• Eric Durbin - Welcome to Mercytown (Fillerup)
• Imagination Movers - Eight Feet (Red Room)
• Elliott James - Cinematic Life (Wateree)
• JNM - Unaffiliated (JNM)
• Angelo Latona - Unveiled (Mia Mind Music)
• Max Lucado - Cure for the Common Life: Living in Your Sweet Spot (Thomas Nelson Pub.)
• Mato Luka & the Sound - Love in a Tornado (PPL/TCI)
• Donald Miller - Through Painted Deserts (Thomas Nelson Pub.)
• Nat - Hidden Adjenda (two CDs; Natalac)
• The Oak Ridge Boys - You'll Never Walk Alone (Laserlight)
• Leslie Ruiz - Leslie Ruiz (Whitaker House)
• Karen Savõca - In the Dirt (Alcove)
• Spicehouse - Tomorrow Is the Answer (Blue City)
• The Strokes - First Impressions of Earth (deluxe edition due same day; RCA)
  Read: "Secretive Strokes To Spread Love Over The Airwaves In 'Juicebox' Clip"
  Buy Now: First Impressions of Earth (RCA)
• Jennifer Terran - Full Moon in Three (Grizelda)
• Triple - Triple (Backroom)
• Mary Sue Twohy - Songs to Hang on Stars (Azalea City Recordings)
• L. Zaide - Planet Chill: Memoirs of a Jazz Band (Rebel Phi)
• Various artists - Best of Zydeco (Mardi Gras)
• Various artists - Disco Inferno: Disco's Greatest Hits (Laserlight)
• Various artists - Moments of Love: Ultimate Love Songs (Style)
• Various artists - Reggaeton Con Rakata (Madacy Latino)
• Various artists - Tributo a Juanes (St. Clair Entertainment Group)
• Various artists - "Grandma's Boy" soundtrack (Epic)
• Various artists - "Mrs. Henderson Presents" soundtrack (Sony Classical)
• Various artists - "Shopgirl" soundtrack (Reincarnate Music)

Notable Reissues and Archival Material:

• Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong - Love Songs (Laserlight)
• Go West - Greatest Hits Live (Laserlight)
• Level 42 - Greatest Hits Live (Laserlight)
• Bob Marley - Kaya and Soul Shakedown Party (Laserlight)
• The Pointer Sisters - Greatest Hits Live (Laserlight)
• Sarah Vaughan - Great Lady of Jazz (Laserlight)
• Yo-Yo Ma - Yo-Yo Ma Plays Ennio Morricone (SACD; Sony Classical)
  Buy Now: Yo-Yo Ma Plays Ennio Morricone (SACD; Sony Classical)
• Various artists - Classic Soul: Greatest Hits (Laserlight)
• Various artists - Crooners: The Love Songs (Laserlight)
• Various artists - Greatest Hits of the '80s: A Decade of Great Music (Laserlight)
• Various artists - Sultry Soul (Laserlight)
• Various artists - Surfin' USA: Greatest Surfin' Hits of All Time (Laserlight)
• Various artists - "Pink Panthers and Other Spy Themes" soundtrack (St. Clair Entertainment Group)

DVDs:

• Various artists - "All Star Swing Festival" (Delta)
• Various artists - "Hip Hop Uncensored, Vol. 6: Ready to Sign" (Nutz)

Coming Attractions: January 10:

• Morningwood - Morningwood (Capitol)
  Buy Now: Morningwood (Capitol)
• We Are Scientists - With Love and Squalor (Virgin)
• Various artists - "Underworld: Evolution" soundtrack (Lakeshore)

January 17:

• Aaron Carter - Come Get It: The Very Best of Aaron Carter (Jive)
  Buy Now: Come Get It: The Very Best of Aaron Carter (Jive)
• Say Anything - Say Anything ... Is a Real Boy (J)
• Too Short - Pimpin' Inc. (with DVD; Up All Night)

January 24:

• Cat Power - The Greatest (Matador)
• P.O.D. - Testify (Atlantic)
• Yellowcard - Lights and Sounds (with DVD; Capitol)
  Read: "Yellowcard Move To New York, Write LP About Hating Los Angeles"
  Buy Now: Lights and Sounds (Capitol)

• The Strokes
• Editors
• Yo-Yo Ma
• Kanye West
• 50 Cent