Zac Efron
Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images

Zac Efron is doing fine after having his appendix removed Tuesday (January 15), according to People.com. The star — who recently signed on for "High School Musical 3" — was rushed to Los Angeles' Cedars-Sinai Medical Center after suffering from appendicitis, TMZ.com reports. "Zac had his appendix removed and is recuperating," the actor's representative, who was not named, reportedly said in a statement. ...

A very revealing photo of Heidi Montag graces the new cover of Maxim, and for the accompanying interview, she also revealed to the mag that she wants to be the next Madonna. "But it's not like with most pop artists, where they have a song sent to them that has nothing to do with their emotions or lives," she insisted about her yet-untitled, in-the-works LP. "It's all about me and my life. I'm taking my time to make sure it's a classic. I don't want to be the next pop person who's in or out. I want to be like Michael Jackson, Madonna, Stevie Wonder — all the greats." Montag also dished on new parents Nicole Richie and Joel Madden recalling that one time they "came up to [Montag's fiance,] Spencer [Pratt,] and me at the Beverly Hills Hotel [in California] and started yelling something Spencer said about Nicole in an interview, like, two years ago. ... Joel was yelling, 'You've been talking sh-- about my girl!' " ...

Madden has blogged on the Web site for his clothing company, DCMA, about arriving home with his and Richie's daughter, who was born on Friday. "Well I am finally home with my beautiful girlfriend and our brand new little daughter," the Good Charlotte frontman wrote. "Harlow Winter Kate Madden was born on January 11th 2008 at 3:13 p.m. She weighed in at 6 pounds and 7 ounces. She is 19 inches long and growing everyday already! She really is a wonderful addition to the GC/DCMA/DEADEXEC family. We are so blessed to have this beautiful little baby in our lives. I want to thank everyone for all the love and kind words they've sent our way. We apologize we weren't accepting gifts/cards/calls at the hospital, but if you'd like to send something, we'd rather you make a donation to the Richie-Madden Foundation, which we started in Harlow Winter's honor. She looks so much like her mom it's crazy! She eats like a little maniac and she's really sweet. She barely ever cries, even when daddy is changing her diaper, and believe me I suck when it comes to diapers, but I'm learning! I can't wait to show off some pictures, until then, THANKS!! and GOD BLESS... Joel." ...

From an "Umbrella" to a handbag: Rihanna has made a match with Marc Jacobs as she and the fashion designer have partnered to produce a new pair of purses named after the leggy singer. The two models are available as a part of Jacobs' spring line. ... Missy Elliott has stepped up with two new tunes for the February 5 soundtrack to "Step Up 2 the Streets." The MC's "Ching-A-Ling" — which is already sizzling in the streets — and "Shake Your Pom Pom" will appear on the soundtrack, and might resurface on her yet-untitled new LP, due in May. The soundtrack also features Cassie, who stars in "Step Up 2 the Streets," as well as T-Pain, Flo Rida, Trey Songz, Plies and Scarface. ...

Twista has inked a deal with Koch to release a project with his longtime group, the Speedknot Mobstaz. The Mobstaz's forthcoming sophomore album, Mobstability II: Nation Bizness, is set to feature Jim Jones and production by Cuzzo and China White Productions. ... The Grammys will not be getting a free pass from the Writers Guild of America. The Los Angeles Times reports that the Grammys have not asked for a special waiver to allow striking Guild employees to work on the show, but even if they did request one, it would not likely be granted. In addition, a number of top musicians who also have Screen Actors Guild cards, including Justin Timberlake and Queen Latifah, are being lobbied by the WGA not to attend the February 10 show, according to AdAge.com. ...

In a $35 million lawsuit filed on Monday, Victory Records claimed that Virgin/EMI "improperly induced" Hawthorne Heights to disregard their contract with the independent Chicago label. In a news release on the suit, Victory also claimed that Virgin/EMI paid $55,000 to the band, which used the money to fund the initial phase of a 2006 lawsuit against Victory, and helped the bandmembers search for a music-industry lawyer to help them with their legal action. "The facts alleged in this case demonstrate classic interference with contractual and business relations," Victory lawyer Robert Meloni said. "They did more than merely offer a carrot to the band, but also saddled the horse, paid for a rider to take the reins, and led it out of the barn." The suit seeks $10 million in compensation and $25 million in punitive damages for Virgin/EMI's "willful, wanton and deliberate conduct." Victory maintains that HH owe the label two more albums, but the band, which lost guitarist Casey Calvert in November after a fatal drug interaction, has vowed not to record for Victory again. ...

Rancid fans, time to grow those Mohawks back — the band started recording new material in a California studio on Monday. The punks' yet-unnamed follow-up to 2003's Indestructible is due later this year, on guitarist Brett Gurewitz's Epitaph/Hellcat label, of course. ... Tiger Army have welcomed an old comrade back into their ranks. Stand-up-bass player Geoff Kresge, who toured with the psychobilly band from 1999-2004 — and who also has a stint with AFI on his résumé — replaces Jeff Roffredo, who "left the band on good terms to pursue other interests," according to a press release from the band's publicist. Tiger Army hit the road earlier this week and have a heap of shows planned for throughout the year. ...

Now that Marilyn Manson and Twiggy Ramirez have reconciled, what better way to celebrate than with some concerts? Manson has tacked on a few more to his upcoming trek, which starts Saturday in Orlando, Florida. The newly added gigs will be staged in Phoenix (February 27); Dallas (February 29); Austin, Texas (March 1); and Houston (March 2). Veteran rock act Ours will be the opening act on the tour, according to Pollstar.com. ... Here's a novel idea: Yellowcard are giving fans who buy the rockers' Live From Las Vegas at the Palms release an early chance at getting tix to one of their upcoming shows. The iTunes exclusive will be available starting January 22, and fans who snatch it up before January 29 will get a Ticketmaster code allowing them to nab up to four tickets for the band's trek, which starts March 7 in Salt Lake City and ends April 12 in Los Angeles. From Las Vegas at the Palms immortalizes Yellowcard's show at the Palms Casino Resort's Pearl venue in October. ...

EMI — home to Coldplay, the Rolling Stones and other acts — will slash a third of its work force, or 1,500-2,000 jobs, over the course of the next months, multiple outlets reported Tuesday. According to the Web site for England's Telegraph, the reunited Verve could be the next major group to withhold its upcoming album in light of the major-label shake-up. The paper reports that the Verve may join Robbie Williams and Coldplay in threatening to hold onto their next albums unless they receive assurances about the company's financial health and how their albums will be marketed. The company's new boss, Guy Hands, was reportedly to be grilled by the managers of some of the label's top acts on Tuesday as he revealed plans for streamlining the company. ...

"American Idol" judge Randy Jackson is known for name-dropping, but his new album, Music Club Vol. 1, might finally back up some of his boasting. Jackson's upcoming solo album, due March 11, will feature pals ranging from Mariah Carey and Joss Stone to Jason Mraz, former "Idol" contestants Elliott Yamin and Katharine McPhee and country star Travis Tritt. Fellow judge Paula Abdul will be featured on "Dance Like There's No Tomorrow," her first new recording in more than a decade. Last week, TVGuide.com reported that Jackson and Abdul had been rehearsing a video for the single, and that she was in talks to perform it at the Super Bowl on February 3. Also included on the album are Van Hunt, Three 6 Mafia, Angie Stone, Richie Sambora and Keb' Mo'. ...

My Morning Jacket are going big time: The longhaired Kentucky rockers will headline a show at New York's Radio City Music Hall on June 20. The band's yet-untitled album will drop 10 days earlier. ... Noise Pop just got a bit noisier. The Walkmen, the Dodos, MSTRKRFT, Stellastarr and the Helio Sequence have climbed onto the roster for the San Francisco fest, which is happening February 26-March 2. Jamie Kennedy's comedic documentary "Heckler" — which features George Lucas, Rob Zombie, David Cross and others — will open the Film Festival portion of the event. ... Carla Bruni has been making headlines lately amid her high-profile romance with French President Nicolas Sarkozy. Now the chanteuse can parlay that attention into promotion for the wide release of No Promises, an album that is currently only available Stateside on iTunes and at Barnes & Noble stores. The disc — which is being issued through Downtown Records, home to Gnarls Barkley and Spank Rock, and pays tribute to English-language literary legends — will hit retail stores nationwide February 19.

1.14.08

Nearly six years after the alleged sex tape first surfaced, the court proceedings in the R. Kelly case continue to move at a snail's pace. The prosecutors originally sought to have testimony from one expert witness, Dr. Sharon Cooper, cover several different areas — the age of the girl on the tape based on forensic pediatrics, the identification of the man on the tape based on the vein pattern on his hands, and the behavior profile of the girl based on the psychology of child sex-abuse victims. Judge Vincent Gaughan had previously ruled that Dr. Cooper could testify about the victim's age, but not the behavior profile, so prosecutors had asked him to reconsider. At a hearing on Monday (January 14), Gaughan ruled once again that Dr. Cooper would not be able to testify about why the girl in the case would deny that she was a victim, or how common denial is in sex-abuse cases. Kelly is due back in court March 12 for another pre-trial hearing, while the trial itself is slated to start on May 9. ...

And the Wu-Tang Clan infighting goes on. U-God — who complained about RZA being callous toward him in the studio nearly four years ago — is now suing Wu's label, alleging that he is owed $170,000, according to TMZ.com. U-God (born Lamont Hawkins) reportedly filed papers in a New York district court, alleging that Wu Music owes him money for services rendered dating back to March of last year. Wu Music is licensed to Universal Music. ...

Paula Abdul doesn't just have the seventh season of "American Idol" on her mind these days. "I want kids!" the singer recently told Ladies' Home Journal for its February issue. "If it doesn't happen naturally, I can always adopt." The 45-year-old Abdul opened up even more about her personal life, saying of 32-year-old boyfriend J.T. Torregiani, "I've experienced real loneliness, so I love knowing there's someone I can share the good and the not-so-good with." ... Everyone's wondering how the seventh season of "Idol" is going to fare in light of some retooling and the writers' strike, but if you ask Chris Daughtry, the show is "in a state of decline." The Daughtry frontman recently spoke with RollingStone.com about the show, adding that if it doesn't right itself, "it's probably not gonna last too much longer. I'm sure that'll be used against me, but that's the truth, you know?" He also said the show is "definitely lacking some credibility at this point." ...

White Stripes, Foo Fighters, Kings of Leon, Mark Ronson, Klaxons, Arctic Monkeys, Kaiser Cheifs and recent MTV Artist of the Week Kate Nash have all landed Brit Award nominations, although Leona Lewis, Mika and Take That have scored the most, with four apiece. Rihanna, Ronson, Kaiser Chiefs, Kylie Minogue and Paul McCartney are slated to perform at the February 20 ceremony. ... R.E.M. have pulled the curtains back on a new Web site surrounding the April 1 release of their 14th studio album, Accelerate. Their NinetyNights.com Web site has daily high-definition-video snippets shot by Arcade Fire collaborator Vincent Moon ...

Björk attacked a newspaper photographer who was attempting to take her picture at the Auckland International Airport on Sunday, according to reports in the New Zealand press. The singer, who was flying in to perform at the Big Day Out concert on Friday, reportedly ripped New Zealand Herald photographer Glenn Jeffrey's shirt after he snapped a photo of her. Jeffrey told the New Zealand Press Association that he was warned by a man traveling with Björk not to take her picture, and once he did, the singer came up behind him, grabbed the back of his shirt and tore it before tumbling to the ground. In 1996, Björk attacked a reporter in an airport in Bangkok, Thailand, after she objected to being photographed. ... The Walkmen and White Rabbits will hop along the U.S. this month for nine shows. On the itinerary are Pittsburgh (Wednesday); Detroit (Thursday); Milwaukee (Friday); Madison, Wisconsin (Saturday); Chicago (Sunday); St. Louis (January 21); Columbus, Ohio (January 22); Philadelphia (January 23); and Baltimore (January 24). ...

For the first time in 25 years, former Clash members Mick Jones and Topper Headon reportedly shared the same stage at a gig by Jones' new band, Carbon/Silicon. The duo performed "Train in Vain" and "Should I Stay or Should I Go?" during the set. ... Megadeth have recruited Chris Broderick (Nevermore, Jag Panzer) to be their newest guitarist, following the recent departure of Glen Drover. Broderick will make his live debut with the band on February 4, at a gig in Finland. ...

Quiet Riot drummer Frankie Banali said the band will not be revived following the late November death of frontman Kevin DuBrow. In an online statement, Banali claims he had been "approached to see if I would be interested in contacting Rudy Sarzo and Carlos Cavazo and to audition singers for Quiet Riot." He said that he's even fielded an offer to re-form "the version of Quiet Riot that included Paul Shortino, Carlos Cavazo and Sean McNabb." But Banali rejected any suggestions of the band performing live. "My friendship, love and respect for Kevin DuBrow, as well as my personal love and affection for Kevin's mother and his family, makes it inconceivable for me to ever entertain any ovation to re-form or to continue Quiet Riot," he wrote. "It would also be a disrespect to the fans who have supported [the band] for nearly 25 years." ...

Roger Avary, the Oscar-winning co-writer of "Pulp Fiction," was arrested on Sunday after a fatal single-car crash in Ojai, California. According to a Reuters report, Avary, 42, was charged with vehicular manslaughter and driving under the influence, and was released from jail after posting $50,000 bail. Andreas Zedini, a 34-year-old passenger in the car, died of his injuries at a local hospital. Avary's wife, Gretchen, 40, was taken to a local hospital with serious injuries after being thrown from the car.

• Heidi Montag Poses For Maxim

• Good Charlotte
• Justin Timberlake
• Queen Latifah
• Hawthorne Heights
• The Verve

My Chemical Romance's <I>The Black Parade</I>
Photo: Warner Bros./ Reprise

Join the Black Parade: By now you probably know about My Chemical Romance, their new LP The Black Parade and the saga it consists of, which revolves around a central character called the Patient. If this is enough to get you marching to the record store, be sure to look out for the limited-edition box-set version of the release. It comes in an 11-by-6-inch skinny container, debossed and wrapped in black velveteen. Inside you'll find a 64-page paperback with singer Gerard Way's drawings, making-of-the-album notes and more. Take that, bonus DVDs.

Watch ( to see John Norris interview the band on the eve of the release. MCR talk about the influences behind The Black Parade, comparisons to Green Day and overcoming the conflicts and crises that almost tore the band apart.

John Legend made a name for himself just two years ago when Kanye West snatched him up for his G.O.O.D. Music label, but since then he's grabbed just about every award except the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his Get Lifted LP. He's hoping for more accolades with Once Again, which features "P.D.A. (We Just Don't Care)," "Where Did My Baby Go" and "Each Day Gets Better." Alas, there are no enhancements or special editions planned, but production by West, Will.I.Am and Raphael Saadiq will please those who have been jonesing for John.

Seventies Revisited ... Again: From fashion to hairstyles to cover songs and guitar techniques, young rock bands have been trying to re-create the '70s incessantly for the last five or 10 years. But the Walkmen are taking a more specific and original approach with their retro rebirth: They are retreading a fiery path intoxicatingly blazed by John Lennon, Harry Nilsson, Ringo Starr and Keith Moon on a party-and-experimental-music binge they indulged in when Lennon separated from Yoko Ono in 1974. The Walkmen aren't redoing the resulting album, Pussy Cats, note-for-note or even song-for-song, but rather channeling the spirit of the original project and birthing a batch of their own originals. The album co-stars Ian Svenonius (Weird War, the Make-Up), Quentin Stoltzfus (Mazarin) and Alessandra Maria (Tomorrow's Friend), and they dabble with more instruments than you could name.

Current Affairs: "The future needs these wasted seeds" is the key line in "Taking Back Control," Sparta's new single. Frontman Jim Ward has said the lyric refers to children who are in war-torn areas and is his attempt to follow Neil Young's lead in criticizing the Iraq debacle. But the song title itself could refer to Ward's handle on his band: With a series of staff changes since the band formed five years ago, he's hoping new guitarist Keeley Davis (Denali, Engine Down) will bring the band back under control. A special edition of Threes will boast another political item: a short film called "Eme Nakia," which revolves around drummer Tony Hajjar and his flight from the Lebanese civil war.

A New 'Nightmare': It'll be easy to spot the reissued soundtrack to Tim Burton's "The Nightmare Before Christmas" — like the theatrically re-released version of his film, it's in 3-D. The second disc to the set should also have moody-rock fans seeing triple: It features fresh slabs of macabre music by Fall Out Boy, She Wants Revenge, Marilyn Manson and Fiona Apple, as well as demos from composer Danny Elfman. The only thing it's lacking is a new track from Helloween.

Ten One-on-Ones: The Detroit Tigers and St. Louis Cardinals are duking it out on the baseball diamond this week, but there are 10 less obvious contests happening in the music racks this week:

The "Masters of Horror II" soundtrack vs. the "Saw III" soundtrack: Fear-inducing directors take turns at helming episodes of Showtime's "Masters of Horror" series, and accordingly, a procession of grisly bands shares the soundtrack honors, including Children of Bodom, Hatebreed, Lacuna Coil and the scary-sounding but ultimately goofy Eagles of Death Metal. That soundtrack faces off against the one for "Saw III," which has even more blood-curdling contributions from Lamb of God, Mastodon, Meshuggah and big names Avenged Sevenfold, Static-X and Disturbed.

Children of Bodom vs. Children of Bodom: CoB are making three appearances this week: They contribute to the "Masters" soundtrack, plus carve up a new LP, Chaos Ridden Years: Stockholm Knockout Live, and DVD of the same name. The double-CD is crammed tight with 18 songs, including "Follow the Reaper" and "Clash of the Booze Brothers," but the video has much more material: all nine videos the band has ever made, two documentaries, a photo gallery and more.

Freddie Cruger vs. Horrors: Which is more terrifying? Well, neither, really: Cruger's Soul Search is actually a reggae/disco mash-up venture, while the Horrors' self-titled EP is heavy on the garage guitar rock (but not on bass, since they don't have a bass player). Let's save the Halloween fun for next week.

Bright Eyes vs. Bright Light Fever: Sacramento, California, garage-rockers BLF are having plenty of fun on their debut, Bright Light Fever Presents the Evening Owl — and they're sure to gain a few fans with "Papa's Got a Brand New Liver." But they're no match for one of indie rock's biggest troubadours, Conor Oberst, who's lumping 21 hard-to-find tracks onto Bright Eyes' Noise Floor (Rarities: 1998-2005).

Skid Row vs. Winger: A week after Twisted Sister quietly brought their career to a close with A Twisted Christmas, two more hair-metal greats are rearing their heads. Skid Row's first album in three years and second without singer Sebastian Bach, Revolutions Per Minute, finds them joined by a three-part string section and kicking into country-rock mode on "You Lie." But it's been almost 15 years since we've heard from Winger, so their IV — which does feature founding member Kip Winger — wins out.

Song Title of the Week:

"I Am Warm & Powerful" from Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin's Broom

Other Notables:

+/-'s Let's Build Fire: The Death Cab for Cutie tourmates are a bit easier to verbalize than !!!, who can also be tricky to find in the record racks. But to make matters more complicated, this record by the mostly ex-Versus musicians was issued in Japan earlier this year and has since been tweaked with different tracks, remixed sound and remastering.

Converge's No Heroes: Metal and hardcore converged — for the first time, some would argue — with this Salem, Massachusetts, band. The group is as direct as ever as it wails through the 40-minute disc, which includes "Heartache," "Hellbound," "Plagues" — plus a guest-vocal appearance by Only Living Witness' Jonah Jerkins.

The Curtains' Calamity: Chris Cohen spends most of his time spazzing out in Deerhoof, but he had enough energy to squeeze out 13 tracks for his other project. While he laid down the initial tracks for the Curtains' fourth release by himself, Cohen is joined by Sufjan Stevens collaborator Half-Handed Cloud, ex-Mae-Shi member Corey Fogel and others through his alternately brooding and bubble-gum pop songs.

New Releases:

• +/- Let's Build Fire (Absolutely Kosher)
• Alabama - Songs of Inspiration (RCA)
• Amy Annelle - Songs for Creeps (High Plains Sigh)
• George Benson & Al Jarreau - Givin' It Up (Concord)
• Jello Biafra - In the Grip of Official Treason (Alternative Tentacles)
• The Blow - Paper Television (K)
• Bright Light Fever - Bright Light Fever Presents the Evening Owl (Stolen Transmission)
• Children of Bodom - Chaos Ridden Years: Stockholm Knockout Live (Spinefarm)
• Converge - No Heroes (Epitaph)
• Cowboy Junkies - Long Journey Home: Live in Liverpool (with DVD; Zöe)
• Freddie Cruger - Soul Search (Ubiquity/ Raw Fusion)
• The Curtains - Calamity (Asthmatic Kitty)
• De La Soul - AOI Presents - Impossible: Mission (Red Lion)
• Devastations - Coal (Brassland)
• Driveblind - Driveblind (Geffen)
• Drones - Gala Mill (ATP)
• Dynasty Handbag - Foo Foo Yik Yik (enhanced; Lovepump United)
• Electric Six - Switzerland (Metropolis)
• Electro Quarterstaff - Gretsky (Willowtip)
• Gliss - Love the Virgins (Mountain Lo-Fi)
• Grey Does Matter - Your Job Will Kill You (Pop Rally)
• Miho Hatori - Ecclysis (Rykodisc)
• Heart Attacks - Hellbound and Heartless (digipak; Hellcat)
• Brooke Hogan - Undiscovered (SMC)
• Horrors - Horrors (EP; Stolen Transmission)
• Frida Hyvönen - Until Death Comes (Secretly Canadian)
• Jibbs - Jibbs Feat. Jibbs (Geffen)
• Jóhann Jóhannsson - IBM 1401, a User's Manual (4AD)
• John Legend - Once Again (Sony Urban)
• Kill the Vultures - The Careless Flame {Locust)
• Krokus - Hellraiser (Locomotive)
• Gucci Mane - Hard to Kill (Big Cat)
• Aimee Mann - One More Drifter in the Snow (Superego)
• Manning - Anser's Tree (Progrock)
• Manowar - The Sons of Odin (EP with bonus DVD; Magic Circle)
• Matt & Kim - Matt & Kim (IHeartComix)
• Miss Nine - Yoshitoshi Ibiza (Yoshitoshi)
• Montgomery Gentry - Some People Change (Columbia)
• My Chemical Romance - The Black Parade (limited-edition version in velveteen box also available; Reprise)
  Read: "My Chemical Romance Unveil Black Parade Track List, Album Art"
• Roger O'Donnell - The Truth in Me (Great Society)
• Partyline - Zombie Terrorist (Retard Disco)
• Kelly Price - This Is Who I Am (Gospocentric)
• Ratos de Porão - Homem Inimigo Do Homem (Alternative Tentacles)
• Rachael Ray - How Cool Is That Christmas (Epic)
• Brian Setzer - 13 (Surfdog)
• Shareefa - Point of No Return (Def Jam)
• Pal Shazar - The Morning After (Funzalo)
• Skid Row - Revolutions Per Minute (Steamhammer)
• Skygreen Leopards - Disciples of California (Jagjaguwar)
• Slumber Party Girls - Dance Revolution (Geffen)
• Smile Empty Soul - Vultures (Bieler Bros.)
• Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin - Broom (Polyvinyl)
• Sparta - Threes (Hollywood)
  Read: "Sparta Return With New LP, Outlook, Tour — And No Need For 'Hipster Points' "
• Paul Stanley - Live to Win (New Door)
• Street Dogs - Fading American Dream (with DVD; Brass Tracks/ DRT)
• Taylor Swift - Taylor Swift (Big Machine)
• Carl Tanner - Hear the Angel Voices (TMG)
• TM Juke - Forward (Ubiquity/ Tru Thoughts)
• Totimoshi - Ladrón (Crucial Blast)
• Under Byen - Samme Stof Som Stof (Paper Bag)
• Vains of Jenna - Lit Up/ Let Down (Filthy Note)
• Various - The World Is Gone (XL)
• Andreas Vollenweider featuring Carly Simon - Midnight Clear (Denon)
• Peter Walker - A Raga for Peter Walker (digipak; Tompkins Square)
• The Walkmen - Pussy Cats Starring the Walkmen (Record Collection)
• Wee Hairy Beasties - Animal Crackers (Bloodshot)
• Whitey - The Light at the End of the Tunnel Is a Train (Dim Mak)
• Winger - IV (Frontiers)
• Zebrahead - Broadcast to the World (Icon)
• Various artists - Butchering the Beatles: A Headbashing Tribute (Restless)
• Various artists - Old Town School of Folk Music Songbook, Volume 1 (Old Town School)
• Various artists - Six the Hard Way (Heartbeat)
• Various artists - "Hannah Montana" soundtrack (with DVD; Disney)
• Various artists - "Masters of Horror II" soundtrack (Downtown)
• Various artists - "The Nightmare Before Christmas" soundtrack (special two-CD edition; Disney)
  Read: "Fall Out Boy, Panic, Marilyn Manson Add To New 'Nightmare Before Christmas' Soundtrack"
• Various artists - "Saw III" soundtrack (Warcon)

Notable Reissues and Archival Material:

• 2 Live Jews - Christmas Jews (Empire Musicwerks)
• Angel - Live Without a Net (Polygram)
• Atari Teenage Riot - Atari Teenage Riot: 1992-2000 (Digital Hardcore)
• Biz Markie - Make the Music With Your Mouth, Biz (Traffic)
• Bright Eyes - Noise Floor (Rarities: 1998-2005) (Saddle Creek)
• Ray Brown - The Best of the Ray Brown Trio 1977-2000 (two CDs; Concord)
• Climax Blues Band - Sense of Direction (Fuel)
• John Coltrane - Gold (Hip-O)
• Def Leppard - Hysteria (two-CD deluxe edition; Island)
• John Denver - Annie's Song: A Collection of His Finest Recordings (two CDs; Music Club Deluxe)
• The Derailers - The Derailers Retrospective (Varèse Sarabande)
• The Flaming Lips - At War With the Mystics (limited-edition version with DVD; Warner Bros.)
• Ben Folds - Supersunnyspeedgraphic, the LP (Epic)
• Jim Hall - Hallmarks: The Best of Jim Hall (two CDs; Concord)
• Hoodoo Gurus - Stoneage Romeos (Hoodoo Gurus)
• Greg Howe - Collection: The Shrapnel Years Collection (Shrapnel)
• Moby - Go: The Very Best of Moby (V2)
• MxPx - Let's Rock: Rarities (Side One Dummy)
• The Number 12 Looks Like You - Put on Your Rosy Red Glasses (enhanced; ECA)
• Andy Partridge - The Official Andy Partridge Fuzzy Warbles Collector's Album (nine-CD box set; Ape House)
• Saxon - An Introduction to Saxon (Fuel)
• Duncan Sheik - Brighter/Later: A Duncan Sheik Anthology (two CDs; Rhino)
• Soul Men - Their Greatest Hits (Fuel)
(Varèse Sarabande)
• Cat Stevens - On the Road to Find Out (four-CD box set; A&M)
• Don Walser and the Pure Texas Band - Texas Legend
• Lucinda Williams - Car Wheels on a Gravel Road (two-CD deluxe edition; Mercury)
• Frank Zappa - Trance-Fusion (Zappa)
• Various artists - The Harry Smith Project: The Anthology of American Folk Music Revisited (box set with two CDs and two DVDs; Shout! Factory)
• Various artists - Jazz in Paris Remixed (with DVD; Fontana)
• Various artists - The Mistletoe Lounge (Brash)
• Various artists - Six the Hard Way (Heartbeat)

Music DVDs:

• Children of Bodom - "Chaos Ridden Years: Stockholm Knockout Live" (Spinefarm)
• Hoodoo Gurus - "Tunnel Vision" (Hoodoo Gurus)
• Waylon Jennings - "Nashville Rebel" (RCA)
• Robert Plant and the Strange Sensation - "Robert Plant and the Strange Sensation" (Rounder/Zöe)
• Rick Springfield - "Live in Rockford" (Gomer)
• Jeff Tweedy - "Sunken Treasure: Live in the Pacific Northwest" (Nonesuch)

Coming Attractions:

October 31:

• Ron Artest - My World (Lightyear)
  Read: "Ron Artest Battles In Basketball/Boxing Game, Funds His Own Rap LP"
• Deftones - Saturday Night Wrist (Maverick)
  Read: "Deftones Plan Tour With Deadsy Before LP Drops On Halloween"
• Lady Sovereign - Public Warning (Def Jam)
• Kevin Federline - Playing With Fire (Reincarnate)
  Read: "Federline Moving Songs From The Lab To Clubs For Testing"
• Pitbull - El Mariel (TVT)
  Read: "Pitbull Barks About Parties, Politics On October's El Mariel"

November 7:

• James Blunt - Back to Bedlam (limited-edition version with bonus CD; Atlantic)
• Foo Fighters - Skin and Bones (RCA)
• Jim Jones - Hustler's P.O.M.E. (Product of My Environment) (Koch)
• Dave Matthews Band - The Best of What's Around, Vol. 1 (two CDs; RCA)
• Old Dirty Bastard - A Son Unique (Def Jam)

November 14:

• Army of Anyone - Army of Anyone (Firm)
  Read: "Army Of Anyone Want To Be Judged By Their Fifth Album, Not Their Debut"
• Fat Joe - Me, Myself and I (Virgin)
  Read: "Fat Joe On September Release: 'Bet The Kitchen Sink On Me' "
• The Game - Doctor's Advocate (Geffen)
  Read: "Game Says Song On New LP Makes Him 'The One-Man N.W.A' "
• Plus-44 - When Your Heart Stops Beating (Interscope)
  Read: "Plus-44 Address Blink Breakup On LP, Want Fans To 'Hear The Truth' "
• Tenacious D - "The Pick of Destiny" soundtrack (Epic)

• MCR RAW: A Night At The Opera

• My Chemical Romance
• John Legend
• The Walkmen
• Sparta
• Bright Eyes

<I>American Idol Season 5 Encores</I>
Photo: RCA

Idolatry: Everyone knows Katharine and Taylor are battling it out Tuesday night (May 23), but if you were rooting for Elliott, Paris, Kellie or another "Idol" contender, the compilation "American Idol Season 5 Encores" will give you a chance to hear the finalists once again. Covers of Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder and Gladys Knight & the Pips give the collection plenty of soul, although Chris Daughtry adds some rock edge with his take on Bon Jovi's "Wanted Dead or Alive."

While the "Idol" contenders' best-known tunes belong to other people, so do the theme songs to entertainers on the other end of the spectrum: WWE wrestlers. This week's other big compilation, WWE: Reckless Intent, isn't as heavy on the metal as you might think: Alongside tracks by Killswitch Engage, Brand New Sin and P.O.D. are Three 6 Mafia, who add some hop with "Some Bodies Gonna Get It," and Silkk the Shocker, who chips in "Never Gonna Change."

Touched by Angels: Call them a "rebirth," a "supergroup" or "the greatest rock and roll revolution for this generation," as singer Tom DeLonge himself did, but whatever the case, Angels & Airwaves finally descend with We Don't Need to Whisper this week. If you pre-ordered through the A&A site, you might have received a copy signed by the band, but if you're still looking for something extra, pick up the U.K. edition, which has bonus live versions of "Start the Machine" and "Do It for Me Now."

Don We Now: After teaming up with Jennifer Lopez and Fabolous the last time around, Don Omar is back with King of Kings, which probably gives you an idea of how important the rapper considers himself to the reggaetón movement. This time around he's roped in Juelz Santana ("Conteo"), Beenie Man ("Belly Danza") and Mackie Ranks ("En Su Nota") for his 18-track affair, which is mostly sung in Spanish.

Tickle Her Pink: Liking Pink's I'm Not Dead but still dying to "Get the Party Started"? Look no further than the singer's "Live in Europe," a DVD that packs in all her pre-"Stupid Girl" singles, plus a heap of additional performances. Furthered by an on-the-road doc, the video has more than 25 live songs plus spots by Aerosmith's Steven Tyler and Peaches.

Dixie Cats: The Dixie Chicks know better than anyone what it's like to carry a heavy burden, but they share the load a little on their politically charged Taking the Long Way. Famed rock producer Rick Rubin sat behind the decks, while John Mayer adds a searing lick to "I Hope," co-written by blues legend Keb' Mo'. Sheryl Crow also lent her songwriting skills, though the Chicks get deeply personal by touching on everything from infertility to Alzheimer's, from which singer Natalie Maines' grandmother suffers.

Getting a Boost: Harlem, New York's Purple City tapped Jim Jones to executive produce and appear on their latest LP, The Purple Album, which also features B.G., Max B. and Boot Camp Click. Mr. Collipark is all over Da Muzicianz's record of the same name, producing a smattering of songs and appearing on the last two, "Mr. Collipark Speaks" and "Gyrate." And Lil Wayne, Jazze Pha, Bun B, Baby and 8Ball beef up the second record by Memphis underground fave Yo Gotti, whose Back 2 Da Basics also features "Full Time" from "Hustle & Flow."

On the rock side, Sufjan Stevens embellishes his pals Serena-Maneesh's self-titled debut, playing flute and marimba while his sisters Elvira and Hilma contribute vocals and bass, respectively. Another breakout indie troubadour, Devendra Banhart, furthers the second record by Vetiver — a.k.a. Andy Cabic, who is also a member of Banhart's live band. And two more solo stars are bumping up rookie Sierra Swan: James Blunt, who took her on tour recently, and Aimee Mann, who chimes in on "Get Down to It" on Swan's Ladyland. And one of the most iconic singer/songwriters of all, Leonard Cohen, mentored Hawaiian artist and Berklee College of Music grad Anjani Thomas for her major-label debut, Blue Alert, which was co-written and produced by Cohen.

As far as indie stuff goes, Mike Patton proves that Dub Trio really are "Not Alone" by appearing on that song on the noise act's enhanced New Heavy. Liars' Julian Gross directs one of the six videos that appears on the DVD accompanying Bedroom Walls' All Good Dreamers Pass This Way. And Antony and Bonnie "Prince" Billy surface on Black Ships Ate the Sky, the new album from Current 93, a collective headed up by David Tibet and also featuring Ben Chasny of Bonnie "Prince" Billy labelmates Six Organs of Admittance.

Branching Out: How apropos for Michelle Branch to debut her new project, the Wreckers, on "One Tree Hill." Now that she has, it's time for her and Nashville singer/songwriter Jessica Harp to trot out Stand Still, Look Pretty, the limited edition of which comes with a bonus DVD.

Also finding a new mouthpiece — actually, let's make that a bullhorn — are punk heroes Marky Ramone, Jerry Only (Misfits), Dez Cadena (Black Flag), Ivan Julian (Richard Hell & the Voidoids) and Misfits collaborator John Cafiero. Their new team, Osaka Popstar, roll out their eponymous debut this week, which — like the Wreckers' LP — comes with a bonus DVD loaded with videos, animation and more.

Two members of the Mother Hips and Cake drummer Todd Roper have gone on to form Sensations, whose Listen to My Shapes debut drops this week. And Dave Shettler of the Sights has joined forces with members of the Paybacks and Cyril Lords to form SSM, a raggedy Detroit band that's also chalking up a self-titled debut.

We Salute You: Everyone knows how much Def Leppard love their sugar, but David Bowie and the Kinks too? 'Pears so, as the U.K. arena-rockers hail those artists — plus Thin Lizzy, T. Rex and Roxy Music — on Yeah! Still, that's not as unusual as Urge Overkill, the Four Tops, the Monkees and Crooked Fingers covering Neil Diamond; all the recordings have been out before, but now they've been compiled as Forever Neil Diamond. Less surprising is another torch singer, Michael Bolton, who brings us his self-explanatory Bolton Swings Sinatra this week.

Song Title of the Week:

"Sometimes the Line Walks You" from Murder by Death's In Bocca Al Lupo

Other Notables:

PJ Harvey's "PJ Harvey on Tour - Please Leave Quietly" DVD: She's been around for seven album cycles, but the celebrated chanteuse finally has a concert video to call her own. Consisting mostly of performances from 2004 — including the rare tracks "Uh Huh Her" and "E♥ol" — the DVD also has a revealing, 28-minute interview and diary footage from the usually reserved Harvey.

Art Brut's Bang Bang Rock and Roll: If you didn't see last year's critics polls, you probably don't know about U.K. sensations Art Brut, whose debut LP finally arrives in the States this week. The chic artistes have added three exclusive cuts to the U.S. version: "These Animal Menswear," "Really Bad Weekend" and "Maternity Ward."

Mission of Burma's The Obliterati: They've been around for 26 years — well, just six, if you subtract the slightly lengthy hiatus — but Boston's MOB finally have a third studio LP to their name. Initial pressings have a bonus DVD featuring high-def, multi-angle footage from the band's November 2004 gig at the Tsongas Arena in Lowell, Massachusetts. Prepare to be obliterated.

New Releases:

• Jackie Allen - Tangled (Blue Note)
  
• Angels & Airwaves - We Don't Need to Whisper (Geffen)
  Read: "Tom DeLonge Spills More About Angels & Airwaves' Plans For World Domination"
  Buy Now: We Don't Need to Whisper (Geffen)
  
• Art Brut - Bang Bang Rock and Roll (Downtown)
  Buy Now: Bang Bang Rock and Roll (Downtown)
  
• As Far As - Open Letter to the Damned (Octone)
  
• Bedroom Walls - All Good Dreamers Pass This Way (Baria)
  
• Blöödhag - Hell Bent for Letters (Alternative Tentacles)
  
• The Blood Brothers - Love Rhymes With Hideous Car Wreck (enhanced EP; V2)
  Buy Now: Love Rhymes With Hideous Car Wreck (V2)
  
• Michael Bolton - Bolton Swings Sinatra: The Second Time Around (Concord)
  
• Bronze Nazareth - The Great Migration (Babygrande)
  
• Susan Cagle - The Subway Recordings (Columbia)
  Read: "Susan Cagle Has A Major-Label Deal But Still Sings In NYC Subway"
  
• The Cairo Gang - The Cairo Gang (Narnack)
  
• The Classic Crime - Albatross (Tooth & Nail)
  
• Slaid Cleaves - Unsung (Rounder)
  
• Coachwhips - Double Death (with DVD; Narnack)
  
• Current 93 - Black Ships Ate the Sky (Durtro)
  
• Da Muzicianz - Da Muzicianz (TVT)
  
• Damone - Out Here All Night (Island)
  Read: "Damone Rock On Despite Label Drama, Near-Death Experience"
  Buy Now: Out Here All Night (Island)
  
• Def Leppard - Yeah! (Mercury/ Universal)
  Buy Now: Yeah! (Mercury/ Universal)
  
• Delaware - Lost in the Beauty of Innocence (Metropolis)
  
• Ditty Bops - Moon Over the Freeway (Warner Bros.)
  Buy Now: Moon Over the Freeway (Warner Bros.)
  
• Dixie Chicks - Taking the Long Way (Columbia)
  Buy Now: Taking the Long Way (Columbia)
  
• Doro - Warrior Soul (Locomotive)
  
• Dr. John - Mercernary (Blue Note)
  
• Dub Trio - New Heavy (enhanced; ROIR)
  
• End of Fashion - End of Fashion (Capitol)
  
• Entity - Locked Doors (D1)
  
• Escape the Fate - There's No Sympathy for the Dead (EP; Epitaph)
  
• Evermore - Dreams (Velour)
  
• Five Horse Johnson - The Mystery Spot (Small Stone)
  
• Jeffrey Foucault - Ghost Repeater (Signature)
  
• The Hacker - A.N.D. N.O.W. ... (Uncivilized World)
  
• Halifax - The Inevitability of a Strange World (Drive Thru)
  Buy Now: The Inevitability of a Strange World (Drive Thru)
  
• Halou - Wholeness & Separation (Vertebrae)
  
• The Heavy Blinkers - The Night and I Are Still So Young (Cooking Vinyl)
  
• Danko Jones - Sleep Is the Enemy (Red Ink)
  
• Judge Jules - Proven Worldwide (Koch)
  
• Kidz Bop - More Kidz Bop Gold: The Greatest Hits of All Time Sung by for Kids (Razor & Tie)
  
• Knut - Alter (Hydra Head)
  
• Less Than Jake - In With the Out Crowd (special edition comes with bonus DVD and MP3 disc; Sire/ London/ Rhino)
  Buy Now: In With the Out Crowd (Sire/ London/ Rhino)
  
• Liquid Soul - One-Two Punch (Telarc)
  
• Marion Meadows - Dressed to Chill (Heads Up)
  
• Mission of Burma - The Obliterati (initial copies come with bonus DVD; Matador)
  Buy Now: The Obliterati (Matador)
  
• Nino Moschella - The Fix (Ubiquity)
  
• Murder by Death - In Bocca Al Lupo (Tent Show)
  
• Ocrilim - Anoint (I & Ear)
  
• Don Omar - King of Kings (Universal)
  Read: "Reggaeton Star Don Omar Out To Spread Latino Unity"
  Buy Now: King of Kings (Universal)
  
• Osaka Popstar - Osaka Popstar and the American Legends of Punk (enhanced; Rykodisc)
  
• Phoenix - It's Never Been Like That (Astralwerks)
  Buy Now: It's Never Been Like That (Astralwerks)
  
• Grace Potter and the Nocturnals - Nothing but the Water (digipak with DVD; Ragged Company)
  
• Purple City - The Purple Album (Babygrande)
  
• Raised Fist - Sound of the Republic (Burning Heart)
  
• Carl Hancock Rux - Good Bread Alley (Thirsty Ear)
  
• Steven Seagal & Thunderbox - Mojo Priest (Ark 21)
  
• Sensations - Listen to My Shapes (Camera)
  
• Shooting at Unarmed Men - Yes Tinnitus (Too Pure)
  
• SSM - SSM (enhanced; Alive)
  
• Sierra Swan - Ladyland (Interscope)
  
• Anjani Thomas - Blue Alert (Columbia)
  
• VCR - Power Destiny (Side One Dummy)
  
• Vetiver - To Find Me Gone (Dicristina Stair)
  
• Rhonda Vincent - An American Bluegrass Girl (Rounder)
  
• Scott Walker - The Drift (4AD)
  
• The Walkmen - A Hundred Miles Off (Record Collection)
  Read: "Want A Bob Dylan Album You Can Dance To? Try The Walkmen"
  Buy Now: A Hundred Miles Off (Record Collection)
  
• The Wreckers - Stand Still, Look Pretty (limited-edition version with DVD also available; Maverick)
  Buy Now: Stand Still, Look Pretty (Maverick)
  
• The Yellowjackets - Twenty Five (two-CD live set; Heads Up)
  
• Yo Gotti - Back 2 Da Basics (TVT)
  Buy Now: Back 2 Da Basics (TVT)
  
• Various artists - Big Star, Small World (Koch)
  
• Various artists - Give 'Em the Boot V (Hellcat)
  
• Various artists - Healing the Divide (digipak; Anti)
  
• Various artists - WWE: Reckless Intent (Columbia)
  
• Various artists - American Idol Season 5 Encores (RCA)
  Read: "Forget The Competition — 'Idol' Top 12 Unite For 'Encore' Comp"
  Buy Now: American Idol Season 5 Encores (RCA)
  
• Various artists - "The Break Up" soundtrack (Hip-O)
  
• Various artists - "Prairie Home Companion" soundtrack (deluxe limited edition with DVD also available; New Line)
  
• Various artists - "X-Men: The Last Stand" soundtrack (Varèse Sarabande)
  

Notable Reissues and Archival Material:

• Will Ackerman - Pure Will Ackerman (Windham Hill/ Legacy)
  
• Jim Brickman - Pure Jim Brickman (Windham Hill/ Legacy)
  
• Roy Buchanan - The Definitive Collection (Polydor)
  
• Candlebox - The Best of Candlebox (Rhino)
  Buy Now: The Best of Candlebox (Rhino)
  
• Johnny Cash - Personal File (two CDs; Columbia/ Legacy)
  Buy Now: Personal File (Columbia/ Legacy)
  
• Eric Clapton - Eric Clapton (two-CD deluxe edition; Polydor)
  Buy Now: Eric Clapton (Polydor)
  
• The Miles Davis Quintet - The Legendary Prestige Quintet Sessions (enhanced four-disc box set; Prestige)
  
• Delaney & Bonnie - Home (Stax)
  
• Pat DiNizio - This Is Pat DiNizio (Fuel)
  
• Sammy Hagar - Marching to Mars (Geffen)
  
• John Lee Hooker - The Definitive Collection (Hip-0)
  
• Mark Isham - Pure Mark Isham (Windham Hill/ Legacy)
  
• Kansas - Works in Progress (with DVD; Compendia)
  
• Gladys Knight & the Pips - Gold (two CDs; Hip-O)
  
• Leadbelly - The Legend of Leadbelly (Empire Musicwerks)
  
• Huey Lewis & the News - Greatest Hits (available with DVD; Capitol)
  Buy Now: Greatest Hits (Capitol)
  
• Luciano - Gold: The Very Best of Luciano (Jet Star)
  
• John Jacob Niles - An Evening With John Jacob Niles (Empire Musicwerks)
  
• Harry Nilsson - A Little Touch of Schmilsson in the Night, Everybody's Talkin': The Very Best of Harry Nilsson, Son of Schmilsson (RCA/ Legacy)
  
• Poison - The Best of Poison: 20 Years of Rock - Deluxe Tour Edition (with DVD; Capitol)
  Buy Now: The Best of Poison: 20 Years of Rock - Deluxe Tour Edition (Capitol)
  
• Pete Seeger - American Favorite Ballads, Vol. 4 (Smithsonian Folkways)
  
• Lionel Richie - Time (MCA)
  
• Diana Ross - Diana (MCA)
  
• Merl Saunders & Jerry Garcia - Well-Matched: The Best of Merl Saunders & Jerry Garcia (Windham Hill/ Legacy)
  
• Shadowfax - Pure Shadowfax (Windham Hill/ Legacy)
  
• Garnett Silk - Rule Dem: The Roots of the Reggae Messiah (Trojan)
  
• George Strait - Ten Strait Hits (MCA)
  
• Tears for Fears - Songs From the Big Chair (two-CD deluxe edition; enhanced; Mercury/ Universal)
  Buy Now: Songs From the Big Chair (Mercury/ Universal)
  
• Tuck & Patti - Pure Tuck & Patti (Windham Hill/ Legacy)
  
• Uriah Heep - Look at Yourself (MCA)
  
• Muddy Waters - The Definitive Collection (Geffen)
  
• Faron Young - An Introduction to Faron Young (Fuel)
  
• Various artists - Best of '60s Soul (Madacy)
  
• Various artists - Big Band: Remixed + Reinvented (Sunswept)
  
• Various artists - Classic Labor Songs from Smithsonian Folkways (Smithsonian Folkways)
  
• Various artists - Eisenhower Blues: Post-War Urban Classics From the Eisenhower Era (1952-1960) (Empire Musicwerks)
  
• Various artists - The Essential Hollywood (two CDs; Columbia)
  
• Various artists - Forever Neil Diamond (Shout! Factory)
  
• Various artists - Irie Reggae Hits: Best of Dancehall (Time Life)
  
• Various artists - Punk Rock! 20 Classic Punk Bands From the World of Mystic Records (Varèse Sarabande)
  
• Various artists - Road Tested: The Ultimate Driving Album (Time Life)
  
• Various artists - West Coast Sock Hop: The Arvee Records Story (Empire Musicwerks)
  

Music DVDs:

• 16 Horsepower - "Live" (Alternative Tentacles)
  
• America - "America In Concert: Live at the Sydney Opera House" (Rhino)
  
• Faith No More - "You Fat Bastards: Live at the Brixton Academy, London/ Who Cares A Lot: Greatest Videos" (two DVDs; Rhino)
  
• Oscar Peterson - "London Concert 1964" (E Jazz Lines)
  
• Pink - "Live in Europe" (La Face)
  
• PJ Harvey - "PJ Harvey on Tour - Please Leave Quietly" (Island)
  
• Uli Jon Roth - "Historic Performances Volume I & II: The Electric Sun Years" (Steamhammer)
  
• Uli Jon Roth, Jack Bruce and UFO - "Legends of Rock: Live at Castle Donington" (Steamhammer)
  
• Son Volt - "6 String Belief: Son Volt Live" (Transmit Sound/ Legacy)
  
• Tears for Fears - "Scenes From the Big Chair" (Mercury/ Universal)
  
• Muddy Waters - "Classic Concerts" (Hip-O)
  
• Wendy O. Williams - "Bump N Grind: Wendy O. Williams Live" (Cherry Red)
  
• Various artists - "Metal: A Headbanger's Journey" (two-DVD special edition; Warner)
  

Coming Attractions:

May 30:

• The Charlatans UK - "Live at Last" (Standing Room Only)
  
• Les Claypool - Of Whales & Woe (digipak; Prawn Song)
  
• Peeping Tom - Peeping Tom (Ipecac)
  Read: "Norah Jones Curses Up A Storm For New Mike Patton Project"

June 6:

• AFI - Decemberunderground (Interscope)
  Preorder: Decemberunderground (Interscope)
  
• Head Automatica - Popaganda (Warner Bros.)
  Read: "Daryl Palumbo Spreads Head Automatica Popaganda"
  Preorder: Popaganda (Warner Bros.)
  
• Paul Oakenfold - A Lively Mind (Maverick)
  Preorder: A Lively Mind (Maverick)
  

June 13:

• The Futureheads - News and Tributes (Vagrant)
  Preorder: News and Tributes (Vagrant)
  
• Busta Rhymes - The Big Bang (Aftermath)
  Read: "Busta Making An Even Bigger Bang With Em, ODB, Neptunes, Rick James"
  Preorder: The Big Bang (Aftermath)
  
• Shadows Fall - Fallout From the War (Century Media)
  
• Sonic Youth - Rather Ripped (Geffen)
  Preorder: Rather Ripped (Geffen)
  
• Regina Spektor - Begin to Hope (two-CD limited-edition also available; Sire/ London/ Rhino)
  Preorder: Begin to Hope (Sire/ London/ Rhino)
  

• Angels & Airwaves
• Don Omar
• P!nk
• The Walkmen
• Dixie Chicks

The Walkmen's Hamilton Leithauser
Photo: Lee Barth

INDIO, California — With the release of the Walkmen's new album only a few weeks away, frontman Hamilton Leithauser thought it would be cool to close their Coachella show with their new single. He was wrong.

"It didn't go over well," Leithauser said. "It's usually a party and it's a great ender, but ... we played [our biggest hit] 'The Rat' [from 2004's Bows + Arrows] just before, and you realize this is the place for the old songs."

Regardless, the Walkmen are stoked about the song, which is called "Louisiana," "but it's not about Hurricane Katrina; it was done before that," Leithauser said.

"It's, like, very Bob Dylan Basement Tapes-inspired, and it sounds a lot like it too," he continued. "It's sort of light and breezy, but I think it's a really strong song and is sort of happy sounding and easygoing, but very vague, lyrically."

"Louisiana," Leithauser feels, is one of several standout tracks on the D.C. band's third studio album, titled A Hundred Miles Off and due May 23.

"Song by song, it's just stronger than anything we've ever done," the singer/guitarist said. "I really just like every single one, which isn't always the case. I really like the song 'Don't Get Me Down, Come Over Here,' the first one we wrote for this record. It's not really something that grabs people at first, because it's just a real slow builder and it has very solid grooves, but I think it's the best song we've ever written, structurally. And I like this one called 'This Job Is Killing Me.' I think that might be the most popular song on the record. It's just sort of dancey and has got a really strong melody."

The Walkmen — made up of former members of Jonathan Fire Eater and the Recoys (see "The Walkmen: Former Major-Label Darlings Go DIY") — recorded A Hundred Miles Off in their studios in New York and Washington, D.C., and produced it themselves.

"I've always thought that the idea of a producer would be fantastic, 'cause every band ever that I really loved had a producer," Leithauser said. "The idea is great in theory, but we've never come across anyone who we trust enough to be an engineer and a producer and really take over the sound.

"And you just don't want to hear what somebody else has to say about your song that you've written," he added. "You're gonna get reviews anyhow. You just don't want to deal with that while you're actually making the song."

The Walkmen wrote sporadically for the album and had no preconceived ideas going in, but maintained more structure than with past recording sessions.

"A lot of the old ones we did a lot of really sort of key things last-minute and didn't really think about it, and you almost sort of turn your back to it, because with us it either comes really quick or it doesn't happen," Leithauser explained. "So in the past, I think we made some bad decisions because we didn't even think about it, but this time we just had things sort of laid out a lot better, and the songs — we really played them live before we recorded them."

After Coachella (see "Madonna, Kanye Just Add To Coachella's Eclectic Atmosphere"), the Walkmen boarded a plane for England, where they are promoting A Hundred Miles Off for a few weeks. On May 24, the band returns to New York to kick off a summer tour that will head to Spain in July and back to the U.S. in August.

"We're touring with Mazarin from Philadelphia, who are great friends of ours," Leithauser said. "You try to find people who are pleasant, 'cause you're gonna spend a lot of f---ing time with them."

Later in the year, the Walkmen will release Pussycats Starring the Walkmen, a song-for-song cover of Harry Nilsson's 1974 album Pussy Cats.

The Walkmen tour dates, according to the band's label:

• 5/24 - New York, NY @ Webster Hall
• 5/25 - Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club
• 5/26 - Philadelphia, PA @ Theatre of Living Arts
• 5/30 - Cleveland, OH @ Beachland Ballroom
• 5/31 - Detroit, MI @ St Andrews Hall
• 6/1 - Chicago, IL @ Metro
• 6/2 - Milwaukee, WI @ Miramar Theatre
• 6/3 - Minneapolis, MN @ 400 Bar
• 6/5 - Englewood, CO @ Gothic Theatre
• 6/6 - Salt Lake City, UT @ In the Venue
• 6/8 - Portland, OR @ Berbati's Pan
• 6/9 - Seattle, WA @ Showbox
• 6/10 - Vancouver, BC @ Richard's on Richards
• 6/12 - San Francisco, CA @ Great American Music Hall
• 6/13 - San Francisco, CA @ Great American Music Hall
• 6/14 - Pomona, CA @ Glass House
• 6/15 - Los Angeles, CA @ The El Rey
• 6/16 - San Diego, CA @ House of Blues
• 6/17 - Tempe, AZ @ The Clubhouse
• 6/19 - Austin, TX @ La Zona Rosa
• 6/20 - Houston, TX @ Numbers
• 6/21 - Dallas, TX @ Granada Theater
• 6/23 - Nashville, TN @ Exit/In
• 6/24 - Louisville, KY @ Headliners
• 6/25 - Cincinnati, OH @ Sawyer Point Park
• 6/27 - Toronto, ON @ Phoenix Concert Theatre
• 6/28 - Montreal, QC @ La Tulipe
• 6/29 - Boston, MA @ Avalon

• Kanye, Madonna, Depeche Mode, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Wolfmother, More at Coachella

• The Walkmen

Walkmen (file)
Photo: Startime International

Proving that the holiday spirit is alive and well, even in New York's jaded indie scene, the Walkmen have released their own version of the ubiquitous Christmas album: a three-song EP with a minute-long track of feedback and shrieked profanity.

"We spent a day recording 'Eggnog,' " Walkmen frontman Hamilton Leithauser said of the explicit track. "I just screamed some curse words so we could slap a 'Parental Advisory' sticker on it."

Christmas Party, a limited-edition 7-inch, doesn't exactly qualify as a new album for the band, which has been touring in support of its sophomore release, Bows + Arrows, for almost a year. The Walkmen are anxious to get back into the studio to record a proper full-length project.

"We're going to write the next record as soon as we can," Leithauser said. "We've already sort of started writing it, and we want to get into the studio to start recording as soon as possible."

The Walkmen, who formed from the remnants of the Recoys and celebrated "It" band Jonathan Fire Eater, released their debut full-length, Everyone Who Pretended to Like Me Is Gone, in 2002. Since then, the band has been consistently touring and recording, beginning work on its second album as the trek in support of its first was ending.

In the 10 months since Bows + Arrows was released, the band's schedule has been equally unrelenting, with projects including an appearance on FOX's indie-band-embracing drama "The O.C.," which featured Rooney during the first season and the Killers during the second (see "Modest Mouse, Killers, Walkmen To Guest Star On 'The O.C.'").

"It was really weird to film it," Leithauser recalled, " 'cause you perform to this room of 200 people who are all pretending to really like your music — and you're not even performing. You're sort of fake playing."

The Walkmen have taken the stage at their fair share of real performances this year, including a stint supporting Cake on the North American leg of their tour.

Having made fans of the New York hipster crowd with their brash rock instrumentals and aggressive lyrics on tracks like "The Rat" ("You've got a nerve to be asking a favor/ You've got a nerve to be calling my number"), the Walkmen are nonetheless open to making changes to their sound and are considering collaborating with other artists for the first time.

"We talked about trying to work with Perry Farrell," he said. "Everyone likes that idea, so maybe we'll look into it."

If Leithauser's description of the first track he has written for the project is any indication, however, the band might be looking to Lou Reed for inspiration instead.

"I wrote a song [recently] that I really like. I played it for the guys, and they liked it, too," he said. "It's just sort of singing and chords right now, but it sounds very Velvet Underground."

The second single off Bows + Arrows, "Little House of Savages" (and its accompanying video featuring young children wearing war paint and chasing each other through a forest), has recently hit airwaves. But the Walkmen are ready to move on to their next project.

"We've been playing these songs for so long, and we keep getting close to having a month off to write songs, but it never really happens," Leithauser said. "Nobody wants to deal with this album anymore. We just want to get started on the next one."

• The Walkmen

The Walkmen (file)
Photo: Startime

With all the punch-ups, breakdowns and making out happening on "The O.C.," you wouldn't think music would be a top priority.

But throughout all of last season's turmoil, Ryan, Seth, Marissa and Summer (and show creator Josh Schwartz) proved to be A-list audiophiles, chatting up classic punk acts like the Clash and extolling the virtues of up-and-comers like Bright Eyes. And now they've lined up an indie-heavy list of bands to appear on the upcoming second season of the show.

A spokesperson for the show confirmed that Modest Mouse, the Walkmen and the Killers are all scheduled to grace Orange County's sunny shores this season, which begins November 5. The Walkmen and the Killers have already taped their appearances.

"The characters are opening a club — like the Peach Pit After Dark on '90210' — it's called the Bait Shop," Walkmen bassist Pete Bauer said. "They wanted a band to open it up. So I think we're the first band at the Bait Shop."

The Walkmen perform two songs, "What's in It for Me" and "Little House of Savages," from their album Bows + Arrows, in a key scene during the new season's third episode. But just what happens in the scene is a mystery. Bauer is mum on the details.

"Characters kiss during our slow jam. But I don't know if I'm allowed to give that away," he said. "They have a crane shot from us up to a balcony, and then everybody watches them kiss and the girl runs off. That's going to be the highlight for us, a scene where characters make out and then run off."

The Killers' Brendan Flowers was equally reluctant to divulge details of his band's appearance on the show, saying only that the show's characters "come and see us play. [They're] like, 'Oh, are you going to the Killers tonight?' And then they're there and we're playing in the background.

"We [played] 'Smile Like You Mean It' and a little bit of 'Everything Will Be Alright,' " Flowers said. "We don't get to watch anything."

Schwartz could not be reached for comment on the upcoming season of "The O.C."; a spokesperson said he was on vacation.

This isn't the first time the show has featured music acts in prominent roles. One episode last season was focused almost entirely around a concert by Rooney. Songs by acts like Franz Ferdinand and Interpol have been played in the background of scenes, and March saw the release of Music From 'The O.C.': Mix 1, a soundtrack packed with songs from artists like Spoon, Jet and the Dandy Warhols. The show's theme song, "California," is performed by Phantom Planet.

"I think it's good. A lot of young kids who watch the show don't hear bands like us," Bauer said. "Like, my 13-year-old cousin wants a Walkmen T-shirt now, and she never did before."

• The Walkmen
• Modest Mouse
• The Killers

Danger Mouse (file)
Photo: MTV News

The Grey Album mastermind Danger Mouse, Detroit garage rockers the Von Bondies and New York hipsters the Walkmen are among the latest crop of artists to join Morrissey, PJ Harvey, Sonic Youth and the Flaming Lips on this summer's Lollapalooza lineup.

Alongside other previously announced artists the String Cheese Incident, Modest Mouse, Le Tigre, Gomez, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and the Polyphonic Spree (see "Lollapalooza's Farrell Explains His Taste For String Cheese"), the trek will also showcase the talents of Broken Social Scene, the Datsuns, Bumblebeez 81, the Secret Machines, the Thrills, Sound Tribe Sector 9, Elbow, Wheat and the lone hip-hop artists on the bill thus far, the Coup.

Lollapalooza founder and organizer Perry Farrell will also be on hand, performing as his electronic-music alter ego, DJ Peretz, at each stop. Additional artists are expected, and not all artists will perform at every stop.

The two-day package tour kicks off July 14 and 15 at the White River Amphitheatre in Auburn, Washington. Tickets for the July 17 and 18 shows at the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, California, outside of San Francisco, go on sale Sunday. Ten additional markets have been confirmed, with shows around New York and Los Angeles still to be announced. Special guests are expected at each show, a tour spokesperson said.

For the Shoreline show, tickets are priced at $49.50 per day for reserved seats and $29.50 for general admission. Two-day general admission passes will go for $50.

Lollapalooza's partial itinerary, according to spokespersons for the tour:

• 7/14 - Auburn, WA @ White River Amphitheatre
• 7/15 - Auburn, WA @ White River Amphitheatre
• 7/17 - Mountain View, CA @ Shoreline Amphitheatre
• 7/18 - Mountain View, CA @ Shoreline Amphitheatre
• 7/26 - Englewood, CO @ Coors Amphitheatre
• 7/27 - Englewood, CO @ Coors Amphitheatre
• 7/29 - Tinley Park, IL @ Tweeter Center
• 7/30 - Tinley Park, IL @ Tweeter Center
• 8/2 - Clarkston, MI @ DTE Energy Music Theatre
• 8/3 - Clarkston, MI @ DTE Energy Music Theatre
• 8/5 - Toronto, ON @ Molson Amphitheatre
• 8/6 - Toronto, ON @ Molson Amphitheatre
• 8/9 - Cuyahoga Falls, OH @ Blossom Music Center
• 8/10 - Cuyahoga Falls, OH @ Blossom Music Center
• 8/12 - Columbia, MD @ Merriweather Post
• 8/13 - Columbia, MD @ Merriweather Post
• 8/14 - Mansfield, MA @ Tweeter Center
• 8/15 - Mansfield, MA @ Tweeter Center
• 8/18 - Camden, NJ @ Tweeter Center At the Waterfront
• 8/19 - Camden, NJ @ Tweeter Center At the Waterfront
• 8/21 - Atlanta, GA @ Turner Field
• 8/22 - Atlanta, GA @ Turner Field
• 8/24 - Dallas, TX @ Smirnoff Music Center
• 8/25 - Dallas, TX @ Smirnoff Music Center

• The Von Bondies
• The Walkmen
• Broken Social Scene
• The Datsuns
• Perry Farrell

Amid their calls for (presumably) the current administration to "step down, step down" in their single "Megalomaniac," Incubus step right up into the top slot of this week's new releases with A Crow Left of the Murder.

The video for "Megalomaniac," directed by Floria Sigismondi (Marilyn Manson, Christina Aguilera), mirrors its lyrical message with images damning the war in Iraq.

The soundtrack to "50 First Dates," the new Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore movie, is composed primarily of cover songs of popular '80s hits reworked by the likes of Wyclef Jean and Eve, Mark McGrath of Sugar Ray, Jason Mraz, and Elan Atias with Gwen Stefani. Meanwhile, the "Barbershop 2" soundtrack features Mary J. Blige, Chingy, the Clipse, G-Unit, Sean Paul and Mobb Deep.

Five for Fighting drop The Battle of Everything, featuring the lead single, "100 Years," alongside the Walkmen's Bows and Arrows.

Finally, the Lostprophets Start Something ... just as we finish.

Out Tuesday, February 3:

• Aros - Train Song (Songlines/ Big Daddy)
• Astral Doors - If the Son and the Father (Locomotive Music)
• Moya Brennan - Two Horizons (Decca)
• Cat on Form - Set Them on Fire With Their Own Matches (Southern)
• Centro-Matic - Flashes and Cables (Misra)
• Kenny Chesney - When the Sun Goes Down (BNA)
• The Church - Forget Yourself (Cooking Vinyl)
• Citizens Here and Abroad - Ghosts of Tables and Chairs (Omnibus)
• The Clocks - Black Box (Zip)
• Harry Connick Jr. - Only You (Columbia)
• The Crumbs - Last Exit (TKO)
• Jimmy Dawkins - Tell Me Baby (Fedora)
• Destruction Unit - Self Destruction of a Man (Empty)
• Dismantled - Post Nuclear (Metropolis)
• Dollar Store - Dollar Store (Bloodshot)
• Easterly - Easterly (Not Lame)
• Electrelane - The Power Out (Too Pure)
• Electro Group - Ummo (Omnibus)
• Elephant Micah - The United States of Elephant Micah (BlueSanct)
• Fillmore Slim - Funky Mama's House (Fedora)
• Five for Fighting - The Battle for Everything (Aware/Columbia)
• Gadget - Remote (Relapse)
• Serge Gainsbourg - Aux Armes et Caetera (Sunnyside)
• In Strict Confidence - Holy (Metropolis)
• Incubus - A Crow Left of the Murder (Epic/Immortal)
  Read: "Incubus Experiment With New Sounds On Crow Left Of The Murder"
  Buy Now: A Crow Left of the Murder (Epic/Immortal)
  To hear Incubus’ new album, check out MTV.com’s "The Leak."
  
• Tim Kirker - Like Distant Sounds (Fishhead)
• Last Autumn's Dream - Last Autumn's Dream (Frontiers)
• Jens Lekman - Maple Leaves (Secretly Canadian)
• Lion Fever - Lustre (Dim Mak)
• Lostprophets - Start Something (Columbia)
• Microphones - Live in Japan February 19th, 21st, and 22nd, 2003 (K)
• Moca - Wroooooooam (Blue Flame)
• Moth Spy - Sueno Azul (Americans Are Coming)
• Mountain Goats - We Shall All Be Healed (4AD)
• Off the Record - Nothing New (New School)
• The Olivia Tremor Control - Music From the Unrealized Film Script (Cloud)
• Owls - Our Hopes and Dreams (Magic Marker)
• Eddi Reader - Sings the Songs of Robert Burns (Compass)
• Reincidentes - Cosas de Este Mundo (Locomotive Music)
• Sheek the Shayk - Hour of the Seventh Moon (Laughing Outlaw)
• Summer Hymns - Value Series Vol. 1: Fool's Gold (Misra)
• Sunny & the Sunliners - Sharing Those Rock & Roll Memories (Freddie)
• Super XX Man - Vol. VII: My Usual Way (Lelp Recordings)
• Heidi Talbot - Distant Future (Compass)
• Threshold - Critical Energy (Inside Out Music)
• Vaz/ The Seawhores - Vazzed in a Sea of Whores (Essay)
• Ray Vega - Squeeze Squeeze (Palmetto)
• Vocokesh - Tenth Corner (Strange Attractors)
• The Walkmen - Bows and Arrows (Record Collection)
• The Washdown - Yes to Everything (Lookout)
• X - Evil Rumours (Laughing Outlaw)
• Various artists - "50 First Dates" soundtrack (Maverick)
• Various artists - "Barbershop 2 - Back in Business" soundtrack (Interscope)
  Read: "Mary J. Blige, G-Unit Cuts On 'Barbershop 2' Soundtrack"
• Various artists - Body & Soul: Duets (Time Life)
• Various artists - "Lion King 1 1/2" soundtrack (Walt Disney)
• Various artists - Interpreting Björk (Hush)
• Various artists - Rykodisc 20th Anniversary (Rykodisc)
• Various artists - Soul Comes Home: A Celebration of Stax Records (Sony)

February 10:

• Norah Jones - Feels Like Home (Blue Note)
  Read:"Norah Jones Returns Home With New Album"
  Buy Now: Feels Like Home (Blue Note)
  
• Courtney Love - America's Sweetheart (Virgin)
  Read: "Courtney Love Album Preview: America's Sweetheart Takes On Male Rock Pantheon"
  Buy Now: America's Sweetheart (Virgin)
  
• Kylie Minogue - Body Language (Capitol)
• Various artists - "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" soundtrack (Capitol)

February 17:

• BT - Music From and Inspired by the Film "Monster" (Digital Sound)
• Indigo Girls - All That We Let In (Sony)
• Lambchop - Aw C'mon (Merge)
• Lambchop - No, You C'mon (Merge)

February 24:

• JC Chasez - Schizophrenic (Jive)
  Read: "JC Chasez Learns To 'Shake It' Like A Polaroid Picture On Schizophrenic"
• John Frusciante - Shadows Collide With People (Warner Bros.)
• Orgy - Punk Statik Paranoia (D1)
• Rick Springfield - Shock Denial Anger Acceptance (Red Ink)

March 2:

• Black Sabbath - Black Box: The Complete Original Black Sabbath 1970-78 (Rhino)
• Cee-Lo - Cee-Lo Green Is the Soul Machine (Arista)
• The Get Up Kids - Guilt Show (Vagrant)
• Hootie and the Blowfish - The Best of Hootie and the Blowfish 1993-2003 (Atlantic)

March 30:

• Janet Jackson - Title TBD (Virgin)
  Read: "Janet Jackson Making Sexiest Album Yet, Producer Says"

April 6:

• Rahzel - Rahzel's Greatest Knockouts (Readyrock)

• Incubus
• Five For Fighting
• The Walkmen
• Lostprophets
• Kenny Chesney

• The Walkmen

• Interpol
• Calla
• Le Tigre
• Longwave
• The Natural History